RALEIGH, N.C.—Shen Yun Performing Arts, which performed at the Martin Marietta Center, moved the audience in many ways.
Among them was social worker Christy Humphrey, who said that she found Shen Yun’s mission very interesting, as it has allowed her to see China in a different light.
“In my lifetime, we’ve not known of China before communism,” she said. “So just getting a chance to see what it was like before that is really good.”
“We had tears in our eyes,” she said. “It was like a beautiful way to learn, but also eye-opening to see.”
Todd Burr, an engineer, said: “That’s very touching when you see the pain and the reality of what’s going on when they bring it to light with the dances. It’s really incredible.”
Charles Cox, a retired strategic planner in the defense industry, said he felt sorry that Shen Yun could not perform in China while encouraging Shen Yun to spread their message.
The Height of Artistry
The artistry of a Shen Yun Performing Arts production is one that audience members marveled at, but perhaps none more than classically trained performing artists themselves.
“It made me cry. It was very emotional for me because I danced for most of my life. And I thought it was beautiful, the colors and everything, and the synchronicity was amazing,” said Victoria Bradley, a retired ballet dancer.
Opera singer Reilly Griffin said: “Everything down to the choreography and the composition, it just felt like everything was connected perfectly. As they were dancing, it seemed like every single movement was just articulated perfectly. It was beautiful.”
Kayla Jemmott, a dancer, said she wanted to give the performers flowers. “From the dancing standpoint, I loved it. I loved seeing how effortlessly they moved, and yet it was still strong and portraying the story, and telling the story. I felt it,” she said.
“It was incredible,” she said. “You could understand the feelings and the impact of it through the range of the tones as they were singing the story. So that, mixed with the orchestral part of it, I think it was a well-orchestrated combination of musicality.”
Her husband, attorney David Ganote, said every aspect of the performance came together to deliver a story.
Divinely Inspired Culture
New York-based Shen Yun is the world’s premier classical Chinese dance company and has, since its inception in 2006, pioneered a revival of the ancient art form.Business consultant Ken McBride said: “I love the fact that the culture comes from the Divine, and they’re bringing that back. I like the spiritual aspect of it, that their culture and the people came 5,000 years ago from the heavens. It made me feel great.”
George Amato, a scientist, said he thought universal values were conveyed through the performance.
“Being kind and loving and respectful. They’re just beautiful messages. I really appreciate that,” he said. “As spirituality leads to being loving and kind and respectful, it’s beautiful.”
One family has made it a tradition to see Shen Yun each new season. “I would say it is an elevated experience. It was very joyful,” said Tamara Cook. “It invokes a different level of joy.”
There are still opportunities to see Shen Yun in North Carolina, with performances to be held in Charlotte, Spartanburg, Charleston, and Savannah later in the season.
