Central Academy of Drama


The Central Academy of Drama, abbreviated Zhong Xi, is a drama school in Beijing, China. It is a Chinese Ministry of Education Double First Class Discipline University, with Double First Class status in some disciplines. The school is the first theatre higher educational institution of the People's Republic of China. It is ranked as the best top-level drama, Film and Television arts institution in China and has been selected into the country's construction plan of world first-class disciplines. The Central Academy of Drama is a central subordinate university and is also an art college directly under the Ministry of Education. It is the highest institution of education in dramatic art among the world's leading art institutions in Chinese drama, visual arts teaching and research center. The Central Academy of Drama is also the headquarters of the World Theatre Education Alliance, China Alliance of Theatre Higher Educational Institutes and Asia Theatre Education Centre. The Central Academy of Drama has engaged in the practice of drama and the visual arts for more than 50 years and is a bastion of experimental theater drama in China. The school also holds the UNESCO Chair on Theatre Education.

Location

The academy is located on 39 E Mianhua Hutong, Dongcheng Qu, Beijing Shi, 100009.

History

The academy was established in April 1950, with Ouyang Yuqian as its first president. It was named by Mao Zedong. It inherited the drama department of Lu Xun Art Academy in Yan'an, art school of North China University, and National Drama College in Nanjing. Many famous Chinese actors, actresses, and directors graduated from the Academy, such as Zhang Ziyi, Jiang Wen, Gong Li. It is regarded as the most prestigious drama schools in China, ahead Beijing Film Academy and Shanghai Theater Academy.

Notable alumni

Note that class year indicates the entrance year, not graduating year.
; Acting Department
Directing Department: Bao Guo'an, Li Baotian, Lin Yufen, Zhang Yang, Zhang Jingchu, Lin Yongjian, Tang Wei, Papi Jiang
Department of Musical Theatre: Sun Honglei, Jin Dong, Zhao Chulun, Hao Zejia
Department of Stage Design: Zhang Lei
Department of Dramatic Literature: Zhang Yibai, Diao Yinan, Cai Shangjun, Yilin Zhong