On the morning of June 3, the conferment ceremony for the title of “Honorary Professor of the Central Academy of Drama” was held in the Lecture Hall of the Library at the Changping Campus. Professor Gillian Choa, Director Emerita of the Hong Kong Academy for Performing Arts (HKAPA), renowned stage designer and drama educator, was conferred upon the title of 'Honorary Professor' by the Central Academy of Drama. The ceremony was attended by Prof. Hao Rong, President of the Academy; Prof. Zhang Hongchen, Dean of Stage Design ; Prof. Chen Min, Dean of Theatrology and Secretary of the Party Branch, who is also in charge of the project “Constructing the Chinese School of Acting: Advanced Training Course for Creative Professionals in Stage Art”; Mr. Wang Xiaohui, Director of the Party Committee and President’s Office; and Mr. Xie Feng, Director of Personnel; and Mr. Yang Zhankun, Director of Academic Research. The ceremony was hosted by Ms. Ju Ping, Director of Hong Kong, Macao and Taiwan Affairs.

In his speech, Hao Rong stated that the title of ‘Honorary Professor’ represents the highest honor conferred by the Academy to individuals who hold international academic prestige and influence and have made outstanding contributions to the development of the institution. Professor Gillian Choa she was recognised as the first professionally trained theatre designer in Hong Kong and has long been dedicated to the field of art and design. She has held roles in stage and costume design, scenic painting, lighting design, and directing. Her works span theatre, film, fashion design, and world-class art exhibitions. She furthered her studies at The University of Hong Kong where she was conferred with both Master’s and Doctoral degrees in Education Policy, Management and Social Sciences. In 2019, she was appointed the Deputy Director & Provost of the Hong Kong Academy for Performing Arts and was promoted to the Director in 2021. During her presidency, Professor Gillian Choa placed great emphasis on fostering exchanges and cooperation with the Central Academy of Drama, fully leveraging Hong Kong’s geographical advantages to advance the global reach of Chinese culture, achieving significant results.

To recognize her outstanding achievements in the field of theatre design and her significant contributions to exchange and cooperation between the Chinese Mainland and Hong Kong, the Academy conferred upon her the title of 'Honorary Professor' of the Central Academy of Drama. On behalf of the Academy, President Hao Rong presented her with the certificate, medal, and commemorative gifts, and officially welcomed her as a CAD member.

Professor Gillian Choa expressed her gratitude for the honor bestowed upon her by the Academy. She recalled her first visit to CAD’s old campus in June 2000 and said that receiving this honor on the 25th anniversary of her friendship with the Academy is of great significance. Over the past 25 years, she has attended numerous events and given lectures at the Academy. In 2023, she signed a new memorandum of cooperation to deepen the collaboration and strengthen the friendship between the two institutions. She expressed her immense pride in becoming a part of the Central Academy of Drama and looked forward to further engagement and contributing to the Academy’s development.

Professor Gillian Choa was also invited to give a special lecture titled “Evolutionary Vision: Exploring Traditional & Contemporary Trends in a Brief History of Theatre Design” to the trainees of the 2025 National Art Fund-supported project, “Constructing the Chinese School of Acting: Advanced Training Course for Creative Professionals in Stage Art.” In her lecture, she systematically reviewed the evolution of global theatre design since the late 19th century. Starting with the pursuit of realism of intricate sets and advancement in lighting technology, she highlighted Edward Gordon Craig’s redefinition of stage space and Bertolt Brecht’s use of the ‘alienation effect’ to reshape the audience-performer relationship. She also reviewed the avant-garde ideas of Josef Svoboda, Koltai, and others in the mid-20th century, along with the interdisciplinary impact of Expressionism, Constructivism, and the Bauhaus school. Emphasizing the integration of digital technology in 21st-century theatre design, she discussed issues like sustainability and audience interaction. Through examples such as ‘Floral Princess 65th’, ‘The Lotus Script’, and student designs for ‘The Tempest’, she inspired the trainees to focus on both innovation and the inheritance of Chinese indigenous culture and craftsmanship.

During the Q&A session, trainees raised questions about visual creation and the visual transformation of scripts within the Chinese School of theatre. Professor Gillian Choa emphasized that the core of stage design lies in making precise decisions based on a deep understanding of the text, space, style, budget, and the audience relationship. She encouraged designers to master visual communication and collaborate closely with the creative team. The trainees expressed that Professor Gillian Choa’s lecture provided a high-level perspective. Her overview of design history, insightful analysis of masters’ concepts, and the sharing of valuable case studies from Hong Kong and beyond provided valuable experience and inspiration for constructing the Chinese theatrical school. It greatly enriched their understanding of the balance between tradition and modernity, as well as inheritance and innovation, leaving them deeply inspired.