- Ms. Cao Ngoc Anh, what motivated you to establish CNA Creative Arts at this time?
- I think this wasn't a spur-of-the-moment decision, but rather the result of a rather long preparation process. From 2018 to the present, every year I've tried to work with my colleagues to create at least one new musical, such as "The Little Mermaid's Dream," "Waves," "The Five-Colored Stone," "Fire from the Earth," "Rapunzel," etc. Each project is an experiment, an accumulation of experience, and a step-by-step process of building an audience for musicals.
As a creative artist, I've always had a special love for this art form. But the deeper I delve, the more I realize that simply staging performances isn't enough. What we need is a long-term development environment where artists can be trained, works can be professionally produced, and audiences have more frequent access to musicals. The establishment of CNA Creative Arts is the next step on that journey. I aspire to build a sufficiently broad ecosystem to nurture the dream of a contemporary Vietnamese musical, created by Vietnamese people, from Vietnamese stories and emotions.
- CNA Creative Arts is presented as an art ecosystem, not just a performing arts organization. Why did you choose this direction?
- If we want to develop Vietnamese musical theater sustainably, we cannot simply create performances; we need to build an entire accompanying ecosystem. Musical theater is a comprehensive art form, requiring the combination of music , acting, dance, stage design, and performance technology. A complete production typically takes about two years of preparation.
To have a thriving Vietnamese musical theater, we must build it from the ground up. This means training human resources, production, performance, and media activities, creating an environment for artists to grow, and, most importantly, fostering a strong audience. That's why CNA is simultaneously developing various activities to train young actors, organize workshops, facilitate artist exchanges, bring musical theater to schools, and build experiential spaces for young people. We want art to not just appear on stage for a few hours, but to become an integral part of everyday cultural life.
- What role does Hanoi play in the journey of building CNA Creative Arts and developing Vietnamese musical theater?
- Hanoi is where CNA Creative Arts was founded and where we place our highest expectations. It is a major cultural center of the country, a hub for artists, audiences, art training institutions, and offers favorable conditions for developing new creative models.
In recent years, Hanoi has implemented many specific policies and initiatives to develop the cultural industry. This has instilled confidence and motivation in those involved in the arts. I believe this is an opportune time for arts organizations to boldly invest in longer-term and more professional projects. Furthermore, Hanoi is a popular destination for both domestic and international tourists. Musical theater can become an attractive cultural product, contributing to connecting culture with tourism and promoting the image of the capital and the country.
- One of CNA's prominent focuses is training young artists and building a community of fans. In your opinion, what is the most important element of this work?
- I think the most important thing is patience and long-term commitment. At CNA, we don't look for perfect individuals from the start. What we care about are hidden potentials, young people who are looking for opportunities to develop themselves. Every student who comes to CNA has a different starting point. We don't impose a common mold on them, but try to observe and listen to find a method that suits each person. What's important is not just singing or acting skills, but also confidence, teamwork ability, and creativity.
I also believe that educating the audience is necessary. If we want the public to love and watch musicals, they first need to understand musicals. An audience community doesn't just appear; it needs to be nurtured through aesthetic education and early exposure to them. Therefore, in addition to classes, CNA also organizes many experiential activities, practical workshops, and performances at schools... to bring musicals closer to students and young people.
- What exactly is the dream of "Vietnamese musical theater" that CNA is pursuing, Ms. Cao Ngoc Anh?
- It's a big dream, but not at all far-fetched. What we aim for is a purely Vietnamese musical theater, a contemporary musical theater deeply rooted in national identity, preserving the essence of Vietnamese culture while keeping pace with the rapid development of performing arts worldwide.
The road ahead is full of challenges, because building a professional musical theater scene cannot be accomplished overnight. But we share a common love and aspiration to continue, gradually turning the dream of a contemporary Vietnamese musical theater into reality.
- We sincerely thank Meritorious Artist Cao Ngọc Ánh!
Source: https://hanoimoi.vn/nghe-si-uu-tu-cao-ngoc-anh-mo-uoc-ve-mot-nen-nhac-kich-duong-dai-mang-dam-ban-sac-dan-toc-1209574.html
