Life at Haide | Haide College Hosts Study Salon of Musical Theater

On the evening of December 14th, the Academic Affairs Office and the International Affairs Course Center of Ocean University of China (OUC), sponsored by Haide College, successfully organized the musical theater-themed Study Salon. The globally renowned musical theater director and choreographer, Professor Joey Michael Mckneely, was invited to deliver the lecture, with active participation from students and faculty, creating a lively atmosphere.

This Study Salon focused on Orientation to Musical Theater and Employment Opportunities in the Musical Theater Industry. Professor Mckneely started by introducing the fundamental knowledge of musical theater. Through sharing classic dance tunes he created and the stories behind them, he elucidated the central role of storytelling in musical theater. Additionally, he discussed the key professional qualities and skills required for employment in the musical theater industry.

In the latter part of the event, students enthusiastically posed questions, displaying a particular interest in integrating Chinese traditional arts with contemporary trends. They explored ways to creatively transform and innovate excellent traditional Chinese culture, promoting its development. Moreover, students shared their favorite musical theater works, expressing unique insights and sentiments.

Professor Mckneely guided students to understand and approach musical theater with his rich experience and professional knowledge, and sparked a profound understanding and passion for the art of musical theater. This lecture became a feast of knowledge and inspiration.

In the intersection of traditional musical theater and modern pop culture, and through the integration of deep reflection and real-time interaction, this edition of the Study Salon event concluded successfully.

Attached: Brief Introduction to Joey Michael Mckneely

Joey Michael Mckneely, a professor at the Beijing Dance Academy, is a globally renowned musical theater director and choreographer, an artist highly acclaimed in the world of musical theater. Engaged in the teaching and research of musical theater creation and performance, his works have received widespread praise and have been performed in renowned theaters worldwide. His productions have been nominated twice for the Tony Award, often referred to as the Oscars of the musical theater world, and twice for the Outer Critics Circle Award. He has also received the NAACP Image Award and the Ovation Award for Best Choreography.

Text by Zhang Xiwen

Photos by Liu Xinyu and Yang Fengge