Students in Prof. Ziying Cui’s MEDIART 118 class recently had the opportunity to experience Chinese ballet both behind the scenes and on stage. Through two field trips to the Suzhou Culture and Arts Center, arranged with the support of the Suzhou Ballet Theatre, students attended the technical rehearsal of Love Bridge (鹊之桥) on Wednesday afternoon and then returned for the premiere performance on Friday evening.
The visits offered a rare chance to connect classroom study with live performance. “According to the positive feedback from my students, I think the field trips really inform students’ understanding of dance and dance studies,” said Prof. Cui. For many students with little prior dance experience, seeing both the rehearsal process and the completed production provided valuable insight into the artistry, discipline, and collaboration required to stage dance. The trips also offered a valuable chance to bridge theory and practice while preparing their first assignment, a dance reflection journal.
Prof. Cui expressed gratitude for the institutional and personal support that made the experience possible: “I am grateful for the support I have received from AH at DKU, Suzhou Ballet Theatre—contacted through my ballet teacher from Beijing Dance Academy—and Suzhou Culture and Arts Center. These trips would not be possible without their support.”
Students also reflected positively on the experience. The rehearsal showcased the discipline and precision of the creative process, while the premiere conveyed the full expressive power of performance. The two events provided a holistic perspective on Chinese ballet and deepened the students’ appreciation of dance as both practice and art.
Written by Yiya Wang, Class of 2028
