Wu Xiangrong, a 23-year-old university student from Yueyang, Hunan province, recently enjoyed a Wednesday night filled with laughter and inspiration at a small theater in neighboring Changsha.

　　Together with a friend, Wu participated in an improvisational comedy show for the first time at the iconic Xiaoma Theater. Seated offstage, her words were adroitly incorporated into the performance, making her part of the creation.

　　Such engagement and co-creation have become trendy components of cultural tourism in China. In Changsha, a popular travel destination known for its spicy food and vibrant entertainment scene, large crowds of young tourists flock into small theaters to enjoy comedy, musicals, plays, dramas, traditional operas and many other cultural projects.

　　Small theaters generally refer to indoor venues for performing arts with a capacity of less than 500 people. They feature close proximity between performers and audience, and offer highly interactive and immersive experiences.

　　Wu"s small-theater experience is typical. A fan of online comedy and talk shows, she told China Daily that live shows and improv comedy are less structured but far more engaging, offering unexpected surprises and totally different experiences throughout the night show.

　　At Xiaoma, fans often line up for a front-row seat several hours before the show starts to increase their chances of interacting with performers. In 2017, the theater became the first talk show club in Hunan. "There is no "wall" between on — and off-stage at small theaters," said Li Weisheng, founder of the club and a stand-up comedian known as "Wei Daye" (Grandpa Wei or Grandpa Great). "Compared with grand theaters, small ones are more gathered, less packed and more pure. They are free, relaxing, engaging, grassroots-oriented and inclusive in vibes — with easier access and lower prices."