On December 1, the finals of the 3rd National College English Drama Festival concluded at Shanghai University. The English stage play Who’s Whose Projection, organized and performed by the School of Foreign Languages of Beihang University, stood out among 12 entries, earning the Team Grand Prize, Best Screenplay Award, and Best Actor Award. The play was written and directed by Associate Professor Li Ying from the School of Foreign Languages, with students from the School and other English enthusiasts participating in the performance.
The play is an adaptation of The Empire of Ice Cream, the 2004 Hugo Award-winning short story by Jeffrey Ford, depicting the life journey of a protagonist with synesthesia. It narrates their transformation from being labeled as an outcast in childhood to gradually understanding and accepting themselves as they grow, inspiring the audience to explore their unique identities and courageously face their inner selves. The production incorporates diverse audiovisual artistic elements, adheres to immersive theater theories, and caters to audience’s tastes, achieving a seamless integration of artistic expression and thematic depth. All aspects of the play, including scriptwriting, direction, stage design, visual effects, costume and prop design, choreography, and music, were independently completed by the faculty and students of the School of Foreign Languages.
The School of Foreign Languages has long regarded English drama performance as a key practical approach to cultivating foreign language talents. Following the principle of integrating moral, intellectual, physical, aesthetics and labor education, the School combines course-based practice with aesthetic cultivation to enhance students’ language learning and application skills. It will continue to explore innovative models of “education through drama,” produce high-quality English drama works, and leverage the humanities to enrich campus culture.
Written by: Yan Huanxi, Fan Zhuoyi
Reviewed by: Xiao Hong
Edited by: Jia Aiping
Translated by: Han Xu
