Summer is a sunny season for most, but a blue one for graduates as they bid farewell to their carefree student days.
To mark the end of their college life, some graduates choose to mark their graduation with a trip, others with a soccer match, and some with a stage show.
Nan Fang and Zhou Mo. (Photo: Communication University of China)
On July 3, a remarkable show titled "Zhou Mo is about to Graduate", directed and performed by students from the Communication University of China (CUC), took center stage.
The show narrates the story of Zhou Mo, an earnest yet shy student, and his journey through youth and graduation. Zhou Mo has secretly admired Nan Fang for four years but never expressed his affection towards her.
As graduation approaches, Zhou Mo and Nan Fang are about to depart from college, each embarking on their own path. Zhou Mo is torn between seizing the last chance to confess his love to Nan Fang and the fear of rejection. He is determined not to leave with regrets but is troubled by the possibility of rejection.
Encouraged by his roommates, Zhou Mo eventually confronts his fear and summons the courage to profess his love to Nan Fang.
The audience watches the performance. (Photo: Communication University of China)
The premiere of this stage show attracted nearly 1,000 attendees, including Zhang Shuting, the president of CUC.
The cast consists of over 100 students, many of whom are also graduates. From the initial idea to the script and finally the stage, all the members have dedicated significant time and energy to making this show a reality.
Zhang Letian and Wu Peilin, who specialize in broadcast and television directing and broadcast and television art, respectively, are the two co-creators of the play. Both were born after 1995, and they are set to graduate this year.
"We have graduates taking on various roles, such as stage art design, scriptwriting, and acting," said chief producer Zhang Letian, emphasizing the collective effort and dedication put forth by the graduates from conception to execution.
"We started preparing for the show on June 1 with three of us, including me and Zhang Letian. I still remember those sleepless nights we endured for nearly ten days," said Wu Peilin, the chief scriptwriter and an actress.
As a graduate student approaching the end of her studies, Wu faced the pressure of writing her graduation thesis while simultaneously searching for jobs. However, she stated that the show did not distract her; instead, it served as a stimulus for her academic work.
Some of the crew members are preparing for the show. (Photo: Communication University of China)
Rewards come as a result of efforts, and in the end, different individuals gain different things.
Wu humorously mentioned that due to the large number of children who approached her for photos after the show, she may consider hosting children's shows in the future.
Ju Weikuo, a graduate majoring in theater and film directing, played the role of Zhou Mo's roommate. Through multiple rehearsals, he developed a strong connection with his character. He expressed that his experience not only boosted his confidence in performance but also inspired him to become a knowledgeable person like the character he portrayed.
The stage show struck a chord with the audience and received a warm reception. "It is moving and fascinating. These stories of youth remind me of both joyous and regrettable moments from my own youth," said attendee Cao Yuqi after the show.
"Through this play, I realize the potential regrets that await me as a future graduate, prompting me to consider the things I have yet to accomplish and strive to achieve them in my final year," said junior student Zhang Runqi.
The vitality and courage displayed by the characters also serve as a motivation for the audience. Cao expressed her desire to pursue more challenging goals during her graduate school years, such as performing on the campus singer's stage. Zhang expressed her intention to participate in more library activities.
Group photo of the cast. (Photo: Communication University of China)
As the curtains closed on the show, the college life of the participating graduates also came to an end. For them, it marks the end of one chapter and the beginning of a new one in their lives.