University of Jinan

About Our Academy

     The Central Academy of Drama is an educational institution supervised by the Ministry of Education and it is ranked as one of the best top-level drama and stage arts institutions in China.The history of the Central Academy of Drama dates back to more than 70 years, to April 10th, 1938, when Yan An Lu Xun Art College was established. After that, it was merged with the Arts Faculty of North China Union University, the North China University Part Ⅲ, and the Nanking National Academy of Drama, forming the Central Academy of Drama. The Central Academy of Drama opened officially in December, 1949 and held the inaugural conference on 2nd of April, 1950, when Mao Zedong inscribed the official name in calligraphy.

     The Academy’s pedagogic and research programs have been subdivided into Department of Acting, Department of Directing, Department of Dramatic Literature, Department of Stage Design, Department of Film and TV Arts, Department of Art Management, Department of Common Subjects, College of Vocational Education in Film and TV Art, Drama Research Institute, the Drama Journal, and Center for International Culture Exchange. A majority of graduates have become world-famous artists, scholars, professors and writers.

     The main campus of the Central Academy of Drama is located in Beijing, in Dong Mianhua Hutong No. 39, Dongcheng District. The construction of a new campus of 335 mu has started, located in Northern Qijia Zhen, Changping District. It is expected to be fully completed and put into use during the period of “the Twelfth Five-year Plan”. The new campus is designed to be a modern campus with functional layout, well-equipped facilities, and personal characteristic. First-class environment and teaching facilities will further promote the academic exchanges between the Academy and world’s best theatre institutions, as well as provide an important tool to ensure the Academy’s sustainable development.

Center for International Culture Exchange

     Our Chinese Language Program began in the 1950s with a history of 60 years. Since 1980, accompanied with the Reform and Open, the quantity of overseas student has been escalating from more than 30 countries all over the world.

     In the long-term of Chinese teaching for foreigners, we set up a new model for Dramatic Arts Chinese, insist on improving the communicative competence in arts life. Our teachers compiled Arts Chinese, the Pronunciation and other textbooks with characteristics of artistic Chinese. Small-sized classes with no more than 15 students, we emphasized not only on listening, speaking, reading and writing, but also on HSK training, through compulsory courses like Chinese Culture, Weekly Newspaper etc. and optional courses like Basic Acting Training, Basic Movement Training, Masks Painting of Peking Opera, Tai Chi etc. Besides, we organized students to watch Acting & Directing courses periodically and participate in all kinds of acting practice. Those drama pieces produced by our students are widely praised on the New Year parties which are held by the Ministry of Education and CCTV respectively. Also, those cultural activities on-campus like Spring Sports Meeting, Volleyball Match, Basketball Match, outdoor tourism, dumplings making and birthday celebration became students’ favorite activities.