Demonstrating excellent delivery of lines in English, vivid performances and apt script adaptations, the students of Shenzhen Nanshan Foreign Languages School’s Gaoxin Middle School put on high-class and exquisite drama performances at the second School Drama Festival and “One Class One Play” show on the afternoon of May 23.

The students of Grade 8 Class 1 performed “Forever Herself,” which they adapted from the famous Chinese story “Hua Mulan.” Different from other characters in popular stories, Hua Mulan is a unique female figure who dares to challenge the rules and change her destiny in ancient China, which traditionally favored males.

“We want to appeal to a woman’s self-awareness and express a topic about freedom and equality,” said student screenwriters Yu Rui and Tan Yawen.

It took the class two months from concept-building to rehearsals, and every students assumed an active role in the production of the play. Through the world of drama, students are given a chance to rediscover themselves, learn the value of equality, and realize that everyone is unique and precious. “No matter how small a character is, everyone is an indispensable part of the drama,” the students said.

Grade 8 Class 3 students presented “Borrowing the Bullets.” In order to better combine the classic with our present reality, the student screenwriters Zhang Ruihao and Li Yuxuan derived this title from the classic title “Borrowing Arrows With Straw Men.” Every student worked hard to present a perfect performance. “Students adapted and created the drama, and in turn the drama has made us better people,” said student Wang Xiaying.

Now running for its third year, the school’s English drama class integrates English learning into students’ daily lives. The class is highly cohesive, motivating students to learn English at higher levels.

“Most works were created by students, except for ‘Snow White,’” said Zhu Weiming, vice president of the school. “Every student is given an opportunity to participate and perform, which realizes the educational purpose of all-round participation, all-round growth, and mutual promotion.”

(Nan Nan)