The Hong Kong Academy for Performing Arts (HKAPA) will open its doors to the public on March 8 for its annual Open Day, offering visitors a rare opportunity to explore the world of performing arts through more than a hundred free activities across its campuses.
On the day, the Academy’s Wanchai Main Campus and the historic Béthanie Landmark Heritage Campus in Pok Fu Lam will welcome members of the public to experience the creativity and craftsmanship behind stage productions, as well as the vibrant campus life of one of Hong Kong’s leading arts institutions.
Visitors will be able to move freely around the campuses and take part in a wide range of events, including music concerts, drama and musical performances, dance workshops, and demonstrations from different disciplines within the performing arts.
The Open Day also offers a behind-the-scenes glimpse into theatrical production. Members of the public will have the chance to view intricately designed stage sets, props, and costumes created by students and faculty, gaining insight into how artistic ideas are transformed into visual highlights on stage. Guests can also visit performance and rehearsal spaces, allowing them to experience the environment in which performers and production teams develop their craft.
The Academy’s six schools — Chinese Opera, Dance, Drama, Film and Television, Music, and Theatre and Entertainment Arts — will present a diverse lineup of activities throughout the day.
Highlights include Chinese and Western music concerts, excerpts from Cantonese opera, musical performances, drama showcases, and dance sessions that invite participants to explore movement and choreography.
At the School of Film and Television, visitors can step into the world of filmmaking through interactive sessions at the Screen Production and Research Centre (SPaRC), including a live filming demonstration set against a replica of the iconic circular pedestrian bridge on Yee Wo Street.
Elsewhere, the School of Theatre and Entertainment Arts will present demonstrations in stage makeup and wig setting, revealing the detailed craftsmanship that helps bring characters to life on stage.
Interactive workshops will also be held, including sessions incorporating artificial intelligence technologies, while the Academy’s library will recommend personalized films for visitors to explore.
Visitors, meanwhile, will have the opportunity to try on traditional Cantonese opera costumes and participate in experiential singing classes organized by the School of Chinese Opera, while the School of Dance will guide participants through improvisational movement exercises that develop into choreography.
The Béthanie Landmark Heritage Campus — originally opened 150 years ago as a sanatorium — adds a historic dimension to the Open Day experience. Today, it houses the School of Film and Television, and its chapel has become one of Hong Kong’s most popular wedding venues.
To facilitate travel between the two locations, the Academy will provide free shuttle bus services linking the Wanchai and Pok Fu Lam campuses throughout the day.
Information booths hosted by the six Schools, the Academy’s Extension and Continuing Education for Life (EXCEL) program, and the Alumni Association will also introduce the public to the institution’s academic programs and artistic training pathways.
Click here for the program leaflet.
marco.lam@singtaonewscorp.com
