Gen Z keeps the flame of Quang Nam traditional theater alive.

Students in Da Nang are excited to experience traditional Vietnamese opera (tuong) at their schools.

Searching for talent in Quang Nam province.

One April morning, the courtyard of Tran Hung Dao Secondary School (Hai Chau District, Da Nang City) resounded with the sound of drums. From behind the stage, actors wearing red and white masks, dressed in ancient costumes, with headdresses and boots, stepped onto the stage.

The excerpt from "Tran Quoc Toan," focusing on the mother and honoring the patriotic spirit of young people, was presented in an engaging way. In the final 15 minutes of the performance, the actors also showcased various masks typical of Quang Nam's traditional opera. The performers that day were only about 10-15 years older than the students, representing the promising Gen Z generation of actors from the Nguyen Hien Dinh Traditional Opera Theatre.

While removing his makeup after a performance, Le Van Tien (26 years old, from Tien Lanh, Tien Phuoc) recounted that in 2016, after being accepted, he went to Hanoi to study at the Hanoi University of Theatre and Film.

“At that time, I had just dropped out of school, I was only 17 years old and had a little talent for singing. Otherwise, I knew absolutely nothing about traditional Vietnamese opera. The more I studied, the harder it became. There were days I skipped class, even considering giving up… Then, my teachers came to encourage me, and I continued attending classes. Only when I understood the value of traditional Vietnamese opera did I find the motivation,” Tien shared.

For a sensitive girl like Tran Vu Quynh (24 years old), traditional opera, although difficult to learn, is very interesting if one understands the inner feelings of the characters. Expressing the demeanor and soul of the character is a challenge that Quynh always wants to conquer.

“I came from Nam Phuoc (Duy Xuyen) and studied traditional Vietnamese opera in Hanoi when I was 16 years old. At that time, my thinking was very naive. There were many times when I cried because I couldn't sing the same lines properly. Unlike now, my peers respect me more when they know I'm pursuing a career in traditional opera. Back then, because I was young and naive, many of them teased me, calling me 'Quynh the opera singer.' I even asked my parents to let me go home, but they encouraged me to continue studying. I passed many auditions and became an actress like I am today. This profession cannot be successful without perseverance…,” Quynh concluded.

Tien and Quynh are two of the 20 young actors from Generation Z discovered by the Nguyen Hien Dinh Traditional Opera Theatre during talent searches in Quang Nam province in 2016.

During their four years of study in Hanoi, the group of actors received intensive training in traditional Vietnamese opera while continuing their high school education. In 2020, the theater was supplemented with 12 staff members. Immediately afterward, 20 young people entered a competition on stage to officially join the Nguyen Hien Dinh Traditional Opera Theater.

Building a generation of strong and capable male and female actors.

Unlike his two colleagues, Trinh Ky Vu (25 years old), the leading male performer, was exposed to traditional music from a very young age because his father was a writer of folk songs and his mother was an actress performing folk opera in Hiep Duc district.

The young actors of the Nguyen Hien Dinh Traditional Opera Theatre bring traditional opera into schools. — The young actors of the Nguyen Hien Dinh Traditional Opera Theatre are bringing traditional opera to schools.

Thanks to a solid foundation and the dedicated guidance of master artists such as People's Artist Phan Văn Quang, People's Artist Trần Đình Sanh, and People's Artist Nguyễn Thị Thu Nhân, Vũ quickly grasped the skills and became an outstanding talent of the theater.

“Traditional opera is a very difficult art form, especially for young people like me. Luckily, we've had the guidance of veteran artists who have been associated with the theater, so we've grown more and more skilled in the profession. For me, just getting a role is a joy, so there's no reason to hesitate when assigned to lead or supporting roles, or to play soldiers... Thanks to small roles in 'Against the Waves' and 'Halfway Through the Mountains and Rivers'… I've been able to improve my performance skills,” Vũ said.

Passion combined with persistent training helped Vu win an award at the young age of 23. It was the Second Prize for his portrayal of Dong Kim Lan (in the excerpt "Dong Kim Lan Crossing the Pass") at the National Cheo, Tuong, and Folk Opera Actors' Talent Competition organized by the Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism in 2023.

At the same age of 25 and with a similar starting point to Vu, "leading actor" Phan Tung Lam (from Que Tho commune, Hiep Duc district) had his uncle, People's Artist Phan Van Quang, who introduced him to traditional Vietnamese opera when he was only 17 years old. Perhaps that's why Lam understands the value of spreading and promoting traditional Vietnamese opera.

"The 'Bringing Traditional Vietnamese Opera into Schools' programs that I'm performing not only help students understand more about traditional Vietnamese opera, but who knows, some of these young people might become traditional Vietnamese opera artists in the future," Lam shared.

Actress Tran Vu Quynh recounts that she first learned about Quang Nam's traditional opera in the 8th grade, when she participated in a program to introduce opera to schools and was instantly captivated. Because of that experience, Quynh always strives to bring opera closer to students and tourists, not through books, but through performances, direct dancing, singing, and explanations.

Having been involved in the arts for the past five years, Quynh believes that performing traditional Vietnamese opera in "new venues," such as airport terminals, pedestrian streets, and parks, is a great way to introduce this art form to international tourists. "Witnessing the enjoyment of students or the curious glances of foreign visitors gives me even more reason to stay committed to this profession," Quynh said.

People's Artist Phan Văn Quang (working at the Nguyễn Hiển Dĩnh Traditional Opera Theatre - Da Nang) assessed that, as a difficult art form, traditional opera requires rigorous training. A good actor is someone who possesses all the qualities of "voice, appearance, grace, skill, spirit, and charisma".

"Just having three out of those six elements is already difficult," Mr. Quang said. Therefore, to carry on the profession, along with talent, young artists must have passion, enthusiasm, and love for their work... The Gen Z generation at the Nguyen Hien Dinh Traditional Opera Theatre today gives people more confidence that the wealth of traditional culture will always remain strong and enduring over time.

Source: https://baoquangnam.vn/gen-z-giu-lua-tuong-xu-quang-3154059.html