“I would like to thank him for sharing with me a sense that we are much more the same than unalike. That’s what I most felt tonight,” Mr. Douthitt said.

Although China and the United States are on opposite sides of the earth, the people of both nations both aspire to a good life and happiness.

“They’re doing a tremendous job,” he said of the Shen Yun performers. “It’s a tremendous help for our understanding and our growth ... Much more common than I expected or had ever experienced before,” he said.

“I know what hard work is. And I saw it tonight. It’s the best, as a human being, when we can move someone through our work,” Mr. Douthitt said.

“And I am very appreciative,” he said.

Mr. Douthitt added that Shen Yun allows audiences to understand that by being good, life can end with one returning to heaven, something he said he focused on throughout the performance.

“There are too many things unexplained by science. They can only be explained with your conscience. I’ve always felt that,” said Mr. Douthitt.

The world has also become driven by profit, people are disconnected from each other, and sometimes, we hurt others to benefit ourselves.

“I would like to see us all go back to a bit of calmness that comes from that peace where we’re not so driven. I’m a victim of it. Started with nothing and drove a business forward. But it comes at a price,” he said.

He said he appreciated the gracefulness of the performance.

“We are so fast and so aggressive and so graphic now, and that ease, that gentleness was nice,” he added.