The experimental theater production '500' reimagines the stage as a space for civic reflection, encouraging participants to explore their shared history and collective perception of identity.

Participants enter a simulated 'identity testing center,' where they make choices and interact with scenes inspired by real-life experiences, reflecting their personal identities.

The production invites participants to co-create the definition of 'Chongqingnese' through active participation, emphasizing the fluid and negotiated nature of identity.

The structure of '500' is based on extensive research from surveys, interviews, and workshops, transforming abstract identity concepts into interactive game mechanics.

The title '500' symbolizes bureaucratic belonging, referencing the number that begins Chongqing residents' national ID cards, highlighting themes of official identity.

Director Eelly emphasizes that the performance aims to provoke reflection on identity through active participation rather than passive dialogue.

Amid Chongqing's rising prominence in global tourism and social media attention, '500' addresses concerns about how the city's cultural identity is represented and understood.

By framing identity as a continuously negotiated concept, '500' encourages participants to reflect on their collective narratives and shared history.

This production is part of a broader movement by local theater makers to explore and question what it means to be Chongqingnese in a rapidly changing social landscape.

Breaking away from traditional theater, '500' takes place in an immersive, one-on-one setting that dissolves the boundaries between actor and audience, fostering deeper engagement.