Like the history of all great movements, the history of the War to Resist Japanese Aggression is etched into the hearts and minds of this generation. In fifty or one hundred years, thousands of stories will surely continue to be passed on in people’s small talk. Each leaf in the storm is a person with a mind, feelings, passions, and dreams; each person is equally significant. Our task is to trace the impact of war on a woman: she is but one in millions of fallen leaves……”

 

A Leaf in the Storm is inspired by Lin Yutang’s novel of the same title. Choreographer Wang Yuanyuan takes as her point of departure the fate of ordinary people, and explores the vicissitudes of the times, and the spirit thereof in a vivid cross-section of the period in question. Against the backdrop of catastrophes and consternation, our sensitive protagonist finds herself constantly in fear even while in love. A tragic panorama is thus laced with a love story of yearning. Personal redemption amidst bloodbath collides and blends with sublimation of emotions in our presentation of A Leaf in the Storm.

 

 

 

Born and raised in Beijing, Wang Yuanyuan is one of China’s leading modern dance choreographers, founder and artistic director of Beijing Dance Theater. She received degree of choreography from the Beijing Dance Academy, and furthered her studies at the prestigious California Institute of Art School of Dance in Los Angeles, where she completed a Master of Fine Arts in 2002. In 2015, she received her Honorary Fellowship from The Hong Kong Academy for Performing Arts (HKAPA).

 

Among her works are ballet version of Raise the Red Lantern, dance sequences for Tan Dun’s music in the film The Banquet, The Color of Love for the Royal Danish Ballet, etc. In 2008, Ms Wang founded the Beijing Dance Theater with veteran lighting designer Han Jiang and set designer Tan Shaoyuan. Their first creation - Diary of Empty Space - was premiered the same year, followed by Stirred from a Dream, Haze, Prism, The Color of Love, Marlet, Harvest, Golden Lotus which was commissioned by the Hong Kong Arts Festival in 2011, and Wild Grass, Hamlet, The Nightingale and the Rose, Poison commissioned by St. Pölten Festspielhaus in Austria, Early Spring commissioned by Shanghai Opera House, and her first theater play Henrik Ibsen’s late work The Lady from the Sea that received full house in every touring cites.

 

Founded in 2008 and led by artistic director/choreographer Wang Yuanyuan, the Beijing Dance Theater (BDT) has graced China’s dance stage with quality productions. Collaborating with renowned directors, composers, and visual artists, the BDT continues to showcase contemporary Chinese stage art to the world in style.