The original play Youth: An Encounter was staged across both the Jiaojiang and Linhai campuses of Taizhou University on 26 and 27 September. Returning to the university stage for its third consecutive year as a key part of the freshman orientation programme, the production offered the incoming cohort an immersive ideological and political experience rooted in the Dachen Island pioneering spirit. The performances were attended by the entire 2026 incoming class.

Scene from the Performance

“We solemnly pledge to persevere to the very end and never flinch from any hardship. Alongside the brave coastal defence forces, through our hard work, we will turn this war-torn island into a beloved homeland.” On stage, the shared pledge bridged decades, as today’s students echoed the voices of the Dachen Island pioneers in the year of 1956. Enthralled by the dramatic narrative and heartfelt performances, the freshmen in the auditorium responded with wave after wave of applause.

Scene from the Performance

Created in 2024, Youth: An Encounter is a homegrown stage production based on the pioneers’ efforts to cultivate and develop Dachen Island. It is jointly produced by the university’s Publicity Department, the Communist Youth League Committee, and several academic departments, including the School of Humanities, the School of Teacher Education (Physical Education), the School of Art and Design, and the School of Marxism.

Employing theatrical techniques such as non-linear storytelling and flashbacks, the play interweaves poignant episodes ranging from the pioneers battling fierce typhoons and reaffirming their sacred pledge, to contemporary youths engaging in dialogue with the pioneers. In doing so, it bridges the ideals of past generations with the civic responsibilities of today’s students. Now in its third consecutive year, the annual production has become a signature initiative at the university, keeping the Dachen Island pioneering spirit alive while fostering continuity in its ideological and values education.

Scene from the Performance

At the start of the new academic year, the university continued its tradition of embedding the original play into freshman orientation, arranging for incoming students to attend in staggered groups and effectively turning the theatre into a venue for values education. As a cornerstone of the university’s “mobile ideological classroom” initiative, the production steps outside the confines of the traditional lecture hall to bring revolutionary history vividly to life. With an all-student cast, the rehearsals and performances offer an immersive experience that transforms the young actors from passive learners of history into active storytellers and ambassadors of the pioneering spirit.

Scene from the Performance

“Performing in the play for two years in a row has deepened my connection to both the characters and the story,” said Wang Jinshuo, a student actor in the production. “What moved me most was the final pledge scene. As we stood on stage shouting the pioneers’ oath in unison, I truly felt the courage and resilience of those early settlers facing immense hardships. Playing this role has helped me grasp what it means for young people to step up to the responsibilities of our generation.”

“The performance was so vivid it felt like a dynamic classroom lesson brought alive on stage,” remarked Zhao Yibo, an incoming freshman majoring in Applied Chemistry (Sino-Foreign Cooperative Programme). “We were all deeply touched and felt the enduring power of the Dachen Island pioneering spirit. As members of the 2026 incoming class, it is our duty to take up this cultural torch, grow into our potential, and live up to the expectations of our time.”

Cast and Crew Group Photo

In recent years, the university has placed the cultivation of moral character and values education at the heart of its mission, continuously pioneering new approaches to student development. Drawing deeply upon the region’s historical heritage, the university has given contemporary relevance to the Dachen Island pioneering spirit, staging annual theatrical productions over three consecutive years to ensure enduring engagement with incoming cohorts. By using the performing arts as an educational medium, the university makes values education more relatable and compelling. The initiative encourages students to embrace this pioneering ethos, deepen their sense of civic responsibility, and aspire to become skilled, industry-ready professionals, driven by an enterprising spirit and grounded in practical expertise.