Li Ying, art director at Suzhou Ballet Theatre (SBT), talked about their recent nationwide recruitment in an interview on Jan 17.

"SBT offers good opportunities for the members to seek further self-development. Our ballets are often tailored for the performers so that they can showcase their artistic talents in the shows and enhance their skills through continuous practices," Li said, when answering the question why so many people had applied for joining the troupe.

Moreover, Li shared her expectations for the recruits based on her own experiences as a principal dancer at Pittsburgh Ballet Theatre, an American professional ballet company, and her service at SBT after her career as a dancer ended due to injuries.

"Good dancers should be able to enjoy dancing so that they can keep consistent zest for their work. They should be self-disciplined so that they can follow strictly to healthy diets and tight physical and skill training schedules. And also, they should be aspirational so that they can work hard to fulfill their dreams," she said.