My Experience as a Volunteer at G20 Summit

        Before Hangzhou was chosen as the host of G20 summit, I had never heard of this summit, which is a forum to discuss the global economy. Luckily, I was given a chance to check the performances for the leaders, assisting directors like Zhang Yimou and CuiWei.

       Firstly, I assisted during the show rehearsals at theZhejiang Broadcasting Station studio. During rehearsal, director Cui Wei discussed the scenes and I really learnt a lot from watching this. I could feel that everyone was doing their best for this show.

The first program was a catwalk show. This program impressed me greatly because it featured Chinese traditional style. The garments, included imperial robes, qi-pao (the traditional Chinese dress), and even lace dresses. All these garments were the works of Lawrence Xu, a well-known designer who created a famous imperial robe and is connected with Fan Bingbing in international fashion show.

His woks are made unique by blending western and Chinese style, with totally western style tailoring. Actually Lawrence Xu designed clothes for quite a few superstars for international film festivals. With a big shot like him, G20 summit was even more impressive.

As the rehearsals began, I learnt that lighting effects were the second most important part of a show, besides the performing. That is, both the color and brightness should receive extra attention because of the different experiencesbetween sitting on the stage and from the auditorium.

We had to make adjustments in order to have the best effects. Like, who the spotlight should illuminate and how big it was and my eyes never left the stage through the rehearsal. In the section of "pas de deux", it looked really normal to the performers (who were wearing light blue clothes), but it amazed me when they stood on the stage.

At noon, Director Cui rehearsed the music and violin playing until about 10 o’clock at night. Director Cui also respected the actors, allowing them to perform their scenes repeatedly if needed. Cui never complained that he was tired and his professional dedication was admirable.

I also had the opportunity to meet director Zhang Yimou. This is the first time for Director Zhang to deliver a program for Hangzhou. He arrived at 9 o’clock from Beijing. When he arrived at the rehearsal site it has was past 10 o’clock. But he immediately threw himself into work, examining the show thoroughly. After watching all the shows (which went past 11pm), Director Zhang stood up and gave his opinions to the staff.

Before a final rehearsal, I observed the environment at the site. The policemen were everywhere dressed in civilian clothes or police uniforms in order to forbidden non-accredited people into the site. I also heard many people without accreditationwere brought to the police office.

The weather offered serious challenges, with many actors sent to hospital after collapsing. But they didn’t complain about anything and everyone fought for the honor of country and city. I also wanted to contribute my strength and I thought of all the detailsthat needed to change. Seeing the dancers and singers performance of Jasmine Flower, I thought the singerdidn't sync well with the dancers, and the clothes of dancers were in the same color scheme as the umbrellas. Also, the light of back-row dancers were more vibrant, but the main light was focused behind the back row. I shared my opinions with Cui (with fear and trembling). To my relief, she didn’t ignore my opinions, on contrary she highly appreciated my opinions and accepted them immediately.

Later, I suggested it was better to add a program with a children's performance. The director Cui Wei also agreed with it. Together, we went to a school to select twenty or thirty children. They collectively played the Peking Opera for children. This program was one of the highlights of the whole evening and won warm praise from the first ladies of all countries.

Director Cui Wei was also the executive deputy director of the opening and closing ceremonies for the Beijing Olympic Games. And he is also the chief director of Art Show of First Lady for this G20 Summit and the deputy director of G20 Summit Variety Show. I was very honored to be the assistant of Cui and contributed my opinions. What impressed me most were the words what Cui said: “it is best for one dance to be used in one song. And the whole image in dances or any programs is the most important.” From her I learned a deeper understanding of how to control the whole activity and plan each detail of a performance. At the end of rehearsals, I sat on President Xi's chair.

        Not long ago, Cui Wei awarded me a “Working Certificate for G20 Hangzhou Summit Art show”. Being involved in such an important and incredible event, was a life changing opportunity that I will never forget.

This is Hangzhou, a beautiful paradise on earth, and also the host city for the G20 and I am so proud to say that this is the place I grew up.

        (Year 1A Maggie GE; edited by Ms. Menton)