Peking Opera’s Modern Melody: Chang Qiuyue Inspires a New Generation 🎭
Have you ever dreamed of stepping onto a stage, wearing dazzling costumes, and telling amazing stories? That’s exactly what Chang Qiuyue does! When she was just seven years old, she saw the beautiful red costumes of a Peking Opera called “Hong Niang” (The Matchmaker) and nicknamed them “Auntie Red.” Little did she know, this moment would change her life forever.
From Shy Girl to Star Performer ⭐
Chang’s father, who loved performing opera as a hobby, wanted to help her become stronger and healthier. So, he enrolled her in an opera school. At first, it was just a way to exercise, but soon, Chang fell in love with the art of Peking Opera.
Peking Opera is a traditional Chinese performance that combines music, singing, acting, and amazing costumes! 🎶🎤👘 It’s been around for over 200 years. Chang started with tough roles that required lots of physical training. Even though she was shy, she worked hard and learned to play bold and cheerful characters. Imagine going from being quiet to performing in front of big audiences!
Bringing Old Stories to New Friends 📖
Chang loves traditional Peking Opera, but she also wants to make it exciting for people today. She designs costumes that mix old styles with new colors, creating outfits that are both historic and fresh. 🎨 Her audiences often call her “Sister Rainbow” because of the seven quick costume changes she does in “Hong Niang”!
But Chang doesn’t stop there. She works on bringing back forgotten plays, like “Dan Qing Yin,” which she helped revive from old, faded scripts. These stories hadn’t been performed in ages, but when people see them, they say, “This play is incredible! Why hasn’t anyone performed it before?”
Inspiring Future Stars 🌟
Chang is not just a performer; she’s a teacher and a mentor. She wants to share the magic of Peking Opera with young people everywhere. Whether it’s through nurturing new actors or creating videos for the digital age, she hopes to leave a lasting legacy.
“My teacher worked like every day was her last,” Chang says. “Now I ask: What legacy will I leave?”
Thanks to Chang Qiuyue, many kids and teens are discovering the wonder of Peking Opera. Who knows? Maybe you’ll be inspired to check out a performance or even try some acting yourself! 🎭
Reference(s):
cgtn.com
