LANSING, Mich.—Derek Zager attended Shen Yun Performing Arts International Company’s performance on Thursday, Feb. 12 in Lansing, Mich., at the Wharton Center for Performing Arts located on Michigan State University’s campus.

Mr. Zager is an artist and he attended with fellow artist Elizabeth Sahutske, they agreed that Shen Yun is “Beautiful! The production was amazing!”

“Beautiful! Very heartfelt, very insightful,” continued Mr. Zager

Ms. Sahutske saw much deeper meanings in the performances which inspired her.

She said, “I know that even though each performer is trained, that something inspired it in the beginning.

“I'd like to think that all of that comes from the same source and that’s how we’re all connected. The creator of everything,” she explained.

Ms. Sahutske was touched by spiritual insights in the evening’s performance.

She said, “I would have to say what touched me the most was the looking for the spirituality ... everybody, I think, is seeking that.”

“People who are seeking that, we express it through art,” she added. “I see it when I see the production and I see all these wonderful dancers.”

Mr. Zager and Ms. Sahutske were both moved by the performances that touched upon the repression of spirituality in modern day China—specifically against the meditation practice, Falun Dafa.

Mr. Zager said, “Insightful, very insightful—the impression of how tyranny represses us as a people and a culture—how as Westerners, we often take our freedom for granted.”

“Shen Yun cannot be seen in China today, where traditional culture has been nearly lost. Yet Shen Yun—a non-profit organization—has become an international phenomenon, bringing the wonders of ancient Chinese culture to millions across the globe,” says Shen Yun’s website.

Mr. Zarek said, “I see a lot of messages for us needing to stand up for what we believe in.”

“Hold on to our cultures and our traditions and be able to celebrate one another’s cultures and traditions as well,” he added.

Reporting by Ying Wan and Jeanmarie Lunsford

New York-based Shen Yun Performing Arts has four touring companies that perform around the world. For more information, visit ShenYunPerformingArts.org.

Epoch Times considers Shen Yun Performing Arts the significant cultural event of our time. We have proudly covered audience reaction since Shen Yun’s inception in 2006