Shekou Theatre Festival marks a bold venture by China Merchants Culture Industry | Performing Arts Connection.
Firstly, it tackles challenges head-on. In 2022, amidst the difficulties posed by the COVID-19 pandemic, the performing arts industry faced increasing limitations within the traditional theatre spaces, with closures and performance cancellations becoming recurring struggles. Despite this, the hunger for artistic expression among creators persisted, mirroring the audience’s growing demand for cultural enrichment. To chart a new course, China Merchants Culture Industry | Performing Arts Connection boldly merged theatrical creation with non-traditional performance spaces under the banner of “Theatre in Situ,” making it the focal point of the Shekou Theatre Festival’s exploration.
Secondly, it champions originality. Diverging from festivals primarily centered around invited performances, the Shekou Theatre Festival distinguishes itself by placing “original creation” at its core. From selecting creators’ proposals to nurturing, mentoring, and finally presenting their unique works to the public during the festival. The festival also incorporates audience feedback into the production process of each work, which is an indispensable aspect of refining the work into a complete and mature piece.
Thirdly, the festival fosters a platform for exchange. Performing art is never a solo endeavor. It requires the collaboration of various professionals to transform conceptual ideas into stage performances. Shekou Theatre Festival not only serves as a hub for theater practitioners but also attracts domestic and international organisations, scholars, commentators, curators, community resources, and others. It facilitates collision and growth through exchanges, sharing, and mutual learning. With collaborative efforts, the festival aims to enhance the performing arts ecosystem and propel creators to new heights.
Shekou Theatre Festival can be divided into two major phases: work incubation and performance presentation. The public calls for proposals begin in April, followed by creative workshops in June, the incubation period in July, and culminates in performances in November, spanning eight months in total. Shekou Theatre Festival has incubated 31 Theatre in Situ projects and 9 original playscripts, alongside hosting 347 performances in the last three editions since 2022. Additionally, it has selected 10 papers on Theatre in Situ and published a special issue of G.D. ART. The festival has successfully established a platform for performing arts incubation, supporting numerous talented young creators and gathering an audience primarily consisting of young people. Not only does the Shekou Theatre Festival showcase artistic innovation and vitality within the city, but it also received mass attention on social media.
Experiencing the incubated works at the festival is like unwrapping an artistic mystery box. Audience members can never see what productions look like until the stage lights. Shekou Theatre Festival will always values the incubation process, prioritizing the growth of young creators and fostering dialogue between creators and audiences. Despite Shenzhen’s reputation as a ‘cultural desert,’ China Merchants Culture Industry | Performing Arts Connection aims to nurture Shenzhen’s cultural landscape by providing platforms for young creators, reminiscent of Shekou’s experimental role in the city’s past. Today, China Merchants Culture Industry | Performing Arts Connection injects elements of theatrical experimentation into this land of Reform and Opening Up, eagerly anticipating the fruits it may yield.
