NEW YORK—Pulling their inspiration from China’s 5,000 years of culture, the Shen Yun Performing Arts Touring Company won standing ovations and three curtain calls from a sold out performance at the Lincoln Center’s David H. Koch Theater, on Jan. 12.
“It was something new to me. Something very nice and amazing,” said Katerina Gruzdyeva, president of Slavia Ceramics, and a pianist.
Based in New York, Shen Yun is a show of dance and vocal music, with classic tales performed through the unique art of classical Chinese dance, as well as its vast ethnic and folk dances. It was established in 2006 to revive China’s traditional culture, and brings together award-winning dancers and singers, as well as musicians from world-renowned symphonies.
As someone who regularly works with colors and designs, Ms. Gruzdyeva said she was inspired by the colors used in the sets and costumes. “I saw a lot of ideas for the future designs of myself,” she said.
The costumes have a broad palette, with dances and stories stretching across China’s vast history and various ethnicities—among them the Qing Court, the mountains of Tibet, and the Huai Valley.
“It was a great learning experience with me,” Ms. Gruzdyev said.
She added that beyond the colors, she was moved by the harmony of the performance. “It’s like they’re flying on the stage,” she said.
