Dr. Xing Fan is a leading scholar in Chinese drama and theater, currently serving as a Professor in the Department of East Asian Studies at the University of Toronto. Her research bridges classical performance traditions with contemporary interpretations, shedding light on the rich history, aesthetics, and cultural significance of Chinese drama—from Yuan zaju and Ming-Qing chuanqi to the evolution of modern stagecraft in China.

She is the author of several acclaimed works on Asian performance studies and has presented internationally on topics such as actor training, intercultural theater, and the role of politics and identity in theatrical expression. Professor Fan’s work invites global audiences to engage with Chinese theater as both a historical treasure and a living, evolving art form.

In this episode of Curtains Up, she takes us on a journey through the poetic structure, symbolic design, and performative depth of classical Chinese drama, and discusses why these traditions still resonate on the world stage today.