SEATTLE—Photographer Michael Doucet had wanted to see Shen Yun Performing Arts for many years, and when the world’s premier Chinese classical dance and music performance came to Seattle, he didn’t hesitate.

“It’s so beautiful. Everyone … comes here to see the beautiful lines and the design. And I love seeing the traditional Chinese dance. It’s so wonderful,” said Doucet, who has his own studio.

Through the medium of classical and folk dance, the company portrays China’s “divinely inspired” culture, its history, the foibles of the common people and emperors, as well as  many other aspects of life in a country that was once known as the “celestial empire.”

As a photographer, Doucet was particularly attracted to the color combinations in Shen Yun.

“It’s so beautiful. I love Chinese culture,” he reiterated.

Doucet said he could feel the spiritual energy in the theater.

“You definitely feel it from being here. I do,” he said. “I feel the beautiful energy from the stage. I feel moved.” He added that when he went home, he would be spending time learning more about Chinese culture.

“It’s such a dream for a photographer to photograph something like [Shen Yun], but I know it is off-limits.”

“And anytime you point your camera at the stage, it’s going to look like a work of art.”