Recently, the original stage play The Blue of a Great Nation by Northwestern Polytechnical University (NPU) was invited to Chengdu as a featured production of the “Backbone of the Republic” Science Masters Promotion Project. It completed three tour performances at Southwest Jiaotong University on October 13, 14, and 15, where it received an enthusiastic response and thunderous applause from the audience.
“Floating clouds and flowing water, all is fleeting like smoke.” When this line, laden with the weight of time and the legacy of spirit, resonated powerfully on the stage of NPU’s original science-themed play The Blue of a Great Nation, the audience erupted into thunderous applause. Among them, one figure was already in tears—Indonesian international student Zhang Yicheng, who performed as part of the play’s second and third-generation cast. Letting tears streak through his meticulously applied stage makeup, he carried this cross-border, passion-driven stage story to its most poignant climax.
His dedication to performance had been deeply rooted in his youth. During high school, he began to stand out in various competitions such as storytelling, poetry recitation, and dubbing, using his voice and body to convey emotions and savoring the unique charm of the stage. After entering NPU, despite having no prior experience in stage plays, he found himself deeply drawn to the allure of this “comprehensive art form”. With a mix of nervousness and eager anticipation, he signed up for an audition with the university’s student art troupe drama team. At the audition, his precise interpretation and emotionally rich portrayal of the salesman role in Rhinoceros in Love won over the judges, earning him a place in the world of theater and beginning his enduring bond with the stage.
“His Mandarin wasn’t fluent, so he polished it word by word; cultural differences existed, so he immersed himself in understanding them.” As the only international student in the team, Zhang Yicheng was acutely aware of his “different starting point”, yet he never held back. His fellow drama team members became his strongest support: some spent their spare time helping him correct his pronunciation and break down the emotional logic of each line; others introduced him to Chinese cultural contexts, helping him grasp the core of his characters; the director patiently guided him, never allowing him to feel isolated due to his “uniqueness”. In this warm and inclusive environment, Zhang Yicheng grew rapidly. He went on to perform in the university’s original short plays and classic works such as A Doll’s House and The Birds, experiencing the nuances of human nature through different roles. For him, the university’s student art troupe had long become his warmest “second home” in a foreign land, where he truly felt that “deep bonds transcend distances.”
What truly forged his profound bond with the stage was the original play The Blue of a Great Nation. When his instructor mentioned this production focusing on the spirit of scientists during training, and when he first opened the script, the unwavering resilience of the protagonist Zhou Wenyan, the cohesive collaboration within the research team, and their sincere devotion to the country instantly resonated with him. “That kind of all-out dedication to a goal transcends borders and speaks directly to the human heart,” he recalled. Driven by this powerful connection, Zhang Yicheng resolutely signed up for the audition. Despite facing multiple challenges—academic pressure, cultural differences, and improving his Mandarin—he firmly told himself: “It’s truly rare to find something you genuinely love in your youth. Even if the outcome is uncertain, giving your all to enjoy the journey is enough.”
After passing the audition, he was cast in the role of a chorus member—a part with few lines, yet crucial for building the team’s atmosphere and conveying the core spirit of the play. One remark from his instructor remains etched in his heart to this day: “There are no ‘small roles’ in a team; both leads and supporting actors are indispensable, and every contribution adds brilliance to the production.” For the sake of this “indispensability”, he did not hesitate to sacrifice his entire summer vacation and gave up opportunities to reunite with his family during the National Day and Mid-Autumn Festival holidays, devoting himself wholeheartedly to rehearsals. During the scorching summer days, he could always be found in the rehearsal hall, refining his movements and delving into the emotions of his role. Late into the night, he would still be practicing his pronunciation and memorizing lines in front of the mirror. When faced with doubts about “no pay” and “wasting time”, he would simply smile and move on. This “passion without expecting rewards” had long become his greatest driving force.
As he approached his senior year, uncertain if he could continue performing, Zhang Yicheng treated every show as if it were his “final stage appearance”. He cherished every minute with the team and every moment under the spotlight, pouring his utmost passion into each rehearsal and performance. When the curtain call music echoed through the theater for the last show of The Blue of a Great Nation, the cast took turns shouting their names—each cry growing louder, each voice swelling with emotion. Overwhelmed, Zhang Yicheng could no longer hold back his tears. “At that moment, all the effort, the passion, and the reluctance surged within me,” he reflected. “It was then I realized this stage had already become an indelible part of my life.”
All gatherings must end, but passion never fades. From Jinan, Shandong to Chengdu, Sichuan—from tentative beginnings to confident blossoming—Zhang Yicheng’s cross-border dedication allowed him to embody the spirit of scientists on the stage of The Blue of a Great Nation. Through his actions, he demonstrated that art knows no boundaries and passion transcends distance. Today, the time spent with Chinese theater and the team at NPU has become the most treasured part of his study-abroad experience. His journey with The Blue of a Great Nation is not only one international student’s pursuit of a dream but also a vivid example of cultural exchange. It showcases how young people of different nationalities, unit passion and shared ideals, can shine together on the stage of youth.
(Text: Zhang Yicheng, Zhang Xi; Edit: Li Fucai; Review: Li Ziwei ; Translators: Li Yiwen, Mei Leyun)
