BAKERSFIELD, Calif.—Each culture has its legends of how a higher being created mankind. From the perspective of Shen Yun Performing Arts, everyone once resided in the heavens, and by doing good and improving ourselves, we can return one day.
“The Creator—I love the fact that we’re all divine beings—and I totally believe that we are divine beings. We’re here for a purpose, our purpose is to learn, grow, and then go back,” said Naomi Hultquist, a property manager, after watching Shen Yun Performing Arts at the Mechanics Bank Theater on March 7.
Shen Yun is based in New York, and its artists believe that following the principles of truth, compassion, and tolerance, as taught in Falun Dafa, will allow them to lead happy and healthy lives.
I think it's amazing. I love all the words that are involved in this whole thing—like truthfulness, compassion, forbearance.
“It was beautiful. Very beautiful. I like the smoothness of the dancing. The women were amazing. Of course, the men were too. I absolutely love the culture. I think it’s amazing. I love all the words that are involved in this whole thing—like truthfulness, compassion, forbearance,” said Ms. Hultquist.
The dancers are trained in classical Chinese dance, a dance form that is based upon bearing, form, and technique.
“You can see the passion that they have while they dance. And the flowing [sleeves] was absolutely gorgeous. I want one of those dresses. I want the water sleeves. It’s beautiful. It’s absolutely beautiful. They are just flawless. That takes a lot of work, a lot of dedication, a lot of practice,” said Mr. Hultquist.
Shen Yun’s use of its patented digital backdrop allows the dancers to appear in a different setting within the blink of an eye.
“Oh, goodness. How they would drop behind there and then they would come up. How clever is that? It’s beautiful. All of a sudden, they dropped behind there, and then they flew up into the screen. That was amazing,” said Ms. Hultquist.
Reporting by Linda Jiang and Maria Han.
The Epoch Times is a proud sponsor of Shen Yun Performing Arts. We have covered audience reactions since Shen Yun’s inception in 2006.