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Chinese Golden Dragon Acrobats
Classroom photo by Rich Sofranko
Study Guide Written by Chinese Golden Dragon Acrobats Additional information by Cal Performances SchoolTime staff (Laura Abrams, Nicole Anthony, and Wayne Huey)
Edited & Designed by Kathleen Riemenschneider
SchoolTime Performance Series 2007-08
Chinese Golden draGon aCrobats some baCkGround . . . begin as young as four or ve years old. Specic training In China, children training to be acrobats with an acrobat troupe may begin by the age of eight. Basic training – balancing, tumbling, dancing, exibility and strength training – is given in the rst two years. Students practice ve hours a day, six days a week. The next three to ve years are spent training for specic acts, with the average age of rst-time performers being 15-16 years old. Coupled with an acrobat’s immense athletic strength and impeccable balance and timing is Chi Kung – the srcinal philosophy of inner strength, which focuses the body and mind to work to perfect harmony. Each acrobat’s physical and philosophical strength, when displayed together as a group, provides the structure to support magnicent choreographed programs of balancing, juggling, dance, comedy and magic. The ancient art of the acrobat continues to be supported by traditionally vibrant color, extraordinary grace and precision. Chinese acrobats are a combination of actor, athlete and artist, their love for their art unmistakable to worldwide audiences. The Chinese Golden Dragon Acrobats easily outshine their competition, becoming the world’s leading Chinese acrobat troupe, and performing more than any other attraction of its type. Old and young alike are spellbound by their daring feats; colorful, hand-embroidered costumes; and their body and facial expressions which create immediate bonds with audiences.
Chinese aCrobats: World’s First Folk art PerFormers Chinese acrobatics continue to evolve. During the ‘warring states period’ (770-476 BCE), Chinese acrobatics srcinated from the work, chores, battles, ceremonies, sacricial rites and other routines of people’s daily lives. By 589 AD, many acrobatic feats had been perfected and routines expanded, such as the human pagoda, rope walking and the dancing horse. The best acrobats were registered as professional performers, many traveling far and wide with “Hundred Entertainments,” huge cultural exchange program. Following the collapse of the Tang Dynasty, Chinese society – the arts and the Hundred Entertainments included – fell into a state of confusion. The exception was acrobatics, which continued to thrive. Spinning tops and juggling with both hands and feet were added during this time to the acrobats’ repertoire.
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Chinese Golden Dragon Acrobats
Rulers of the Ming and Qing Dynasties considered acrobatics “unrened entertainment.” Nevertheless, the people loved and supported the acrobats, whose performances were held most often at open-air festivals. By 1949, this oldest folk art was evolving into a more formal, sophisticated performing art; one designed and choreographed for better audience viewing and appreciation of the increasingly complex acts. Performances were tailored to specic venues’ requirements. The founding of the People’s Republic of China in 1950 provided for the Ministry of Culture of the central People’s Government to ofcially support the acrobatic arts. They formed a troupe, based in Beijing, consisting of the most outstanding acrobats from major Chinese cities. Each acrobat performed his or her own specialty. Out of this Beijing troupe evolved large professional troupes which today number more than 250, and continue to ourish, traveling worldwide. Within China, acrobats are revered as highly esteemed members of their ancient culture, receiving respect similar to that bestowed on prima ballerinas and divas in the West.
siGnature Chinese aCrobatiC aCts Acrobatic acts are performed either solo or in groups. Group acts require team cooperation, trust and constant communication. The disadvantage of a group act is that when one performer becomes incapacitated or decides to leave the group act, it puts the other acrobats at risk in their careers. It often happens that acrobats need to start over again.
Hoop divinG: This act is more than 2000-years-old. Also called “Dashing through Narrows,” it was once known as “Swallow Play” because the performers imitated the ying movements of swallows [birds] as they leapt nimbly through narrow rings. unicycle Bowl Flip: In a relatively new feat, an acrobat rides a very tall unicycle on a round table, kicking up bowls, kettles and spoons with perfect grace, and piling them on her head. cHineSe vaSe: Acrobats playfully squeeze into tiny brightly colored vases as they perform tricky acrobatics—smiling all the while. RollinG Balance contoRtioniSt: Graceful and beautiful bending and twisting into unbelievable knots, frequently while balancing precariously perched objects on every limb. douBle pole: A group of acrobats climb up and down thin poles demonstrating agility and strength to execute a variety of dangerous movements. This act requires a tremendous amount of upper body and abdominal strength.
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Chinese Golden Dragon Acrobats
cHineSe diaBlo: Performed in China for more than 100 years, two sticks of bamboo are connected with string to spin an additional piece of wood (like a yoyo) back and forth in a variety of timed movements. The Chinese Diablo makes a whistling sound when it spins. SpinninG plateS: Performers use numerous long, pencilthin sticks to support spinning plates that look like lotus leaves facing the wind or colorful butteries ittering and dancing. This act is often combined with balancing and tumbling, as when a performer spins 12 china plates with both hands while in a head stand on a rubber ball! cHaiR StackinG HandStand: A collective act involving two to seven acrobats and as many or more chairs. While on a pagoda or ladder of chairs, the performers practice handstands and other stunts requiring tremendous arm strength, as well as superior balancing skill. Bicycle: Acrobats ride together on a single bicycle, take it apart, turn it over a table and display a variety of postures, notably the beautiful tableau of a peacock fanning its feathers. Foot JuGGlinG: Many different objects can be used in juggling. Jar juggling demonstrates simplicity and steadiness. Originally, peasants used grain containers to perform various feats in celebration of a bumper harvest. Later, jar tricks were adapted by acrobats and became one of their most popular entertainments. Performers lie on a special seat and juggle or catch objects with their feet. Long ago, in the Song Dynasty (960-1279), jugglers manipulated bottles, plates and jars with their feet. Now performers toss tables, umbrellas, rugs and any number of household items. lion and dRaGon actS: This act comes from Chinese folk dance developed from Buddhist beliefs. The lion represents the spirit of renewal and is revered for dispelling bad luck. Big Lion is played by two acrobats, while Small Lion is played by one. The lion rolls and jumps, exhibiting attributes such as strength, agility and tranquility. Accompanied by traditional percussion instruments, this act creates a jubilant and festive atmosphere.
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aCrobatiC traininG
and
handstands
The rst two years of acrobatic training are the most important for aspiring acrobats. Acrobatic students work daily on basic skills. The four core foundational skills for Chinese Acrobats arehandstand, tumbling, exibility, and dance. Every student will usually have greater talent for one of the fours core acrobatic skills. Among the four, handstand is the most important. Many of the signature acrobatic acts have some form of handstand in theperformance. Master teachers have commented that, “handstand training is to acrobats what studying the human body is to a medical student.” It is the essence of Chinese acrobatics. An acrobat goesthrough progressive steps to learn basicto advanced handstands. Handstand training directly affectsthree areas of the body, shoulders, lower back, and wri sts. A weakness in any one of these three areas of the body will compromise the development of learning the handstand. In China, the basic handstand is learned by six to eight-years-old. This is rst done against the wall. In three to six months of full time training, students start off with increments of one minute and build up to one half hour of wall handstands. During this time, the three areas of the
V
body arethe getting stronger stronger. Students will develop ability to hold and the free handstand shortly oCabulary acRoBat: a skilled performer of gymnastic after this time. feats, such as walking on a tightrope or Holding a still handstand is translated in Chinese swinging on a trapeze as the “Dead handstand.” A good handstand is a Gility : the ability to move quickly and easily one that has good form and versatility. A versatile handstand is a position from which the acrobat is adeptneSS: skillful performance or ability able to execute many variations. without difculty The handstand is the most disliked training aspect for the young students. When one is upsidedown in a basic handstand, all of one’s weight is on the wrist, shoulder and lower back, so there is natural pressure to want to come down. There is absolutely no way to cheat while in a handstand, because once you are upside-down, only your two hands are on the oor holding you up.
contoRtioniStS: a exible performer able to move muscles, limbs and joints into unusual positions
After the initial two-year training, only a few acrobats will specialize in the handstand, However, handstand training is essential to all acrobatic work, due to the importance it has in strengthening the body, mind and spirit of the acrobat.
SomeRSault: a stunt in which the body rolls forward and backward in a complete circle with the knees bent and the feet coming over the head
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equiliBRiSt: one who performs acts of balance GymnaSt: a person highly trained to display strength, balance and agility RudimentaRy: most basic and simple
tRoupe: a company, band, or group of singers, actors, or other performers that travels together
Chinese Golden Dragon Acrobats
China queStion: What do spaghetti, a wheelbarrow, a compass,
paper, gunpower and acrobatics have in common? anSweR: Believe it or not, the correct answer is not “absolutely nothing,” but rather, “China.” All the items above were in fact invented in China. For example, the rst recorded use of gunpowder by the military was during a period of Chinese history many, many years ago known as the Five Dynasties. They simply set it on re and threw it, and the resulting ery explosion was enough to send their enemies running the other direction. And it was several thousand years before that, in a period known as the Qin Dynasty, that something we use every day without thinking much about was rst invented: paper. In fact, the Chinese take great pride in what are known as “the four inventions”—the compass, gunpowder, paper and printing. And well they should be proud! These inventions transformed sea transport, warfare and literacy—not just in China but all over the world. If you think spaghetti is Italian, think again. Spaghetti srcinated in China. And the next time you are in a hardware store and pass a wheelbarrow, remind yourself that it was invented in China, too.
China itself is the world’s oldest living civilization. Its written history goes back 3,500 years and they were the rst people to develop the compass, gunpowder, paper, porcelain, and silk cloth.
China lies in eastern Asia. It is the world’s largest nation in population and third largest in area. Only Russia and Canada have more territory.
Acrobats rst developed in China more than 2000 years ago and the Chinese still are second to none in this art form.
For more than 2000 years Chinese variety entertainments have been extremely popular with Emperors and with the public throughout China. Today, the world applauds these beautifully costumed performers as they bring their ancient culture to us.
The tradition of excellence in feats of balance, juggling, magic, gymnastics and acrobatics has been conned mainly to a few families.
Which leaves one last thing to talk about—acrobatics. It was during the Han dynasty, more than 2000 years ago, that the Chinese saw the rst acrobats, magicians and jugglers. It is not certain exactly how acrobatics came into existence, but their acts were so successful for the royalty that they were soon performing at ceremonial carnivals and public theaters alike. Meanwhile, Chinese farmers with relatively little to do over the long, non-productive winter decided to spend their time improving their societal positions by becoming acrobats. They practiced the art form with just about anything that wasn’t nailed down—cups, saucers, tables, chairs, plates on rods, even their own bodies, with which they formed human walls and pyramids.
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Children learned the skills from their fathers and grandfathers before they were of school age. The tradition of Chinese acrobats is therefore one which has been passed down for centuries, for generations and generations. Obviously, immense athletic ability and a keen sense of timing are vital to the acrobats, but so is the oriental philosophy, Chi Kung, which teaches one to use the mind an the body in perfect harmony with each other. While thorough knowledge of Chi Kung is not a pre-requisite for acrobats performing with modernday circuses, they might be interested to know that their profession has its roots in a 2000-year-old tradition that begin in China. Indeed, China is considered the to be the birthplace of the modern day circus. Obviously the Chinese acrobats you see in the performance you are attending are not 2000 years old, but the balanced, magical program they’ll perform for you is much like acts rst put on for royalty more than 2000 years ago.
GeoGraPhiCal FaCts Name – Zhong Guo,
about
China
, the “middle kingdom”
Population – over 1 billion, 94% of the population is known as “Han” (ethnic Chinese), but there are also 55 “national minorities” recognized. Area – the total area of China is 3,696,032 square mile (9,572,723 square kilometers). There are 21 provinces and 5 autonomous regions. Major Rivers – The two major rivers in China are the Yellow River (Huang Ho) and the Yangtze River. Climate – China’s climate is primarily temperate, but it varies from bitterly cold in the north to tropical in the south. Most Populous Cities – China’s two most populous cities are Beijing, the capital of China, and Shanghai. Language – Mandarin is the ofcial dialect of the country, although there are many dialects that vary from region to region.
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Chinese Golden Dragon Acrobats
Chinese CreatiVe arts poRcelain: The Chinese discovered the art of making ne porcelain, or “china.” Porcelain is a type of pottery made Much of clayofand minerals. The porcelain secret mixture for porcelain pottery thin as eggshells. theother pottery made from was highly admiredproduced by the West, andas great quantities were made and exported to Europe and the United States. Silk: The Chinese discovered how to make beautiful fabric from silk. This ne, light material is made from spinning bers produced from the eggs of the silkworm. The Chinese knew how to produce silk as early as 1500 BCE. This fabric was highly sought after and desired by the people of many countries – India, Persia and as far west as Rome during the time of Christ. paintinG and calliGRapHy: Painting and calligraphy are considered the two greatest artistic achievements of the Chinese. Interestingly, both art forms are created with the same instrument and medium– brush and ink. The Chinese written language is made up of pictographs, pictures of things, and ideographs, pictures of ideas, so it is tting that both paintings and the “pictures,” or Chinese characters, are created with the same brush and ink. Part of the technique of calligraphy is knowing how to hold the brush. It is held rmly between the thumb and the index and middle ngers of your hand. The other tow ngers are held lightly behind the brush to keep it balanced. The brush is always held completely vertical which allows for full use of its tip.
FaVorite subjeCts in Chinese art BamBoo – This is an emblem of strength and durability. The bamboo will bend with the wind, but does not break easily. It is associated with spring because of its tender green leaves and new shoots. lotuS – This ower symbolizes purity and perfection. The large blossoms rise out of the mud in shallow water but remain pure and beautiful. This ower is associated with summer when it is in full bloom. cHRySantHemum – This is generally associated with retirement and a life of ease. Just as the owers bloom in autumn, late in the year, so too, should a person enjoy the beauty of life in his or her “autumn” years. plum tRee – This represents strength and long life. The blossoms appear on leaess and gnarled old trees in late winter. The plum tree is associated with winter. peacH – This fruit is associated with long life. It is believed to be the elixir of life for the Chinese immortals (gods). The god of longevity is often represented carrying a peach or coming out of a peach. cRane – This bird is one of the most popular symbols of long life and is often placed with a pine tree. The pine tree is also a symbol of long life and strength since it remains green all year. Bat – The bat is the emblem of happiness and wealth. Bats in China are depicted in art as very colorful and decorative creatures, looking more like butteries than bats. FiSH – The sh represents wealth and abundance. It symbolizes abundance of food or abundance of children in a family. 1
Yuan, Juliana Y.. Our Global Village: China. St. Louis, Missouri: Milliken, 1992. Yuan, Juliana Y.. Our Global Village: China. St. Louis, Missouri: Milliken, 1992.
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FestiVal
and
Celebrations
cHinG minG FeStival (SpRinG): Chinese families traditionally remember their ancestors on this occasion in spring when the air ispicnic fresh is and the sky clear andgravesite sunny. The “pure bright.” An elaborate brought toisthe family andwords before“ching each ming” dish ismean served, it isand placed for a moment on the altar stone of the chief ancestor. dRaGon Boat FeStival (SummeR): This festival is celebrated on the fth day of the fth month. It is also known as “Poet’s Day” in commemoration of the famous poet, Chu Yuan, who lived several centuries before Christ. It is a day of kite ying and watching dragon boat races. “Dragon boats” are wooden boats that are long and narrow with a carved dragonhead on the bow. Twenty oarsmen row to the beat of a drummer in each boat. A special treat called jung is eaten during the week of the Dragon Boat Festival. It is made of sticky rice with a sweet bean or meat and vegetable lling, wrapped in taro leaves and held together with string, and steamed. moon FeStival (autumn): This celebration takes place on the fteenth day of the eighth moon, when the moon is at its fullest. The festivities take place outside at night so that everyone can admire the full and bright moon. Children make or buy colorful paper lanterns in the shapes of animals, owers and fruits. Candles are placed inside the lanterns, and the children carry their lanterns on sticks and parade about. When darkness falls, the lanterns glow like little moon dangling from their hands. Rich pastries with sweet llings such as lotus seed or red bean paste are called moon cakes and are enjoyed by everyone during this time of year. Next to the Chinese New Year, the Moon Festival is the most popular and widely celebrated Chinese Festivals. It brings the same excitement to the children that Halloween does in the United States. This festival is also known as the Mid-Autumn Festival. cHineSe new yeaR (winteR): The Chinese New year is the most festive and joyous of all the celebrations. The New Year begins on the 20th day of the rst moon, which may fall anywhere between January and March. It provides a break from the cold and monotony of winter. In the old days, preparation began weeks in advance, and festivities lasted a full month after New Year’s Day from the new moon to the full moon. The families would plan and prepare large meals for the celebration. About ten days before the New Year, families and businesses begin sweeping away the old year by cleaning out their houses and shops. Artists paint new poems on red paper for people to place in their homes and shops. Large branches of plum blossoms are bought to decorate the homes much like Christmas trees in the West. On New Year’s Eve, family members gather together for a feast and to welcome in the new year. Firecrackers explode to frighten away evil spirits and to celebrate joy and happiness. New Year’s Day is a time for remembering ancestors and for visiting close friends and relatives. The children wait in anticipation to see who will stop by and bring them red envelopes lled with good luck money. Loin dances are performed in the streets to bands of gong and drum players, accompanied by more explosions of recrackers. Loin dances are processional dances in which a person parades underneath a handcrafted lion or dragonhead and other people often trail behind with its body made of colorful streamers.
Yuan, Juliana Y.. Our Global Village: China. St. Louis, Missouri: Milliken, 1992.
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aCtiVities re-PerFormanCe aCtiVities P l m m ,a ,k F d
oRe aBout aGic cRoBaticS unG u and ance: Find out if any of the students in your class practice any of the acrobatics feats you will see in the performance of the Chinese Acrobats. Have students who are involved in these activitiesdo a demonstration/presentation for the rest ofthe class.
eaRn
leaRn aBout cHina: Point out mainland China, Hong Kong and Taiwan on a map. You may wish to acquaint your students with Chinese culture through lms, books or discussions. diScuSS Family tRaditionS: Acquaint your students with the fact that many of the members of this and other Chinese acrobatic troupes are members of the same family. Discuss the reason that this might be so. Ask your students to describe what things they have learned from their parents that they now do as a family (skiing, painting, etc.). You may wish to have an open house where students and their families come to share their skills.
Post-PerFormanCe aCtiVities SHow a Film: Many lms are available that would provide an excellent follow-up to this performance. One Hundred Entertainments, listed in the Film section, shows a Chinese acrobatics troupe in rehearsal and performance. Read BookS: There are many books pertaining to China. Ask students to read these books and report on them to the class and/or set up a reading corner in your classroom using these books. view cHineSe aRt: To further your students’ knowledge of Chinese culture, travel to museums and view their collection of Chinese ceramics, paintings and sculpture. (Note: The Taft Museum of Art has an excellent collection of Chinese porcelain and the Cincinnati Art Museum recently redesigned its Asian Galleries.) Study cHineSe HiStoRy: Share the timeline in this packet with your students. Assign each student a specic dynasty to research and report on. As each student gives their report, other students can note key information on a copy of the timeline. diScuSSion caReeR pRepaRation: Ask your students to read how the members of this company train for their work. Then ask each interview a parent or friend to nd out occupation—how long theystudent were intoschool, what their training involved, etc. how they trained for their cReate a new Feat: Have each student imagine a new and spectacular feat for the acrobats to perform. Ask them to write it down. Then ask them to give the description of their act to another student who will make a sketch of the act. Or have your students create a new animal to take part in one of the acts. After drawing the animal, have each student give their drawing to another student who will write an act for the animal to do on stage.
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Chinese Golden Dragon Acrobats
cReate a claSS muRal: Most of the acts students have seen were once part of outdoor festivals in China. Ask them to imagine the acts they saw on stage at an outdoor festival setting. They may wish to do some research on Chinese landscapes and festivals. Then ask them to design a mural which would depict all of the acts which might be seen at such a festival. compaRe tHe peRFoRmance to a ciRcuS: Discuss with your class the similarities of what they saw in this performance to what they have seen in a circus. How are they alike or different? Discuss examples of circus acts which have their roots in Chinese acrobatic feats. You may also wish to focus on other parts of our culture and trace their roots in history and their spread through the world. Some examples might be spices, horses and ballet. Just about anything in our daily lives has a history of development that can make the study of history more real for young people. plan youR own FeStival oR caRnival: Survey the members of your class to nd out what some of their talents are. Plan your own festival which showcases the talents of your class. Rehearse the acts and invite other classes from your school to attend.
Films One Hundred Entertainments,28 minutes, 1980 (Grades 6-12) The Shensi Provincial Acrobatic Troupe is shown in rehearsal and performance—a penetrating behind-the-scenes look at contemporary Chinese artists at work. Acrobats are shown training, practicing and performing in the ancient capital city of Sian and in rural communes. It’s Always So in the World,28 minutes, 1980 (Grades 6-12) This lm shows aspects of life in China’s largest city, Shanghai, where parents, children and grandparents live together. This lm gives a clear picture of contemporary life in China’s greatest metropolis. Asia: An Introduction, 20 minutes, 1970 (Grades 4-12)
The unique characteristics of each major region of Asia are portrayed in this lm. This lm provides a comprehensive introduction to the diverse Asian continent. Mind, Body and Spirit, 28 minutes, 1980 (Grades 6-12)
East and West, old and new come together in this portrait of China’s health care system. Set in Kiangsu Providence, the lm begins with an explanation of traditional Chinese concepts of harmony and balance and shows exercises designed to strengthen the mind, body and spirit against disease.
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Chinese Golden Dragon Acrobats
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