Shenzhen Bay Area Youth Drama Season to open in Guangming

The highly anticipated Third Shenzhen Bay Area Youth Drama Season is set to take center stage in Guangming District from Nov. 21 to 30, bringing together young creative talent and top-tier productions.

Guided by the Publicity Department of the CPC Shenzhen Municipal Committee and hosted by the Guangming District Government, the festival is jointly organized by the Guangming District publicity department, Guangming District Bureau of Culture, Radio, Television, Tourism and Sports, Qianhai Shengshi Cultural Holdings Co., Ltd., and Shenzhen Dongzhou Media Co., Ltd.

A hub for young theatrical talent in the GBA

As China’s first venture-oriented youth theater platform, the event centers on three key ideas — youth, originality, and the Guangdong–Hong Kong–Macao Greater Bay Area (GBA). It aims to cultivate a vibrant ecosystem for young artists by serving as a hub for emerging talent, a base for new play incubation, and a launchpad for original productions. The long-term vision is to develop “Guangming Theater Valley,” a dynamic cultural landmark combining creativity, education, and community.

Since its launch, the event has become a cultural highlight within the GBA. The first two editions were selected as official events of the GBA Arts Festival, attracting over 350 works from across China and the region. From award-winning productions to talent incubation programs and master classes, the event has successfully positioned itself as a driving force in youth theater development.

Strategic partnership with a national theater institution

This year marks an exciting upgrade, as the festival announces a strategic partnership with the China Coal Mine Art Troupe, a national-level performing arts organization. Together, they will establish the “Bay Area Performance Practice Base” in Guangming, offering professional mentorship, production support, and workshops to empower the next generation of theater professionals.

Six core sections, endless theatrical possibilities

The festival features six major sections, exploring diverse forms of theatrical expression:

Theater Stage: Three acclaimed productions headline the season — Guangling Elegy by China Coal Mine Art Troupe (selected for the 2025 Edinburgh Festival Fringe “Focus China” program), Tender Is the Night by Meng Jinghui Studio (a solo performance adapted from Stefan Zweig’s Fear), and A Chinese Ghost Story: Love by Guangdong Cantonese Opera Theatre.

Theater Creation: The upgraded “Golden Dove Egg” incubation program nurtures original scripts from concept to stage, showcasing productions such as A Long March Alone (Shenzhen Puppet Theater), Rosinando Grazing (Zhuanshi Culture, Beijing), and The Basement (Macao Cultural and Arts Association).

Theater Beyond: The Science Theater Carnival blends art with science through short performances, large-scale puppet parades, and interactive installations at the Shenzhen Science and Technology Museum.

Theater Dialogue: The dialogue invites industry experts, scholars, and young artists to engage in workshops, master classes, discussing the future of youth and regional theatre.

Theater Fusion: Participatory events like The Story of Light and Me and My Story with the Bay Area invite audiences to co-create and experience theater beyond the stage.

Theater Gala: The closing celebration will highlight the best works and outcomes under the theme “From Gathering to Sailing,” shining a spotlight on the creative energy of the GBA’s young theater community.

Positioned as a youth-oriented cultural landmark for the Z generation, this year’s festival aims to blend science, technology, and art, connecting Guangming’s innovative ecosystem with the wider GBA and beyond. With its growing influence, the event is set to further enhance Guangming’s cultural soft power and establish Shenzhen as a leading stage for China’s new generation of theater artists.