To help solve the dilemma, a script workshop has been initiated by the fringe festival this year. Public reading of scripts from young playwrights and the 33 works in the festival will be held.
“Script reading is a brief rehearsal to test audience reaction. It’s a very common practice abroad before a play enters the market. By organizing this event, the festival is attempting to bridge the writer and the audience members,” explained Yang Qianwu, an organizer of the festival and general secretary of Beijing Dramatists Association.
In addition, a training seminar for young playwrights has been held by Beijing Dramatists Association. “After one year’s training, the organization has signed with 10 playwrights. Each of these authors is given a monthly subsidy of 3,000 yuan ($445) and they will get copyright royalties when their works are staged,” Yang Qianwu said.
He added that the Beijing municipal government is also taking an active role in cultivating stage art. A sum of 20 million yuan ($2.97 million) has been allocated for the creation of new stage plays. “However, even many professionals are unaware of such policies or where to apply for the subsidy,” Yang Qianwu explained.
“Many independent theater makers are still busy finding money and get their shows staged with many excellent scripts aborted,” he added.
For the young theater professionals, Beijing Fringe Festival is a window into the market, providing what is missing in the industry in the short term at least.
Editor: Liu Fang
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