At the Shaanxi troupe, a piece of music composed by a member of its livestream team was later featured on China's state broadcaster CCTV. The composer said he stayed up all night watching the broadcast, replaying the moment after seeing his name appear in the credits.

　　For performing arts companies, livestreaming strips away some of the barriers of cost, distance and formality that can keep their performances out of reach. It also allows companies to build followings between shows: performers can explain the stories behind their work, share behind-the-scenes footage and give audiences a glimpse of how performances take shape.

　　That relationship can sometimes lead viewers back to the theater. Within 20 days of launching its livestreaming program in May, an opera and dance ensemble in east China's Jiangsu Province saw its individual broadcasts surpass 1 million impressions. During the May Day holiday, the online popularity helped sell out performances at the theater.

　　The arrival of professional performing arts companies is also reshaping livestreaming itself. The multi-performer format is still in its early stages, with some livestreams relying on suggestive banter, competitive challenges and punishment games to attract views and rewards.

　　Industry figures suggest that virtual gifting in professional arts livestreams often grows faster than in ordinary entertainment broadcasts. This trend indicates that viewers may place greater value on craftsmanship than on spectacle.

　　To He Mu, the value of livestreaming goes beyond views and virtual gifts. It has created a deeper connection between performers and the audience, bringing them together through art as well as through everyday moments of exchange.