THOUSAND OAKS, Calif.—Kenny Chandler, a contractor, was impressed with every part of Shen Yun Performing Arts when he saw the performance at the Thousand Oaks Civic Arts Plaza on March 26, 2025.

“I’m enjoying it very much, it’s beautiful—the visuals and the music, the costume, the color, the dance movement, it’s beautiful,” Mr. Chandler said.

Shen Yun’s artists are trained in classical Chinese dance, one of the most comprehensive dance systems in the world. The artists are also experts in various ethnic and folk dance styles. Mr. Chandler said he enjoyed them all.

“I liked the dance in the different parts of the country, the little stories, that one story about the persecution was kind of moving,” he said.

The dance portraying the persecution of Falun Gong practitioners reminded Mr. Chandler of another time when the Chinese Communist Party (CCP) committed a crime for the world to see.

“I remember the Tiananmen Square [massacre], I remember different things from history. So I understand a little bit of what goes on in the country, but I’m not that well informed,” Mr. Chandler said.

Shen Yun has eight companies touring the world simultaneously. Mr. Chandler said that Shen Yun sharing true Chinese culture with the world will allow people to know a China separate from the CCP.

“I think it’s good to bring that to people like myself that don’t know all that much. We tend to see China as a foe, and it’s nice to see the people and the culture that is not the political side of it,” he said.

The entire Shen Yun performance begins with the Creator and takes the audience on a journey through China’s 5,000 years of history.

“I think there’s some duality there, we all have a feeling of there’s a creator, there’s a higher being, so whatever the religion it is, there’s a lot of commonality and if you look deep enough, we just pray to a different god,” Mr. Chandler said.

Shen Yun’s use of its digital backdrop is patented. The versatility of technology allows the set to change scenes in the blink of an eye, giving the stage endless possibilities.

“I’m impressed, the way the live action goes into the screen, it’s impressive. It’s a nice bit of digital magic,” Mr. Chandler said.