Dance finds a digital stage

A new language

Qiang, who comes from Chongqing, joined the theater's livestreaming center in March and started performing online in July.

It is her first job.

A graduate of the Xinghai Conservatory of Music in Guangdong province, where she majored in dance studies with a focus on dance theory, Qiang initially knew little about group livestreaming.

Having spent much of her time in theaters and rehearsal studios, she initially associated it with online entertainment shows and virtual tipping. She even worried that the format might diminish the artistic value of dance.

But as she learned more, she realized that professional performing arts troupes were not simply turning dancers into online influencers. Instead, they were experimenting with a new medium for presenting professional dance.

Once she stepped in front of the camera, Qiang discovered how much she still had to learn.

"We're not just performing differently — we also have to think differently about how the audience sees us," she said.

In a theater, for example, audiences can take in the entire stage and the atmosphere of a production, while dancers focus on body lines, fluid movements and artistic expression. Livestream viewers, however, are accustomed to the fast pace of short videos, meaning performers must capture their attention much more quickly.

In the past three months, Qiang has learned to place greater emphasis on striking poses and subtle facial expressions. To make her expressions stand out in close-ups, she also darkens her eyebrows and sharpens her gaze.

When performing a water-sleeve dance, for example, she not only pays attention to the flowing lines created by the sweeping sleeves but also uses brief pauses between movements to look directly into the camera, creating a closer connection with viewers.

The interaction also allows audiences to play a role in shaping the performances they see.

Qiang recalled how viewers sometimes suggested ways to improve certain poses in the comments or expressed a preference for fast-paced sword dances and displays of technical skill.

The team collects and reviews the feedback and uses it to refine subsequent performances. It also sometimes creates short dance pieces around particular themes or musical selections, making them easier for online audiences to follow.

Learning to respond to viewers has changed not only how Qiang performs, but also how she thinks about her future. She is now learning about choreography, production, operations, lighting and camera work to better understand how a group livestream comes together, from the initial concept to the final performance.

She hopes to become a versatile dancer who understands both the art of dance and digital communication.