On the morning of September 8, the opening ceremony for the Second Training Course for Actor Cadre, jointly organized by the Central Academy of Drama and the Boris Shchukin Theatre Institute of Russia, took place in the East Hall of the Experimental Theatre at Dongcheng Campus. The event was attended by notable figures including Mr. Pu Cunxin, Chairman of the Chinese Theatre Association; Prof. Hao Rong, President of the Central Academy of Drama; Mr. Evgeniy Knyazev, People's Artist of Russia and Rector of the Boris Shchukin Theatre Institute; Prof. Xu Zhen and Prof. Sun Daqing, Vice Presidents of the Central Academy of Drama; as well as retired professors Ms. Ma Huitian and Ms. Guan Ying from the Department of Acting. Additional guests included Ms. Lyudmila Maksakova, a Russian People's Artist and professor at the Boris Shchukin Theatre Institute; Anton Prokhorov, Deputy General Manager of the Vakhtangov Theatre; and Ms. Fan Jing, Chairperson of Fan Jing Culture Co., Ltd. The ceremony was presided over by Prof. Wang Xin, Party Secretary and Dean of the Department of Acting at the Central Academy of Drama.

The Opening Ceremony

Mr. Yan Chao, a representative of the trainees and a young teacher in the Department of Acting, delivered an inspiring speech. He emphasized that as participants in this course, they bore the responsibility of upholding the academic traditions established by their predecessors since the 1950s. “We must pass on this academic legacy, study diligently, value our learning opportunities, and courageously take up the baton for a new era!” He expressed confidence that, with the support of both institutions and guidance from the expert team, the trainees would gain invaluable insights and foster a new chapter in Chinese and Russian drama education.

Mr. Yan Chao

Prof. Wang Xin followed with remarks reflecting on a recent visit to the Boris Shchukin Theatre Institute in April. He noted the deep cultural heritage and significant drama traditions at the institution. “Now, just four months later, we are here for the opening ceremony, with teaching about to commence. The trainees are young teaching staff engaged in acting-related courses at the Central Academy of Drama, as well as emerging actors from various theatres with considerable creative experience.” He encouraged the students to excel in their studies and wished the Russian professors a rewarding teaching experience at the Academy.

Prof. Wang Xin

Retired professor Ma Huitian reminisced about the arrival of Soviet experts at the Academy in the 1950s. As a member of the first undergraduate class in Directing in 1953, he expressed gratitude for the insights he gained from these experts. He urged the trainees to cherish this invaluable opportunity and wished them remarkable success.

Prof. Ma Huitian

In her address, Prof. Maksakova highlighted the power of drama to bridge cultural gaps and convey artistic expressions. She praised the training course as an excellent initiative to translate theory into practice while nurturing exceptional drama talent.

Prof. Lyudmila Maksakova

Mr. Pu Cunxin reflected on his father's experience in an advanced training class at the Academy under Soviet guidance. He emphasized the significance of the collaboration between the Central Academy of Drama and the Boris Shchukin Theatre Institute, noting that early Chinese drama education greatly benefited from Soviet methods and experiences. He expressed hope that this training course would feature high-quality lectures, reveal core principles, foster new developments, and infuse vitality into drama art, ultimately conveying Chinese stories through theatrical expression.

Mr. Pu Cunxin

Rector Knyazev expressed his honour at being at the Central Academy of Drama and recalled Dean Hao Rong's visit to the Shchukin Theatre Institute. He stressed that drama schools are not merely for teaching drama; they play a vital role in educating individuals and guiding them through artistic experiences. He affirmed the amicable relations between China and Russia and expressed optimism for fruitful cooperation between the two institutions moving forward.

Mr. Evgeniy Knyazev

President Hao Rong delivered an enthusiastic speech, celebrating the arrival of friends from afar during this golden September harvest season. He noted the longstanding 70-year friendship between the Central Academy of Drama and the Boris Shchukin Theatre Institute, recalling that in September 1954, Boris Grigorievich Kulnev, then-principal of the former Shchukin Drama School, was invited to the Academy. The "Training Course for Actor Cadre," which he led, began in January 1955 and was instrumental in teaching the Stanislavsky system through rigorous training. This program nurtured renowned actors such as Yu Lan, Tian Hua, and Lan Tianye, marking a pivotal moment in the history of higher drama education in China. The training course established by Kulnev has since become a benchmark for performing arts education.

President Hao Rong

President Hao Rong highlighted that in November 2023, while attending the 9th St. Petersburg International Cultural Forum, he signed a tripartite cooperation memorandum on behalf of the Central Academy of Drama with the Vakhtangov Theatre and the Boris Shchukin Theatre Institute. In April 2024, he led a delegation to revisit both institutions. The year of 2024 not only marks the 75th anniversary of diplomatic relations between the People's Republic of China and Russia but also the commencement of the "China-Russia Cultural Year." Reflecting on history and with a long-term vision, Hao emphasized the importance of renewing collaboration between the two institutions, drawing inspiration from the 1955 Training Course for Actor Cadre at the Central Academy of Drama. He expressed a desire to honour the legacy of this course, which significantly shaped the history of higher drama education in China, and hoped to establish a lasting tradition of cooperation.

Hao Rong quoted a renowned statement by Kulnev during the original Training Course for Actor Cadre, reminding trainees that while it was essential to learn from advanced practices, it was equally important to adapt them creatively. “You are not just students, but creators. Take inspiration from Mr. Lu Xun, who learned from abroad yet developed a national form rooted in his own culture.” He reflected on the commitment of earlier Chinese drama artists like Ouyang Yuqian and Jiao Juyin, who strived to create a distinctly Chinese style while assimilating foreign techniques. Today, he urged contemporary Chinese drama artists to focus on establishing a Chinese acting system, emphasizing that drama is both an art form and a cultural spirit. He encouraged the trainees of the Course to absorb the rich expressiveness of Russian drama under the guidance of the Chinese Theatre Association and Professor Knyazev, while always aiming to reflect their own era and people through their art.

In closing, Hao Rong wished for the success of the "Second Training Course for Actor Cadre," organized in collaboration with the Boris Shchukin Theatre Institute.

During the ceremony, under the witness of Pu Cunxin and leaders from both institutions, Hao Rong and Yevgeny Knyazev signed the "Cooperation Agreement on the Training Course for Actor Cadre between the Central Academy of Drama and the Boris Shchukin Theatre Institute."

Signing of the Agreement

Following the signing, Hao Rong presented Yevgeny Knyazev with precious stills and group photos from the very first Training Course for Actor Cadre in the 1950s.

Presentation of Historical Materials

The event was also attended by heads of various departments of the Academy, including Directing, Stage Design, Dramatic Literature, and the Foreign Affairs Office, as well as faculty members from the Boris Shchukin Theatre Institute.

The gathering concluded with a group photo to commemorate the occasion.

Group Photo