Nurturing creative minds: the IoC hosts renowned musical theatre producer Li Dun on aesthetics, industry practice and cultural values

 

 

 

 

On March 6, the Institute of Creativity (IoC) welcomed renowned musical theatre producer and educator Professor Li Dun for an inspiring campus talk. Joined by faculty, students and staff, Professor Li offered a deeply personal look into his career, sharing insights on the craft of musical production and the broader role of art and aesthetics in shaping cultural identity across generations.

It all began with a passion for art and beauty. As a teenager with dreams of pursuing a career in dancing and the arts, Li went abroad at a young age. "In 1988, I watched a musical for the first time, and my life changed. I knew instantly that this was what I wanted to dedicate my life to." He returned to China to begin his career. He was 22.

In his opening address, Professor Lyu Aiping, Vice-President (Research and Development) underscores the important role of the Institute of Creativity in advancing innovation and creativity

—forces he described as central to progress across science, technology, business, the humanities, social sciences, and society as a whole

After years of study and experience, Professor Li observed a clear contrast: some productions were highly standardised, while others tended to be more serious in tone. "I wanted to create something that bridged these gaps—a balance of aesthetics and entertainment," he explained. "I also felt a deep ambition to reconcile the aesthetic and cultural values between East and West, especially given China's rich history of civilisation, theory, and art."

In 1997, Professor Li produced The Legend of the White Snake, China's early musical adapted from a folktale. It marked a major breakthrough for original local musicals, both thematically and artistically. The production received widespread acclaim from audiences and critics alike, launching a career that has now spanned over three decades. Since then, Professor Li has built an extensive portfolio of productions, including Miwnay's Dunhuang, Butterflies, Panda The Musical, and Flying Apsaras. 

To date, he has produced over 6,000 shows. Drawing from this wealth of experience, he shared with students, faculty, and staff the realities of the creative and production process—from artistic vision to marketing and industry practice.

Themed "The First Step Must Be Right – Standing in the Centre of the World to Tell the Story of China,"
the campus talk also emphasises the far-reaching influence of university education and collaboration on the development of musical theatre production

Beyond his work as a producer—a role he likens to that of a "ship’s captain"—Professor Li is also a dedicated educator. "I started my journey at a time when Chinese universities had no formal musical theatre programs," he reflected. "That left many of us with unfulfilled ambition." Determined to change that, he took a leading role in arts and musical theatre education, serving in numerous teaching and advisory roles, including as Dean of the Musical Theatre Academy at the Zhejiang Conservatory of Music and Director of the Producers Committee of the China Musical Theatre Association, among others.
 

Professor Li also spoke passionately about creativity—not just in musical theatre, but in everyday life. "Creativity should inspire change in how we live and, ultimately, in society itself," he said. "This belief has guided everything I've done—from the impact of my early productions to my ongoing efforts to blend Chinese and Western musical traditions, creating work that speaks across languages and cultures."

Professor Li poses with HKBU officials: Professor Lyu (3rd from left); Professor Christy Cheung, Director of the Research Office and Chair Professor in Information Systems and Digital Innovation Management (2nd from left); Professor Jiang Wei, Associate Dean (Special Projects), School of Creative Arts (5th from left) and Professor Wang Jie, Associate Professor, Associate Department Head, Music Department, School of Culture and Creativity, Beijing Normal - Hong Kong Baptist University (6th from left).

Professor Lyu presents a souvenir to Professor Li. As an educator, he serves not only as Dean of the Musical Theatre Academy at the Zhejiang Conservatory of Music, but also holds affiliations with numerous renowned art institutions locally and internationally, including the Beijing Dance Academy, Shanghai Theatre Academy, Communication University of China, Shanghai Conservatory of Music, Seoul Institute of the Arts, and Keimyung University.

Professor Li and Professor Lyu pose with Professor Zhong Bu (left), Dean of the School of Communication and Director of the newly established HKBU AI Media Centre—Hong Kong’s first such centre dedicated to advancing the integration of AI and humanities from a social sciences perspective.

The IoC event brought together attendees from diverse disciplines and backgrounds, fostering a rich exchange of perspectives.

The IoC event brought together attendees from diverse disciplines and backgrounds, fostering a rich exchange of perspectives.

The IoC event brought together attendees from diverse disciplines and backgrounds, fostering a rich exchange of perspectives.