Formerly known as the China Experimental Theater, the National Theater of China is at the forefront of China's avant-guard theatre movement. It has been a hot-bed for nurturing contemporary stage actors and directors.

Recently, the mini theater of the National Theater of China has reopened with four new plays showcasing new talent.

A renovated theater, a newly built rehearsal hall, some fresh faces, and four brand new plays. These ingredients make for an intriguing season at the National Theater of China.

Kicking off the performance season is a play called "Ahead of the Horse". Teeming with strong Beijing flavor, it loosely chronicles the three thousand years of Beijing's evolution from an imperial capital to a modern metropolis.

An audience member said, "The play is quite realistic. The life style and customs are full of strong local characteristics. The acting of these amateur actors made the audiences feel very genuine. They may not be as good as the professional stage actors, but they are very energetic."

The four new plays are all from young directors of the theater. The other three are "On the Vast Sea", "Seagull", and "Beloved". These brand new plays aim to give much-needed exposure to the young actors.

Pu Cunxin, vice president of Beijing People's Theater, said, "We are professional stage actors, but we are full of respect to these grassroots dramas. There are so many theater lovers in Beijing dreaming of standing on the stage on day. They form a large resource of talent, and this platform definitely gives them a big opportunity to fulfill their dreams."

The four plays belong to a project called "Young Playwrights, Directors and Actors PK Camp". An award will be given out based on box office receipts, the jury's judgment, and an audience rating.

Along with the mini theater of the National Theater of China, many other mini theaters in Beijing have collectively formed an alternative to the mainstream drama venues. Due to their intimate settings and close interaction between actors and spectators, these small venues have become the preferred choice for many theatre goers.

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