The National Opera and Dance Drama Theater regularly performs productions set in different parts of Chinese history. (Photo : Getty Images)
The Zhejiang Kun Opera troupe has opened a program to teach traditional Chinese opera for free to 20 online celebrities, with Internet users able to watch their performances live.
The troupe, which is based in the eastern city of Hangzhou, aims to generate interest from online personalities by teaching them about Kunqu opera characters and makeup, according to Bao Chen, the official in charge of the course.
"We will teach them how to dress like Du Liniang, a role that's similar to Hermia's in 'A Midsummer Night's Dream,' in a Kun Opera. It will take them nearly two hours to wear makeup and dress as Du. They can broadcast their learning process online," Bao told China Daily, adding that the students will be taught techniques on how to pose, move their bodies, sing, and speak.
The tuition-free training includes customized courses and has been designed to last three to five months.
Bao said many online celebrities have applied for the program and has far exceeded the number of students they intend to accommodate.
"There are more than 100 applicants, some of them are volunteers while others have been signed up by their agencies," he said.
Faced with so many applications, the troupe decided to expand each class.
"At the beginning, we decided to enroll 15 students, now we have decided to enroll 20 in each class. This is the first training course; we will have the second and the third training course. We promise all the applicants will receive the training," Bao said.
Xue Tengjiao, president of an agency specializing in online celebrities, told China Daily that the large influx of online celebrities applying for a slot is that they want to appear more graceful using the opera techniques.
However, Zhou Xi, who is in charge of the troupe's promotional activities, admitted that only the basic singing and movement techniques will be taught to the celebrities and is not expected to be equal to the training undertaken by professional Kun opera performers.
"It's more important to let more people understand and enjoy Kun Opera through different channels, including live online broadcast. That is our intention behind this program," Zhou said.
