Theatre is a treasured art in China that has been honored through many centuries. Chinese opera is highly regarded and has been through many empires, with many operas selling out very quickly to this day. Despite being one of the oldest art forms in the world, these operas tell detailed stories with accompanying contemporary theatrics of lights, music, and even water special effects. What once was a traditional art form has blossomed into an empire of its own that honors its roots while showcasing contemporary themes, like love and loss.
Another form of theatre is presented in the form of shadow puppetry. These shows are traditionally composed by one artist who maneuvers the puppets and creates their sounds. Through distorting their voice, the artist can create individualized characters that have a unique personality. Historically, the puppetry props are derived from donkey skin, but with modernization, we now have props that are composed of plastic.