It was not long before Mao shot to stardom in a supporting role in a popular Shaoxing opera movie “Celebrating Mother’s Birthday.” And gradually, she built up a reputation as “the No. 1 Male Impersonator in China.”

Song Punan, Mao Weitao’s teacher, said, “Mao’s acting foundation was poor as she received no training before 17. But she was extremely industrious and self-disciplined. Once an aim is decided, she won’t give up until she succeeds."

In 1999, Mao was designated to take helm of the Zhejiang Shaoxing Opera Company. But it was hardly an honor.

Like most traditional arts, Shaoxing Opera was struggling to pull through a difficult downturn. The shrinking market and fading interest weighed heavily on Mao Weitao, both as a performer and a supervisor.

And just in her time of crisis, a hero appeared: her director, Guo Xiaonan. Guo was drawn to Mao by her charisma both on and off stage. Evidently it was mutual. They got married in 2000.

Guo Xiaonan, director, said, “Mao Weitao has created a bizarre art phenomenon. A woman who’s portrayed so many men vividly on stage, which offers a lot of aesthetic leeway for audiences. She’s loved for her images in different plays. But off stage she is nothing like them, and you can hardly find a connection. I would only say she is truly an artist. “

The couple have teamed up to push Shaoxing Opera across new frontiers. Together they've produced new plays that break away from the traditional romance-centered formula.