Teaching the stage in a different way

Liao invites top-tier professionals, including renowned artists and industry experts, to teach. He also integrates practical elements, including specialized English courses for theater and drama analysis classes led by experts such as Chiayi Seetoo, a professor at the Shanghai Theatre Academy.

In addition to practical exams, the dean's chat-room component invites industry figures to share their insights. He believes in preparing students for the real world by teaching them to manage their time and work across different departments in a production.

By their third year, students will need to have completed a semester-long internship. Liao is working to secure partnerships with theme parks, theaters and cultural projects to offer more opportunities.

"Even if students don't pursue theater, they can work as project managers in other sectors," he says. "My goal is to teach them how to start from scratch and tackle challenges with the right attitude."

Nineteen-year-old sophomore Wang Ziyan discovered a passion for lighting design during her first-year courses, and chose it as her specialty.

She expected university life to be relaxing but found the specialized courses demanding, yet rewarding. "I get fulfillment from creating different colors and shapes with lighting," she says.

Wang values her industry-expert instructors, who not only teach technical skills but also share insights from their projects. "Their experience helps us avoid mistakes," she says. "I feel a responsibility to them to improve."

The practical curriculum stands out. "We don't just study theory; we actually handle the equipment and experience it firsthand," Wang explains.

She describes Liao as both a mentor and a friend. "He's energetic, enjoys telling jokes, but is also strict when necessary," she says. "From him, we've learned that passion is essential for success in the theater industry."

She also values the design of the building. "We care for it like it's our own. We immediately dispose of trash and handle expensive equipment with great care."