(Photo provided to Xinhua Daily)
Small theaters, scattered across shopping districts, residential areas, industrial parks, and tourist attractions, have evolved into dynamic cultural hubs in Nanjing.
As of July this year, Nanjing boasts 111 small theaters, each with unique themes. For instance, the Baiyunting Community Theater is housed in a former agricultural wholesale market near the Yangtze River, while the Star Theater by the Qinhuai River occupies the former site of the Nanjing No. 2 Machine Tool Factory. In Gaochun and Lishui districts, outdated opera sites have been revived as popular small theaters.
A theater poster
Each small theater has its own unique character. In Qinhuai District, traditional cultural heritage takes center stage with performances of Baiju (a folk storytelling art) and Qinhuai lantern craftsmanship at venues near historic sites like Xi’nanli and the Confucius Temple. In the student-driven Xianlin University Town of Qixia District, experimental theaters founded by Nanjing University faculty and students bring youthful creativity to the stage. The city is also home to the Plum Blossom Small Theater, which focuses on traditional Chinese opera and regularly features performances by award-winning artists.
Nanjing’s status as a UNESCO City of Literature enriches its cultural offerings. Playwright Yu Sihan, who has debuted ten works in local venues, notes that the city’s deep historical and literary heritage holds abundant potential for small theater shows.
Nanjing has long been a cradle of performing arts. Traditional Chinese opera forms such as Kunqu flourished here, while modern theatrical drama also took root here when first introduced to China. The city has since become a key player in the country’s drama scene, boasting leading figures in Chinese theater.
Government initiatives have also supported this heritage. Grants from Nanjing Arts Fund, cultural talent programs, and subsidies for cultural consumption have encouraged greater private investment in building and sustaining small theaters.
Known for its vibrant community of young artists, Nanjing attracts audiences eager to experience both traditional and modern shows. For drama students, young actors, and playwrights, small theaters provide valuable opportunities to practice and showcase their talent. Notably, the Zijin Culture and Arts Festival has further highlighted small theater productions, emphasizing works created, directed, and performed by young artists.
