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"The language barrier is a great challenge for many of the students here, but time and time again, their intense motivation overcomes. If you really love something, you catch on pretty quick. Foreign students tend to favour more physical roles like the monkey king or martial arts roles," Lu Suosen, instructor of Nat'l Academy of Chinese Theatre Arts, said.
Roles involving combat are called Wusheng. Amtti is another student from Finland. He felt drawn to study Peking Opera when he first saw an amazing fight scene as a theatre student.
When asked about why he chose the role, his answer is surprisingly profound.
Student Amtti Silvennoinen said, "I think the role Wusheng chose me, rather than I chose Wusheng..."
Few foreigners seek permanent careers as Peking Opera performers. Instead, most of them plan to incorporate Peking Opera moves into Western theatre after their studies. Whatever the case, their diligence in learning the craft is truly inspiring. But there’s only one way to find out exactly what they’re going through.
