The College of Liberal Arts hosted a Chinese opera presentation in the Performance Center Wednesday, led by Bohan Ye, assistant professor of economics.
The opera was open to all USI students, faculty and the public as part of the THTR 371: History of Theatre class. Ye demonstrated aspects of Chinese performing arts, including dance, martial arts and movement exercises used to train Chinese performing artists.
Ye presented a PowerPoint in addition to live demonstrations of different aspects of Chinese opera.
Shan Jensen, professor of theatre, said she learned Ye performed Chinese opera because they attended a class together.
“She was gracious enough to agree to give us a lecture about it,” Jensen said.
According to Ye’s website, she began learning peking opera at the School of Mei under Master Zhiyi Wang at the age of 14 while growing up in China. Since then, she has performed over 100 times on stage.
At the Romain College of Business, Ye has worked on research topics focusing on experimental economics and behavioral economics. Ye previously performed in the Performance Center May 11, 2021, according to Evansville Courier & Press.
Ye said the aesthetic conception of Chinese opera and Western opera is different.
“I hope to have students enjoy Chinese opera through this experiential learning,” Ye said.
Ye said Chinese opera is “more thrifty” with prop design and stage backdrop design.
“Therefore, we need to be very creative in our performance techniques,” Ye said. “We are trying to make the audience to believe what we are doing on stage even without those props.”
Grace McCormick, undecided freshman, said the event was not what she expected, but she would like to attend another event like this.
“I thought it was very interesting, and I learned a lot, and I didn’t expect it to be dance and action-based,” McCormick said. “I thought it was going to be a lot more singing.”
Aaron Eaton, freshman marketing major, said he liked the lecture.
“It was very demonstration-heavy, and I liked seeing everything, being able to experience it myself,” Eaton said.
During the lecture, Ye asked students to perform with her on stage with different props. She guided students while performing.
Via Ryan Wagner, junior theatre major, said she enjoyed learning about different cultures and performing arts.
“Since I’m a performing arts major, I love seeing how different cultures express themselves through, specifically, their cultural dances and their staging processes,” Wagner said.
Wagner said she enjoyed performing on stage with Ye.
“I was definitely a little nervous,” Ye said. “It was a very interesting experience.”
Jade Griffy, junior theatre major, said she thought the lecture was amazing.
“I haven’t seen a whole lot, but what I have seen beforehand of Chinese opera, it’s just so different and beautiful,” Griffy said. “Actually getting to see someone talk in-depth about it was very interesting.”
Griffy said it was fun performing on stage with Ye.
“I was scared of it a little bit, but I kind of just went with it, and while I was doing it, I was just like, ‘It’s really fun,’” Griffy said.
Ye has performances scheduled in Los Angeles Feburary and October 2024.
