From October 23 to 25, eight magnificent plays were showcased during WTEA International Theatre Festival 2023 at the Changping Campus, the Central Academy of Drama in China, including BUTTERFLY LOVERS by the Central Academy of Drama from China, AIA by Shota Rustaveli Theatre and Film Georgia State University from Georgia, KING LEAR by Toho Gakuen College of Drama and Music from Japan, ONCE UPON A TIME by Department of Theatre of Chung-Ang University from Republic of Korea, ROMEO AND JULIET by Oklahoma City University School of Theatre from the USA, THE THREE-PENNY OPERA by Ernst Busch University of Dramatic Arts from Germany, THE TRAGEDY OF MAN (THE ATHENS SCENE) by Athens Conservatoire Drama School from Greece, and THE CHERRY ORCHARD by Russian Institute of Theatre Arts (GITIS) from Russia. 

The eight performances, all derived from their native cultures, featured distinctive stories, styles, main ideas, and techniques of expression, constituting a diverting and multi-cultural feast for the audience to enjoy. They were then staged in Guilin from October 27-29, as a part of the Guilin Festival 2023, interacting with the beautiful landscape in the picturesque city.

Among them, two shows won the ‘Best Stage Performance Award’, according to the Awards Rules for WTEA International Theatre Festival, and eight students won the ‘WTEA Acting Award’, with another eight students winning the ‘Outstanding Acting Award’. 

The winners are as follows:

Winners of the ‘Best Stage Performance Award’:

1. BUTTERFLY LOVERS by the Central Academy of Drama, China

2. ONCE UPON A TIME by Department of Theatre, Chung-Ang University, Republic of Korea

Winners of the acting awards:

1. AIA by Shota Rustaveli Theatre and Film Georgia State University, Georgia

WTEA Acting Award: Mari Engureli

Outstanding Acting Award: Nino Nozadze

2. KING LEAR by Toho Gakuen College of Drama and Music, Japan

WTEA Acting Award: Motono Kai

Outstanding Acting Award: Shioiri Kein

3. ONCE UPON A TIME by Department of Theatre, Chung-Ang University, Republic of Korea

WTEA Acting Award: Kang Jang-Kun

Outstanding Acting Award: An Young-Bin

4. THE THREE-PENNY OPERA by Ernst Busch University of Dramatic Arts, Germany

WTEA Acting Award: Antonia Wiedemann

Outstanding Acting Award: Nele Rößler

5. THE CHERRY ORCHARD by Russian Institute of Theatre Arts (GITIS), Russia

WTEA Acting Award: Evgenia Leonova

Outstanding Acting Award: Semion Shestakov

6. BUTTERFLY LOVERS by The Central Academy of Drama, China

WTEA Acting Award: Liang Songqing  

Outstanding Acting Award: Wang Yige  

7. ROMEO AND JULIET by Oklahoma City University School of Theatre, the USA

WTEA Acting Award: Lauren Harrison

Outstanding Acting Award: Jordan Smith

8. THE TRAGEDY OF MAN (THE ATHENS SCENE) by Athens Conservatoire Drama School, Greece

WTEA Acting Award: Solon Petrakopoulos

Outstanding Acting Award: Penny Sakelariadi, Kondylia Konstandelaki, Danae Georgoula, Nadia Baimpa

The awarding ceremony was held on the evening of October 27 at Guangxi Provincial Art Museum as a session of the Opening Ceremony of Guilin Festival 2023. 

For more details about the eight shows, please check out: http://www.chntheatre.edu.cn/wteaen/fest/detail/21472.html.