How do you make a play take shape? What if a theatre festival is to be organized? In March of 2021, all this was still unknown. But there was a force driving me to start the journey.

After having the idea of organizing a theatre festival and directing a play, some like-minded people came along. We ranged from students from other international schools to students from public schools in Beijing. Some were old friends, some were new and unfamiliar, but all were driven by the same ambition and interests, and we formed a core group of seven people: Fan, Lisa, Sunny, Isa, Angel, Junhan, and myself. There was assistance from other tutors and participants, but the seven of us were mainly responsible for the event.

For us, theatre is terrific because it speaks to the heart. The ups and downs of life or its emptiness can be filled by theatre and caught in a story that doesn’t belong to us. Immersed in theatre, actors give to and draw from each other, we empathize with the director and the writer, and make a degree of reconciliation with ourselves. Because of this, the theatre has a unique appeal, and we want to make it memorable for our own sake.

There are many positions and opportunities in a theatre festival, and not all are related to acting. In a team, each of us must play multiple roles. Some are responsible for the promotion and operation of the festival, some are responsible for preparing costumes and props, some are responsible for the design of posters and tickets, and each of us has to be an overall planner for the event. As you can see, a festival requires various positions, which provides opportunities for people with different ambitions to showcase and practice.

First of all, the drama part is undoubtedly essential. One of the first headaches we had was writing the script ourselves or adapting another story, however, what would be the original text for the adaptation? After a lot of discussions, the idea of The Little Prince jumped out at us. In our opinion, the story is suitable for young and old, the plot is not limited, and it is easy to develop other content around. So, as director and assistant director, I and Fan decided to adapt The Little Prince.

Lisa and Sunny, two students who love art and design, were responsible for this part of the play. In the process, they designed the makeup for each character, drew schematics for each scene of the stage, and contributed a lot to the final set-up of the festival.

Since our festival involved ticket sales, Angel focused on the business and promotion side of the event. To land sponsorships, she talked to a few well-known companies and ended up relieving some of the financial pressure. At the same time, to better promote our festival, she published articles to attract more attention.

Isa and Junhan were in charge of the overall planning and took on the role of hosts. In a significant event, it takes a planner to make sure every detail is running smoothly, and it takes days and nights of planning, iterating, and practicing to ensure that every part of the event is error-free.

Each person is responsible for a different task, but we were not individually limited in scope. In a team, we focused on problems together. And when one person needed help, everyone stepped up.

You may be wondering, so what did this theatre festival include? There were differently themed “planets” that the audience could explore, as well as outstanding solo performances and the grand finale of The Little Prince. In the theme planet, the audience needed to interact with the actors to get clues, and after collecting all the clues they would get a variety of souvenirs designed by us. During the initial monologue performance, nine actors prepared their favorite drama pieces and performed them. The final act of the night was the highlight of the festival, The Little Prince.

There were six different little princes in my scripted production. Led by the little fox as the narrator, the audience did not have fixed seats but had to follow the actors’ footsteps and lighting cues and move between the venues. The audience of about 200 followed the path of the Little Prince from one planet to another. They landed on Earth with the Little Prince, stood around him, met him with different people and animals, and witnessed his final death or return. The audience saw the king lying under a pile of snacks, after moving to the next scene, standing on a ladder looking down at the others. Looking back, you could see the rose and the Little Prince’s deep conversation with the snake that traveled among the audience.

What made this journey even better was the people I met in the process. One of the most memorable moments was when, a week before the show, famous Chinese director Jiao Gang came to coach us. Not only did he teach a lot of acting techniques, but he also gave us a lot of advice on directing, making the whole experience much more interesting. For example, he suggested adding more formal elements to the play to make the performance more personal. Therefore, in the play, the Little Prince had to look down on the planet from a ladder, the king could indulge in snacks during the performance, and the snake needed to wander through the audience and have conversations. Finally, he also pointed out that because this was a play that sells tickets, it was a commercial act, so each of us was responsible for the drama presented. Through the theatre, I formed a unique connection with him and a heart-to-heart exchange.

This experience has given me and my team a new, in-depth understanding of the breadth of theatre, not merely in terms of staging a performance but also as a much larger project. During the process, we met different kinds of people and tackled all sorts of obstacles. Theatre has the potential to empower everyone. For me, theatre gives me a firm goal to keep moving forward, and it is my source of strength.

The second festival will be held in 2022. Like the first one, we will manifest innovative ideas and build a unique theatre performance. Perhaps not in the same form, but it will definitely be something unexpected. We hope that more people will participate, and we hope that you, who are reading, will pay attention.

We believe that the power of theatre is to reach some unimagined distances. In realizing the festival, some ideas are not too unrealistic, so let’s make them happen. Those moments that are beyond your control may be the moment when you reach your “B612” planet. For us, the tacit understanding and friendships we develop in the process, the satisfaction and happiness we feel at the end are the reasons to continue.

So, I hope you can either join us or watch us. Enter the utopia of theatre and feel the power of drama in 2022.

Images: Hank Zhou

This time of year is an extremely busy one for schools all across Beijing. Between preparing for exams, organizing Christmas fairs and bazaars, and mounting plays and musicals, students and teachers alike are pushed to the absolute limit of their capabilities. It has been no different at the British School of Beijing, Shunyi (BSB Shunyi), where within the span of a few weeks, students prepared a wildly successful musical adapted from the popular 80s movie, Little Shop of Horrors, a show performed over two days with matinee and evening performances.

The ensemble cast of BSB Shunyi perform Little Shop of Horrors the Musical

Even with a talented and diverse cast as that of the BSB Shunyi theater group, it still takes dedication, commitment, and an experienced hand to guide the production from inception to its successful completion. This responsibility falls on Ms. Haley Clark, Director of Performing Arts at BSB Shunyi, and the genius behind the musical numbers so flawlessly executed by the ensemble cast for the Little Shop of Horrors musical.

We spoke with Ms. Clark about what it takes to put on a show of this scale, and what inspires her to keep the tradition of performance art alive.

Tell us a little bit about yourself. 

HC: I have dual citizenship – I’m from both Brazil and the US. I studied Music Education in the US and Ethnomusicology in Brazil for my Masters. I’m primarily a pianist, but also play several instruments and sing.

What inspired you to go into the world of teaching?

HC: I have always enjoyed teaching. I tutored other students at a young age and just couldn’t stop.

How long have you been at BSB Shunyi?

HC: This is my fifth academic year, so 4.5 years.

Ms. Clark leading the school orchestra

What was the reason behind the selection of Little Shop of Horrors as this year’s musical?

HC: Choosing a show takes months of planning – I look at what students we have, their singing and acting abilities, what shows are currently being licensed in China, what shows the school has done in the past, etc. We try to give the students a good variety as well as a challenge. Last year we did Chitty Chitty Bang Bang which was a family friendly comedy, so Little Shop of Horrors required completely different skills with the acting, singing and dancing. It was the right time and the right group of kids to do this show.

How did you go about preparing your students for their roles and the performance as a whole? 

HC: As the Musical Director, I spend a lot of rehearsal time with the singers – learning and then memorizing correct notes and then putting some soul or emotion into the singing. Students feel so exposed when singing on stage, so often they come to me to request more time going through their songs so they can feel more confident. We set the bar very high and share expectations of professional shows with the students. They are always eager to rise to this challenge.

What were some of the challenges that you faced in the making of the musical?

HC: All the 60s backup harmonies were very difficult to rehearse – one voice at a time and then all three voices together – and then memorizing all of it. It is easiest just to sing the melody, especially when the person next to you is singing something else. We all had to work very hard to get it right.

Another challenge is having to adapt some things after the set is built. We had to redo some dances or change some scenes after we saw how big some of the set pieces were. But this is standard for any show, and we are always prepared to make some adaptations in the final weeks.

Do you have the next production lined up? Care to give us a hint?

HC: Not yet. We’re still not finished with Little Shop – the cast party will be held in the last week of school! But anything is possible in the future, unless we’ve already done it!

What is your plan for the students of BSB Shunyi and what sort of impact would you like to have on your students?

HC: Every year the actors take on more and more responsibilities for the production. We had students who participated in their fifth production this year, and they made their own acting choices and much of the choreography. As a Music teacher, I always tell my instrumental ensembles and choirs that the way I know they’re doing well is if I don’t have to play along with them, if they can do it by themselves. It is the same with the students in the show.

Where do you see yourself in the next five years? What are your teaching or personal plans for the future?

HC: I am happy being the Director of Performing Arts at BSB Shunyi, and truly enjoy working with all ages of children on bringing music to life both on stage and in the classroom. I see myself doing this for a long time.

Photos : Courtesy of BSB Shunyi 

(Over the coming weeks we’ll be casting an eye over the performing talents of our community’s students and teachers, as we preview some of the upcoming school shows.)

This fall’s show at the Canadian International School of Beijing (CISB) is an original play, which uses humor to explore questions of acceptance and rejection; themes highly relevant to young people, and topical for the wider world. We asked writer-director Patrick Connolly to tell us more.

“Nothing but the Truth is a two-act comedy about the trial of a young girl named Elizabeth Warren,” Connolly said. “She is accused of possessing supernatural abilities, which are strictly outlawed in her strict and intolerant community. To prove that Elizabeth is guilty, the lawyer Paris Hale introduces three key witnesses – each providing a very different version of the truth. The audience must judge for themselves who they can trust or if they can trust anyone at all. At the heart of the show is are the themes honesty and tolerance, and the the idea that the truth is anything but black and white.”

We asked him where these intriguing ideas came from.

“I wrote this show with my partner (and fellow Theatre teacher) Angela Knowles. We were inspired by a number of sources. First, anyone who has seen or read Arthur Miller’s The Crucible will notice obvious similarities and references. Miller’s play is a much more serious depiction of a ‘witch hunt’, and our comedy explores the same core elements: an intolerant community that draws its lines of right and wrong so tightly that some citizens are labeled and cast out.

“We were also inspired by our amazing students. Because this is our third year as theater coordinators at CISB, we have developed a strong working relationship with many of our student actors. Knowing them and their skills so well, we were able to write parts specifically for our students – and to tailor the writing for their voices. Their talents and passion for performance are a constant source of inspiration!”

It must have been a great learning experience for them.

“An interesting component of this performance is that the entire cast (almost 30 students) is onstage together for almost the whole two acts. This requires a whole different type of skill: learning to act and perform even when your character is not speaking or directly involved in the action. So, learning how to listen and engage with the story in character for the length of the performance has been a struggle for many students, but it is a challenge that will benefit them in the end as performers.

“More importantly, we have had discussions as a group about the message we are trying to communicate in this play. After rehearsing and working closely with the script, our students were able to speak intelligently about the meaning behind the funny words and colorful characters. In this way, we are hoping our audience (like our students) take away ideas about the importance of honesty and acceptance even when others seem completely different than you.”

Was it difficult working with so many young performers?

“One of the greatest challenges we face as such a large group is working together effectively, in a way that’s beneficial for everyone involved and beneficial for the quality of the show. We have many experienced actors working alongside first-timers, so everyone has different needs in terms of preparation and rehearsal. Members of CISB StageCats range from Grade 6 to Grade 11.”

If you want to find out the truth about Elizabeth Warren, and see how the students rise to these challenges, tickets can be purchased at the CISB Front Desk, or from a member of the cast and crew. Tickets can also be reserved by emailing the director: patrick.connolly@cis-beijing.com, and cost RMB 50 for adults and RMB 30 for students.

Performances take place in CISB’s auditorium on Friday November 25 at 7pm, and Saturday November 26 at 2pm. You can find out more about CISB StageCats from their blog: https://cisbtheatre.wordpress.com

Photos: courtesy of CISB

One of the most challenging aspects of being a parent to young children is the balance between kid fun and grown up fun.  I’ve personally long left the days when cartoons entertained me.  I really am not interested in sixty-three mini-games of “catch me”, but I’ll oblige when necessary.

My interests collide with theirs however in the realm of make-believe. I guess you could call me a silly kid, but I still love dressing up in costumes and formal dresses.

Lately I’ve been hearing both of my kids making fashion comments.
“Oh! That is cute. I like that dress,” my four-year-old daughter says as she pulls out five other frocks from her drawers.
“I need to wear blue pants,” she decides a moment later.

“I can’t wear those pants! They’re ugly!” my three-year-old son wails with tears in his eyes as Bobby and I tag-team his before-school dressing session.

Who would’ve guessed they could have formed such opinions so young?

A few weeks ago, I caught them emerging from their bedroom as two very cute panthers in matching black pants and shirts.  I confess they didn’t need to ask me twice to dress up as the mommy panther.  We put on quite a snarling show for our friends who were spending an afternoon in our home.

Anyways, could you count for me the non-Halloween, Beijing-based events providing a genuinely fun gala for the whole family?  Don’t worry; I won’t sit by my laptop waiting for the sudden flood of e-mails to ping in!

Understandably, then, I jumped when I heard about Fundancia!

Fundancia offers a great atmosphere for the whole family.  Before the Chaoyang Theater performers begin their acrobatic feats, families can pose for a complimentary clan picture. Others will blow balloons, paint faces, ride unicycles and balance on stilts. Once children and ayi select their own kid-friendly food fare from the buffet and sit at their designated tables, parents will gather at their own tables for a three-course feast.

After parents have been fed and children have been amazed, DJ Kitchen will ramp up music for dancing.  Maybe my husband and I should practice our swing and salsa steps?

In addition to being an event pleasing to the child at heart, Fundancia aims to raise funds for construction projects started by the British School of Beijing (BSB) Sanlitun and its Parents’ Association, to support the Migrant Children’s Foundation at Mingyuan School, Beijing.

Deadline for registration and payment is tomorrow, April 12!

Fundancia, April 16.
All ages. The first and only family ball in Beijing! RMB 1000 for one adult and child. Ayi and additional child tickets available, RMB 200. 5pm. Kerry Hotel, Grand Ballroom. (fundancia@idiplomatic.net)

Although I hope to see you at Fundancia, there are a few more events coming up in Beijing that will please those in love with performances and fun wardrobes.

Keep in mind that these are not family galas, though. Fundancia is the first and only family ball in Beijing!

Beijing Performances Roundup

A Night at the Casino Murder Mystery, April 16.
Adults. If you actually want a kid-free date night, join “A Night at the Casino Murder Mystery” performed by the British School of Beijing. RMB 450. 7pm. Hilton Beijing. (jayne@mcfchina.org)

Oetsie Poetsie. April 23-24.
Ages 3-6. This silly slapstick drama starts off with a woman and a man from a cleaning company beginning to clean the theater. RMB 198-898. 10am. M Theatre at Beijng’s Oriental Media Center. (ponypiao@damai.cn)

Grease, April 29-30
Ages 3+ CISB Drama Club’s production of Grease promises a family-friendly musical event for anyone who loves to laugh and watch talented young performers act and sing onstage. RMB 30 for students, RMB 50 for adults. 7pm. Canadian International School of Beijing. (6465 7788)

The 15th Anniversary Performance of Raise the Red Lantern, May 1-2.
Ages 7+ The most well known performance produced by The National Ballet of China celebrates its fifteenth showing. RMB 100-680. 7.30pm. National Centre for The Performing Arts. (18600208126)

Beijing Playhouse presents Rapunzel, May 8, 22, 29.
Ages 3-12. An interactive performance with children sitting in a circle and actors dancing in the middle. RMB 80 for children, 150 RMB for adults. Eagle International Performing Arts Center (May 8, 29), International School of Beijing (May 22). (childrenstheatre@beijingacademyofperformingarts.com)

Shaun the Sheep Live Stage Version, May 20-21.
Ages 3+ Shaun the Sheep comes alive in this interactive drama. RMB 80. 6pm. Century Theater. (6466 4805, 6468 3311 ext 3126)

Madagascar Live! July 21-24
Ages 6+ Meet the DreamWorks animals in this live stage version. Height restrictions apply to children. RMB 180-480. 7.30pm Beijing Exhibition Theater. (ponypiao@damai.cn)

Photo: Pixabay

For those of you who have already embarked on this journey, you’ll know how difficult it is to tactfully help your children make the right choices for themselves – well, essentially, save them from themselves! And those of you who will be there in the near future, brace yourselves for a roller coaster ride that I’m told never ends… and I’m a believer!

Our older daughter just picked her IB choices for the coming academic year. We were very confident that it would be a breeze this time around. We’d been through a similar drill before for her IGSCE choices 2 years ago. To say that the drama that unfolded then was worthy of an Oscar for best script would be an understatement! At the mature age of 13, she was passionate about pursuing Medicine and impressed upon my husband and I, the nobility of the profession, the lives she’d be saving, how her biology grades were proof enough that she was predestined for this line of work. She then proceeded to enlighten us with the fact that it was a recession-proof profession, a fact she was certain had never dawned on us!

She laid out her choices before us. Apart from the core subjects (Sciences, English, Math, and a language) that were required and not optional, she picked History, Religious studies, French, and Drama. Okay. Drama, why drama?! Call us completely unimaginative and conservative in our thinking, but my husband and I couldn’t for the life of us work out, how drama tied in with medicine? To our knowledge, the only theater we knew of in that line of work was the Operating Theater and we were certain that there was literally no room for drama in there! Except on Grey’s Anatomy perhaps! However, what unfolded in the next 4-5 days was drama alright! Crying, emotional blackmail, counseling sessions, crying, dinner table philosophizing, crying, elaborate deal making… did I mention crying!? The end result? She got what she wanted. While we didn’t see Drama doing any harm in the bigger scheme of things, we’re still clueless on what it has to do with medicine.

Fast forward to the present: 2 years later. Last week, we waltzed into the school auditorium knowing exactly what to expect this time around, or so we thought! A couple of presentations and some option-explorations later, we were stripped of our smug ‘we-are-sorted’ attitude. Why? She needed to make some more choices which would narrow things down for her and channel her in the right direction of for her chosen career path in college. This would’ve been easy enough had she stuck with her resolve to pursue medicine. But, no…surprise! Our 13-year-old then, was not as mature as our 15-year-old now! Who would’ve guessed that she was capable of changing her mind? We don’t know any fickle minded 13-year-olds…do you? Turns out she really didn’t know what she wanted then, but she does now! She is absolutely certain, now, that she wants to be a lawyer! She wants to fight for human rights! She wants to work for the UN! From Medicine to Law…it makes perfect sense, doesn’t it? How did we not see that coming?

So, what followed for the next 4-5 days was some more enlightenment…yes, she enlightened us! Her choices: History, French, and Drama! Why Law and why Drama again, we asked? The emotional blackmail attempts, the crying, long discussions, some more crying, university counseling at school, more deals… Déjà vu! It was like reinventing the wheel, however, this time around, we stood our ground, determined to prevail. She needed to be taught the age old art of trading: she would have to give some to get some. The end result: we let her pick French over Chinese and, in return, she had to pick Economics over Drama. The choices were made, submitted, peace was restored at home. We are catching our breath now – and holding it – since we know what is barreling down the road towards us in two short years. College applications, programs to choose, and yet another career choice shift possibly, when applying to colleges. Our 17-year-old in two years, will be more mature than our 15-year-old now, and of course she’ll know for sure then, what she wants to be when she grows up, right?

Photo Courtesy: flickr.com

Leave the kids at home on Saturday night and check out Emmy award winning show 12 Angry Men. For those who aren’t familiar, the American production is the penetrating examination of the deep-seated cultural differences, prejudices, indifference, anger, ignorance and fears, that threaten to taint the human spirit, and, in this case, potentially lead to a miscarriage of justice. Juror #8, voted one of the greatest heroes of literature, slowly convinces the other jurors that following their true moral compass and doing the right thing, while frequently difficult, is ultimately what embodies the best of humanity."The audience can expect a lot of drama and emotion. There is a real contrast of integrity between some of the characters,” says Ray Robles, who will play Juror #8.

Presented by Beijing Playhouse Drama Club, and on stage at Charity Readers Theatre, there will be almost no costumes, no props, sets, lighting design, sound design, and no subtitles. While Beijing Playhouse’s main stage shows take three months to rehearse and perform, Charity Readers Theatre rehearses in just one week. Actors with large parts will not be required to completely memorize their lines. That being said, we are assured that roles will be performed—not simply read. But the actors with larger parts will be allowed to carry scripts to refer to. “We have some seasoned veterans and some newcomers. It’s exciting to see it all come together in such a short time,” Robles says.

When: Saturday, August 1, 2015 from 7:30-9 pm (one performance only)
Where: 77 Theatre, near Nanluoguxiang.
Cost: RMB 80
Email: artsforagoodcause@charityreaderstheatre.org to reserve tickets. 100 percent of all ticket sales are donated to charity.

The beneficiary of the performance is Zhongze Women’s Legal Aid Center charity. Note that due to adult-themed content, it’s advisable to bring kids 13 and up only.

Capital M numerous accolades as one of the high end dining options in Beijing makes the venue well known by the business lunches, or date night dinner. However, the lesser known fact is that the Capital M kids club does have interesting workshops once a month. The price of the workshops is even mind boggling as kids pay RMB 20 for entry and if you were there for brunch then it’s free as for the adults it’s RMB 75. 

On May 31 from 11am-noon, at the restaurant’s conference room there’s going to be an improvised morning session where kids will learn from Theatre Mistress Emma Johnston. The workshop kicks off with games, then move on to role play in a quickened tempo to build spontaneous thinking, imagination, manipulation of voice, confidence, and impromptu acting.

To RSVP call (86 10) 6702 2727 or reservations@capital-m-beijing.com

For this weekend, the Shuangjing Block Party, ISB Spring Fair, and more  make May in Beijing worth it.

Photo: Donnie Ray (Flickr)

The drama department at Dulwich College Beijing welcomed a very special visitor recently, Emma Gordon. Gordon got her start in drama education at age 14 and is renowned in education circles in her native UK as an actress, writer, and education facilitator. Notably, Gordon’s learned the power of drama as an educational tool during her time at the University of Manchester when she trained intensively with Theatre in Prisons and Probation (TiPP) and had the chance to work with juvenile offenders on a variety of projects including workshops with the long-term unemployed, conflict resolution, and long term enrichment. She went on to do similar work with at risk youth, all the while addressing individual barriers and accessing the positive attributes of each child. Gordon eventually became self-employed and took on a range of projects within her community, especially in the realm of education and staff training.

Gordon was invited by the school’s head of drama, Kat Macqire, for a week of student workshops across all key stages. Having worked with Emma on projects in the UK, Maquire attests to Gordon’s talent and hopes Gordon’s week at Dulwich was an inspiration for Dulwich drama teachers as well as students. “It is always fabulous to collaborate with other artists, share ideas, and make creative things happen. It’s great professional development for the drama department [as well],” says Macquire. We chat with Gordon about her experience at Dulwich.

Why is drama important for children?
In an international school such as Dulwich, with children from all over the world working closely together, drama is one of the most effective means of transcending barriers and offering opportunities for language development and cultural exploration. In this day and age, with so much emphasis on grades, levels of achievement, and formal assessment, it is easy to forget the importance of play and the benefits of nurturing creativity. However, it is artistic expression which can help to individualize education; making it meaningful to everyone involved. Confucius summed it up in his own philosophies of experiential learning, and there really is no better way to explain: ‘I hear and I forget. I see and I may remember. I do and I understand.’ To offer drama to youngsters is to offer a creative outlet through which they can explore, experiment, and share in their learning as they experience it in their own way. 

What were your aims for your workshops at Dulwich?
Each workshop session aimed to fulfill a set of criteria relevant to the group’s current schemes of work and programs of study. This meant that I structured my sessions accordingly. However, once the specific aims had been addressed in my initial planning, and I could answer ‘yes’ to myself when reflecting on whether I was covering enough on the individual practitioner, topic or theme, I had a greater aim to address. It is the same aim I always have in mind when planning sessions; to engage everyone who is taking part, no matter what their level of dramatic experience and grasp of language may be. This is crucial to ensure that sessions are accessible to every participant, and everyone can feel a sense of achievement by the end. Of course I always want youngsters to leave workshops feeling inspired and passionate about drama; it is my belief that the world would be a dull place without it.

What went well?
I can honestly say that the whole experience has been unforgettable. I have worked with everyone, from Keystage 5 down to early years, and I have enjoyed every single session. The buzz that has been around the drama department, and the excitement the students have demonstrated, both during and after my sessions, has been wonderful to be a part of.

What were you surprised by?
That is a big question. One of the joys of what I do is that I am constantly surprised by the responses from the youngsters and the directions creative tasks might lead us in. These can vary so vastly from one group to the next. A lot of things have surprised me over the past week and a half. Probably the biggest, though, has been just how different the students are here [compared to] England. There is an openness and acceptance that comes with being in such a culturally diverse setting, and having travelled so much, which is rare and precious. This means dramatic tasks are sometimes approached with less hesitance than in England, and group work takes on a new dimension. I had the chance to work with the London Academy of Music and Dramatic Art (LAMDA) students here during lunchtimes, an area in which I specialize at home, and I witnessed these same qualities outside the classroom as well. It is a difficult thing to articulate, but wonderful to be involved in. 

What is your favorite aspect of working with children?
I began running holiday workshops and working as a classroom assistant at a deprived school down the road from my own high school when I was just a teenager. I have always taken great delight in helping children to find their own voice, seeking out what excites and interests them, so the journey through Applied Theatre Training and my post graduate certificate in education (PGCE)  was a natural route for me to take. I always knew if I wasn’t acting, I needed to be sharing my passion for drama with the younger generation. In all my projects, there is no greater reward than seeing the satisfaction and sense of fulfillment youngsters get from performing. Nurturing the artists of the future, offering a ray of hope to someone otherwise marginalized, or inspiring someone with the passion to pursue a dream – each of those is priceless. So there is no single aspect which I favor. Working with childrenis my favorite aspect of the whole thing. In that sense, I am blessed. 

How do you tailor you work to children of different ages? Obviously every workshop I offer is tailored to the group’s own needs, and the Institution’s own ethos. Working with the Early Years pupils, especially where English is not a first language, demands a much more physical approach. It was essential I planned something where there was less emphasis on language, and more opportunity to express and communicate ideas through sound and body. The older students present their own challenges in planning. At a school where the students are so switched on, there need to be opportunities for goals to be set throughout a session. Even where the process of exploration is the main focus of a session, the students need to feel that they are making progress and meeting personal targets. This means workshops have to be fast-paced enough to maintain interest, fun and engagement, yet meaty enough to enable personal development. Of course the content will differ greatly, the ideas and topics which arise for discussion, and the language used to do so will always vary.

Photos: Courtesy of Dulwich

If your family is staying in Beijing for at least part of the summer holidays, chances are you’re already looking at camps. With many camps slated to start in June, deadlines for enrollment and early bird discounts are coming up fast. Here’s the first part of our annual, multi-part roundup of summer camps. We’ll keep posting summer camps as we hear of them, so check back on the blog or follow our social media streams on WeChat (beijingkids), Weibo, Twitter, or Facebook.  

That’s Mandarin Chinese Summer Camp
Ages 7-17. Once again, That’s Mandarin is running a varied Chinese summer camp program for kids, teens, and families visiting and residing in Beijing. There are five camps: morning camp, day camp, full camp, family camp, and homestay camp. That’s Mandarin camps include field trips, variety classes, and cultural activities as well as in-depth language learning.  

Dates: Camps run from June to August. Start dates are June 15, June 29, July 13, July 27,  and August 10.

Prices:

• Day camp : RMB 9,000 (two weeks), RMB 17,200 (four weeks)

• Morning camp: RMB 5,000 (two weeks), RMB 9,200 (four weeks)

• Homestay camp: RMB 24,000 (two weeks), RMB 46,000 (four weeks)

• Full camp (hotel shared room): RMB 20,000 (two weeks), RMB 38,000 (four weeks)

• Family camp: Prices TBA. Available for one adult and one kid, two adults and one kid, one adult with two kids, and two adults with two kids.

Discounts: Early bird and friend discounts (5% off if you sign up with a friend) currently available
How to sign up? Use That’s Mandarin’s online form
Contact: 1/F, Bldg 4, 12 Xinzhong Jie, Dongcheng District (5218 6432, info@thatsmandarin.com) 东城区新中街乙 12 号 4 号楼1层

Ivy Academy Summer Camps
Ages 3-6. Ivy Academy (IA) is offering several summer camps for younger kids, including the Traditional Chinese Culture Camp; Science Shenanigans Camp; Think, Paint, and Create Art Camp; DramaFit Camp; Lego Camp; and Advanced Chinese Camp. Each camp features its own unique activities, field trips, and classes; check IA’s website for more details.

Dates: Start dates throughout July and August
Price: RMB 7,200 per camp
Discounts: Early bird discount of 15% available for those who sign up before May 22 (20% for Ivy students)
How to sign up? Use Ivy Academy’s online form (click on the camp you’re interested in)
Contact: camp@ivyschools.com

Beijing Playhouse Summer Camps
Ages 6-14. Beijing Playhouse, Beijing’s only English-language theater troupe, is running four drama camps this summer: Pinocchio, Once Upon a Time, and Beauty and the Beast, and Romeo and Juliet. All camps last two to three weeks, are limited to 30 kids, and end with a performance. All participants must audition. Theater internships are available for older teens.

Dates: June 29-July 11 (Pinocchio), July 13-25 (Once Upon a Time), July 27-August 8 (Beauty and the Beast), August 10-29 (Romeo and Juliet)
Prices: RMB 8,000 for Pinocchio, Once Upon a Time, and Beauty and the Beast; RMB 12,000 for Romeo and Juliet
Discounts: Early bird discounts of 10% available until April 11 (check Beijing Playhouse’s website for enrollment deadlines)
How to sign up? Contact Beijing Playhouse at broadway@beijingplayhouse.com
Contact: broadways@beijingplayhouse.com, www.beijingplayhouse.com

HoK Summer Camps
Ages 3-6. House of Knowledge International School and Kindergarten (HoK) has a host of summer programs for both expat and locak kids. In the first week, kids will learn about the ocean’s different animals, landscapes, and life forms through arts, crafts, science, and games. The second week is dinosaur-themed, with students becoming paleontologists to dig up bones and hunt for eggs.

Dates: June 29-July 3 (week 1), July 6-10 (week 2) from 9.30am-3.30pm

Prices: RMB 2,200 per week (full day), RMB 1,720 per week (half-day with lunch), RMB 1,350 per week (half-day without lunch), RMB 200 per week for bus transportation
Discounts: None
How to sign up: Email or call HoK (see below)
Contact: info@hokschools.com, 400 650 7747

Artistic Summer Camps
Ages 5+. For the third year in a row, Atelier is offering artistic summer camps at its Sanlitun studio and newly-opened Shunyi branch. Each camp lasts one week and includes thematic exploration, techniques, and art projects. Morning sessions are for ages 5-8 and afternoon sessions are for ages 9 and up.

Dates: Start dates are June 15 through July 13 weekly, and then the last two weeks of August.
Prices: RMB 1,500 per week
Discounts: Siblings or kids taking more than one camp are eligible for a reduced rate of RMB 1,200 per week.
How to sign up? Email Atelier at contact@atelier.cn.com
Contact:

• 1) Apt C202, Jinxiu Yuan, Xingfucun Zhonglu, Chaoyang District 朝阳区幸福村中路锦绣园C202

• 2) 204-205, Bldg 2, Central Park, 16 Yufeng Lu, Shunyi District 顺义区裕丰路16号院会展誉景2号楼204-205（商铺A入口2楼）

CISB Summer Camps
For the ninth year, the Canadian International School of Beijing (CISB) is offering summer camps for toddlers, kids, and teens. Programs are open to all and include the Kindergarten Creative Camp, Summer Enrichment Camp, and Summer Enhancement Camp. Dates are from June 29 to August 7 for all camps.

Kindergarten Creative Camp
Ages 18 months-6 years. The kindergarten camp includes phonics and reading, English, Chinese language and culture, arts and crafts, music, swimming, and PE activities.

Prices:

• Full day: RMB 6,500 (two weeks), RMB 9,750 (three weeks), RMB 18,500 (six weeks)

• Half-day: RMB 4,300 (two weeks), RMB 6,450 (three weeks), RMB 12,000 (six weeks)

Summer Enrichment Camp
Ages 6-15. This well-rounded program offers camps with topics like math, science, sports, and performing arts.

Prices:

• Camp 1 (Math, Science, and Sports): RMB 7,500 (two weeks), RMB 11,250 (three weeks), RMB 21,500 (six weeks)

• Camp 2 (Horseback Riding and Golf): RMB 12,500 (two weeks), RMB 18,750 (three weeks), RMB 36,500 (six weeks)

• Camp 3 (Performance Arts): RMB 10,500 (two weeks), RMB 15,750 (three weeks), RMB 30,500 (six weeks)

Summer Enhancement Camp
Grades 6-11. This program for older kids aims to increase skills and knowledge in mathematics, literacy, and leadership. CISB students completing the six-week program can apply for completion of the math or English programs in which they’re currently enrolled at CISB.

Prices:

• Full day program: RMB 15,750 (three weeks), RMB 29,500 (six weeks)

• English or Math program: RMB 9,750 (three weeks), RMB 17,500 (six weeks)

Discounts: 15% discount available for CISB, ISNS and CCSC students; 5% early bird discounts available (sign up before April 30)
How to sign up? Apply in person or by email to summeradmissions@cis-beijing.com before May 29
Contact: 38 Liangmaqiao Lu, Chaoyang District (6465 7788, summeradmissions@cis-beijing.com) www.cisb.com.cn 朝阳区亮马桥路38号加拿大国际学校

TLC Summer Programs
Various ages. Throughout the summer, The Learning Center (TLC) will have classes for a variety of grade levels and topics. Subjects include SSAT and SAT prep, academic transition programs to prepare kids for international schools or schools abroad, English, social studies, math, science, and history.

Prices: Classes last one week and start at RMB 2,365 for half-day and RMB 4,490 for full day.
Discounts: Available for multi-week bookings. Early bird discount of 5% before June 1
How to sign up: Call or email (see below)
Contact: Call 8046 3886 or email usregistration@hyde-education.com. To find out more about TLC, visit www.thelearningcenter.cn.

Roots Language Training Center Summer Day Camps
Ages 7-12. Founded by a Canadian expat, Roots is a language training center that focuses on fluency through speaking. At the end of July and in August, Roots is holding five summer day camps with different weekly themes. Attendees will be able to experience a real western-style camp with sports, movies, fairs, picnics, workshops, and more. For teens, Roots is also offering summer jobs as camp counselors.

Dates: July 20-24, July 27-31, August 3-7, August 10-14, August 17-21 (Mon-Fri 9am-4pm)
Prices and discounts: TBC (check back for details)
Contact: To pre-register or apply, email camps@rootsltc.com.

LVMS Masterchef Camp
Ages 3-6. For the first three weeks of August, Little Village Montessori School (LVMS) is hosting cooking camps based on Junior Masterchef for young children. Kids will get to make a different dish every day with their teachers (or on their own if they can) and keep recipes to replicate at home.

Prices: RMB 3,500 (LVMS students), RMB 4,800 (other students)
Discounts: None
How to sign up: Call or email LVMS (see below) by July 15. If the group reaches 20 students before that date, signup will close.
Contact: Rm 2310, 3/F Jingyun Shengtong Building, 5 Huilin Lu, Fulicheng West, Shuangjing, Chaoyang District (5876 6610, angel@lvms.cn) 朝阳区双井富力城西， 惠林路5号， 京运盛通大厦3层2310

Blue Bridge Summer Art Camps
Ages 4-12. Blue Bridge International Education is offering four art camps with different themes this summer: Little World Explorer (exploring the world through Disney movies), Song of the Sea (Celtic culture and stories), Back to the Future (time travel), and Night at the Museum (artists and curators).

Dates: July 13-17 (Little World Explorer), July 20-31 (Song of the Sea), August 3-14 (Back to the Future), August 17-21 (Night at the Museum)
Prices: RMB 3,280 (Little World Explorer and Night at the Museum), RMB 5,980 (Song of the Sea and Back to the Future)
Discounts:
How to sign up: Call or visit Blue Bridge’s website (see below)
Contact: www.bluebridgeedu.com

• CBD Studio: Rm 753, Tower A, Chaowai SOHO, Chaoyang District (5900 0270) 朝阳区朝外SOHO A座753室

• Lido Studio: Shop 118, Andersen Garden, Upper East Side, Chaoyang District (5947 2275)

Dulwich Community Programmes (DCP) Summer Camps
All ages. Dulwich College Beijing is holding a series of DCP summer camps open to the wider Beijing community with soccer, swimming, basketball, and tennis.

Dates: Throughout June, July, and August (check website for details)
Prices: Various (see website)
Discounts: Available for some camps for signups of two weeks or more
How to sign up: Registration is from May 2 to June 17. Parents can either register and pay in person at the Legend Garden Sports Club at DCB (cash and card) on weekdays from 8am to 9pm and weekends from 9am to 7pm or at the Riviera Main Campus and Little Riviera (cash only) during school hours. They can also register online and pay by bank transfer.
Contact: 6454 9150, dcp@dulwich-beijing.cn

Prestige Education Centre Summer Camp
Ages 6-14. Prestige Education Centre (PEC) is holding an English-language summer camp designed by UK-qualified teachers. Participants will explore subjects like literature, art, science, music, and math using creative approaches. The learning themes are pirates and seasons.

Dates: June 29-August 21 (9.30am-3.30pm)
Prices: RMB 3,850 per week
Discounts: Early bird discount of 5% available before June 10
How to sign up: Email or call (see below)
Contact: Bldg 9, 5 Guantang Donglu, Chaoyang District (8430 8674, information@pedcentre.com) 朝阳区官塘东路5号9号

Keystone Summer Archway
For students entering Grades 6-9 in fall 2015. Designed for non-native English speakers, Keystone Academy’s Summer Archway program is designed for non-native English speakers who intend to attend Keystone or similar schools in China and abroad. Participants in the three-week camp will learn how to work in an international or American-style learning environment, with a focus on improving academic English and exploring key concepts in the arts, sciences, and humanities.

Dates: July 13-31
Prices: RMB 15,600 (includes application fee, tuition, materials, lunch, use of Keystone’s sports facilities, and certificate of completion). Optional bus transportation available for RMB 980
Discounts: None
How to sign up: The four-step application process consists of filling out an application form, submitting a personal essay, scheduling an interview, and paying the application fee. Click here for full details. The signup deadline is April 20.
Contact: Keystone Academy, 11 Anfu Jie, Houshayu, Shunyi District (8049 6008 ext 2009, summer@keystoneacademy.cn) 顺义区后沙峪镇安富街11号北京鼎石国际学校

All photos courtesy of their respective schools and organizations unless otherwise noted