生命的無限可能

「現在小孩唱《Baby Shark》，但我當時是唱《蘇三起解》！」張靜文大笑說。很難想像曾任職新聞主播多年的人，此刻正在熱切分享她的戲曲夢。由新聞到戲曲，她展示了生命的無限可能。

「我喜歡中國傳統文化，戲曲服飾、曲詞又漂亮，還滿足我的舞台表演慾，很完美！」張靜文從小喜歡中國戲曲，只是一直視之為興趣。新聞主播是她的第一份工作，她在新傳發現對新聞的興趣，「修讀主播相關科目，令我意識到自己喜歡跟人溝通，了解、表達人的故事。」

畢業後她成為新聞主播，工作雖有意義，但「通宵報導新聞很累，希望找事物調劑身心，就想到了戲曲。」她在戲曲工作坊上認識了香港京崑表演藝術家鄧宛霞，此後多年以工餘時間拜師學藝。終於她立定心志，離開新聞行業，以京崑表演及推廣為終身事業，「當初我學戲曲，純粹想滿足我踏台板的興趣，但漸漸開始有個使命，會問自己是否可以做多一點？」

張靜文去年更隻身赴京，到中國戲曲學院修讀碩士精進專業。作為課程歷年來唯一招收的香港研究生，她坦言學習過程困難重重，相比同學從小就練「童子功」，自己只是半途出家的超齡學生，「在我這個年紀，足球員都退役了，我現在才開始，體力和技藝上挑戰很大。」而且，戲曲在香港屬小眾愛好，理解她以此為志向的人不多，有時難免灰心。一直支撐她堅持下去的，是在新傳學到勇於嘗試的精神，「我覺得這是我應走、喜歡的路，即使中間失敗又如何？」

張靜文認為，即使她離開了新聞行業，表達故事的本質不變，「我在本科學的是現今的傳播，戲曲是古代的傳播，以前大家都會看戲，戲曲就是故事的載體。我只是從新聞傳播轉為一個文化的傳播，但都在說人的故事。」

簡介：
張靜文，2011年畢業於香港中文大學新聞與傳播學院，曾任職有線新聞主播多年，2012年起於京崑劇場學藝，2024年入讀中國戲曲學院京崑表演全日制碩士課程。

The Infinite Possibilities of Life

“Kids nowadays sing ‘Baby Shark,’ but back then I was singing ‘Su San Escorted to Trial’!” Eugenea Cheung says with a hearty laugh. It’s hard to imagine that this former news anchor of many years is now passionately sharing her dream of Chinese opera. From journalism to the stage, her journey is a vivid example of life’s endless potential.

“I’ve always loved traditional Chinese culture. The opera costumes are stunning, the lyrics are poetic, and it satisfies my passion for stage performance—it’s the perfect combination,” Cheung says. Her love for Chinese opera began in childhood, though it remained a hobby for many years. News anchoring was her first career; she discovered her interest in journalism during her university studies. “Taking anchoring courses made me realize how much I enjoy connecting with people—understanding and telling their stories.”

After graduation, she became a news anchor. Though the work was meaningful, the lifestyle took a toll. “Reporting news overnight was exhausting. I needed something to rejuvenate my mind and spirit, which led me back to Chinese opera.” At an opera workshop, she met Hong Kong Jingju and Kunqu opera performing artist Tang Yuen-ha and spent years studying under her during off-hours. Eventually, Cheung made the bold decision to leave journalism and dedicate herself fully to the performance and promotion of Jingju and Kunqu opera. “Initially, I studied Chinese opera purely to fulfill my desire to perform on stage, but gradually I developed a sense of mission—I began asking myself if I could contribute something more.”

Last year, Cheung traveled to Beijing alone to pursue a master’s degree at the National Academy of Chinese Theatre Arts. As the only Hong Kong graduate student ever admitted to the program, she acknowledges the tremendous challenges of this path. Unlike her classmates who began their rigorous “child training” in early childhood, she started much later in life. “At my age, professional athletes would already be retired, yet I’m just beginning. The physical demands and technical skills required are immense.” Moreover, Chinese opera remains a niche interest in Hong Kong, and few understand her commitment to this art form, which sometimes leads to moments of doubt. What sustains her is the spirit of courage she developed through journalism. “I believe this is the path I’m meant to follow—the path I love. Even if I encounter failures along the way, what does it matter?”

Cheung believes that although she has left journalism behind, the essence of storytelling remains at her core. “What I studied in my undergraduate years was contemporary communication, while Chinese opera represents ancient communication. In the past, everyone watched opera; it was the primary vehicle for storytelling. I’ve simply shifted from news communication to cultural communication, but I’m still telling stories.”

Profile:
Eugenea Cheung graduated from the School of Journalism and Communication at The Chinese University of Hong Kong in 2011. She worked as a Cable News anchor for many years while simultaneously studying at Jingkun Theatre starting in 2012. In 2024, she enrolled in the full-time master’s program in Jingju and Kunqu performance at the National Academy of Chinese Theatre Arts.