Xu YongSheng Vice President of the Central Academy of Drama

From December 8-10, 2017 the 6th International Master Workshop on Theatres and Theatres Company Management took place in Beijing China. The Central Academy of Drama, the China Drama Association and the British Council sponsored it. There were UK speakers from ACE, RSC, ROH, Creative Scotland, The Wales Millennium Centre and Goldsmiths University of London. The UK contingent were all requested to write 3000 words on their organisation and the role and the policy context it had in the UK. Goldsmiths was asked to do something different by looking at how or if recent policy changes in the UK cultural sector had an impact on those programmes teaching arts management – were new skills needed.

There were over twenty Chinese speakers and participants as well as a great range of students from the Central Academy of Drama who were the hosts.

Gerald Lidstone, Director of ICCE

The format was different from may such events, in the morning there were formal 20 minute presentations from all speakers, however in the afternoon there were parallel chaired discussion between Chinese Speakers and those from the UK, key Chinese participants chairing and the UK participants note taking to feed back at the end of the day. These sessions were also open to students. There was input at these sessions from the Director of Arts of the BC China and North East Asia and The Vice President of the Central Academy of Drama and the General Manager of Beijing Poly Theatre Management Co Ltd. It was particularly interesting to understand the role played by BPTM as an independent commercial management company managing over 40 state theatres. Also how the China Collaborative Innovation Centre for Theatre Arts Management , constituted as a not for profit organisation was created by the Central Academy of Drama.

Guo Wenpeng General Manager of Beijing Poly Theatre Managment Co., Ltd

This all sounds a little dry, but the event was particularly interactive and open to debate. The UK contingent left with a much deeper understanding of how China undertook both theatre management and cultural policy. In some areas there was clearly a relationship with UK systems and in others considerable concentration was needed to understand how certain things worked very differently. However with this format there was time to discuss and interrogate what each other meant.

Jayne Brewer, Deputy Director, Wales Millennium Centre

It is this sort of event and dialogue that leads through networking to collaborative initiatives. Some of those in the UK contingent had already toured/ co produced there, but benefitted from a wider perspective.

We were hosted very well by the sponsors, the students of the Academy and BC staff were always on hand to provide insights into Chinese society and performing arts. No doubt this event will lead to future collaboration.

Gerald Lidstone, Director of ICCE