This research focuses on Chinese opera associations in four major Canadian cities—Vancouver, Toronto, Montreal, and Ottawa—covering 18 organizations across genres such as Cantonese Opera, Peking Opera, and Yue Opera. Through fieldwork, oral history interviews, and archival collection, the study examines the historical trajectory and current practices of Chinese opera in Canada, with particular attention to the processes of localization, organizational structures, and their role in fostering cultural identity within the Chinese Canadian community. Findings indicate a shift from “performative export” to “interactive integration,” reflecting both the resilience and innovation of Chinese opera abroad, while also revealing challenges in generational transmission and resource limitations. This report seeks to summarize key experiences, propose strategies, and contribute to the broader framework of cultural exchange between China and Canada.
本次调研以温哥华、多伦多、蒙特利尔与渥太华四地为核心，对18家华人戏曲社团进行了系统考察，涵盖粤剧、京剧、越剧等多种剧种。研究通过实地走访、口述史访谈与资料搜集，梳理了加拿大华人戏曲的发展脉络与现状，重点关注其在地化传播路径、社团运作机制以及对社区文化认同的作用。调研发现，加拿大戏曲生态正从“展示性输出”转向“互动性融合”，既体现出中华文化在海外的坚守与创新，也揭示了传承困境与资源不足等现实问题。本报告旨在总结经验、提出对策，为中加两国的文化交流提供参考。
This event is free and open to the public. No registration required. The talk will be presented in Chinese.
Date & Time:
Wednesday, September 3, 2025 | 2:00pm – 4:30pm (PDT)
Location:
Room 604, Asian Centre, 1871 West Mall, Vancouver
Speaker
Shaohua Zheng is a Visiting Associate Professor at the UBC Department of Asian Studies and the Associate Editor-in-Chief of the China Theater Magazine at the Drama Art Center of the China Federation of Literary and Art Circles. Her research is focused on the performance, directing, and theoretical studies of traditional Chinese opera. Her major publications include “Director’s Consciousness and the Art of Mei Lanfang.” Theatre Arts (2023), “Entertaining and Intriguing: The Tune Art of Pan Qicai, a Representative Figure of the Male Role of Huangmei Opera.” Chinese Drama (2023), and “Explosive Power, Attraction, and Creativity: A Preliminary Study of Lou Sheng’s Performance Aesthetics.” Chinese Drama (2021).
