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Kim Hunter Gordon

Assistant Professor of Chinese and Performance Studies at Duke Kunshan University
DKU Faculty

Overview


Kim Hunter Gordon is Assistant Professor of Performance Studies and Major Convenor of Global China Studies at Duke Kunshan University. He completed his PhD in Asian Theatre and Dance from Royal Holloway, University of London in 2017 with a Joint Research Fellowship at Nanjing University, where he studied classical singing and prosody with Prof. Xie Yufeng. His extensive fieldwork included learning to perform the sheng role-type under Qian Zhenrong at Jiangsu Kunqu Theatre. He has over a decade of experience in stage translation for Kunqu and actively participates in the avocational singing circuit in China. Prior to his PhD, he worked as a journalist and media professional. At DKU, he has over six years experience teaching Global China, Media, Performance studies and Chinese to English translation. His forthcoming monograph Kunqu: China’s Classical Song Drama is due to be published by Methuen Drama in 2026.

Current Appointments & Affiliations


Assistant Professor of Chinese and Performance Studies at Duke Kunshan University · 2019 - Present DKU Faculty
Assistant Professor of the Practice of DKU Studies at Duke University · 2023 - Present DKU Studies

In the News


Published December 8, 2018
Garden Show
Published July 12, 2015
Stage of Education

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Recent Publications


Jing–Kun and the Hundred Operas: Revisiting the Categorisation of Chinese Theatre

Journal Article Journal of the Society for Asian Humanities (JOSAH) · 2023 This paper presents a critical examination of the classification and institu- tionalisation of xiqu 戲曲, or Chinese song-drama, throughout the twentieth century, with a particular focus on the substantial increase in officially recognised genres, now number ... Open Access Cite

Jing–Kun and the Hundred Operas: Revisiting the Categorisation of Chinese Theatre

Journal Article Journal of the Society for Asian Humanities (JOSAH) · 2023 This paper presents a critical examination of the classification and institu- tionalisation of xiqu 戲曲, or Chinese song-drama, throughout the twentieth century, with a particular focus on the substantial increase in officially recognised genres, now number ... Open Access Cite

Cai Zhengren, “Instating the Statue, Lamenting the Statue” (“Yingxiang Kuxiang” 迎像哭像) from The Palace of Lasting Life (Changsheng Dian 長生殿)

Chapter · September 1, 2022 This book consists of translated performer narrations that illuminate how one of the major Chinese theatrical forms has been taught and transmitted over the past century. ... Link to item Cite
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Education, Training & Certifications


University of London (United Kingdom) · 2017 Ph.D.