A leading Kunqu performer of  “clown” roles in China, Mr. Cai is a graduate of the Shanghai Academy of Performing Arts and a former member of the Shanghai Kunqu Troupe. He mesmerizes his high mastery of singing, acting, and acrobatic motions, he has made a profound impression on audiences inside and outside of China.

         A graduate of National Taiwan Normal University with an MA in Chinese classical literature, Mrs. Wu specialized in Yuanqu and Kunqu dramas. She has written several articles and theses on classical Chinese theatrical arts, and is the co-author of the book “The Arts of the Chinese Classical Theater.” Besides being a Kunqu scholar, Mrs. Wu is also a performer of the “young refined female” role type. She is now the President of the Kunqu Society.

        Specializing in the “painted-face” character type, Mr. Chen is a master of portraying warriors and other roles that incorporate characteristics of bravery, chivalry, and a fiery temperament. One of the first distinguished graduates of the prominent Shanghai Academy of Performing Arts, Mr. Chen was a major Kunqu star with the Shanghai Kunqu Troupe for many years before coming to the United States. With his high mastery of singing, acting, and acrobatic motions, he has made a profound impression on audiences inside and outside of China.

 A well-known actor of the old male role type in Kun and Peking opera, Mr. Shen is a graduate of the Shanghai Academy of Performing Arts and a former member of the Shanghai Kunqu Troupe. He toured with that troupe in Europe, Japan, and Hong Kong. Currently, he is a Resident Artist of the Kunqu Society.

        Ms. Shi plays the vivacious “young female” role in the Kunqu Theater. Her exemplary acting, dancing, and singing, heightened by her natural beauty of voice and appearance on stage makes Ms. Shi the diva of the Kunqu Theater. She is a graduate of the Shanghai Academy of Performing Arts and a former member of the Shanghai Kunqu Troupe. Ms. Shi is director of the Kunqu Society and the New York Kunqu Troupe.

        A consummate performer of “Kui-men tan,” the elegant and refined lady roles in Kunqu, Mme. Tu is a graduate of Shanghai Kunqu School. With her expressiveness, liveliness, and an unusually lyrical soprano voice, Mme. Tu makes the roles she plays extremely memorable to her audiences. Since coming to the United States, Mme. Tu has given only a limited number of performances because of her high degree of perfectionism, which makes her appearance at this occasion all the more of a precious event. 

        A leading artist of Chinese painting, Mma. Wang is a graduate of the National Beijing Art College. Mme. Wang has had countless exhibitions in Europe and the U.S. Her artistic versatility unchallenged, she has also worked as a textile designer for many years. Learning the Kunqu art from Shi Jiehua, Mme. Wang won the second prize at the 1994 National Kunqu Competition held in Hangzhou, China.

 A graduate of the Shanghai Academy of Performing Arts and one of the leading performers of the young male roles for the Shanghai Kunqu Troupe, Mr. Wang is well recognized for his versatility in playing other role types of the Kunqu performing art. He has appeared in many major performances in New York, Washington, D.C., and on the West Coast. Currently, he is a Resident Artist of the Kunqu Society.

         A well-known actor of the old male role type in Kun, Peking, and Shaoxing opera, Mr. Wen is a graduate of the Shanghai Academy of Performing Arts. He joined the Zhejiang Kunqu Opera Company in 1962 and later became a star of the company. Mr. Wen has been a Resident Artist of the Kunqu Society since its founding.

        A graduate of the Shanghai Academy of performing Arts, Mr. Wu is a well-known Kunqu performer of the “young male” role. He is a former member of the Shanghai Kunqu Troupe and toured with that troupe to many countries. Currently, Mr. Wu is a resident artist of Kunqu Society and the Director of Kunqu Workshops.

        A graduate of the Shanghai Academy of Performing Arts, Ms. Yin specializes in the female warrior role type. Her singing and acting are as outstanding as her considerable acrobatic skill. She has been invited to appear in performing arts festivals in Germany, Great Britain, Japan, and the United States. Currently, she is one of the leading artists of the Tung Ching Chinese Arts Center.

        A leading Kunqu performer of “young male” roles in China, Ms. Yin joined the Jiansu Kunqu Opera Company at the age of 13 and soon became a pillar of the company. A graduate of the Shanghai Drama Institute, Ms. Yin is also a scholar on Chinese theater directing, aesthetics, and teaching methods. She is now the vice president and the artistic director of the Kunqu Society.

        Graduated from National Chung Hsing University in Taiwan, majoring in classical Chinese literature, Ms. Yeh is not only a distinguished Kunqu performer of the young female role type, but a fine Beijing Opera performer as well. Ms. Yeh is in charge of the costumes and financial management for the Kunqu Society.

        Graduated from the Shanghai Drama school and has won numerous awards for his performances in Kun Opera throughout the world. He is currently teaching at the New York kunqu Society.

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