The power of one

"Monodramas are almost cost-free. Nowadays, producing a play has become increasingly extravagant, often going to great lengths for so-called high-tech effects, which I find unnecessary," he said. "I strive to ensure the audience doesn't leave the theater emotionally untouched, especially with a monodrama. If it fails to evoke empathy, I consider the play a failure."

Reflecting on his monodramas, Zhang found that they all possess a strong philosophical core, shaped by his view of the world and concern for social issues. In addition to exploring young people's uncertainty about the future, his works address topics such as suicide, misogyny, and anti-war themes.

"Theater practitioners of our generation, myself included, live in an era of information overload. We witness countless events, and although we don't earn much, we feel a strong urge to tackle major issues and reflect on global challenges," he said.

Shu'er (pseudonym), one of the festival's organizers, echoed Zhang's sentiments. After reviewing all the competition entries from last year and this year, she observed that young dramatists today maintain a close focus on reality, often grappling with existential questions about the meaning of life. Romantic love, she noted, is clearly no longer a major concern for young people.

"I see a lot of passionate creative energy among young people, which is a positive sign," she said. "Some of their works are still rough and need further refinement, but it's crucial to regularly present their works to audiences and improve them based on feedback."

Li hopes that the festival and the Drumtower West Theater can serve as platforms to support and accompany young theatrical creators.

"Whether it's helping them reach world-class festivals or attracting the attention of more producers and offering business opportunities, I believe each of them has a unique brilliance that deserves to be seen by more people," she said.