In these days of mass production and sensationalism, it is rare to find an event that portrays real cultural depth. This is one of the reasons why the performance company Divine Performing Arts {DPA} stands out from the crowd.
Traditional Chinese culture and its influence on the most populous nation on earth is not something that people from the west can easily experience or understand. However, the New York-based DPA, with its portrayal of Chinese culture through music and dance, is striving to change that.
With Chinese classical dance as the vehicle, DPA draws upon China’s 5,000-year history and incorporates the folk tales and legends that helped shape the Asian continent. Universal in theme and meaning, the story-based dances open a window into the psyche of the unique dynasties of ancient China.
The astounding physical feats of the DPA dancers are complimentary to the cultural substance conveyed. Each dance expresses a cultural essence that goes beyond what can be captured in the pages of a history book.
The depth and elements of movement in Chinese classical dance have been preserved through many generations and are reflected in martial arts, acrobatics and ethnic dances. In fact, they permeate the entire culture.
DPA choreographer and principal dancer Vina Lee, a graduate of China’s top dance school, the Beijing Academy of Dance, has experienced classical dance both inside and outside China.
“I believe that as an artist, we have the responsibility to bring people not just a show but to provide meaning behind it, to uplift morality, loyalty, filial piety as in the story of Yue Fei—where the audience is almost always in tears. These virtues and principles apply to any society,” Lee said.
“This season’s show will transport audiences back on a swift exploration of China’s 5,000-year-old cultural civilization. Depicting plush scenes from China’s imperial court during different dynasties, the performances will include heroic myths and legends based on morals from the Middle Kingdom.”
This is a culture that was all but destroyed as a result of Mao Zedong’s infamous Great Cultural Revolution and the advent of communism to China, and to truly convey its essence takes more than dance and song. It has taken years of study and dedication for DPA to espouse the true value and beauty of traditional culture.
“This is what we are now getting back in its original form through our performances, and that is what moves people the most and what makes people enjoy our shows,” Lee explained.
The effort and dedication of the performers to truly convey a sense of the divinity that was inherent in Chinese culture is unsurpassed. A common audience reaction is tears and a sense of wonder.
“The mission of our performance is to revive traditional Chinese culture and the values of pure grace, kindness, sincerity, and human dignity,” said Lee.
“The ancients lived by these values and their essence is embodied in the Show. DPA strives to make every aspect of the production as true to history as possible, from the finest details of the handmade costumes to the depiction of the ancient myths and legends.”
The Eastern philosophy offers something different to the audience than the standard Western classics which are steeped in romantic idealism.
“This show has maintained the aesthetics of traditional Chinese culture, but it also has the inner spirit. It includes classic Chinese themes such as man’s relationship with nature and with other humans, man’s spirituality and the constant challenge to maintain a principled, moral life,” said Leeshai Lemish, four-year emcee for DPA, who spends five months a year on tour with the show.
Lemish said many classics in the west, such as Romeo and Juliet and Swan Lake, have strong romantic elements and basically go no further than exploring the relationship between man and woman.
“But if you look at traditional Chinese culture, the content extends beyond romantic love to contemplating deeper realms. It’s about what we are doing here, what are the laws of nature, and how does one find one’s true self. In this way, it’s also inspired by Buddhism and Taoism. That’s a big difference between our show and others.”
For more information please visit DivinePerformingArts.org
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