STORY: Faces of China: Passionate volunteers at theater in northwest China's Shannxi
SHOOTING TIME: recent footage
DATELINE: Dec. 9, 2024
LENGTH: 0:03:24
LOCATION: XI'AN, China
CATEGORY: SOCIETY

SHOTLIST:
1. various of volunteers at a theater in southwest China's Shannxi
2. SOUNDBITE 1 (Chinese): CUI YING, Volunteer at Shaanxi Grand Theater in Xi'an
3. SOUNDBITE 2 (Chinese): MEI XIA, Volunteer
4. SOUNDBITE 3 (Chinese): REN BAOYAN, Volunteer at Shaanxi Grand Theater in Xi'an
5. SOUNDBITE 4 (Chinese): SUN DONGYUN, Volunteer at Shaanxi Grand Theater in Xi'an
6. SOUNDBITE 5 (Chinese): CUI YING, Volunteer at Shaanxi Grand Theater in Xi'an
7. SOUNDBITE 6 (Chinese): MEI XIA, Volunteer
8. SOUNDBITE 7 (Chinese): SUN DONGYUN, Volunteer at Shaanxi Grand Theater in Xi'an
9. SOUNDBITE 8 (Chinese): MEI XIA, Volunteer at Shaanxi Grand Theater in Xi'an
10. SOUNDBITE 9 (Chinese): CUI YING, Volunteer at Shaanxi Grand Theater in Xi'an
11. SOUNDBITE 10 (Chinese): REN BAOYAN, Volunteer at Shaanxi Grand Theater in Xi'an
12. SOUNDBITE 11 (Chinese): MEI XIA, Volunteer at Shaanxi Grand Theater in Xi'an
13. SOUNDBITE 12 (Chinese): SUN DONGYUN, Volunteer at Shaanxi Grand Theater in Xi'an
14. SOUNDBITE 13 (Chinese): REN BAOYAN, Volunteer at Shaanxi Grand Theater in Xi'an
15. SOUNDBITE 14 (Chinese): CUI YING, Volunteer at Shaanxi Grand Theater in Xi'an

STORYLINE:

Meet the retired volunteers at Shaanxi Grand Theater in Xi'an, northwest China's Shannxi Province, who are bringing passion and experience to their roles.

SOUNDBITE 1 (Chinese): CUI YING, Volunteer at Shaanxi Grand Theater in Xi'an
"My name is Cui Ying. I'm over 60 years old and have been retired for more than ten years."

SOUNDBITE 2 (Chinese): MEI XIA, Volunteer
"My name is Mei Xia. I'm 49 years old."

SOUNDBITE 3 (Chinese): REN BAOYAN, Volunteer at Shaanxi Grand Theater in Xi'an
"My name is Ren Baoyan. I'm 53 years old and have been retired for over three years."

SOUNDBITE 4 (Chinese): SUN DONGYUN, Volunteer at Shaanxi Grand Theater in Xi'an
"My name is Sun Dongyun. I'm 55 years old. Actually, I've been retired for quite a long time - almost ten years now.

SOUNDBITE 5 (Chinese): CUI YING, Volunteer at Shaanxi Grand Theater in Xi'an
"My daughter is a big fan of our theater. One day, she saw a job posting for volunteers. She told me about it and asked me, 'Mom, would you be interested in doing this?' I was afraid that they might not consider me because I'm older and gray-haired.
Our cloakroom is free, and this paper bag is not allowed into the venue."

SOUNDBITE 6 (Chinese): MEI XIA, Volunteer
"I've always wanted to wear that nice work uniform at work. It just makes you look so energetic and confident. I never thought I'd work here at Shaanxi Grand Theater as a volunteer, wearing such a nice uniform to help others. It's a big surprise for me.
This food is not allowed. Alright, please enter from here."

SOUNDBITE 7 (Chinese): SUN DONGYUN, Volunteer at Shaanxi Grand Theater in Xi'an
"Some audience have noticed that the service staff in the lobby are all retirees. I think you have to work somehow despite your age. Even though we're retired, I feel like we're still in our prime.
Let me check your ticket. Your seat is on the third floor."

SOUNDBITE 8 (Chinese): MEI XIA, Volunteer at Shaanxi Grand Theater in Xi'an
"Since we are aged volunteers with a wealth of life and work experience, we've developed a patient and calm personality."

SOUNDBITE 9 (Chinese): CUI YING, Volunteer at Shaanxi Grand Theater in Xi'an
"The moment the audience walk into the theater, they see us first, so we gotta get everything ready before the show starts.
We greet them in the lobby and show them the way to the right entrance and floor. We help them understand which play is a dance drama, an opera, or a musical."

SOUNDBITE 10 (Chinese): REN BAOYAN, Volunteer at Shaanxi Grand Theater in Xi'an
"For visitors with luggage or heavy bags, we'll show them where to put them away.
And if someone's wearing a thick coat or jacket, we'll help them hang it up so they can enjoy the show more comfortably."

SOUNDBITE 11 (Chinese): MEI XIA, Volunteer at Shaanxi Grand Theater in Xi'an
"I've been at Shaanxi Grand Theater for a year and a half now. I feel very happy from the depths of my heart. 

SOUNDBITE 12 (Chinese): SUN DONGYUN, Volunteer at Shaanxi Grand Theater in Xi'an
"Every day, I look forward to working at the theater in the evening."

SOUNDBITE 13 (Chinese): REN BAOYAN, Volunteer at Shaanxi Grand Theater in Xi'an
"I feel so passionate about my work now, you know? I really like who I am when I'm working."

SOUNDBITE 14 (Chinese): CUI YING, Volunteer at Shaanxi Grand Theater in Xi'an
"I feel like this theater has truly given me a stage, and I really want to keep working harder at it. At my age, I still can contribute to our society and be acknowledged by people. I feel proud of myself for that."

Xinhua News Agency correspondents reporting from Xi'an, China.
(XHTV)