Young actors take center stage

"I suppose some of the credit for her persistence and positive attitude to life should go to the values of honesty, kindness and decency upheld by the musicals she learns from and enjoys, including Les Choristes and Man of La Mancha," says her father.

Ai himself is also a frequent theatergoer. To him, what's special about musicals is that they are a fusion of multiple art forms that allow each individual performer to leverage their own strengths onstage through the expressive power of words, music and gestures, which in turn helps build up their confidence.

He mentions that Liya's younger sister, also an aspiring actress, who has been learning gymnastics, once wowed an audience by doing somersaults in a musical.

"Although she's not the best singer or dancer in the cast, she still got a chance to display what she's adept at on the stage," says Ai.

Ai realizes that every single character which the children portray requires them to develop the ability to understand human behavior, which is excellent for their future development.

Liya adds that she relishes throwing herself into the character she plays.

"When tackling different roles, I am also encouraged to explore more about life's possibilities and find out more about myself," she says.

As if, well, on cue, enter stage right, Liu Lesi is another young actress setting the stage for success.

The Grade 8 student at the Canadian International School of Beijing gave an outstanding performance two months ago, and the rapturous applause after the staging of a musical-comedy at the school on Nov 23 was well-merited.

The 13-year-old starred in the usually male lead role of Buddy, a human who is adopted and raised by Santa's elves. The story－adapted from the hit film Elf－is about how Buddy goes on an adventure to meet his biological father while also spreading Christmas cheer in a world of cynics.

Lesi says she feels extremely proud but was quick to point out the esprit de corps of stage life and the moments of humor.

"I know that if I mess up, there's always somebody to back me up. Somebody needs to help you work through mistakes so that none of the audience would even notice," Lesi says. "I also like the little funny moments that we've shared together, such as the insider jokes we come up with during practice and rehearsal."