Zhao Miao

China, Founder and Director, Théâtre San Tuo Qi

Zhao Miao founded Théâtre San Tuo Qi in 1996. He holds both a bachelor’s and master’s degree from the Directing Department of the Central Academy of Drama in Beijing. From 2009 to 2020, he taught directing at the National Academy of Chinese Theatre Arts. Since 2021, he has served as a faculty member and graduate advisor at the Directing Department of the Central Academy of Drama.

Zhao is recognized as a pioneering figure in the field of physical theatre creation and research in China. His academic and creative focus includes intercultural theatre, physical theatre, and immersive theatre directing.

Major Directing Credits include:
Night Walker, Left of the Right, Clown of the Illusion, Life’s Aphorism, Love Syndrome of the Gifted, Romeo and Juliet, Journey to the East, One Light Year, Aquatic, Lost Song, My Love, Therefore I Am, If You Leave, I’ll Wander the World, Rakshasa Kingdom, The Boundless Walker, Memories of Matsuko, The Murder in the Corridor Pavilion, Meltwater, Inside No.9, 6:3, Fifteen Days Between Two Capitals, My Name is A-Tun, Dreamscapes of Mountains and Seas, among others.

Publications include:
Monograph: A Physical Theatre with Distinct Character: Théâtre San Tuo Qi
Selected academic papers:
“Physical Theatre,” “Physical Theatre in China,” “How to Develop University Education in Chinese Physical Theatre,” “The Secondary Creation in Physical Theatre,” “The Use of Traditional Chinese Nuo Masks in Contemporary Theatre,” “Jacques Lecoq and Physical Theatre,” “Integrating the World into the Body: A Visit to École Internationale de Théâtre Jacques Lecoq,” “A Mirror for Self-Reflection: Lecoq School’s First Visit to China,” “Is the Avignon OFF Festival Worth Attending?”, “Is the Edinburgh Fringe Worth Attending?”, “Sixty Years of Jacques Lecoq International Theatre School,” “The Director’s Role in Physical Theatre,” among others.

Awards and Recognition:

  • Bold Mama and Her Children (commissioned by the Guilin Arts Festival “Talents Program”) – Winner of the 2023 Edinburgh Fringe Special Award for Asian Arts

  • Rakshasa Kingdom (produced by the National Theatre of China) – Best Performance at the 2020 Cairo International Festival for Experimental Theatre; Best Studio Theatre Production at the 2018 China Performing Arts Expo; Best Youth Production at the 2017 Edinburgh Fringe

  • Lost Song (Théâtre San Tuo Qi) – Special Jury Prize for Directing at the 2019 Korea Asian Directors’ Festival; Best Director Award at the 2014 Edinburgh Fringe, marking Zhao as the first award-winning director from mainland China in the festival’s history

  • The Boundless Walker (National Theatre of China) – Winner of nine awards at the 2018 Edinburgh Fringe including Best Production, Outstanding Production, and Sold-Out Show

  • Love Syndrome of the Gifted (Théâtre San Tuo Qi) – Best Director at the Beijing Small Theatre Showcase organized by Beijing Municipal Bureau of Culture and Tourism

  • 6:3 (Théâtre San Tuo Qi) – Outstanding Production at the Beijing University Student Theatre Festival organized by the Beijing Theatre Association

Professional Affiliations:

  • Member of the Artistic Committee, Guilin Arts Festival (2022–2025)

  • Founding Member and Executive Secretary of the Artistic Committee, Daliangshan Theatre Festival

  • Secretary-General, “Shining China” Chinese Theatre Showcase in Avignon

  • Deputy Director, Committee on Emerging Performance Models, China Association of Performing Arts

  • Artistic Director, “1.2.3…” International Physical Theatre Season

  • Member, Directing Arts Committee, China Theatre Association

  • Council Member, Beijing Theatre Association

  • Member, Chinese Nuo Opera Research Society; Chinese Society for Art Anthropology; China Theatre Association