This paper re-examines the history and historiography of student theatre in late-Qing Shanghai by using first-hand materials from contemporary newspapers, magazines and governmental documents. It focuses on the theatre activities of nonmissionary schools and discusses how they started to be inspired by the missionarybased St. John’s College where student theatre began as early as 1896. It also looks at the contents of the students’ plays and their aspirations for this extracurricular activity. I wish to demonstrate that, instead of being part of the intellectuals’ “Enlightenment” project or the revolution aiming to end the imperial rule as one would often read in written histories on the subject, the students were more eager to explore their positions in a rapidly changing society. What theatre meant for these young people was first a channel through which they could challenge existing boundaries and search for a possibility to establish themselves. It is also important not to ignore the playfulness and self-realization which students may occasion while taking part in theatrical works. This is as crucial as the staged plays when the beginning of modern Chinese theatre is considered.