I Perform What I Love is staged at 798 Cube Art Center in Beijing on November 28, 2025.
The 798 Cube Art Center hosted the second performance of I Perform What I Love by the Intellectual Heart Theatre Company in Beijing on November 28, 2025, a production that showcased personal narratives and creative expression by performers with intellectual disabilities. The event also celebrated the 75th anniversary of diplomatic relations between China and Switzerland. The performance featured seven actors presenting monologues, dances, and songs inspired by their personal interests and daily lives. Through objects, music, and stories meaningful to them, the performers shared unique aspects of their identities in an intimate and authentic setting.
Sponsored by the Pro Helvetia Shanghai – Swiss Arts Council, and produced by Beijing Body On & On Cultural Exchange Center and 798 Cube Art Center, the project included a 10-day artistic residency led by Stephan Stock, co-director of Switzerland’s renowned Theater HORA, an inclusive theater ensemble composed of actors with mental disabilities.
Rather than imposing fixed scripts, Stock introduced a collaborative and process-oriented approach aimed at empowering each performer. Rehearsals focused on self-paced exploration and building organic connections among the cast. “I had a very nice time here and enjoyed working together with everyone. My job of directing was only to encourage the creation of situations in which people could share thoughts. Everything in the show was created by the actors themselves,” said Stock.
Stock also reflected on the mutual learning that took place during the residency. “This is also something we can learn from them, because I sometimes don’t understand who I am and forget the things I want, or am too shy to express my real feelings. I was quite excited to see that the actors have this kind of power,” said Stock.
Ge Huichao, organizer of the troupe and founder of the Body On & On, emphasized the company’s commitment to authenticity. “This form of theater allows us to present the performers as they truly are – their voices, their concerns, and their interactions with the world. This performance has opened new possibilities for inclusive art in China,” Ge said.
Established in June 2025, the Intellectual Heart Theater Company is China’s first contemporary art group mainly composed of individuals with intellectual and developmental disabilities. It was co-founded by Body On & On and Rong Ai Rong Le Family Support Center. Their debut performance, Journey to the West, was created in collaboration with British director Richard Colon of the Blue Apple Theater, and staged in September 2025 at the 7th Luminous Festival. Through theater and performance, the art group aims to promote social inclusion, enhance visibility, and advocate for a more equitable society.
Stephan Stock (first from left), seven performers, and three producers take the stage for a curtain call at the end of the performance. Photos courtesy of Body On & On
