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.
As China’s first venture-incubation youth theater platform, the event aims to cultivate a vibrant ecosystem for young artists.
Since its launch, the event has become a cultural highlight within the Greater Bay Area (GBA). The first two editions were selected as official events of the GBA Arts Festival, attracting over 350 works from across China. 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.
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 Theater.
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: This section invites industry experts, scholars, and young artists to engage in workshops, master classes, and seminars discussing the future of youth and regional theater.
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 Gen Z audience, this year’s event 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.