The Central Academy of Drama is the first higher educational institution dedicated to theatre education in the People's Republic of China and now it is affiliated to China's Ministry of Education. It is the premier institution for theatre, film and television arts education in China and has been included in the country’s ‘Double First-class’ University Plan. The Central Academy of Drama is the headquarters of China Alliance of Theatre Higher Educational Institutes, Asia Theatre Education Centre (ATEC) and World Theatre Education Alliance (WTEA). It is a world-famous higher educational institution of arts.
The history of the Central Academy of Drama dates back to more than 80 years, to April 10, 1938, when Yan An Lu Xun Art College was established. The Central Academy of Drama opened officially in December, 1949 and held the inaugural conference on April 2, 1950. Chairman Mao Zedong inscribed the official name in calligraphy.
The Central Academy of Drama has two campuses, with the original one located at No. 39 Dong Mianhua Hutong, Dongcheng District, and the new one at No.4 Hong Fu Middle Rd, Changping District. The area in total reaches 230, 000 m2, and the gross floor area is about 180,000 m2.
The Academy’s academic departments include Department of Acting, Department of Directing, Department of Stage Design, Department of Dramatic Literature, Department of Musical Theatre, Department of Xiqu and Quyi, Department of Western Opera, Department of Dance Theatre, Department of Theatre Pedagogy, Department of Theatre Management, Department of Film and Television Arts, Department of Science Theatre, and School of Marxism. Majors offered at the undergraduate level include: Acting, Directing for Theatre and Film and Television, Art Design for Theatre and Film and Television, Recording Art, Theatre Studies, Theatrical, Film and Television Literature, Musical Theatre, Quyi, Theatre Pedagogy, Art Management, Broadcasting and Hosting, Cinematography and Production for Film and Television, Digital Media Art, and Digital Theatre. The Academy has authorized programmes for master’s and doctoral degrees in Art Studies, Studies of Theatre, Film and Television Arts, and Studies of Xiqu and Quyi. The Academy also has a post-doctoral research station.
The Academy has the only state-level teaching team in Acting, the only state-level characteristic major in Directing, the only national innovative experimental zone for talents cultivation in Musical Acting, the only state-level demonstration centre for experimental teaching in Drama (Film and Television), and the MOE Key Laboratory of ‘Intelligent Dramatic Art Space’. The Academy also acts as headquarters of many national and international organizations, including China Committee for Promoting Art Education, China Drama Association, Committee of Directing Arts of China Theater Association, International Stage Arts Network, China Association of Stage Arts, China Centre of OISTAT, China Centre of International Association of Theatre Critics, China Stage Art Educational Alliance, Education Committee of China Musical Theatre Association, Research Centre on Theatrical Pedagogy of China’s Primary and Secondary Schools, China Collaborative Innovation Center for Theatre Arts Management, The ‘Belt and Road’ International Film Education Alliance, and The World Dance Drama Education Alliance.
Throughout the Academy’s long history, it continues to uphold the principle of realism, inherits Chinese aesthetic traditions and draws extensively from diverse theories and practices. The Academy values a solid foundation and stresses practice, and pursues the spirit of ‘Truth, Creation, Perfection’ to train professionals in Theatre, Film and Television Art for the country and the world. A significant number of graduates have become world-famous artists, scholars, professors, and writers who have made remarkable contributions to the prosperity and development of China's theatre, film and television industry.
Looking ahead, the Central Academy of Drama will seize the opportunities presented by the deepening reform of higher education and accelerate the development of the education system. It strives to increase the quality of education and its management, intensify efforts to improve teaching quality and advance pedagogical reform, enhance academic disciplines and build a high-level faculty. The Academy also drives innovation in management systems and mechanisms, and engages in multilateral exchanges and cooperation in global theatre education, to improve the Academy’s comprehensive strength and overall quality. The Central Academy of Drama strives to build itself into a world-class art institution with distinctive features.
