A large-scale panoramic stage performance titled The Stargazers premiered on Tuesday at the Harbin Grand Theatre in Harbin, Heilongjiang province.
The 120-minute show took three years to refine, focusing on the stories of the "800 Faculty Pillars" of the Harbin Institute of Technology, their efforts to establish a strong foundation in Northeast China, and their contributions to developing national heavy equipment and cultivating outstanding talent. It was directed by theater educator Huang Dingshan and features a mix of actors and participation from HIT's faculty and students. It has been selected for the 2026 Scientists' Stories Stage Play Promotion Campaign.
The Stargazers was performed three times from Sunday to Tuesday, attracting over 3,400 audience members, including former and current HIT leaders, faculty representatives, students, relatives of the characters portrayed, and experts from the cultural and artistic fields. Representatives from HIT's Weihai and Shenzhen campuses joined 500,000 viewers who watched the broadcast live on online platforms.
Director and playwright Huang Dingshan described directing The Stargazers as a process of approaching history and understanding the significance of HIT's "800 Faculty Pillars". "The drama centers on themes of aspiration and inheritance, emphasizing the idea of looking up at the stars while being rooted in reality," he said. "During rehearsals, I was often moved by the powerful force that blends grandeur with tenderness."
Actor Wang Ke, who plays the role based on esteemed Chinese Academy of Sciences scholar Ma Zuguang, expressed deep respect and understanding for the spirit of the show. "When playing this role, I gradually felt that it wasn't just about acting as a person, but rather approaching a kind of belief," he said.
After watching the drama, Liu Xiaolong, a master's student at HIT said he was inspired by the performance. "The pioneering deeds of predecessors who rooted themselves in Northeast China, devoted themselves to the country, and embarked on arduous ventures, continue to inspire today's young students," he said.
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