Our Story
Established in 2015, Xiaofang Huangmei Arts Academy is a New Jersey-based troupe of more than 60 artists, dedicated to promoting Huangmei Opera art and Chinese traditional culture and enrich cultural diversity in mainstream society.
Short Film - An Introduction of Xiaofang Huangmei Arts Academy
艺术团宣传片《黄梅情，海外韵》
About The Founder:
陈小芳 Chen Xiaofang
著名黃梅戲表演藝術家。曾任全國青聯委員，主演《天仙配》中七仙女，有“小嚴鳳英”、第二代“七仙女”等美譽。曾獲全國首屆黃梅戲演員廣播大獎賽、電視大獎賽雙“十佳演員”稱號，應邀做客中央電視台品牌欄目《燕升訪談》，擔任央視《尋找七仙女》頒獎嘉賓， 並在安徽大劇院成功舉辦個人專場演出《魂夢依舊•情深如許》。
陳小芳女士一直致力於傳播中華文化，擴大黃梅戲劇在海外的影響，在北美新澤西州常年開辦授課班，成立“北美小芳黃梅藝術團” ，活躍在美國新澤西州大小舞台上，把傳播傳統文化，教授黃梅戲藝術的活動正規化，學術化，用音樂和舞蹈把華人耳熟能詳的傳統故事介紹給英語社區，讓主流社會對中國文化有更全面的瞭解，觀眾們有幸親眼目睹了只在電視里存在的美侖美奐。讓喜歡中國藝術的各個族裔有機會欣賞黃梅戲的古樸與典雅，體驗中國服飾文化的炫麗和悠久。
Xiaofang Chen, Huangmei Opera Artist. Ms. Chen, one of the most famous Huangmei Opera artists, made her debut three decades ago by acting as the youngest fairy maiden in the legendary Huangmei Opera “The Heavenly Maid and The Mortal”. Since then she has been recognized as “The Successor of Fengying Yan”. (Yan was the greatest pioneer in Huangmei Opera). Besides her excellence in Huangmei Opera, Ms. Chen’s artistic talent has also been reflected in more than ten movies and TV series where she played leading roles. She served as a deputy member in the Committee of Literature and Art, China National Youth Federation in 1980s.
With continuous passion for her beloved art, Ms. Chen established Xiaofang Huangmei Arts Academy in 2015, a platform in North America specializing Huangmei Opera integrated with Qipao arts. While promoting this unique form of Chinese tradition, Ms. Chen made immense contributions to enrich cultural diversity for the communities by consistently involving in art projects and cultural events in Tri-state area.
About the Organization
由她创办的北美小芳黄梅艺术团（Xiaofang Huangmei Arts Academy ) 成立于2015年8月，是在美国新泽西州州政府正式注册的、海外唯一的、具有规模和代表性的501c（3）非营利黄梅戏艺术表演团体。艺术团团长、艺术总监为中国黄梅戏表演艺术家陈小芳女士。 小芳黄梅艺术团以“宣传中国文化，推广黄梅戏艺术”为建团宗旨，组织各种文艺演出和文化交流活动，举办艺术培训班，五年时间里培训了一百多名学生，积极参加侨社文化生活，并不遗余力地向主流社会民众介绍中华文化，为中华文化海外传承和弘扬做贡献。用黄梅戏曲及其它艺术形式，努力打造海外华人社团的新形象，新功能和新作用。
以“黄梅绽放 国韵芳香”为艺术品牌的北美小芳黄梅艺术团，用日臻的作品不殆的热情活跃在纽约、新泽西及宾州三州的各种舞台上， 把传播中华文化，推广黄梅艺术的概念宗旨用一个又一个精彩的作品呈现给大众，建团五年来主办和承办了七场以“黄梅绽放 国韵芳香”为主题的大型专场文艺演出。 同时为社区及主流社会提供了近九十个场次高质量的公益演出，艺术团受邀为美国博物馆，大学，交通局 ，退伍军人中心，商业局，老人公寓等地演出， 将中华文化及中国艺术全面介绍推广给英语观众。 随着中国的日益强大，华人华侨在美国的影响也需要日益提高。北美小芳艺术团将以艺术为钥匙，以中国元素为基石，去努力的开启主流社会的各扇大门，为民间文化交流添砖加瓦。《黄梅绽放，国韵芳香》是艺术团艺术品牌，我们会年年推出特色内容的演出，坚持不懈的义务宣传中国文化，持之以恒的推广中国艺术。
Xiaofang Huangmei Arts Academy 501c(3) is a non-profit that represents a unique Huangmei Opera performance troupe in North America.
In recent years, the troupe has actively participated in various activities of the community with the purpose of promoting Huangmei Opera art and Chinese traditional culture and has strived to enrich cultural diversity in mainstream society. So far, the troupe has presented more than 90 shows for the community and has been invited to perform in multi-ethnic cultural events many times, namely, United Nations Chinese New Year Gala, Asian Pacific Heritage Month, Moon Festival of New York University, Asian Culture Festival, Department of Health and Mental Hygiene, New York City.
In February 2017, March 2018, and October 2019, the troupe presented three remarkable shows themed "Huangmei Opera, Qipao Fashion” and “Huangmei Blooming, Rhyme Charming” at Crossroads Theatre, Rutgers Nicholas Music Center, and Middlesex County College Performing Arts Center in New Jersey. Invited by Wheaton Arts and Cultural Center, the troupe presented this special theme again on October 27, 2018 and gave their audience an excursion into the profoundly fascinating world of Huangmei Opera and traditional Chinese arts across languages and cultures.
Adhering to the philosophy of maintaining tradition and innovation, Ms. Xiaofang Chen and her troupe promise to showcase their art every year, and consistently promote Chinese arts and culture.