LAS VEGAS—Architect Roy Burson expressed great appreciation for the traditional Chinese culture presented by Shen Yun Performing Arts on the afternoon of March 7 after experiencing it at The Smith Center for the Performing Arts in Las Vegas.

“Beautiful,” Mr. Burson said. “It’s amazing. I love it. Everything is traditional—it’s awesome.”

He also had an unexpected surprise when he ran into an acquaintance he had known for about 20 years, architect Kelly Griepentrog, who had also come to see the performance.

Mr. Burson said he found the artform highly expressive and able to convey the performers’ emotions. He added that he particularly enjoyed Shen Yun’s storytelling.

“Yes, I’m able to follow it very well,” Mr. Burson said.

One dance drama in particular—depicting a modern-day story about the Chinese communist regime’s ongoing persecution of Falun Gong practitioners—left a deep impression on him.

“The modern one with the mother and the son touched me a lot,” Mr. Burson said. “It was very emotional.”

Mr. Burson, a recipient of the 2009 Design Excellence Award from the American Institute of Architects Nevada and the 2008 International Faith & Religious Architecture Award, also said Shen Yun’s innovative use of an animated backdrop impressed him.

“It’s interesting,” he said. “I wasn’t expecting something like that with the backdrop, but it’s great.”

“It’s amazing,” he said. “The world is so small now—we need to learn about everything.”

Deeply impressed, Mr. Burson said he would definitely recommend Shen Yun to his friends.

Mr. Griepentrog, who is also an architect, shared similar sentiments about the performance.

“I love it. I love everything,” he said.