Profile
Training
2022-2023 The Royal Central School of Speech and Drama, MA Movement: Directing and Teaching
2011-2014 Shanghai Theatre Academy, Postgraduate Department, MA History of Chinese Opera
2005-2009 Shanghai Theatre Academy, School of Chinese Opera, BA Peking Opera Performance
1999-2005 the Middle School Affiliated to the National Academy of Chinese Theatre Art, Peking Opera Performance
Experience
Movement Experience whilst on the MA Movement: Directing and Teaching
2023. Assistant Teacher. Placement with Dr Ramiro Silveira and Adrian James at East 15 Acting School, assisting on acting project classes (Our Town and Traces In Black And Red), offering limber and devising exercise to BA World Performance students.
2023. Movement Teacher. Placement with Dr Broderick Chow, offering movement classes on the Performer’s Academy and Performer’s Academy Plus hosted by New Earth Theatre.
Teaching
Zhejiang Vocational Academy of Art, School of Chinese Opera, Movement Lecturer (2014-2022)
Teaching Peking Opera 做打 techniques (movement and acrobatics) at the Chinese Opera department
Head of Movement Research Lab (2019-2021)
Teaching Suzuki techniques at the Acting for Theatre and Digital Media degree program
Peking Opera Performance
At Fujian Peking Opera Theatre
The Sword (as Zhao Gao), Taipei Zhongshan Hall
The Empty Fort Strategy (as Sima Yi), Phoenix Theatre
Stealing The Imperial Horse (as Douer Dun), Phoenix Theatre
Li Kai Tan Mu (as Li Kui), Phoenix Theatre
At Shanghai Theatre Academy
Ripple in the Stagnant Water (as Xingshun Chi), Shanghai Theatre Academy
Fungi Pavilion (as Dong Zhou), Shanghai Theatre Academy
Luhua Dang (as Zhang Fei), Zhejiang Experimental Academy
Mountain Pavilion (as Zhishen Lu), Shanghai Theatre Academy
Tong Tian Rhino (as Qingmian Tiger), Shanghai Theatre Academy
Film
Great General Han Xin 大将军韩信 (As Limei Zhong), Kunqu film, Directed by Shen Bin
Other Experience (acting/movement directing)
WRECK – LIST OF EXTINCT SPECIES, as dancer, directed by Pietro Marullo, at Hangzhou Xixi Heaven Art Centre
What Trash Are You, movement director, directed by Liam O’Callagham and Laura Sita, with Pan Shanghai at Yell Space
Wahaha, as the clown, directed by Christophe Thellier, toured in China and Sweden
Queen Mab, movement director, directed by Alex Gomar, at Shanghai Theatre Academy, Performance Studies International Conference
Blind, movement director, directed by Wencong Chen, at Shanghai International Arts Festival
Other Training
Suzuki Technique, with Tadashi Suzuki, Chong Tian and Haoyu Gao, at Beijing Gubeishuizhen Workshop and YJ Theatre Company
Jacques Lecoq, with Norman Taylor, at Wan Theatre Studio
Biography
Jiannan is a Peking Opera (Jing Ju) performer/teacher specialised in the Jing character type also known as the ‘painted face’. He has been in full-time training at the Middle School Affiliated to the National Academy of Chinese Theatre Art since 1999. He gained a BA in Peking Opera performance at Shanghai Theatre Academy in 2009. Upon graduation, he worked as a Peking Opera actor in the Fujian Peking Opera Theatre for two years before returning to Shanghai Theatre Academy and completing a MA in the History of Chinese Opera. Since 2014, Jiannan has been employed by the Zhejiang Vocational Academy of Art, School of Chinese Opera, as a Movement Lecturer. Aside from working as an actor, teacher and researcher in the area of Peking Opera, Jiannan is also interested in contemporary physical theatre, intercultural theatre, and Suzuki training. He also worked as a freelance movement director in Beijing and Shanghai.
Skills
Suzuki Technique.
Languages
Mandarin, English.
