WWA Theatre Live Festival: Theatrical Masterpieces at DCB

At Dulwich College Beijing (DCB), we firmly uphold the belief that art, as one of our five educational pillars, serves as a powerful medium, exceeding geographical boundaries and nurturing a sense of global citizenship. The recently concluded 2023 Theatre Live Festival, presented under the Worldwise Academy InArt Programme, stands as a good example of this philosophy.

The creation of the initiative to introduce a variety of art forms on our campus through Hi-Fi cinemas dates back approximately three years. Ms. Xiaoxiao Qin, DCB's Government and Public Affairs Director, who introduced the idea, reflected on the making of the project. She noted that, three years ago, the conception of the program arose from a desire to present some of the finest theatre masterpieces to the community—a moment she considers precious in reigniting community engagement after an extended period of anticipation.

Ms Chloe Whitehouse, Senior School Teacher of Drama, Dance and Liberal Arts, said in the opening, “I was already concerned about the impact on the theatre community, but never so much as when one of my IGCSE students told me they hadn’t ever seen a professional theatre production for a long time. It became apparent that if we couldn’t take the students to a stage, then the stage must come to us.” 

The first Theatre Live Festival showcased four exceptional theatrical masterpieces, including the classic production War Horse and the most recent creation of Life of Pi performed by the National Theatre. The students also enjoyed the children's classic Story of Beatrix Potter and the classical festival ballet Nutcracker performed by the world-renowned Royal Ballet. 

Through the showcase of world-class performances, the festival served as a conduit for our students to explore a rich tapestry of artistic diversity and understand that art functions as a bridge capable of bringing people and the world together – a responsibility DCB students will also carry into the future. 

The Theatre Live Festival will return to DCB next year, promising a selection of even more captivating titles. Stay tuned for more forthcoming initiatives from the DCB Worldwise Academy, an internal programme designed to bridge the professional world and our vibrant DCB community. These initiatives aim to further enrich our educational experience by connecting us with valuable opportunities and insights from the broader professional landscape.

We thank our supporting partners, the British Chamber and ATW Culture, for your support of the event.