In 2008 Concordia University’s Theatre Department took part in a unique exchange program with China’s National Academy of Chinese Theatre Arts (N.A.C.T.A.) based in Beijing.

The exchange program was set up between the Department of directing at N.A.C.T.A. and Concordia University’s Theatre Department.

The exchange was the first of its kind in Canada and involved two segments. Initially Concordia hosted Professor Lu Suosen and two hand picked translators and teaching assistants, including Shijia Jiang, and then a class of eleven Concordia students travelled to China to continue their training in Jingju at N.A.C.T.A.

Nicholas Santillo and Shijia Jiang first met during this exchange and are now alumni of these two institutions. Their shared vision to further strengthen the relationship of China and Canada through the understanding and appreciation of the traditional art form of Jingju spawned the creation of Jingju Canada in 2009.

To find out more about what traditional Jingju is – click here.