"I was challenged by the idea because it was new to me. After visiting museums and reading books about Chinese spirits, I learned that it is all about Chinese traditions and etiquette, which soon began to interest me," says the Sichuan native, who has spent the past four decades working with the Sichuan Province Song and Dance Theatre. Her choreographic works, Qiao Hua Dan, in 2004, and Hundreds of Flowers Blossom in Splendor, in 2014, were well-received by audiences after appearing on the CCTV Spring Festival Gala.

As well as mixing poetry, martial arts and Chinese calligraphy into the narrative of the work, Liu also borrowed elements from Sichuan Opera, a traditional form of provincial Chinese opera.

She also integrated one of her favorite props from traditional Chinese opera, lingzi, into her choreography. Made of feathers and measuring about 1.5 meters long, lingzi are usually worn on the hats and helmets of characters like officials and warriors to signify their rank.

"When the female dancers move onstage, the long lingzi waves in the air or dances in the hands of the performers, which helps portray the beauty of Chinese women," says Liu.

Only female dancers wear lingzi in the dance drama.

Dancer Zhang Aoyue plays the role of Liu Bang, the founding emperor of the Han Dynasty (206 BC-AD 220), in one of the acts, The Spirit of Han Dynasty.

"There is a scene where Liu drinks with his soldiers after a long, hard battle. I blended in moves borrowed from Sichuan Opera, which is something I had never attempted before," says the 31-year-old.

He also plays the role of Song Dynasty poet, Lu You, in another act, which portrays the tragic love story between the poet and his first love.

Other members of the creative team in the production include Chinese composer Xu Tao and set designer Zhang Jiwen.

Contact the writer at chennan@chinadaily.com.cn