Chinese Theater

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Sept. 25, 2007

Dr. Chad Stebbins
(417) 625-9736

JOPLIN, MO (SNS) - Two performances of Chinese theater, one from Taiwan, the other from mainland China will be presented at Missouri Southern State University during the first week of October.
         

 

*   The Diabolo Dance Theater of Taiwan will  perform at 7 p.m., Wednesday, Oct. 3 in Taylor Performing Arts Center.  The performance is free and open to the public.

 

The Diabolo Dance Theater of Taiwan has merged traditional "diabolo" (juggling props consisting of a spool which is whirled and tossed on a string tied to two sticks) with contemporary dance and gymnastics, becoming the first artistic performing group to combine these creative elements with theatrical ideas.
        
These young performers, ranging in age from 8 to 24, have mastered the skills of playing diabolo with musical rhythm, ballet, gymnastics, jazz, and martial arts.
        
Diabolos have been one of the most popular toys for children in China for over 4,000 years. Spinning, tossing, swinging, looping, and bouncing are the five basics in playing the diabolo. For better control of the rolling diabolo, a player needs to learn how to breathe along with the movement and how to concentrate on the flying diabolo. 

 

 

*   Kung Fu Theater: "Tales from the Beijing Opera" will be presented at 7:30 p.m., Saturday, Oct. 6 in Webster Hall Auditorium at MSSU. It is also free and open to all. 
        
A series of comic and dramatic scenes from China's most popular stories told in English and Chinese, this "kung fu" theater is a combination of music, dialogue, dance, mime, and acrobatics. These scenes capture the magic and beauty of China's most renowned performing arts tradition.

 

Kung Fu Theatre: "Tales from the Beijing Opera" is a series of short stories drawn from Chinese history, mythology and folklore. In spite of the high art connotations of its name, Beijing Opera is loud and colorful.

 

In a full show, several 20- to 45-minute long stories are performed using English and Chinese dialogue, music, dance, mime, acrobatics, stage fighting, and singing. This show is as visual and exciting as it is cultural and educational. The performers are professionally trained Chinese Beijing Opera actors, most of whom began performing before the age of ten.
        
The performances are being presented as part of the "China Semester" at MSSU.  During the theme semester, special emphasis is placed on the art, history, entertainment, politics and overall culture of China's past present and future.