A talent endowment program aimed at training Peking Opera performers has been established at the provincial Opera Theater in northeast China's Jilin Province. Under the program, the first of its kind in country, a national art fund will exclusively subsidize Peking Opera talents across China. The program is specifically designed for the Gao school, one of the four major styles of male roles in Peking opera that came into existance in the 1920s.

Talent endowment program for Gao School

The name dervies from the surname of master Gao Qingkui. The program was initiated because of dwindling talents in the Gao school of Pekin Opera in recent years. Ten young performers having been selected from across the country to receive training over the next two months. And they will be able to study with some of the best-known Gao school Peking opera artists from the National Academy of Chinese Theater Arts and China National Peking Opera Company.

The Gao school have many Peking Opera classic in its repertoire, including "Execution at Outer Gate of Government Official" and "Touch the Monument". The artists see this mentoring program as a good opportunity for the students and the artists themeselves. The project is part of a nation-wide effort to revive the old art form.