Series sings sweetly for young vocal talents

Two years ago when he was 26, singer and musical theater actor Gao Yang performed his first solo concert in Beijing. It was at that time that he began to reevaluate his career and life, gaining a new perspective.

Today, Gao has expanded his horizons by taking on the role of producer in the world of musical theater. His daily schedule is packed with rehearsals, planning and performances.

"For a musical theater actor, the key to protecting your voice is to avoid staying up late and speaking less, but I rarely manage to do that," Gao admits.

In early July, Gao joined audiences in a cinema to revisit his thoughts, feelings and performance from two years ago captured in the documentary series Xinsheng Yidai (The New Generation of Voices). This eight-episode series, currently streaming online on platforms Tencent Video, iQiyi and Youku, features four main characters — Gao, voice actors Wu Tao and Gu Jiangshan, and tenor singer Ma Jia.

These talented individuals share many common traits — youth, charisma, dedicated fan bases and remarkable voices. Most importantly, they have all chosen to pursue careers that revolve around their vocal talent.

Producer Peng Kan says that the documentary, which began filming in March 2022, aims to highlight the emerging voice culture in China, such as musical theater and radio dramas, which have gained popularity among younger generations.

"The protagonists, all born in the 1990s, represent the 'new generation' in their fields. This documentary captures their unique self-expression," Peng says.

"We aim to bridge the gap between the niche voice culture and the public, helping more people understand this field and appreciate the younger Chinese generation's confidence."

Wu began his voice acting career in 2015, initially working behind the scenes. However, it wasn't until 2018, with a surge in the popularity of commercial radio dramas, that he stepped into the limelight.

"Before, only voice directors saw my work. Now, fans directly view it and provide valuable feedback. This has boosted my confidence," Wu says.

He recalls participating in events like comic conventions during this process and interacting with fans has become less restrained.

For Gao, interacting with others and sharing his life is what he enjoys, which is why he agreed to be part of the documentary.

"I also hope that someone will help me record this process," Gao says.

Gao says that the series captures his experiences at 26 and he's willing to continue participating in future recordings if possible, documenting his story at 36, 46 and 56 years old.

In 2018, Gao gained fame through the music reality show Super Vocal and starred in his first musical, Daddy Long Legs, in 2019. After working in the musical theater industry for six years, he expanded beyond acting to become a producer in musical theater.

Over the years, Gao has noticed changes in his voice, grasping new vocal tones as he ages.

"On the musical theater stage, I've slowly learned to master my voice and physicality for different roles," he says.

"I've felt growth in the musical theater industry recently, with various performance styles emerging, but it remains a niche field."

As an established figure in the industry, Gao has observed structured growth opportunities for younger actors entering the musical theater domain, from small to large theater venues.

Looking to the future, Gao says he maintains a mindset of exploring new ventures. With his voice nearing its prime, he aims to bring more roles and works to the stage.

Director Xie Fukun discovered intense dedication within the voice industry, and each protagonist worked harder than he initially imagined.

To ensure authenticity, Xie avoided using large lights and boom microphones during filming to capture the subjects in their natural states. "Documentaries provide invaluable footage for future generations to understand today's musical theater and voice actors," he says.