spotlight on placement student Richard

Hello everyone! I’m Richard, and my Chinese name is Qipeng Wang. I’m from Shanghai, China. I graduated from the Shanghai Theatre Academy with a degree in Theatre Directing and spent many years working as a director and drama teacher in Shanghai. Currently, I’m pursuing my MA in Applied Theatre at the Royal Central School of Speech and Drama.

When I learned that Face Front is an inclusive theatre company, I was immediately intrigued and eager to explore how to collaborate with neurodiverse individuals. I reached out to my tutors to request this placement, and they fully supported me. From the very first moment I stepped into the rehearsal room, I knew this was a special place. Everyone here has been incredibly warm and kind, especially my mentors, Sarah and Molly, as well as all the staff members.

As an international student, English is not my first language, but everyone has been so patient in explaining things and supporting me to ensure I can fully engage in the work. Another reason I love being here is the Blue Sky Actors—working with them has been an absolute joy. They are like a group of angels, full of creativity, imagination, and expressive power. Rehearsing ‘The Fakers’ with them has been a truly rewarding experience. My role involves supporting Ade and Mya to deliver their performances, and through this process, I’ve learned so much about how to work as a theatre practitioner, how to support neurodiverse performers, and how to create inclusive theatre. This internship has been an invaluable part of my journey, not only enriching my understanding of applied theatre but also inspiring me to consider pursuing a PhD in the future, focusing on performance-making with neurodiverse communities.

I’m really looking forward to our performance on March 29th. I will cherish every moment I’ve spent here—the moving, joyful, and inspiring experiences that have touched me deeply. I want to express my heartfelt gratitude to Ray and everyone at Face Front, as well as my tutors at Royal Central—Selina, Sarah, Vishni, Effie, Nic, and others—for teaching me so much about applied theatre and providing me with this incredible internship opportunity. I’m also deeply grateful for the strong alumni network at Central, which has made me feel so supported and welcomed. I feel truly fortunate to be part of this school and to have met every one of you. These memories will stay with me forever.

Thank you all!