Core Summary
This article focuses on the growth story of Huang Xiangli, a solo performer: from an outstanding student at the Central Academy of Drama who nearly got eliminated by Meng Jinghui to becoming a leading figure in China’s solo performance scene. Through works such as “A Letter from a Strange Woman,” “Hello, Sorrow,” and “Every Moment,” she has found a connection with her audience on the lonely stage, surpassed herself through artistic collaborations with directors, and grown in a “clumsy” manner outside of the theater, eventually becoming a regular participant in international戏剧 festivals.
Detailed Analysis
1. The “Outstanding Student” Who Nearly Got Eliminated… Saved by Guevara
When Huang Xiangli met Meng Jinghui for the first time in 2008, the avant-garde director was impressed by her formal training from the Central Academy of Drama but also worried that she was too “straightforward”—an outstanding student who had continuously won national scholarships, which didn’t match his unconventional artistic style. He even considered eliminating her due to what he perceived as a mismatch in temperament. The turning point came when Huang Xiangli joined Meng Jinghui’s reading club. She became fascinated by Ernesto Che Guevara and spent half an hour talking about him while sitting cross-legged on the ground. It was then that Meng Jinghui saw the spirit of independence within her, which led to her acceptance into his team and the beginning of her eighteen-year career on stage.
2. Solo Performance: A Stage for One, Connecting with Thousands
The year 2013 marked a pivotal moment for Huang Xiangli as she began to perform solo pieces. She describes solo performance as “moving back and forth at the brink of loneliness.” For example, in “Every Moment,” she plays multiple characters and uses dense dialogue to convey a woman’s life of regrets on a seaside stage. Although she is alone on stage, she doesn’t limit herself to just the few hundred audience members; she believes that ancient Greek theater was meant to connect with the gods, and she wants her performances to transcend the boundaries of the theater, reaching a wider audience. This belief helps her maintain connection with her audience even in the absence of immediate applause.
3. “Hello, Sorrow”: From No Applause to 100 Performances
Adapting Samuel Beckett’s “Hello, Sorrow” presented a significant challenge for Huang Xiangli. The premiere received almost no applause, which is particularly tough for an actor. However, she didn’t give up and adjusted her approach, deciding not to try to please the audience but to trust that her performance would connect with them. By the 100th performance, things began to improve as the audience started to recognize her determination and conviction. She turned this difficult experience into a source of strength, saying that she “brought flowers forth from despair” and learned to create a powerful performance despite being alone.
4. The “Confrontation” with Directors: Growing New Levels of Performance
Collaborations with Meng Jinghui were never about simply following directions. For instance, before the premiere of “Every Moment,” Meng Jinghui suddenly changed a key line that affected the emotional progression of the play. Huang Xiangli was devastated on the spot but managed to adjust her performance accordingly. The resulting emotional intensity added depth to her portrayal. Although she says she follows the director’s guidance, she also uses this process as an opportunity to reach a mutual artistic understanding—a “confrontation” that enhances the work’s quality rather than causing conflict.
5. The Everyday Life Beyond the Stage: “Clumsy Growth”
The final chapter of Huang Xiangli’s essay collection, “One Person is the Universe,” is titled “Clumsy Growth,” and it details her everyday life outside of the theater, including her cat, plants at home, and even step-by-step recipes for cooking. On stage, she unleashes all her emotions and energy; off stage, these mundane experiences help her recharge. She defines this as “clumsy growth”—not striving for quick success but slowly building strength and resilience in everyday life to nourish her performances.
This article doesn’t discuss finance or business, but through Huang Xiangli’s story, we see how someone can grow from confusion to determination, from loneliness to connection, and ultimately become their own unique expression of themselves in a field they love. Her journey serves as a reminder that no matter what we do, by holding onto our beliefs, embracing challenges, and taking root in our daily lives, we can always find our own path to success.