SHEN YUN PERFORMING ARTS REVIEWS

Video Producer ‘Blown Away’ by Shen Yun

Jan 08, 2025

MODESTO, Calif.—Andrew Blankenship, filmmaker and video content producer, had no idea what to expect when he entered the Gallo Center for the Arts–Mary Stuart Rogers Theater to watch a Shen Yun performance on Jan. 7.

“This was a gift for Christmas,” Mr. Blankenship said, “I had no idea what [Shen Yun] was. I’m blown away! This is incredible!”

Shen Yun Performing Arts is a New York-based classical Chinese dance and music company. Shen Yun is the first performing arts company to widely introduce classical Chinese dance to the West. This expressive and athletic art form has a history of thousands of years.

Shen Yun was founded in 2006 by a group of elite Chinese artists who fled religious persecution in China. Through the universal languages of dance and music, Shen Yun artists present to the world the beauty of 5,000 years of traditional Chinese culture. Ancient legends as well as modern-day stories, are brought to life on stage, offering the audience a vision of China before communism.

Mr. Blankenship was very impressed with the storytelling aspect of the performance, “I can’t believe it. It’s funny, and it’s wild. This is incredible!”

During the intermission, he was very excited and said: “I’m very happy to be here! I’m very fortunate to see this. I have no idea what’s next. I’m amazed at the talent level that’s being displayed here. It’s incredible.”

Mr. Blankenship especially appreciated the modern-day story of Falun Gong practitioners’ peaceful and steadfast resistance to being persecuted in China. “The story of the persecution was a big part of it,” he said, “I have no idea about these stories and the about culture. These are all different stories and things. I’m American. I don’t know all this stuff. And it’s cool to see a new perspective on life.”

To the Shen Yun artists, Mr. Blankenship was amazed by their dedication. “It’s really beautiful. I’m really amazed at how these performers are dedicated to their craft. It’s inspiring. It’s inspiring what people can do, and they’re doing a great job!”

He believes that Shen Yun can inspire everybody to do better. “Everyone can do better for sure,” he said, “That’s an incredible thing that we’re seeing, so I appreciate it.”

Reporting by Lily Yu and Sophia Fang.

The Epoch Times is a proud sponsor of Shen Yun Performing Arts. We have covered audience reactions since Shen Yun’s inception in 2006.