A Complete History of Classical Chinese Dramatic Theory

This book presents the first comprehensive study tracing the evolution of dramatic thought in China from its earliest ritual origins to the modern era. Drawing on a wide range of classical texts, commentaries, and critical writings, the book systematically explores the formation, composition, performance, and aesthetics of Chinese theatre across dynasties. Through meticulous examination of key theorists and seminal works, the author reconstructs the intellectual development of dramatic theory, revealing how ideas on form, language, music, emotion, and performance gradually shaped a distinctive Chinese tradition of drama. The study situates these theories within their cultural and historical contexts, offering both a chronological framework and critical interpretation that illuminate the richness and depth of China's dramatic heritage. This volume serves as an essential reference for scholars and readers interested in classical literature, performing arts, and the history of Chinese aesthetics.

About the Author :
Yang Junfeng is a distinguished Professor and former Vice President of Dalian University of Foreign Languages, where he advised graduate students in translation and interpreting. His global academic engagements include research at Carleton University, lectures at Arizona State University, and contributions to the IELTS examination system with the University of Cambridge (U.K.). He has taught graduate courses such as Interpreting Theory & Practice, Legal Translation, and Classical Mythology. A leading figure in language education, he serves as President of the Liaoning Foreign Language Education Association, Accredited Senior Interpreter for the United Nations, and expert reviewer for national research funds. His honors include the State Council Special Allowance-- China's highest academic recognition, Liaoning's Outstanding Language Expert, and selection in the elite " Hundred-Thousand-Talent Program" . Sun Rongrong is a professor at the School of Liberal Arts, Nanjing University and a visiting professor at the School of Humanities, Wenzhou University. She serves as Executive Council Member of the Wenxin Diaolong Society of China and Council Member of the Chinese Ancient Literary Theory Society. Her major scholarly works include Studies on Wen Xin Diao Long (The Literary Mind and the Carving of Dragons), The Critical Thinking Modes of Ancient Chinese Literature, and Textual Research on Liu Xie and Wen Xin Diao Long. She has published over 70 academic papers in journals such as Literary Review and Studies in Art and Literature. Pan Zhidan, Ph.D., a supervisor of MA and MTI students, is Professor of English and Dean of the School of Foreign Languages at Shanghai Institute of Technology. Recognized as a Shanghai Special Professor (2022), she previously served as Vice Dean at Dalian University of Foreign Languages, leading translation research at its Multilingual Translation Research Center. An active leader in translation studies, she holds key positions in national and regional organizations, including the Translators Association of China, CATTI English Division Expert Committee, and Shanghai Translation Society for Science and Technology. Trained under translation scholar Wang Rongpei, her research focuses on classical drama translation, with publications in China Translators Journal and Foreign Language Teaching and Research. Her award-winning monograph East or West, Equally Enjoyable: A Study on the English Translation of Chuanqi Plays of the Ming and Qing Dynasties (named a Literary Canon work) and her translation project, A Complete History of Classical Chinese Dramatic Theory, a grant from the National Social Science Fund of China, reflect her academic impact. She has received provincial awards and led talent development initiatives in Liaoning. Yu Weimin is a leading scholar of classical Chinese drama, specializing in premodern theater (particularly nanxi and dramatic prosody). Formerly a professor and doctoral supervisor at Nanjing University, he is now a specially appointed professor and doctoral supervisor at Wenzhou University. His influential works-- including A Study of Song-Yuan Southern Drama, The Prosody of Classical Chinese Qu Literature, and A Complete History of Classical Chinese Dramatic Theory-- have earned national recognition. Two were selected for the National Achievements Library of Philosophy and Social Sciences, winning top awards from China's Ministry of Education, while his 15-volume Collection of Historical Dramatic Commentaries received the prestigious China Government Publishing Award. Honored as a National May 1st Labor Medalist and Zhejiang Provincial Model Worker, he serves as Executive Vice Chairman of the Chinese Classical Drama Society and directs the Zhejiang Traditional Opera Research and Heritage Center, a provincial key research base.