A global stage rises in rural Jiangxi

In the tranquil county of Huichang, Ganzhou, nestled in the lush landscapes of Jiangxi province, a cultural phenomenon is taking shape.

From May 29 to June 7, the Huichang Theatre Season will transform the quiet streets and ancient homes of this picturesque town into a global stage for theater, blending the East with the West, and tradition with innovation.

With nearly 400 shows and more than 30 productions, the 10-day festival promises to be a landmark event in China's cultural calendar.

The event will feature works from some of the world's most renowned directors, cutting-edge experimental theater and performances that celebrate both Chinese traditions and global perspectives. The festival's lineup speaks to the ambitious vision of the event's founders: to create a theatrical utopia where diverse cultural traditions meet and engage.

The festival is the brainchild of theater director Stan Lai, 71, and its roots can be traced to his own connection to the county, where his father was born.

In 1947, his father went to Taiwan and was assigned to work as a diplomat in the United States the next year. Lai was born in Washington, and his father never returned to his hometown. Lai returned to Taiwan in 1966. It was only in the early 1980s, when Lai was studying for a PhD in dramatic art at the University of California, Berkeley, that he received a letter from relatives in Huichang. From that moment on, a long-lost connection began to rebuild, which sparked a personal quest to reconnect with his cultural heritage — a journey that ultimately led to the establishment of the festival. Lai visited Huichang for the first time in 1996.

Lai, who has long believed in the transformative power of theater, has made the county his artistic home.

"The festival is more than just a cultural event; it is a means of bridging the gap between different generations and cultural backgrounds," he says. "Huichang has become a place where we can remember the past and create the future. By bringing global theater here, we're not just showcasing art; we're creating connections that span time and borders."

The festival's diverse lineup includes a range of international works, from bold reinterpretations of classic plays to avant-garde performances that challenge traditional boundaries. One of the most anticipated productions is a Chinese-language adaptation of Henrik Ibsen's Hedda Gabler, directed by Travis Preston, a prominent American theater and opera director. This production will engage with the Chinese audience in a new way by presenting Ibsen's exploration of social constraints and personal freedom in the context of modern society.

"In this production, we're not just telling a story; we're creating a conversation between the play and the audience. It's an opportunity for Chinese audiences to see this classic work in a new light, one that speaks directly to their lives," says Preston.