The Travels of Li Bai to Chang'an, the latest production by the Yisu Art Troupe, is staged in Baoji, Shaanxi province. [Photo by Huo Yan/China Daily]

Every role matters

The Yisu Art Troupe has a tight daily schedule. Rehearsals for a new show are sometimes completed in less than a month, with the production immediately taking to the stage.

The troupe currently comprises 55 performers. For each production, nearly every performer from the group appears on stage in different roles.

Qu said: "There is a tradition among performers at Yisushe. No matter how important your role was in the previous production, if now you are only playing a minor part, you must still do your best."

When more than one production is due to be staged, rehearsals take place at the same time.

"At our busiest, we rehearsed for three productions. Preparations for one took place in the rehearsal room, for another in a shack, while a dressing room was used for the third," Qu said.