Shen Yun Performing Arts has wrapped up seven performances in Dallas, Texas. They performed in the AT&T Performing Arts Center from Jan 6–15.
“I think the entire show is very passionate,” said Rita LeBlanc, the founder of Bold Sphere Music, who was moved by Shen Yun. “There are stories of love. There are stories of persecution that were particularly moving.”
Mia Boom-Ibes, VP of Information Security Strategy at Allstate was also in the audience. “I thought it was a very profound performance. … I thought the performance was beautiful, but the message was even stronger.”
Spirituality in Shen Yun
Shen Yun is a New York-based company that combines classical Chinese dance with a live orchestra and a detailed backdrop. However, some audience members were most impressed by the intangible elements of the show.
“I thought it was a lot of elements of spirituality,” Timothy Choate, a production supervisor, said, adding, “And I think that carried over through all the performances, and there was good energy coming from the dancers and the music.”
“The storytelling was heartfelt, and always upbeat. Good conquered evil. I don’t think we see enough of that in today’s world,” Joe Dunnam, former CEO of J.D. & Company said.
“It’s very spiritual. And I thought that was breathtaking and beautiful to experience,” Ms. LeBlanc said.
“It was clear to me that there was a divine spirit and that there’s a higher power and that was celebrated through this performance,” Kimberly White, VP of Client Services in Hicuity Health, said. “And it was emotional to see that on stage and to get to feel what I think was intended in the performance, which is the return to tradition and a beautiful life and a glorious life that was once long ago. It’s something that I think has been lost, even in American culture that we don’t get to understand and appreciate.”
Traditional Chinese Culture Before Communism
Most of Shen Yun’s artists practice Falun Gong, a Buddha school meditation system based on truthfulness, compassion, and forbearance. It’s currently being persecuted under China’s communist regime. The artists aim to revive traditional Chinese culture from before communism.
“When it comes to reviving Chinese culture, I can only hope that there would be a return to what we saw tonight,” Clay White, owner of WH Consulting, said.
“As I look around at what’s going on in the world, I see the influence of communism coming in beyond just China. And as I was watching the performance, I was hoping that people would see how important … the Creator is, and also the fact that if we don’t pay attention to what’s happening, we may soon be in a similar situation. So it’s everything that I had heard Shen Yun to be, and it was brought here for me today,” Ms. Boom-Ibes said.
The audience said they left the theater uplifted.
“I love that despite all of these trials and tribulations of life, that it’s very beatific, and the divine artistry of it all culminates at the end, not to give the end away, but it’s very uplifting,” Ms. LeBlanc said.
“Obviously these are amazing artists that are performing for us. But hopefully most audience members leave with a sense that we have the spirit of dance and expression within us, and our faith can help us soar. So as the computer-generated parts inspire the people to float into the sky and this beautiful connection. I think that was really inspiring and that faith, certainly I will carry with me as I leave,” she added.
Shen Yun will return for four more shows in Dallas from Feb. 24–26.
NTD News, Dallas, Texas.
