In 2004, Rao got a minor role in Chinese drama director Meng Jingui's children's play Labyrinth. He then became Meng's assistant on several of his works, including Beautiful Encounter and Two Dogs' Opinions on Life.

Describing himself as a person with a strong desire for self-expression, Rao was not content with acting and directed his first drama, Woman, Woman, in 2008. In 2009, he adapted the popular TV series Cherish Our Lover Forever into a stage drama, along with former actor Li Yapeng.

His microfilm work, Cigarette and Gun, was released online on Nov 20, and is part of Youku Original Master's Microfilm project. In 2015, Rao will finish the production of his cinematic directorial debut adapted from his drama, Hello, Lunatic!.

Rao says sitting in the film director's chair has been his longtime dream, but he will continue directing contemporary dramas, since he considers theater his "home".