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International Casting in Chinese Plays: A Tale of Two Cities

China's two primary urban centers for training and performance of huaju (spoken drama) are Beijing and Shanghai, with the phrases "jingpai" and "haipai" (translated loosely as "Beijing School" and "Shanghai School") often used to distinguish their unique qualities and aesthetic differences. This essay examines how the conventional categories of jingpai and haipai are reflected in recent efforts by directors in both cities to introduce the practice of casting foreigners alongside local actors in Chinese plays.