Following the signing of May 2019 partnership agreement between Shenandoah University and Shenyang Normal University in China, a 10-person delegation from the rapidly expanding Chinese university will return to Winchester Saturday, Nov. 16, and remain through Friday, Nov. 22, 2019 for a week of cultural engagement with students across campus.
Among the Shenyang Normal delegation are esteemed faculty from the university’s School of Drama and Arts. The faculty specialize in the performance and design of traditional forms of Chinese opera, which incorporate highly stylized movement, dramatic costume design and elaborate makeup art. During the delegation’s visit, university students and the public will have an opportunity to view these unique design components during a four-day exhibition of costume and makeup art from Traditional Chinese Opera and Peking Opera. The international touring exhibition will open at the Alson H. Smith, Jr. Library on the afternoon of Monday, Nov. 18 for limited hours, and will remain open to the public Tuesday, Nov. 19 through Thursday, Nov. 21, 2019. Additionally, students from Shenandoah Conservatory will participate in a series of movement and makeup design workshops and collaborate with the delegation to present a culminating cross-cultural lecture and performance at 5 p.m. on Thursday, Nov. 21, in Glaize Studio Theatre. All events are free and open to the public.
SCHEDULE OF PUBLIC EVENTS
INTERNATIONAL TOURING EXHIBITION
The Quintessence of Chinese Culture: The Costumes & Makeup Art of Peking Opera
Tuesday, Nov. 19, through Thursday, Nov. 21 • The Alson H. Smith, Jr. Library
Peking Opera is an elegant and exquisite art form that profoundly reflects the spirit and aspirations of China. In this international touring exhibition, Shenyang Normal University provides viewers with an inside look at the rich history and tradition of Chinese opera. Images and artifacts of traditional costume pieces and makeup designs from Peking Opera (the country’s most prevalent form of opera) reveal the dramatic beauty and emotion of one of the world’s oldest civilizations. Free and open to the campus and community during regular library hours.
LECTURE
“Life-giving Spring Breeze and Rain — Entering Chinese Opera”
Wednesday, Nov. 20, at 3 p.m. • Glaize Studio Theatre
Every nation in the world possesses an elegant and exquisite art that can profoundly reflect its spirit and aspiration. For China, this art form is Peking Opera. During this lecture, Professor Wei Zhang (incumbent dean of School of Drama and Arts of Shenyang Normal University and vice-chair of Liaoning Provincial Dramatists Association and Chinese Opera Education Union), explores how Chinese culture can be understood through watching, experiencing and performing Peking Opera. Seating preference is given to current Shenandoah Conservatory students.
PEKING OPERA CULTURAL LECTURE & PERFORMANCE
Featuring faculty from Shenyang Normal University China and students from Shenandoah Conservatory
Thursday, Nov. 21 at 5 p.m. • Glaize Studio Theatre
Faculty from the School of Drama at Shenyang Normal University join Shenandoah Conservatory students to present a cross-cultural exploration of the rich history and theatrical design traditions of traditional Chinese opera. The presentation will include a demonstration of the elaborate makeup and dramatic movements that have made this rich art form “the quintessence of Chinese culture.”
Visit www.su.edu to learn more about the Shenyang Normal University visit to Shenandoah University.
