On April 1st, a unique Chinese Language and Culture Festival took place grandly at the SHBS campus. Immersive theater experience "Dream of the Silk Road", traditional Chinese music, and dances from the Western Regions mesmerized the audience, showcasing the outstanding talents and teamwork of the students.

With numerous actors, stage crew, lighting technicians, and music controllers involved, the preparation process for the performance was extremely challenging. However, students and teachers, with their perseverance and intelligence, ultimately overcame the difficulties. Their hard work laid a solid foundation for the smooth progress of the performance. Let's listen to their behind-the-scenes stories together!

As the scriptwriters and directors of this immersive play, we were fully involved and took the lead from the script preparation to the actual performance. From the initial script brainstorming to the official performance, it took us nearly one to two months. This experience was truly magical. We initially mentioned the idea of doing an immersive play to our teachers in the cafeteria, never expecting to gather so many actors and classmates to participate. Writing the script together, doing backstage work, and acting together gave us a surreal feeling. Working with the teachers, discussing and revising the plan together at night, and designing the scenes were all very special experiences. We are very grateful for the help and support from our teachers. Without them, it would have been difficult for us to accomplish so much work. 

（Olga的灯光和舞美初版设计）

Throughout the preparation process, there were many unforgettable and touching moments, but what touched me the most was the dedication of all the actors, backstage crew, scriptwriters, and teachers. They turned our ideas and designs into reality, allowing this immersive play to be successfully presented at the drama festival. This event has deeply demonstrated the power and importance of teamwork. We worked together towards a common goal and achieved success in the end. It truly feels amazing.

I played the role of Xuanzang in this performance that took us back to the Silk Road. Participating in immersive theater was indeed a completely new experience for me. Our entire team, including the creators, lead actors, and backstage crew, invested a great deal of effort and energy. 

Throughout the preparation process, we did face some challenges, such as insufficient budget planning. Yet, with the help of the Chinese department and Ms.Grace, we successfully overcame these challenges and completed the entire performance relatively smoothly. Principal Liu also provided us with great support and encouragement. This experience taught me a lot and allowed me to appreciate the charm of Chinese culture. I hope that in the next event, we can do even better.

I was responsible for the lighting in the Marco Polo group. Different lights needed to be set up for characters in different positions within the scenes to convey their dialogue. The lighting design was jointly planned, and during rehearsals, the lights were constantly adjusted and perfected. I feel quite satisfied with the results, and if we do it again next time, I will have more experience.

The result of this performance was worth it, but the process was indeed challenging. We invested a significant amount of time and energy during the preparation process. Both the teachers and students put in tremendous effort. In particular, the hard work of Olga and Martina, the two main creators, was truly moving.

One of the biggest challenges we faced was scheduling rehearsals. With a large number of actors involved, the entire activity involved around eighty to ninety people, including actors, backstage crew, lighting, and audio personnel. Due to everyone's different schedules, it was extremely difficult to find a common time for rehearsals. After much deliberation, we finally determined a suitable rehearsal schedule.

Additionally, in terms of set construction, Tony and Ray also made significant efforts. They worked overtime, participating in the entire process from cutting cloth to sawing wood, and built the entire set from scratch. The lighting design was also a collective effort, and with the assistance of Grace, we completed all the lighting work.

The idea for this performance was initially proposed by Olga and Marina, and we teachers played a supportive role. The decision to implement this plan was because Olga really wanted this opportunity for drama creation. Through our joint efforts, we overcame various difficulties and ultimately presented this wonderful performance.

This immersive performance, with over 80 students involved as cast and crew, along with our Chinese department teachers, giving their all to achieve such excellent results, is truly amazing. I especially applaud our students. You are worthy of our trust. I also want to give special recognition to our teachers. You are practicing the true principles of education. Let's applaud our campus because SHBS is constantly cultivating innovation and inner drive, providing a better environment for everyone's growth.