TORONTO—Hanna Sachko, a costume designer for films, watched Shen Yun at the Four Seasons Centre for the Performing Arts on April 6 and was inspired by Shen Yun’s
costumes and colors. Ms. Sachko said, “It was amazing! The costume speaks to me, it was like part of the story, what artists show to us, through the dance and through the actions.”
“The colors were very bright, absolutely amazing, and I enjoyed how the colors match, how the fabrics move, how ... I just can’t stop saying amazing!” she said.
Based in New York, Shen Yun Performing Arts was founded in 2006 and is the world’s premier
classical Chinese dance and music company. Shen Yun’s mission is to revive the traditional culture that has been almost destroyed by the communist regime. Legend has it that ancient Chinese clothing was inspired by the attire worn in the heavens. Shen Yun’s costumes bring back the styles of China’s different dynasties, regions, and ethnic groups.
“I can get a lot of inspiration [from Shen Yun’s costumes]. I like the Chinese
traditional clothing.“ Ms. Sachko was particularly fond of the ”five-colored skirt with peachy and pink colors.”
She was also amazed by the water sleeves. “It’s incredible, especially those long sleeves. When [the dancers] throw it out and then catch it, it gives you a lot of emotion, a feeling about energy and about what [the dancers] have inside,” she said.
Alongside the costumes, Shen Yun’s animated backdrop also left Ms. Sachko in awe. “It was the first time when I saw how they worked together, especially this moment when artists jump down, and something [appears] on the screen. It’s very cool,” she said.
To Ms. Sachko, every element of
Shen Yun works perfectly together. “It’s artistic, the movements, makeup, hairstyle, everything matches like in one picture,” she said.
She also felt the energy radiating from the stage and felt calm at the same time. “The colors are bright, like powerful energy, but the music keeps you calm. I’m very glad that I watched this show,” she said.
“It felt like meditation in some part.” Ms. Sachko added.
Reporting by Xinxin Teng and Sophia Fang.
