Frank Totino is giving lessons. [Photo/cica.org.cn]

Advanced management training for performing arts professionals was held May 8 to 16 in Beijing by the China International Culture Association and China Oriental Performing Arts Group.

The training was the 12th by the Management Training Program for Cultural Professionals, which was launched by the China International Culture Association in 2013. The goals are to enhance the capacity of professionals in the cultural sector for management and artistic creation, help broaden the global vision of Chinese arts professionals, provide an opportunity for advanced management experience, and bridge a cooperative channel between Chinese art institutions and their foreign counterparts. The program, mainly focused on fields of performing arts, museum and handicraft, has invited more than 30 masters in the field from the US, UK, the Netherlands and other countries to give training classes, benefitting 776 people from 230 domestic art institutions, including theaters, troupes, galleries and museums. The program has won wide acclaim in the culture field.

With the theme of improvisational performance, this year’s advanced management training for performing arts professionals had Frank Totino, the art director of Keith Johnstone’s improvisational theater company, stage director Anthony Totino and American improvisational actress Diana Rachel as the instructors. Fifty-five directors, actors and actresses took part.

The Keith Johnstone’s Impro System introduced during the training is one of the most advanced theater systems, which not only can be applied in theater performance, but is also very helpful for dance, opera, vocal music and other art forms.