Feng Yuanzheng with his German teacher, Ruth Mellchen, when he received theatrical training in Berlin from 1989 to 1991. [Photo provided to China Daily]

After Feng was recruited for a training program of the Beijing People's Art Theater in 1986, he became the favorite student of visiting German professor Ruth Mellchen from the Berlin University of the Arts, a prestigious art college in Europe.

Mellchen, who was then around 60, is a scholar specializing in the Grotowski system. She used a lot of physical training to boost the students' acting potential, such as rolling on the ground and jumping.

"Grotowski believes everyone is born to be an excellent performer. But acting teachers should use effective means to help the students discover their inborn talent," says Feng.

While the Grotowski method has generated some controversy among Chinese teachers, it has proved to be very effective for Feng in his career of more than 20 years.

When China Daily interviewed him at the Beijing Film Academy, Feng－invited by the photography department chief as a guest professor－was teaching around 20 undergraduates to speak fast and loudly, using a tongue twister.

"It's basic training for theater acting. Photography majors can do a better job of filming if they know how actors speak and move," he says.