The Beijing People's Art Theatre, founded in 1952, is about 20 minutes' walk from the bustling Wangfujing pedestrian street. It is considered the flag bearer of Chinese drama. It's known as home to many established actors and has built a reputation for its tradition and work ethic.

"A play is bigger than the sky," a slogan inherited by the theater, is printed on a huge banner hanging on the rehearsal room's wall.

Veteran actor Pu Cunxin says he enjoyed the hourlong session with members of the audience on Sunday morning. "We (usually) meet our audience onstage, with us standing under the spotlight and the audience sitting in the darkness. Now, I am very happy to see the audience in the light with time to communicate face to face."

The night before, Pu, who will turn 70 in July, played the leading role in the theater's classic play, Wu Wang Jing Ge Yue Wang Jian (Shining Spears of King Wu and Sword of King Yue), based on the dispute between the states of Wu and Yue during the Spring and Autumn Period (770-476 BC). The play, which premiered at the theater in 1983, was previously directed by the theater's late actor-director Lan Tianye (1927-2022).

"It's been a year since he (Lan) died. He directed this play when he was 87 years old. We staged his classic play again to commemorate the great artist, who was a mentor to me," says Pu. "He was loved by many in the audience. We paid tribute to those great artists who are no longer with us on the occasion of the theater's birthday, which is very significant."

On Monday, the theater staged its play Wan Jia, or Antique, which was directed by Ren Ming (1960-2022) and premiered in 2016. The play tells the story of local Beijing antique collectors and their stories spanning over three decades, which appeals to the nostalgia of many in the audience.

On June 19, 2022, about a week after the theater celebrated its 70th birthday on June 12, Ren, a former president of the theater, died. Many aficionados went to the theater to mourn his death.

"The play, Wan Jia, has been staged over 100 times with this round of performances. There is no better way to commemorate Ren Ming than performing his work again," says Feng, who plays the leading role of Jin Bo'an, an antique collector. The play will be staged at the theater through Monday.

During the open house, actor He Bing and young director Yang Jiayin also shared their stories about the theater with audience members.

"The theater is experiencing a time of transformation. Some artists of the older generation are soon to retire and new members are appearing onstage. We try our best to let that new talent be seen by the audience," Feng says.