Training        

Workshops are short (10-40hours) isolated training programs for groups of performers from all disciplines which focus on specific skills unique to Jingju, often based around specific props or weapons.

An example of some skills/weapons are: Staff, Spear (single and double), Pair of Straight Swords (Jin), Chinese Saber (Dao), Fan, Long Silks, Horsewhip, and Water Sleeves.
Our traditional training methods are adapted to each student’s capacity and safety is always of the utmost priority.

Jingju Canada offers private tutoring to individuals or companies. These operate much like a workshop but are tailored to the wants and needs of the client.

If you are a dancer looking to learn more martial skills without risking the damage which is common in practical martial arts, an actor seeking to increase your physical awareness and capacity in a performance focused discipline, or a martial artist looking to understand and learn performance skills within your frame of reference private tutoring can be an ideal form of cross training for you!

Group rates are available to theatre and dance companies, or like-minded performers, looking to receive a specialized training for an upcoming show.

What We Teach

Jingju is a unique form of performance which incorporates archetypal characters with graceful movements and dances in highly choreographed routines.

Martial elements play an important role in the traditional stories told on the Jingju stage and so a specialized display of combat and use of weapons has developed which differs from any other style of staged performance.

All martial conflicts shown on the Jingju stage, armed or otherwise, are based in the ancient tradition of Chinese kung fu and as such the training demanded, and skills gained, are very similar to that of kung fu or wushu. All Jingju weapons are also traditionally made out of bamboo, or rattan, and are not designed for hard clashing, as is typical with western stage combat practice, and so the use of the weapons on stage has become much more of a stylized representation of combat which often blurs the line between combat and dance.

This dance-like combat and non-realistic weapon design has also allowed for performance practices which are unique to Jingju, such as spear kicking and other forms of weapon ‘juggling’.
Jingju Canada offers studio training classes, workshops and private tutoring for professional performers and enthusiasts of all levels. Actors, dancers, wushu and stage combat practitioners are all welcome.

Lectures

As a part of Jingju Canada’s mandate to help spread knowledge of the traditional Chinese theatre arts, Jingju Canada offers academic interactive lectures suitable for students from Middle school through to University. Classes can be offered in English, French and Mandarin.

Multimedia lectures include Powerpoint, audio/video presentations as well as traditional costumes, makeup and stage weapons in either a single or multiple class formats.
Possible series topics include;

•Introduction to Jingju
•The History of Jingju
•Costume and Makeup Codification
•Performance Codification
•Influences on Western Drama

Lectures can be adapted to run between 45 minutes and three hours and can offer an exciting experience and perspective in various curricula including Chinese History, Mandarin or Chinese Cultural Studies as well as Theatre and Dance History.

For more information about having an Interactive lecture in your class please e-mail info@jingju.ca , or use our the Contact Us tab. Be sure to include desired topic(s), grade level, class length and corresponding course (if applicable).