October 3rd - 5th marked the first school performances and Drama-In-Education forum in Beijing. This public event attended by more than 1000 families was hosted by Beijing Dreamaker Organization in collaboration with China Youth Development Center and Shanghai Theatre Academy. Experts from Hong Kong, Beijing, Shanghai and Singapore were present as panelists to judge the many participating schools and centers. Included in the performances were groups from the Aspergus Association and Weston High School from Boston, Massachusetts.
This platform raised the profile of the need for Drama in China schools. Children with the confidence to perform demonstrated their abilities to think on their feet, co-operate and work together as a team. According to one of the judges Ji Shi Loong who is reputed in Beijing film industry and a Drama instructor, "A great performance is one enjoyed both by the audience and the actors. It is also one that is lovely to look at." This was evident in the first English performance, "The Emperor's New Clothes", scripted and directed by Rebecca Shatford and performed by children from 7-10 years old from the Helen O'Grady Drama Academy of Beijing. The children enjoyed their public performance and worked very well as a team.
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