Email— Zhiling.Guo@warwick.ac.uk

Supervisor— Prof. Yvette Hutchison

About Me—

Zhiling Guo is a theatre facilitator and practitioner with experience working across diverse communities, including Deaf, disabled, children, and women.

She is also a sign language influencer on Chinese social media, with a following of over 100,000. Zhiling is fluent in Chinese Sign Language and currently holds a Level 3 proficiency in British Sign Language.

Research Interests—

My PhD research explores how Deaf culture contributes to applied theatre as a working method. I examine the power dynamics that emerge when Deaf and hearing individuals collaborate, focusing on how to establish effective dialogue between these communities. In my work, sign language is not only a language used in daily communication, but also a theatre working method and aesthetics.

Work Experience—

May 2023 – Shenzhen Futian District Disability Federation
Facilitator and Director: Worked with neurodiverse groups and individuals recovering from mental illnesses. Directed and rehearsed the play Tear Off the Label and See Who I Am.

April - June 2023 – Shenzhen Yuanping Special Education School
Drama Teacher: Engaged with autistic and learning-disabled students through drama-based education.

17 - 28 October 2022 – SignDance Collective (Croatia)
Artist: Collaborated with Deaf and hearing artists on the sign dance project Places, Faces, and Broken Hearts.

6 October 2022 – Fingersmiths
Assistant: Participated in physical theatre workshops with Deaf individuals in the UK and China.

25 - 30 July 2022 – SignDance Collective & The Theatre Shed
Facilitator: Led inclusive and international sign language workshops for local young people.

May - July 2022 – Access All Areas
Creative Partner: Worked with learning-disabled and autistic adults in creative capacities.

March - May 2022 – Outward - Hub Club
Theatre Volunteer: Supported learning-disabled and autistic adults through theatre-based activities.

Education—

• PhD in Theatre Studies: University of Warwick (UK)
• MA in Applied Theatre: Royal Central School of Speech and Drama (UK)
• BA in Theatre Pedagogy: Central Academy of Drama (China)