Central Academy of Drama

The Central Academy of Drama (), abbreviated Zhong Xi (), is a drama school in Beijing, China. It is a Chinese Ministry of Education Double First Class Discipline University, with Double First Class status in some disciplines. The school is the first theatre higher educational institution of the People's Republic of China. It is ranked as the best top-level drama, Film and Television arts institution in China and has been selected into the country's construction plan of world first-class disciplines. The Central Academy of Drama is a central subordinate university and is also an art college directly under the Ministry of Education. It is the highest institution of education in dramatic art among the world's leading art institutions in Chinese drama, visual arts teaching and research center. The Central Academy of Drama is also the headquarters of the World Theatre Education Alliance (WTEA), China Alliance of Theatre Higher Educational Institutes and Asia Theatre Education Centre (ATEC). The Central Academy of Drama has engaged in the practice of drama and the visual arts for more than 50 years and is a bastion of experimental theater drama in China. The school also holds the UNESCO Chair on Theatre Education.
Location.
The academy is located on 39 E Mianhua Hutong, Dongcheng Qu, Beijing Shi, 100009.
History.
The academy was established in April 1950, with Ouyang Yuqian as its first president. It was named by Mao Zedong. It inherited the drama department of Lu Xun Art Academy in Yan'an, art school of North China University, and National Drama College in Nanjing. Many famous Chinese actors, actresses, and directors graduated from the Academy, such as Zhang Ziyi, Jiang Wen, Gong Li, Li Landi. It is regarded as the most prestigious drama schools in China, ahead Beijing Film Academy and Shanghai Theater Academy.
Notable alumni.
Note that class year indicates the entrance year, not graduating year.
Directing Department: Bao Guo'an (Class of 1977), Li Baotian (Class of 1979), Zhang Yang (Class of 1988), Zhang Jingchu (Class of 1997), Lin Yongjian (Class of 1999), Tang Wei (Class of 2000), Papi Jiang (Class of 2005)
Department of Musical Theatre: Sun Honglei (Class of 1995), Jin Dong (Class of 1999), Zhang Xincheng (Class of 2014)
Department of Stage Design: Zhang Lei (Class of 1995)
Department of Dramatic Literature: Zhang Yibai (Class of 1986), Diao Yinan (Class of 1987), Cai Shangjun (Class of 1988), Yilin Zhong (Class of 1993)