The Central Academy of Drama (Chinese: 中央戏剧学院; pinyin: Zhōngyāng Xìjù Xuéyuàn), abbreviated Zhong Xi (中戏; ‘Central Drama’), is a drama school in Beijing, China. It is a Chinese state Double First Class University Plan university identified by the Ministry of Education of China. The school is the first theatre higher educational institution of the People’s Republic of China. It is ranked as the best top-level drama, film, and television arts institution in China and has been selected into the country’s Double First Class University Plan. The Central Academy of Drama is a central subordinate university and is also an art college directly under the Ministry of Education. It is the highest institution of education in dramatic art among the world’s leading art institutions in Chinese drama, visual arts teaching and research center. The Central Academy of Drama is also the headquarters of the World Theatre Education Alliance (WTEA), China Alliance of Theatre Higher Educational Institutes and Asia Theatre Education Centre (ATEC). The Central Academy of Drama has engaged in the practice of drama and the visual arts for more than 50 years and is a bastion of experimental theater drama in China. The school also holds the UNESCO Chair on Theatre Education.
Location
The academy is located at 39 E Mianhua Hutong, Dongcheng Qu, Beijing Shi, 100009.
History
The academy was established in April 1950 with Ouyang Yuqian as its first president and was named by Mao Zedong. It inherited the drama department of Lu Xun Art Academy in Yan’an, the art school of North China University and the National Drama College in Nanjing. Many famous actors, actresses and directors have graduated from the Academy including Zhang Ziyi, Jiang Wen, Gong Li and Li Landi.
Rankings and Reputation
The Central Academy of Drama is regarded as the most prestigious drama school in China and ranked 2nd in Asia and 32th in the world by the 2021 QS World University Rankings in Performing Arts.