This December, the Beijing Broads Are Just Getting Started
How long have you been in Beijing, dear reader? Sometimes I skirt around this question myself ... you see, I have been here for almost ten years. Time really does fly when you're having fun and all that jazz.
Some of this merriment comes from a bunch of ladies huddled under the umbrella of a project that also happens to turn 10 in the 'Jing. The Beijing Broads have been around for a whole decade, and yes, I do remember their first shows. Though that's kind of their merit, unforgettable that they are. The Broads have truly seen it all throughout the years. From their foundation to the challenging years of Covid, from joyful memories to defining moments of change and even stark grief, the Beijing Broads succeed and thrive on their ability to evolve and roll with the punches.
Beijing is a transient city for many, and farewells are never easy, but when a Beijing Broad hops onstage, this much I can guarantee: You're in for a grand time. And do let me warn you not to mistake their solid improv skills for some effortless magic gift. The Beijing Broads put in a ton of hard work before the curtain goes up.
With this introduction, you should be itching to score your tickets for their tenth anniversary celebratory show, Just Getting Started, scheduled for this Saturday (Dec 13) at 7.30pm at JinShang Yuan, the designated haven for the English-speaking theater crowd in Beijing. By all means, do secure your seat before they're sold out. I'm only here to ensure that you also make some space in your day for this interview with Sai, spokesperson extraordinaire for the Beijing Broads, and fellow comedienne Stephanie, a lovely recent addition to the team. There's a lot to talk about before the show starts.
Before we get up close and personal, congrats on the ten-year mark! It's no small feat in this city. People come and go, but the Beijing Broads always manage to stay active and evolve with the times.
Thank you! Hitting ten years does feel surreal. Once upon a time, we were this tiny group of women meeting up in borrowed rehearsal spaces to try and make each other laugh. Now we're this full and lively community of performers, alumni and fans who keep us going. The city changes constantly, but the Broads have become this little anchor of chaos, joy, and resilience.
So true. And speaking of origins, I have always loved your name. Cheeky, irreverent, fun. You really are our finest broads in town. Is there some lore behind?
You bet! We're rebellious, we're comical and we're also nerds. So the name came from the mix of all three. “Broads” is an old-school term – kind of brash, kind of bold – and we enjoyed reclaiming it in a modern, feminist, tongue‑in‑cheek way. Early on, the tone was set for us to always remember that we're here to have fun, break a few rules, and never take ourselves all too seriously.
Amen. There's a lot that happens in ten years. I would like you to highlight three defining moments in your history. Happy, unexpected, exhilarating, whatever. We've got room for the whole gamut of emotions here.
I'd like to highlight three moments in time. First comes our very first full-house show. That night, we realized that people in Beijing genuinely wanted to attend improv performances by this bunch of women who barely knew how microphones worked. The Covid years earned a spot in our history, too, for sure. It was a tough period, but it was also this kick in the pants to redefine everything about us: the format of our show, our rehearsal method, even our support network that we extended to each other. And when those years came to an end, we had our first post‑Covid comeback show, which felt like a rebirth of sorts. The energy, the cheers, the sense of “we made it.” That night was unforgettable, too.
We really all did make it, I can so relate to your words. Sai, you've mentioned two highlights of your upcoming show. On one hand, once again, you've got new talent in your ranks. On the other hand, this will be a purely improvisational show, without a drop of playback. Care to elaborate on both?
Sai: Absolutely. We've welcomed some amazing new performers – women with sharp instincts, great timing, and a willingness to leap into the unknown. Bringing them into the Broads feels like adding a fresh color palette to this giant, chaotic painting. As for our going full-on improv mode, it's a return of sorts to the purest form of what we do. No scripts, no safety nets – just chemistry, chaos, and trust.
Such wonderful energy. And as always, proceeds from your show will all go to charity…
That's right, we always donate all the proceeds to public welfare organizations dedicated to empowering women. Since 2023, we have been donating to Green Rose (绿蔷薇社工组织, lǜ qiángwēi shègōng zǔzhī), a Shenzhen-based social organization started by female migrant workers to empower and express themselves.
On this note, we're also always happy to highlight our gratitude to JinShang Yuan, our current home stage. We've used plenty of other spaces in previous years, and just like in the past, JinShang Yuan supports our charitable endeavors in an indirect but very real way. They give us stability on the stage to flourish and prosper. I know the local English-speaking theater crowd feels really nurtured at JinShang Yuan.
Such eloquent words, and such a special dimension to your shows. Stephanie, you're among the new Broads. What made you join the troupe a year and a half ago? What has been your experience so far, and did you have any background in theater or improv?
Stephanie: I joined because I attended a Broads show and my immediate thought was, “Wait…women can be this unhinged *and* this confident onstage? I want in.” I had some experience in college theater, but improv was new to me. The Broads welcomed me with so much warmth (and weirdness) that settling in felt only natural. I can say it's been one of the most empowering creative spaces I've ever been part of.
As we wrap 2025, what are your expectations for the new year? Any new challenges? International travel for you ladies? New workshops perhaps?
Growth. More shows, more workshops, maybe a bit of touring if schedules – and visa gods – allow. We want to cultivate the next generation of Broads and partner with more creative groups. We also just want to keep pushing the boundaries of what improv in Beijing can look like.
Exciting. And now let's have some rapid-fire fun. Each of you, please, ten words that come to your mind when you think of the Beijing Broads.
Sai: Chaotic, fearless, hilarious, sisterhood, spontaneous, bold, joyful, loud, creative, home.
Stephanie: Supportive, silly, brave, growing, expressive, quirky, dynamic, inclusive, vibrant, unstoppable.
The Beijing Broads & Friends: 10th Anniversary – Just Getting Started will take place on Sat Dec, 13, from 7.30pm to 9.30pm at JinShang Yuan Starlight Lounge. Early bird tickets are RMB 78 and tickets at the door are RMB 108. You can purchase tickets by scanning the QR code in the poster above.
JinShang Yuan 金尚源
20 Xinyuanli Xili, Chaoyang District
朝阳区新源里西20号
READ: Week Ahead: Xmas Present Donation, TOXIC Anniversary & More
Images: courtesy of the Beijing Broads
