The A.S.K

07/02/2025

Happy Chinese Year of Snake! 🥳🤩😍🥰😘
Thank you Brian Hartley (Stillmotion, Scotland) for your startling illustraion and the continuous synergy with the Chinese designer AOI!
Would 2025 be energetic, mysterisous and resilient as its star animal? and award those who can figure out the snake-digesting-elephant drama hidden in the hat image by Antoine de Saint-Exupéry? 🎩🕵️‍♀️
At the very beginning of the new A.S.K. season, surrounded by the heartfelt gifts of THE GIFT by Barrowland Ballet and THE LITTLE PRINCE by Theatre Royal Bath & Thompson , there are reasons for us to expect, together with the artists from 12 countries and our 5000 odd familiy members nationwide, another year of exciting growth, adventure and connection🙌👏🤝🫰

25/10/2024

We are urgently seeking international facilitators and directors to join us in providing skill-based theatre training for young people aged 7-16. This is a full-time position with a minimum one-year contract, based in either Beijing or Shanghai. Excitingly, we are in the process of building a Youth Theatre Troupe!

Given your network and expertise, we would be truly grateful if you could share any recommendations for potential candidates—names, universities, or institutions that may be relevant. Will you be able to assist with this?

Attached, you will find more details about our organization and the job description. I would greatly appreciate it if you could circulate this document widely.

Thank you very much for your time and support.

Job description and intro of organization as follows:

“Through the use of the Arts, we create environments, both real and imaginary, for kids and adults to develop their creative practices and use life skills such as communication, teamwork, collaboration, empathy, creative problem-solving, and resilience.” A.S.K

The A.S.K (The Art Space For Kids) stands out as China's inaugural dedicated children's theatre, presenting top-tier international productions tailored for young audiences ranging from 2 to 12 years old. Currently, the A.S.K boasts venues in Beijing, Shanghai, Hangzhou and Suzhou each housing its own distinctive art theatre and creative space. Annually, over ten premier international children's plays grace the stages of these theatres, establishing a new standard for children's theatre in China.

In addition to its theatrical endeavours, the A.S.K excels in its 'Creation Academy', a thriving enrichment program. Here, resident and visiting international artists engage children through weekly workshops and immersive summer and winter camps, providing a platform for youngsters to dive into theatre as active participants, not just spectators.

Excitingly, the A.S.K is on the lookout for an International Drama Facilitator to join our dynamic team. In this pivotal role, you will join the enrichment initiatives orchestrated by the Creation Academy, spearheading projects throughout China to enrich young minds through the enchanting world of theatre.



The role of an International Drama Facilitator, based in Beijing or Shanghai, China, demands a specific set of skills and experiences to enrich the young minds participating in our programs.

Required Skills:
● Background: Proficiency in drama or the performing arts.
● Education: A Bachelor's degree or equivalent in a related field.
● Experience: Planning and conducting workshops for children aged 4-13.
● Attitude: A flexible and enthusiastic work approach.
● Incorporation: Ability to incorporate children's ideas into creative activities.

Desirable Skills:
● Specialization: Comfort with a specific art form for exploration with children.
● Expertise: Strong grasp of drama games and collaborative work with children.
● Experience: Conducting immersive experiences for children or with process drama (preferred but not mandatory; training available).

Job Description:
● Conducting the Weekly Weekend Workshops program with a local Chinese facilitator according to a set schedule, with the potential for weekday workshops as needed.




Potential Future Roles:
● Conducting one-off workshops/camp series for different age groups.
● Leading our 'Hero' workshop to engage Parents and Teachers, promoting our ethos and attracting new subscribers.

Responsibilities:
● Training to effectively facilitate drama workshops in the 'Creation Academy' style.
● Collaborating with the local facilitator to rehearse and host workshops.
● Implementing pre-written workshop plans and adapting to children's needs.
● Encouraging and valuing children's input during workshops.
● Engaging in role-playing as necessary for workshop coordination.

Contact Details:
● Remuneration will be discussed during the interview, based on the candidate's experience and qualifications.
● The initial contract will be for 1 year.
● This position offers a unique opportunity to inspire and educate through the magic of theatre, shaping young minds and fostering creativity in a vibrant international setting.

To apply, please send your C.V with a photograph and a short cover letter to [email protected] & [email protected]

09/02/2024

In the aftermath of the last 3 years, the past year of The A.S.K. didn’t see a thriving buzz, but a silent and resilient growth. When accustomed to ups and downs, we learn to take any chance to try something new. Luckily and proudly presented over 1000 performances of international and original producitons around the country in 2023 season, we are to continue the exciting adeventure with the nationwide family audiences through 20 odd new shows in the Chinese New Year of Dragon, including the brand new one in process: Mystery of The Monkey King--A retelling of Jouney to The West by the contemporary dancers and Kun Opera artists, as a journey to the inner self of everyone.
All the friends in TYA industry are more than welcome to reach us for any opportunity of cooperation.
Special and sincerest thanks to Hartley (Stillmotion, Scotland) for contributing one more fabulous brush painting of the star animal of the Chinese lunar year. Our best wishes to you all!😍🥰🤩🥳❤️

07/12/2023

17/07/2023

17/07/2023

Actors/Actresses Open Call!
Sept to end of Dec, 2023, rehearsal & touring in China

We can offer:
- an unforgettable working experience with the award-winning Dutch director for the co-producing of a heart touching show - Miss Ophelia by Het Filiaal
- an unforgettable working and living experiences touring all across China with A.S.K.
- professional production & touring team to support
- an opportunity to turn it into a yearly contract

PM for more information!

01/06/2023

The ongoing NOW Festival 2023 witnessed a long-awaited gathering in Suzhou, China as part of the 2023 China Performing Arts Market. Celebrating the unremitted efforts to create, present and promote theatre for young audience, even in the hardest and most uncertain time, over 700 artists, presenters and educators attended the TIE Conference，7 seminars, the Market, 30 live performances and the showcases of 126 productions in the past two days. It attracted more than 1300 guests on -site, and was acclaimed as vital opportunity for networking and reaching the market worldwide. Suzhou Universal Children’s Art Center, as the very first complex of theatre venues and incubator for TYA in China, was inaugurated as the long-term cooperation between The A.S.K. and Suzhou Art Center. Meanwhile, a live stream with Edinburg International Children’s Festival updated the nationwide professionals what’s on the world stage and what we can expect from a time-honored and ever-growing festival. It is children and childness that keep inspiring us to explore the potential and embrace changes. On the occasion of the Children’s Day, may all of us be in childmood and creative in lifetime 🎉

28/04/2023

Time to bloom! Time to reconnect! NOW Festival 2023 will take place in Suzhou, China from 27 May to 4 June, 2023! Co-organized by the China Association of Performing Arts, Suzhou Art Centre, and The A.S.K. (Art Space for Kids), as part of the 2023 China (Suzhou) Performing Arts Market, NOW Festival consists of live performances & showcases, international conferences and public engagement. Join us to share experience, exchange ideas, and develop new collaborations in the global children's theatre arena.

21/01/2023

Chinese lunar new year marks the end of winter and the beginning of spring, when the fields are cleaned for planting new seeds🌱, and home for celebration and gatherings👨‍👩‍👧‍👦. Can’t expect more such a time of renewal and reunion after the loooooooongest winter ever. Our very best wishes to the friends around the world for a happy and prosperous new year! 😍🥰😘🤩🥳Special thanks for Brian Hartley (Stillmotion, Scotland)’s illustration tailored for the Year of Rabbit🐰 , the 6th year of ‘Brian’s Ink Zoo’ for the family of A.S.K.!

06/07/2022

“A man can be destroyed but not defeated.”
What and how we talk about when we talk about war with children?
THE FIRST BATTLE, co-produced by The A.S.K. and Beijing Acrobatic Troupe, took the studio theatre by fierce storm last weekend after the silent spring.
“While war might make little sense to the four year old, my son kept asking, between spontaneous clapping and cheering, ‘Where has Little Stone (the young hero) gone? Where’s his war horse?”
“I never thought I’d be dazzled and touched by acrobatics, known for cut-throat but cliché stunts. So excited to see a brand new language of storytelling.”
It should also be a new breath of life for the all-man cast from the 65-year-old Beijing Acrobatic Troupe, following the breakthrough of FLOOD FIGHTING, the first of the ambitious tetralogy retelling the Chinese primitive myths with body language.
Based on the legendary Battle of Zhuolu, the earliest battle in the history of China which led to the advent of “descendants of Yan and Huang”and the thriving of Chinee civilization, the play focuses on Little Stone, a 9-year-old boy accidentally involved in the battle in searching for his father the courageous soldier and saved by their beloved war horse.
The time-honored acrobatic skills, body puppetry, Peking opera fighting, contemporary dance and even old-school physical games are naturally combined to remarkably enrich the language in depicting the epic battle between human being, gods and beasts with only six bare-handed acrobats on the stage.
Their battle against gravity and the limit of human body literally incarnates the immeasurable potential when facing the challenges way bigger than the individual.

01/06/2022

Happy Children and Freedom Day!
see video recording Paperbelle's life in Changsha, Hunan Province.