FRESNO, Calif.—A celebration of Chinese culture is what we see when Shen Yun Performing Arts gets on stage and audience members gathered at the William Saroyan Theatre on Feb. 5 to experience it.
“I like the historical perspective that they portrayed during the ceremony. From historical times up to the present,” said Kurt Stende, who works in sales.
Shen Yun is based in New York and its dancers are trained in classical Chinese dance, one of the most comprehensive dance systems in the world. Acrobatics and gymnastics actually originate from classical Chinese dance.
“The energy they put into doing their performance from everything from the skits to the ... gymnastic routines that they did. All the movements that they did, very precise, very well-timed,” Mr. Stende said.
Shen Yun’s female artists are adept at a technique called yuan chang, which are quick, tight steps that give the illusion of floating.
“I admire all the hard work that must go into something like this because, as he said the precision of their dancing and everything, it was just impeccable. You’re watching them and it’s like nobody missed a step. And I think what impressed me the most, you could not hear their feet on the floor. It was very, very quiet,” said Suzanne Reed, an HR manager.
Shen Yun’s artists aren’t just trained in classical Chinese dance, but also various ethnic and folk dances. Mr. Stende said that he really liked the Mongolian dance, partly because the costumes were his favorite color.
“I would say don’t change anything, honestly. It couldn’t have been more enlightening than it was. I think it was the Mongolian dance where they came out dressed in the blue outfit that they had on, that was outstanding,” he said.
Shen Yun puts on an all-new production every year. Under the direction of Shen Yun’s artistic director, Shen Yun has grown from one to eight companies touring the world simultaneously.
“It’s just fantastic—the vision that they have and how they were able to execute it and put those ideas out so that others understand what he would like them to do and everything. Same with the choreographers and all that. It’s just amazing. Wonderful job,” Ms. Reed said.
Shen Yun’s live orchestra is a unique combination of traditional Chinese instruments within a classic Western ensemble.
“The timing was excellent. The fact that it was live music and not just a recording being played during the ceremony made all the difference in the world,” Mr. Stende said.
Shen Yun’s use of its digital backdrop is patented. The versatility of technology allows the set to change scenes in the blink of an eye, giving the stage endless possibilities.
“I also like the backdrop and how they would disappear behind the stairs, and then it just flowed right on into the animation in the background. And it almost seemed like you were with them as they ascended into the heavens,” Ms. Reed said.
Although Shen Yun is sharing the beauty of Chinese culture with the world, it is unable to perform in China.
“The communist regime should not stop these people from portraying their history. What’s wrong with them?” Mr. Stende said.
