Director Luo Bin said, "The first 17 years, and especially the first 10 years, were a prosperous era for Chinese dance to develop. Folk dances were transported onto the stage in various productions."

In the mid-1950s, the Beijing Dance School was set up. It was the predecessor of the Beijing Dance Academy. Soon after its inauguration, the school premiered the western ballet classic "Swan Lake," and the Chinese ballet "Fish Beauty." It was New China's first school to give formal dance education, and has had tremendous influence on the country's dance scene for over 50 years.

Xu Rui, vice director of Bda Dance History Department, said, "The Beijing Dance Academy was founded in 1954. It is worthy of the title "the hotbed for excellent Chinese dancers." The inscription can be seen when you enter the school. The first group of dance teachers learned here. Then they nurtured future generations of dancers."

The National Ballet Troupe was set up in 1959. Young performers were tutored by Russian experts who were invited to join the troupe.

After learning orthodox ballet skills, and initially performing western classics, the troupe created their own piece, "The Red Detachment of Women," which went on to become a timeless Chinese ballet classic.

The piece centers around a girl of wretched fate who enrolls in the Red Army to follow a revolutionary path. It portrays a lively image of valiant female soldiers.

"The Red Detachment of Women" developed into a classic that has moved several generations of audiences. It was also one of eight "model plays" during the cultural revolution, along with "White Haired Girl."

Director Luo Bin said, ""Red" and "White," as two of the eight "model plays," dominated an era. They influenced several generations regarding their understanding and ideas of dance and ballet."

"Along The Silk Road" debuted in 1979. The dance drama was inspired by the murals of the Dunhuang grotto, and was the first major dance work after the country initiated its Reform & Opening-Up policy.