Fu Peipei, a 41-year-old business owner based in Beijing who loves dancing and acting, was inspired by her family to apply for the program. Her husband is a university teacher who runs a student theater club, and her daughter also loves singing and dancing.

"Their involvement in the arts inspired me to try it myself," she said.

Fu said what has impressed her the most so far, was when Xiao Ke elaborated on why he created the roles for the production, and how he came to write each song.

"I cried. I had never experienced listening to the creator telling me how a musical production was born. I felt connected to the story and the roles. It was very healing," she recalled.

Fu said theater has given her a much-needed emotional outlet.

"I've spent so much time focusing on others — my family and my colleagues — that I forgot how important it is to give space for my own emotions," she said. "This experience has helped me reconnect with myself. I have overcome lots of challenges, along with the new friends I made in the program."

Fu said she is prepared to be eliminated as each round progresses. "Whether or not I can make it to the last round, I am already successful," she said.

With the final 10 winners to be determined soon, Yu, Liu, and Fu are all still in contention.

Independent streak

Xiao Ke's idea of launching the theater training program comes from his passion for theater.

Born in Beijing, Xiao Ke was trained in classical music. He started learning the piano at 12, and formed his first band at age 19. He has worked in the music business ever since.

The singer-songwriter's eponymous album was released in 1996, and he is best known for folk and pop songs. He has also written songs for pop stars, including Because of Love for pop diva Faye Wong and Hong Kong singer Eason Chan. One of his most famous songs is Beijing Welcomes You, which was played to mark the 100-day countdown to the 2008 Beijing Olympics.