Admiration when students perform traditional opera, reformed opera, and water puppetry with artists

This is the first time a high school has coordinated with other organizations to let students experience traditional arts, which the students then recreate on stage for thousands of spectators.

Students of Nguyen Thi Minh Khai High School attentively watch a water puppet performance performed by their peers.

This morning (February 22), Nguyen Thi Minh Khai High School in Ho Chi Minh City organized a report on the interdisciplinary project "Continuing the quintessence", attracting thousands of students and teachers, school leaders and representatives of the Ho Chi Minh City Hat Boi Art Theater, Anh Duong Performing Arts Company (owner of the Golden Dragon Water Puppet Theater, and Bach Long Children's Opera Troupe).

Apprenticeship with artists

At the event, students, mainly grade 10 students, took turns performing pieces and excerpts of traditional art forms, from Southern folk songs such as "Ly Dat Giong" and "Ly Qua Ke", to singing "Da Co Hoai Lang" , performing Cai Luong excerpt "Tran Quoc Toan Ra Quan", Southern opera excerpt "Tran Binh Trong Tuan Tiet", and finally, drum dance and water puppetry.

The performances and excerpts, either performed with teachers and artists or by the students themselves from beginning to end, all received support from the audience sitting below.

Students sing Southern folk songs

Ms. Phuong Thao and her students sing and dance to the famous song Da Co Hoai Lang.

One of the impressive characters on stage was Le Ha Anh, a student of class 10A4, who plays the famous general Tran Quoc Toan. As the main character in the play, the female student not only sings but also has to constantly interact with other actors, as well as perform martial arts to convey the will to fight against foreign invaders. "This is the first time I have known about Cai Luong, and also the first time I have participated as a Cai Luong actress," Ha Anh confided.

Ha Anh said that to prepare for this performance, her group started practicing since November last year under the guidance of a former student who is an actor at the Bach Long Children's Opera Troupe. According to the female student, rehearsing and singing opera were the most difficult parts, requiring them to practice over and over again until they were proficient. However, through that, Ha Anh learned how to communicate, work in a team, as well as be confident when standing in front of a crowd.

Ha Anh (red shirt) performs martial arts and sings reformed opera while playing the role of famous general Tran Quoc Toan.

The performance received much applause from the student audience.

"In addition, we also learned a lot of knowledge related to Cai Luong, such as the simple, brightly colored costumes I wore because my character was young and had a lower rank than the other actors. I also learned about the strings in vọng cổ such as the double strings and the peach strings, the breaths in Cai Luong... Learning was fun because I not only learned new knowledge but also learned about a beautiful aspect of Vietnamese culture," the female student excitedly said.

Also making the audience of the same age unable to take their eyes off was the role of Tran Kien played by Bui Nguyen Anh Khoa, class 10A2. In the opera excerpt, this is a nobleman of the Tran Dynasty who surrendered to the Yuan invaders and had the task of recruiting Tran Binh Trong - a famous general with the saying "I would rather be a ghost in the South than a king in the North". Playing the role of Tran Kien, Khoa continuously had emotional and interesting expressions and lines.

To be able to perform their roles "perfectly", Khoa and his classmates spent many months studying and practicing enthusiastically with artists at the Ho Chi Minh City Hat Boi Art Theater such as artist Bao Chau, artist Thanh Binh, artist Minh Khuong, artist Kieu My, artist Anh Thi...

Mr. Khoa (left cover) and student actors perform the excerpt "Tran Binh Trong commits suicide" with artist Minh Khuong in the role of Thoat Hoan (the character is sitting)

The orchestra in the opera performance aims to convey the most complete spirit of this art form.

"When I accepted the invitation to teach and perform with the students, I was also very confused because hát bội is a very difficult art form, requiring many years of training to be able to sing. However, when practicing with the students to play the roles of Trần Kiên or Ô Mã Nhi, I saw that they were serious, intelligent and learned very quickly. Within just a few months, they were able to sing. This is very valuable and I believe hát bội will be inherited by the younger generation," artist Bảo Châu shared.

Alongside the performances, there is an exhibition space for publications and products introducing traditional arts, also designed and produced by the students themselves. As one of the authors, Pham Gia Linh, class 11A12, said that to carry out the project, the whole class divided into different groups, personally experienced and interviewed the artists and backstage workers at the Golden Dragon Water Puppet Theater.

Students present their teachers with finished products inspired by media arts.

"Going directly to the performance venue helps us to feel and research more deeply about water puppetry so that we can create accurately and fully convey the spirit of this art form. I also learn how to manage time and production progress to produce satisfactory products such as notebooks, key chains... in addition to understanding more about cultural and historical values," the female group leader shared.

Students develop many skills

Artist Huynh Trung, an actor at the Golden Dragon Water Puppet Theater, said that he and his colleagues often tour to perform at kindergartens and primary schools. This is the first time the unit has cooperated with a high school, and also the first time it has created conditions for students to learn a trade so that they can participate in actual performances. "This is a huge difference," the male artist commented.

Artist Huynh Trung commented that although they are young and only practice for a short time, only 2-3 sessions per week, each session is only about an hour, but they learn very quickly. Within a month, the group of students were able to perform with their seniors, "different from us in the past when it took us a whole year of apprenticeship to be able to perform". "They are very excited, willing to spend hours soaking in cold water to practice", said artist Huynh Trung.

The water puppet stage was meticulously prepared with actors being 10th grade students.

Start before "G hour"

Fishing scene

Students come to the Golden Dragon Water Puppet Theater to learn the craft in November 2024

"Through this activity, you will not only learn more about a traditional Vietnamese art form that is gradually fading away, but also find ways to spread it to other young people through various media products such as key chains, book covers, calendars...", the water puppet actor confided. "From liking to learning, then to doing, to loving, and from loving can you preserve the culture. That is the value that water puppetry wants to bring to you."

This is also the first time the HCM City Hat Boi Art Theater has coordinated with a high school to give students the opportunity to learn and practice Hat Boi right on the theater stage, according to artist Khong Minh Khuong, Chairman of the Trade Union and actor at the HCM City Hat Boi Art Theater. This is also a memorable activity, because up to now, the theater artists only went to high schools and universities to perform, then returned home.

"Every week, the students come to the theater to exchange careers with their seniors. As an instructor, I felt very touched and happy when I saw them complete their roles on stage this morning. It was so great. They were also very enthusiastic when they studied, felt the urge to act and get into character when holding props like spears and swords...", artist Minh Khuong shared.

Artist Thanh Binh, Head of Performance Organization Department of Ho Chi Minh City Hat Boi Art Theater, introduces students to the art of face painting, Hat Boi choreography and demonstrates some melodies.

Models and products inspired by the art of hát bội attract a lot of students' attention.

Students try their hand at drawing opera masks at school

"Currently, some other schools are also contacting the unit to carry out similar interdisciplinary projects, and we hope that through this, the art of hát bội will be increasingly spread in schools," said artist Minh Khuong.

Ms. Nguyen Thi Hong Chuong, Principal of Nguyen Thi Minh Khai High School, said that the "Continuing the Essence" project integrates three subjects: literature, local education , and experiential activities and career guidance. Although students have been educated many times about traditional arts, according to Ms. Chuong, this is the first time that subject groups have combined, creating conditions for students to experience these subjects themselves.

Students performing arts

Drum dance performance

Overview of a performance

"The project is an opportunity for students to practice their skills and apply what they have learned to real life in accordance with the goals of the 2018 general education program. Students can work in groups, think critically, plan, use information technology and practice art. This is also an opportunity for students to satisfy their passion or discover their talents, from which they can go further on the path of art," the female principal shared.

"The activity also contributes to protecting, preserving and promoting the quintessence of Vietnamese culture," Ms. Chuong emphasized.

Source: https://thanhnien.vn/tram-tro-khi-hoc-sinh-hat-boi-dien-cai-luong-mua-roi-nuoc-voi-nghe-si-185250217120149323.htm