At YCIS Shanghai, we firmly believe in the importance of performing arts in holistic education. Through theatre, we help students build confidence and communication skills, enhance creativity and imagination, develop teamwork and empathy, and refine their language and expression. Each year, YCIS Shanghai stage captivating plays or musicals, offering students a platform to showcase their talents. 

This month, YCIS Shanghai Puxi and Pudong campuses brought two spectacular productions to the stage, captivating audiences with outstanding performances, linguistic prowess, top-tier costumes and set designs, and seamless coordination among teachers from various departments. 

The Secondary students in Puxi performed an adaptation of The Emperor’s New Clothes, a satirical exploration of vanity, self-integrity and reveals how vanity can blind one’s judgment. The Emperor, obsessed with his appearance, is blind to the suffering of his people. Three costume makers claim they can craft a magical outfit visible only to honest and competent individuals. The Emperor readily accepts their offer, leading to an ultimate confrontation with self-deception

Rehearsals began at the end of October 2024, with students dedicating over 100 hours to perfecting their performance. Director Samuel Ferreira trained the actors in physicality, accents, and stage presence, ensuring a polished and captivating production. . 

At YCIS Shanghai Pudong, students took on the challenge of staging Return to the Forbidden Planet, a lively sci-fi musical adventure filled with robots, monsters, and intergalactic chaos—all told in verse! Inspired by The Forbidden Planet and Shakespeare’s The Tempest, the story follows Captain Tempest and his quirky crew as they crash-land on an uncharted planet, where they encounter the enigmatic Dr. Prospero and his daughter, Miranda. 

Amidst love triangles, mysterious elixirs, and a mad scientist’s secrets, the crew must navigate danger, deception, and the ultimate question: does love truly conquer all, or is science the key to survival? 

Rehearsals for the musical began after the Christmas holiday, with actors practising 2–3 times a week, the band rehearsing 1–2 times weekly, and additional weekend rehearsals when necessary. With the seamless collaboration between actors, musicians, and the production team—including stage, costume, and lighting crews—the show delivered a breathtaking audiovisual experience. 

We sincerely congratulate everyone on the success of these remarkable productions. The dedication and passion of our students, supported by their teachers and peers, brought these stories to life in a truly unforgettable way. 

As we look ahead, we eagerly anticipate next year’s performances, hoping to see even more students step into the spotlight, embrace the magic of theatre, and continue to challenge themselves on stage.