BALTIMORE—Gregory Wolodkewitsch, a government planner, and Crystal Avey, an IT manager, watched Shen Yun Performing Arts at The Hippodrome Theatre on March 15.

“I loved the different stories that it told,” Ms. Avey said. “The music was beautiful and the dance was spectacular.”

“Culturally, it’s just a beautiful experience,” Mr. Wolodkewitsch said.

“I love the culture and the storylines,” said Mr. Wolodkewitsch, who was most impressed by “the choreography and the timing.”

Among Shen Yun’s story-based dances are stories set in modern-day China that depict the Chinese Communist Party’s persecution of followers of faith. Ms. Avey said that she had known some of what was happening before seeing the performance, yet was still deeply affected when seeing the depiction.

“It’s very important because I don’t think it’s well known throughout the world,” Ms. Avey said. “We just got a taste of it today. We don’t even know how deep it is. We just got a taste, but it’s very important to get the word out and let people be aware of what’s taking place.”

“Not being able to perform what you just saw in your own country—that’s a shame,” Ms. Avey said.

Ms. Avey felt that Shen Yun’s performance was a way of  “sharing experiences, with others, other cultures, [and] other religions.”

“It’s therapeutic. ... I do feel like it gives people hope,” Ms. Avey said, a sentiment Mr. Wolodkewitsch shared.

“Hopefully they'll be able to perform in their home country,” Mr. Wolodkewitsch added.