Bringing the Stage to SIPA: A Cross-Cultural Theater Experience

SIPA is a unique place where students from all over the world converge, bringing diverse perspectives and expertise. It’s a school that not only prepares students for careers in policy and international relations but also encourages them to explore their personal passions. Whether through academic work or creative pursuits, SIPA supports its students in their growth, both intellectually and personally. This blend of diversity and flexibility is what allows one student, passionate about theater, to continue developing his creative side alongside his academic goals. Let’s meet Yiwei Liu (MPA-ESP ’25), and hear his story:

I’ve been directing student theater since college, and coming into SIPA, I knew I had to keep that passion alive. What’s wonderful about SIPA is the space it gives students to explore leadership and problem-solving beyond the classroom, skills essential to building a production from scratch. Over the spring semester, I seized that opportunity and directed a student-run theater production at Columbia.

With the Columbia Blue Glaze Chinese Theater, I staged The Good Person of Szechwan by German playwright Bertolt Brecht. It’s a powerful piece, rich with themes that resonate across cultures. I proposed this play partly because of my experiences in the ESP program, where I had the chance to interact with peers from a variety of cultural backgrounds. Those conversations helped me recognize how meaningful cross-cultural collaboration can be, and this production was a reflection of that. A Chinese student group staging a German play set in China might seem unusual, but to me, it’s exactly the kind of intercultural exchange SIPA encourages: understanding, respecting, and celebrating the complexities of global perspectives.

Even more inspiring was the cast and crew, many of whom are fellow SIPA students. From actors to a master carpenter, our team brought together diverse talents I wouldn’t have discovered without SIPA’s social events and student community. SIPA has a way of connecting people with different skills, experiences, and passions, even beyond policy and academics.

Directing a full-length production while managing the demands of the ESP program wasn’t easy. Balancing creative vision with academic commitments required all the teamwork and adaptability I could muster. Thankfully, the workshops and group projects in ESP taught me how to lead collaboratively, delegate effectively, and trust in others’ strengths. As the production progressed, I found myself constantly applying those lessons, proof that what we learn in class has a life far beyond it.

On opening night, many of my SIPA peers came to support the show. One told me afterward that it reminded them there’s a bigger world beyond American theater. That comment stuck with me. In many ways, my classmates at SIPA helped shape my artistic direction, just as my work in theater helped them see the arts through a broader, more global lens.

SIPA students come from every corner of the world and bring with them stories, skills, and perspectives that enrich every project, whether it’s a policy report or a stage production. Being surrounded by that kind of diversity has not only deepened my understanding of the world, but it’s also pushed me to keep creating within it.

Here are some tips for those of you at SIPA wanting to try out activities outside of the program:

• Do it! Sure, you will have to make your own time for it, but the experience is worth no less than in a classroom
•  Use the friendships to make connections you’ve made at the program. You will never know the talent they can offer if you don’t get to know them
• Share these experiences with your peers. You may just inspire them in ways you’ve never thought of.
•  Have fun, but not at the expense of your physical and mental health. If you think you are overworked or burnt out, like I have many times in the process, it might be a sign for you to take a break.
• Try the skills you learned in class. This may just be the first time you put these skills to the test.

Finally, embrace your time at SIPA, as it will be an once-in-a-lifetime experience, learn the best out of it, and make an impact on society.