“This was difficult because dancing is a graceful and beautiful art while martial arts prioritize speed and core strength. As female dancers tend to be physically weaker than our male counterparts, we struggled sometimes to deliver fast and accurate punches while maintaining our elegant dance moves. I remember my body was covered in bruises,” she added.

The production won the prestigious China Lotus Award and has received accolades from audiences across the nation, having been performed on stage almost 100 times.

Hao said the stage design was also cutting-edge, incorporating modern devices like various revolving platforms. The story also intertwined several plots from different time periods and localities.

“The revolving platforms help make audiences feel like they are in a film. It gives them a much more immersive experience. So, it is actually very exciting to perform,” she said.

She soon lights up when talking about the feedback from audiences abroad.

“Our dance drama was broadcast virtually at an arts festival in Mexico. I think the subject of Mulan is very international. Disney has a film of the same name. So, Mulan is really a household name. And our dance drama has received an enthusiastic response,” said Hao.

“Promotional posters for the show appeared on the sides of buses and taxis in Mexico. And when we toured around China, many foreign audience members stayed behind after the shows to get our autographs. I got the sense they really understood the story, and that the character of Mulan resonated with them. I felt very honored to portray her through dance.”

Despite some concerns from other cast members due to her physical injuries, Hao persevered and put on her best show.

“I have some old injuries ... so I was quite scared at first. I couldn’t even move parts of my body at one point, due to all the aches and pains, and I was afraid I wouldn’t even make it onto the stage,” she recalled, on the sidelines of one performance in Beijing.

“On top of that, I know many people had come specifically to see me, and my interpretation of the character. I was worried I might let them down, because I wasn’t sure that I’d be able to give my best,” she added.

“Most of the dancers, including myself, worked so hard for so long just to put on a perfect show – even if just for a few minutes. We certainly felt a lot of pressure to perform well,” she noted.