In China, modern dance is often considered an "insider's art" because of its complex expression and lack of mass popularity. But now, one woman with a fighting spirit has pushed this peripheral art to the forefront of China's artistic scene. Wang Mei, a professor of choreography at Beijing's Dance Academy, is considered one of China's premier modern dance choreographers. "Thunder and Rain", her signature work, is recognized as China's first modern dance drama. Today, "The List" profiles Wang Mei, a sensitive artist who always listens to her heart.

Adapted from the late literary giant Cao Yu's trademark play "Thunderstorm", Wang Mei's "Thunder and Rain" premiered in 2002. Its huge success marked a watershed in Chinese modern dance.

"The characters' relationships in Thunderstorm were deeply entwined and very complicated. Their personalities are very much like my own. Everybody in the play was related and they just couldn't get away from everyone else. It strikes a chord with me. But I use all the characters to speak my own words."

Wang Mei said, "I think my best characteristic is that I'm true to life, more so than most other people, especially in the dance circle. Like this action of drawing out of one's arm from the other's hand(action). Why this movement? Because it is so real. People do this when they are sick of somebody. And there is a very sexy scene in the first part. why is that? Because it shows some life experience no dancing codes can express. To me there are two types of true feelings. One is true to your heart, the other is true to the natural movements of dance. It's the best when you make people forget you are a dancer. "

This is a dance shared by a stern-hearted step-son, who has made up his mind to abandon the woman he seduced, and the young and desperate step-mother forced to beg like a dog for his mercy. This powerful portrayal of human weakness has become the best known, and most shocking, scene in the entire show.

"My friends all told me I must put my focus on Zhou Puyuan, or else no way out for my work. But as a woman, I'm always interested in portraying women characters. I just can't help it."

Now in her mid-40's, Wang Mei launched her dancing career at the age of 12, going on to begin learning choreography in 1983 at the Beijing Dance Academy. After graduation, she stayed on to teach and create.

In her 1999 piece, "I Think I Will Fly", Wang Mei expresses her childhood dream of flying. It is performed by her favorite student Wu Zhengyan.

Wang Mei said, "You see I don't like to mingle with people and as a perfectionist, I work like a machine. Then I come up with something. It is not that I am smart or I am persistent. Actually I am rather pessimistic. To some extent, all of my outbursts happen when I lose control."

"Montage, from 1999, but expresses my feelings from those years. The first part is people rushing about. The movements are quite abstract. I just feel so much haste in our society. I sometimes stop on the bridge over the highway to watch people as they rush around. Each one is lonely and I feel that strongly."

Right now, the veteran choreographer is re-producing "Thunder and Rain" with a new group of students. The re-make will come out later this year.

Editor in chief Richard Lee.