We had the good fortune of connecting with Ao Li and we’ve shared our conversation below.

Hi Ao, we’d love to hear more about how you thought about starting your own business?
Set Designers are essentially storytellers, utilizing space, light and time. Together with likeminded artists, a live performance is created. Each story is different each time and I’ve always wanted to tell stories of my own. Having worked internationally, I started my own studio to create iconic works that speak to the audience beyond the context of culture and geography.

Alright, so let’s move onto what keeps you busy professionally?
The approach we take at MAKEASCENE is a combination of old and new. While I design for productions across the span of musical, drama, dance, immersive performance, concert and event with all technologies available, I always start myself from sketches, models and conversations to capture the spontaneous moment that’s at the heart of creation. The biggest challenge is to find the collaborators, both in the creative team and also within my own studio. Finding the core of the story and transforming it with visual language, is a team and personal search at the same time.

Any places to eat or things to do that you can share with our readers? If they have a friend visiting town, what are some spots they could take them to?
The most beautiful thing in Shanghai is its streets. It’s a walkable city compared to Beijing, Guangzhou and other metropolitan cities in China. If you have a week, I would recommend taking the time and stroll along the streets to find all the lovely and hidden spots.

Shoutout is all about shouting out others who you feel deserve additional recognition and exposure. Who would you like to shoutout?
So many people have been of graceful help along the way. I’d like to dedicate the shoutout to two people. My partner Viola Zhang, whom I have also worked with on many projects. And Mr. Ming Cho Lee, my mentor at Yale School of Drama, who is no longer with us. I appreciate their guidance wholeheartedly both in the past and years to come

Website: aoli.studio

Instagram: @aoliarts

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