Defining roles

Sun Jiao, the producer at Xiao Ke Theater, said launching the acting training program was a bold idea to offer more people the opportunity to perform in public.

"Originally, we planned to eliminate about 30 people after the first week of training, but we changed that idea," Sun said.

"We had all 100 people stay in the program for a longer period because we were touched by their passion for theater, though the first week was very tough and challenging," recalled Sun.

Veteran actress and scriptwriter Zhao Manyu is one of the acting teachers. She has coached professional thespians before, but until now has never taught amateurs how to act.

"Theater forces you to tap into parts of yourself that you often don't express, whether it's fear, joy, anger, or embarrassment," Zhao explained.

"These are emotions that many people suppress in their professional lives or within family roles. In theater, vulnerability is celebrated, and that's a big draw for people who are tired of feeling boxed in by their everyday personas," she said.

Zhao said that many people don't realize that the theater is a space for exploration, not just perfection, and it is not solely about talent.

"The fear of failure or looking silly is universal, especially when you're trying something new. But theater teaches you that failure is part of the process. You learn to let go of the need for perfection and embrace the journey," Zhao said. She said what has impressed her most about the trainees is their passion for acting.

Actor-director Yue Shihan, the executive director of Stable Happiness said that the notion of "play", is central to the performance process.

"Play, in the context of theater, isn't just fun — it's transformative. It encourages participants to take risks, make mistakes, and explore new behaviors without the fear of judgment. It is through play that they learn to connect with others, trust their instincts, and break down the mental barriers that hold them back," he said.

Yue said the musical production is challenging, even for professional actors and actresses, and he admires the trainees' courage and progress.

"As adults, we tend to be defined by our roles — whether it's as parents, employees, or spouses," he said.

"Theater allows people to break free from these roles and explore alternative aspects of their personality. It's a form of self-expression and reinvention."

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