Cao Yu's Sunrise gets a fresh look with young cast

"The tour was very helpful for young actors in improving their stage control," says Feng. He explains that last year's tour tested the young actors and actresses and affirmed their abilities, giving them more confidence and allowing them to perform more effortlessly in subsequent shows.

"The director is the mirror for the actors," Feng notes. "During rehearsals, I often ask 'why' and encourage the young actors to find their own answers."

"The current version of the play has now been performed for nearly four years and has been staged five times. The actors have increasingly immersed themselves in their characters, delving deeper to enrich the essence of the roles, which has enhanced the mutual growth between the performers and the work itself," he says.

For the new round of performances, Feng, as the director, has a clear goal — to continue refining the text.

"I need to let myself settle, then revisit the script to find new answers," says Lu, born in 1997 and a graduate of the Central Academy of Drama, who plays Chen. On stage, she has grown and brought more clarity to her character's portrayal.

"From initially feeling the character as distant to developing a fondness for her, and ultimately being influenced by her — this is the transformation I've experienced over the years," she says.