After retiring, Li Chengyang got rid of complicated administrative affairs and was able to devote himself to the study of dance theory. He has successively written papers such as Theoretical Thinking on the Charm of Dance Drama, Aesthetic Characteristics of Dance Drama and Taking the Road of Ballet Development with China Characteristics, and made a rigorous exploration on how to shape the characters, drama structure, symphonic thinking, poetic pursuit, ontological consciousness and comprehensive embodiment of Dance Drama. In these works, he also carefully analyzed the success or failure of his decades of creation. These literary theories and his creative practice have played a positive role in promoting the progress of China's contemporary ballet creation, and also provided valuable spiritual wealth for the construction of China ballet school.