Staging a dance, dance revolution

Dance drama Jinggang, Jinggang about PLA's early history premiered at the National Center for the Performing Arts in Beijing. [Photo provided to China Daily]

He doesn't portray historical heroes but, rather, focuses on ordinary people in wartime.

"These people are full of hope despite the hardships," Guo says.

"They deserve contemporary audiences' applause."

The dancers are young Beijing Dance Academy teachers. The work was created in partnership with Jiangxi Ji'an Vocational School's teachers and students.

"After Beijing, we'll take the dance drama to Jiangxi. Jiangxi Ji'an Vocational School students will perform in it," Guo says.

Guo is a Jiangxi native and returns to his hometown every year. He has long dreamed of turning the Jinggang Mountains' stories into a dance drama.

"The Jinggang Mountains'stories have been adapted into various art forms, such as TV series, movies and theatrical dramas," Guo says.

"Dance offers a unique vocabulary to present these tales. We hope audiences will feel the PLA's revolutionary spirit."

Jinggang, Jinggang is part of the ongoing Spring Flowers and Autumn Fruits－2017 Chinese Art Schools Week, an annual art festival offering a platform for major Chinese art schools' students and teachers. About 2,000 from the Beijing Dance Academy have performed in the festival since 2008.