BALTIMORE, Md.—“It was really exceptional. I was really, really blown away. It wasn’t anything that I expected and it was a super, super surprise for a performance,” said Catherine Lorenze, a film producer.

Shen Yun was presenting 5,000 years of China’s authentic classical and ethnic dances and music at The Hippodrome Theatre in Baltimore.

As a writer and communications expert with 20 years of experience in radio/TV production, Lorenze appreciated the technology and choreography incorporated into the production of Shen Yun.

The artistry in the dances, the costumes, and especially the techniques used for the big screen and animation were inspirational, said Ms. Lorenze.

‘[I was] not only entertained but really inspired and incredibly captivated because the dancers are so exceptional …  their acrobatic movements and they are so light on their feet. So it was very educational from that perspective,” Ms. Lorenze said. She was surprised to learn many of the movements in traditional Chinese dance had been incorporated into other dance forms.

The dance that depicted the persecution was “incredibly striking and very moving … quite shocking because it’s so real,” Ms. Lorenze said.

“I thought that was incredibly thought-provoking and beautifully presented in terms of its seriousness and yet bringing it across in a very artistic manner. Very well done,” she said.

“As an artist, I loved the costumes. [The colors] are beautiful.”

“The plum flowers [‘Plum Blossoms in Spring’ dance], those were gorgeous …  and the choreography—the precision is remarkable.”

“There wasn’t a sound on the floor. I don’t know how they do it,” she said.

“What a wonderful way to spend an afternoon or an evening. I didn’t anticipate it to be so amusing in so many parts, and educational.”

“You can’t help but feel good afterwards,” Ms. Smith said, adding that she could have continued watching Shen Yun for yet another hour.