Chapter Ⅰ Folk Performing Art's Place in Chinese Culture Section ⅠFolk Performing Art Genius Section Ⅱ The Popularization of Entertainment Section Ⅲ Representatives of the Common People Chapter Ⅱ Artistic Traditions in Chinese Folk Performing Art Section Ⅰ Xia Li Ba Ren Section Ⅱ Comedy and Humor Section Ⅲ Seize the Moment Chapter Ⅲ Performance Techniques Section Ⅰ The Art of Expression Section Ⅱ Entry and Exit Section Ⅲ Performance and Appreciation Chapter Ⅳ The Art of Storytelling Section Ⅰ The Origin of the Storytelling Section Ⅱ The Spirit, Form and Language of Storytelling Section Ⅲ Improving Storytelling: Liu Jingting (1587—1670) Section Ⅳ Continuing the Storytelling Tradition Chapter Ⅴ Tanci and Guqu Section Ⅰ The Artistic Charm of Tanci Section Ⅱ Continuing the Art of Tanci Section Ⅲ The Artistic Charm of Guqu Section Ⅳ Continuing the Art of Guqu Chapter Ⅵ Cross Talk Section Ⅰ Performance Skills Section Ⅱ Cross Talk's Performance Characteristics Section Ⅲ The Great Master of Cross Talk: Hou Baolin Section Ⅳ Continuing the Tradition of Cross Talk Author's Note A Brief Chronology of Chinese History