Zhao Qun

     Zhao Qun is a National Class One Performer, Assistant Professor at Shanghai Theater Academy, Dean of Department of Opera Acting, and Graduate Adviser. She is a committee member of Shanghai Youth Federation, a council member of Shanghai Youth Art Federation, and a representative of Shanghai Federation of Literature and Art. She majors in Qingyi of Beijing Opera, and performs Guimendan of Kun Opera as well. She studied with master performers of Beijing Opera and Kun Opera, such as Li Jinqiu, Xue Yaping, Cai Yinglian, Wang Wanhua, Li Weikang, Zhang Xunpeng, Liang Guyin, Wang Zhiquan, and Hua Wenyi. Her repertory includes over 40 plays, including Drunken Beauty, Champion Matchmaker, Qin Xianglian, The Legend of White Snake, and Shajiabang. She was also the leading actress in more than a dozen new Beijing Opera plays, including The Peach Blossom Fan, The Lotus Lamp, The Story of Red Chamber, and Women on the Long March. 

She won the “First Prize” at National Beijing Opera Young Performers Competition, the “Gold Medal” at CCTV-National Beijing Opera Young Performers TV Grand Prix, the “Highest Honor” at Polish International Theater Institutions Arts Festival, “Acting Gold Medal” at National Culture Awards · Little Theater Festival, “Excellent Teacher Award” at National Beijing Opera Teachers Competition, and honorary titles like Shanghai Outstanding Art Talent, Shanghai New Long March Shock Worker, and Ten New Culture Talents of Shanghai. She performed classic operas at famous theaters like Shanghai Grand Theater, Shanghai Yi Fu Theater, National Center for the Performing Arts, Chang’an Grand Theater, Tianjin Grand Theater of China, Chinese Theater. She staged “Zhao Qun Personal Opera Concert”, and performed Beijing Opera adaptations, including Miss Julie, Tang Concubine, and Confucian Disciples, in Sweden, Austria, Poland, Denmark, Italy, Spain, Canada, and Singapore.

After becoming an opera teacher, she was invited to give lectures and acting workshops on the “Dan Art of Beijing Opera” at Shanghai Fudan University, the “Oriental Forum” at Shanghai Library, University of Shanghai for Science and Technology, Brown University in US, Cambridge Public School at Boston, Chinese Confucian Institute at New York, University of Leeds in Great Britain, and Seoul National University of Drama in South Korea.