INDIANAPOLIS, Ind.—“I took my two little kids, and I think they were impressed by it,” said Mr. Pat Chastain after seeing Shen Yun Performing Arts at Clowes Memorial Hall at Butler University on April 19.

The classical Chinese dance and music company endeavors to revitalize traditional Chinese culture through performing arts.

Mr. Chastain is attorney for an electric contracting company, Miller EADS Co.

“I enjoyed it. I thought the dancing was very good. The costumes were great,” he said.

Shen Yun has performed in over 100 cities in 20 countries. Ironically, the company still hasn’t performed in mainland China due to the repressive nature of the communist regime. Since it seized power in 1949, the current regime has endorsed atheism, thus it has tried to eradicate almost all form of ancient traditions and beliefs.

“I liked how it was very outspoken against ... the communist regime, and, you know, pointed out the importance of freedom of expression—recognizing the Chinese past instead of hiding it. I was impressed by that and ... the whole philosophy behind the show—very outspoken about China today,” Mr. Chastain said.

Did he agree with the idea of using performing arts as a medium to deliver this message? “Yes absolutely, yeah,” he said. “It’s great because that’s what’s being repressed. and so I think to actually see it, and see what people are missing, they must be impressed because it leaves an impression on you.”

“I have never seen a classical dance, so that is what I liked. The performers were very good,” the attorney said.

Mr. Chastain talked about some the elements of Chinese classical dance that contributed to his enjoyment. “It’s the physicality of it, the fluid movement, certainly the acrobatic components of it, some of it maybe more physical than classical ballet, there’s a lot more movement and fluidity in it,” he said.

He would recommend the performance: “I would say, ‘This is an unusual show you don’t get a chance to see much, especially around here ... If you are in town, you should take a chance and come over to see it.”

Reporting by Valerie Avore and Andrew Darin

New York-based Shen Yun Performing Arts has four touring companies that perform simultaneously around the world. For more information, visit Shen Yun Performing Arts. 

The Epoch Times considers Shen Yun Performing Arts the significant cultural event of our time. We have proudly covered audience reactions since Shen Yun’s inception in 2006.