Penghao has a new vision for Beijing community theater

The mission of Penghao Theater is spray painted right at the entrance: “THEATER IS FREE.” Producer Jennifer Liang and owner Wang Xiang are running the little-theater-that-could with hopes to establish one of the city’s first small-scale theaters and champion community expression.

“We’ve always had a dream that more common people could also get into theater,” says Wang. In a world where theater production is limited to established professional troupes, Penghao’s slogan is especially poignant.

The new theater’s goal is to open up a channel of expression and make drama more accessible to the community. Tucked away in a hard-to-find hutong near Nanluoguxiang, Penghao got its name from a Li Bai poem.

To further its mission of bringing theater to the Beijing masses, Penghao keeps its ticket prices low and works with local playwrights, dancers and performers as well as artists from the nearby Central Academy of Drama.

With extravagant budgets out of the question, Penghao’s first requirement is a passion for theater. So Penghao has teamed up with groups of genuine theatre-lovers like the Beijing International Theatre Experience (BITE), Cheeky Monkey, and Beijing Improv.

Even beyond the tight network of players and regular theater-goers, the center feels like a community unto itself with activities like yoga and drama workshops for all levels. Moreover, the 300 sq. meter courtyard lends an intimacy that larger spaces in the city can’t afford—with the added plus that there’s not a bad seat in the house.

April sees Penghao pushing its mission with shows from The Beijing Improv group, which has been so successful in the past that some have been turned away at the door. We suggest you call the theater to make reservations early for this English-language comedy-improv group’s next performance on April 25.

Before that, BITE finishes up its run of Lyle Kessler’s Orphans on April 19, and Beijing-based playwright Elyse Ribbons stars in her Mandarin-langauge play “Green Eyes on Chinese” that runs April 24-26.

Thomas Talhelm

What: Beijing Improv
When: April 25, 8:30pm
Tel: 6460-5452
Where: Penghao Theater
How Much: ¥30