Chinese Theatre Works

Chinese Theatre Works is a non-profit theatre company whose mission is to preserve and promote the traditional Chinese performing arts (including opera, shadow theatre, puppetry, dance and music); to create new works that bridge Eastern and Western aesthetics and forms; and to foster understanding and appreciation of Chinese culture in audiences, students, artists and educators around the globe.

Chinese Theatre Works was formed in 2001 through the merger of two non-profit arts organizations dedicated to the Chinese performing arts: The Gold Mountain Institute for Traditional Shadow Puppetry (founded in 1975 by Jo Humphrey) and Chinese Theatre Workshop (founded in 1990 by Kuang-Yu Fong).

Recent accolades for Chinese Theatre Works include a 2006 Henry Hewes Award for Notable Effects, granted to their artistic and technical director, Stephan Kaplin, by the American Theatre Wing. Chinese Theatre Works was the only company from the U.S. invited to the First International Shadow Play Art Festival in Tangshan, China, where it received four distinguished awards.

Chinese Theatre Works' performing company is made up of classically trained Chinese opera artists and skilled puppeteers, reflecting its commitment to maintaining the highest artistic standards in all of their performances. Similarly, their Arts in Education program is staffed by teaching artists who together have nearly a century of classroom experience with students of all ages.

Programs