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WASHINGTON, D.C.—The Kennedy Center Opera House was abuzz on Tuesday for the 2013 premier of Shen Yun Performing Arts. The Opera House will host seven shows this week.
Celebrated choreographer Shawn Cosby and director Sherion Cosby were in attendance for opening night on Jan. 29, to experience the world-renowned classical Chinese dance company for the first time.
“I thought the show was magnificent—I love the classical dancing. I loved the colors, the expression,” said Shawn after the show.
“The precision, the skill, its all there. You could see the classical training. It’s just wonderful to watch,” added Sherion.
Shawn Cosby is a professionally trained dancer, choreographer, model and actress. She has choreographed for numerous recording artists, dance schools, and BET’s Teen Summit program. She is also the principal choreographer for the famed “DC Showbiz Dancers” and has appeared in several feature films, TV Commercials, and television shows. She is a master teacher in dance and has taught master classes from D.C. to L.A. and is a recipient of the Alvin Ailey Choreographer Award.
Shawn was fascinated by Shen Yun’s collection of story-based dance dramas, which aim to capture the essence of traditional Chinese culture.
“I loved the mood of every piece, how every piece was so different but yet they all tied together,” she said.
“I thought it was a great experience, I learned a lot, and I look forward to next year.”
Sherion Cosby is a producer, theatrical director, and manages CenterStage Management LLC. She has worked for over 35 years as a Montgomery County Theater and TV/Film teacher. She has produced and directed over 80 musicals and plays, including Les Miserables, Dreamgirls, Beauty and the Beast, Westside Story, and Footloose. She has also stage-managed numerous productions locally and nationally, and has cast performers for Six Flags, music videos and Sirens Media TV/Film.
Sherion loved Shen Yun’s stage effects, including the one-of-a-kind digitally animated backdrops, and said the experience was not to be missed.
“I really love the special effects,” she said. “I loved the costuming and all the music. It’s just a wonderful piece to see. I’m certain more people are going to see this. If they don’t, they’re going to really miss out because its a great show.”
Shawn said she appreciated the vocal performances in Shen Yun, which are sung in bel canto operatic style featuring Chinese lyrics.
“The singing was off the charts! Great!” she said.
New York-based Shen Yun is the world’s premier classical Chinese dance and music company. Featuring classical Chinese dance and ethnic or folk dance, the performance aims to revive 5,000 years of traditional Chinese culture.
Shawn said it was obvious that Shen Yun’s dancers were very well trained because the performance was flawless, down to the smallest detail.
“Because I’m a choreographer I’m looking at the dance details,” she said. “The fingers, and everybody’s hand placement and head placement—everybody’s on the same line and everybody’s hitting center. That kind of stuff really makes a difference. I just want to take this movement from the show.”
“I just wish I could do some of those leaps!” Sherion added, referring to the challenging flips and tumbling techniques featured in classical Chinese dance.
Sherion said the performance really deepened her understanding of traditional Chinese culture and applauded the artists for reviving their long-cherished traditions.
“It was very informative. There was a lot I did not know, and I like understanding about [the culture],” she said.
“I thought all of it rang really clear and yet the beauty of what they do—they make it seem like its just effortless. It was a good lesson for me, I enjoyed it so much.”
She said one of the most memorable moments in the show was a dance entitled The Unexpected Journey. The piece highlights spiritual repression and persecution in China, through a beautifully told story of a father and daughter’s unfolding destiny.
“I just loved that piece with the father and the daughter, I just loved it,” said Sherion.
According to the Shen Yun website, traditional Chinese culture has been virtually destroyed through violent campaigns waged by the Chinese Communist party. It is this divinely-inspired 5,000-year-old culture that Shen Yun seeks to revive.
Reporting by NTD Television and Justina Wheale.
Shen Yun Performing Arts, based in New York, tours the world on a mission to revive traditional Chinese culture. For more information, visit ShenYunPerformingArts.org
The Epoch Times publishes in 35 countries and in 21 languages. Subscribe to our e-newsletter.
Shen Yun Performing Arts, based in New York, tours the world on a mission to revive traditional Chinese culture. For more information, visit ShenYunPerformingArts.org
The Epoch Times publishes in 35 countries and in 21 languages. Subscribe to our e-newsletter.
