Mr. Powell, too, shared that “the costume design, the colors— everything they’re doing to set the stage and tell the story has been pretty impressive.”
In the decades since the communist regime seized power, Chinese culture was forced to the brink of extinction. These New York-based artists are now seeking to revive China’s 5,000 years of divinely inspired culture and showcase to the world, the beauty of China before communism.
“It’s my first time hearing about it, so it’s been very enlightening,” she shared.
Mr. Powell added that he found it fascinating to see ancient China’s deep cultural and spiritual roots reflected in the performance. Though much of that heritage has been lost, Shen Yun allowed him to feel a connection between the values of the past and those of today.
Having grown up in a free country, he found it strange that this tradition was discouraged by the Chinese Communist Party.
Though Shen Yun is well-beloved by audiences around the world, it is currently forbidden by the ruling Chinese regime from performing in China.
“We are very spiritual people and we do embrace meditation. … So, I enjoy that type of experience. I appreciated that,” Mrs. Powell chimed in.
For its 2025 touring season, Shen Yun’s eight equally-sized companies will be performing in over 200 cities across five continents. Met with wide acclaim since its establishment in 2006, the company can be expected to return each year with a brand-new set of choreography and musical compositions.
