The Transformational Role of Dramaturgy in China's Performing Arts

Proactive Engagement with Multi-Stakeholders
1. Auflage 2025
ISBN: 978-1-032-99063-7
Verlag: Taylor & Francis Ltd

Buch, Englisch, 164 Seiten, Format (B × H): 156 mm x 234 mm, Gewicht: 453 g

Reihe: Routledge Contemporary China Series

A pioneering examination of a field in its early stages, Zhang delves into a detailed exploration of the evolving role of dramaturgy in contemporary Chinese theatre, bridging the gap between established Western theories and the unique practices emerging in the Chinese theatre scene, and offering valuable insight into the reshaping of theatre production amidst a rapidly changing cultural landscape.

Compared with the development of dramaturgy in Western countries, dramaturgical practice in contemporary Chinese theatre is still in its infancy. This book aims to fill this gap by exploring dramaturgy’s evolution and current role in Chinese theatre. It embarks on a global exploration—both in terms of dramaturgical theories and practices—across Germany, the UK, the US, and the Asia-Pacific region, providing a theoretical framework. It then traces the evolution of Chinese spoken drama (Huaju) from its origins in 1907 to the present. This chronological exploration illuminates Huaju’s development from foreign influences in the early decades to a more recent era of self-exploration. The book features three key case studies: the reception of Henrik Ibsen’s work in China, the 1983 production of Arthur Miller’s Death of a Salesman in Beijing, and the writing and staging of Teahouse. It also explores contemporary dramaturgical practices in China, based on fieldwork and interviews with theatre practitioners in Beijing and Shanghai. Through an examination of the similarities and differences in dramaturgical practices across performing arts in China, the book firmly positions Chinese dramaturgy within the broader currents of global theatre discourse.

A unique cross-cultural resource with practical insights and theoretical reflections of great value for academics, scholars, educators and practitioners in the fields of theatre studies, dramaturgy, cross-cultural performance studies, contemporary Chinese theatre and the global evolution of dramaturgy.

Zielgruppe

Academic and Postgraduate

Autoren/Hrsg.

Zhang, Ting

Fachgebiete

• Sozialwissenschaften Soziologie | Soziale Arbeit Soziologie Allgemein
• Sozialwissenschaften Ethnologie | Volkskunde Volkskunde Historische & Regionale Volkskunde
• Geisteswissenschaften Literaturwissenschaft Literaturwissenschaft: Dramen und Dramatiker

Inhaltsverzeichnis

1. Introduction: Unfolding Dramaturgy-A Journey Through Contemporary Chinese Theatre 2. Historical Review of Dramaturgy in Different Theatre Cultures: Germany, UK, US, and the Asia-Pacific 3. Literature Review of Theoretical Debates on Dramaturgy and the Role of the Dramaturg 4. Modern Chinese Theatre: Historical Context and Dramaturgical Practices in Huaju 5. Dramaturgical Perspectives: Ibsen, Death of a Salesman, and Teahouse in Chinese Theatre 6. Dramaturgy in Contemporary Chinese Performing Arts: From Text to Performance in Drama and Dance 7. Conclusion: Dramaturgy's Evolution in China-Findings, Challenges, and the Road Ahead

Über Autor(innen)

Ting Zhang is a theatre and performance studies scholar with a Ph.D. from the University of Sydney. Her research focuses on dramaturgy in contemporary Chinese theatre. She is also a playwright, translator, and dramaturg, collaborating with both Chinese and Australian theatre companies.