Future theater finds a stage

Observer nicknamed "Zhu Xiaochun" reflects on the Showcase's broader impact: "In the summer of 2025, Aranya proved with nine productions that the future of theater isn't confined to proscenium frames. It lies at the threshold between the sea and reasoning.

"Discussions of AI, birth, and object philosophy ultimately circle back to a simple truth: In an age of technological acceleration, humans still need the theater to affirm their existence," Zhu Xiaochun says.

To Nie, Aranya itself carries a unique quality. "When everyone gathers here, you suddenly realize theater really does transcend the everyday. It's an essential cultural and spiritual form. Some of this spirituality can only happen in a special setting like Aranya," she says.

"The northern sea is perfect for theater. It's like a giant amplifier. It has mood, character, and strength, sometimes warm, sometimes ruthless. It's a sea that makes you feel. It's almost like an actor itself, a vast stage that magnifies every emotion within you."