The modern ballet "The Jade Hairpin" is a dance drama that integrates the art of Kunqu opera with elements of modern ballet. It aims to pay homage to the profoundness of traditional Chinese culture while showcasing the innovation and diversity of theatrical arts. Set against the backdrop of the Northern Song Dynasty, the play tells the touching story of Chen Miaochang, a noble lady, and Pan Bizheng, a scholar, who steadfastly uphold their love in turbulent times. Despite facing numerous trials due to war and societal constraints, they ultimately define the true essence of love with their lives.

 

This production skillfully combines the delicacy of Kunqu opera with the elegance of ballet, using traditional guqin music, poetry, and dance to create a novel form of theatrical expression. The nuanced artistry of Kunqu and the grace of ballet complement each other, allowing the audience to appreciate the profound heritage of traditional culture and the innovative charm of modern art simultaneously.

The modern ballet "The Jade Hairpin" aims to convey sincere emotions and timeless love through its theatrical form, while also exploring the conflicts between emotions and career. It aspires to spark contemporary audiences' interest and resonance with traditional culture and to promote the inheritance and innovation of classical Chinese arts in the modern era.

CREATIVE TEAM: Ao Dingwen
National first-grade actor, National Model of Women's Meritorious Service, Chief Principal Dancer of Liaoning Ballet Troupe, Director of Liaoning Dance Association; won the Special Grand Prix (higher than Gold) at the 3rd Tokyo International Ballet Competition, the Silver Medal in the Junior Category at the 7th Helsinki International Ballet Competition, the Bronze Medal in the Senior Category at the 13th Moscow International Ballet Competition, and the Gold Medal in the Senior Category at the 6th Shanghai International Ballet Competition; won the 15th China Cultural Festival Art Government Award - Wenhua Grand Prize and the 14th "Five-One Project" Award for Spiritual Civilization Construction of the Propaganda Department of the CPC Central Committee for her role as the lead actress in the ballet "Eight Women Diving into the River"; won the 4th Cultural and Artistic Government Award of Liaoning Province - Wenhua Award and the Excellent Performance Award of the 10th Liaoning Art Festival for her role as the lead actress in the ballet "Butter, Montana, USA"; placed third in the nationwide "Dance Storm" competition hosted by Hunan TV in 2019; won the First Prize in the Liaoning Dance Competition for her choreography work "Maze" in 2023; invited to speak at the Peking University Yenching Academy on April 13, 2024, at the "Global Youth China Forum - The Beauty of Nature, Artistic Expressions"; received funding for the Youth Artistic Creation Talent Project (dance and ballet choreography category) from the National Art Fund (General Project) in 2024; and was selected for the "Support Young Artists Program" of the 23rd China Shanghai International Arts Festival with her modern ballet "The Story of the Jade Hairpin" in 2024.
Choreographed large-scale works: Music and Dance Theatre "Roles" (2021), Ballet Dance Poem "Sundial" (2023)
Choreographed medium and small-scale works: "Prologue of Departure" (2021), "Homeland" (2022), "Maze" (2023)
Production Project: "Light of the Chinese Ballet Stars Gala" (2024)
Lead Roles in Ballets: "Swan Lake", "The Nutcracker", "Corsair", "Eight Women Diving into the River", "Butter, Montana, USA", "Mulan", "Spartacus", "Romeo and Juliet", "Moonlight over a Spring River", "Roles", "White Snake", "Notre-Dame de Paris", "Sundial", etc.
Classical Ballet Pas de Deux: "Don Quixote", "The Sleeping Beauty", "Grand Classical Pas de Deux", "Diane and Actaeon", "Giselle", etc.
Modern Dance Works: "Terracotta Warriors", "Blood Color", "Ninth Daughter", "League of Kings", "Between Light and Shadow", "Waiting", "Trickling Sand", "Hello Guys", "Cherish the Connection", "The Eighth Story", "Together", "Song of Angels", etc.

Director / Choreography: Ao Dingwen
Performance: Shanghai Ballet
Music Director: Luo Wei
Multi-media Director (Graphic Design): Jin Muye
Lighting Design: Wang Zhen
Stage Design: Shen Huizi
Costume Design: Yao Xiaoyu
Styling Conductor: Qin Zimeng
Playwright: Liu Pengpeng
Art Consultant: Xin Lili
Special Appearance: Shanghai Ballet