SHEN YUN PERFORMING ARTS REVIEWS

Business Owner Has New Appreciation for Chinese Culture from Shen Yun

Feb 28, 2026

2/28/2026Updated: 3/1/2026

GOLD COAST, Australia—Shen Yun Performing Arts played to an enthusiastic audience, including Lana Kruger, at the HOTA Home of the Arts during the evening performance on Feb. 28.

This was the first time Ms. Kruger had attended Shen Yun. Director of a logistics and supply chain business, Ms. Kruger said coming out of the theatre that Shen Yun was “incredible.”

“The costumes were phenomenal,” she said. “The talent of the dancers was amazing.”

Shen Yun’s mission is to revive traditional Chinese culture before communism and to share this civilization with the world. Many people are not aware of the spirituality that is embedded in the culture.

Ms. Kruger said she gleaned a new appreciation for traditional Chinese culture from Shen Yun. “My understanding of Chinese traditional culture is that it is very old. I think they’ve done an incredible job keeping their traditions and not letting it go like some other nationalities have—they’ve stayed sacred to their traditions, and I find that very inspirational,” she said.

One important message about the essence of Chinese culture stayed with Ms. Kruger. “To me, the essence of the culture is family, as well as moral values, and love, kindness, and passion. That was what I got from the tradition.”

Ms. Kruger also noted the communist regime’s persecution and suppression of believers like Falun Gong that is happening in China even today.

“The thing that stood out for me the most was the powerful message that came from the show,” she said. The current situation in China “is something that I don’t think the rest of the world is familiar with, or knows in detail. That’s what stood out for me in the show tonight.”

Shen Yun’s performers train in upstate New York, and audiences have often noted the dancers’ skill in classical Chinese dance. Many are not aware that modern gymnastic movements come from traditional Chinese culture.

“The dance movements that struck me the most were the hand-free cartwheels and flip-flops that the dancers did.” Ms. Kruger said.

Shen Yun’s live orchestra features Eastern and Western instruments that play together. The orchestra synchronizes with the dancers on stage and also with the animated backdrop.

“We loved the music. We loved that it was combined,” Ms. Kruger said of Shen Yun’s one-of-a-kind orchestra that blends Eastern and Western instruments.

“It was our first time experiencing some of the Chinese instruments. That was just incredible to watch and see,” she said.

Shen Yun’s patented digital backdrop interacts with the dancers during the dance drama, and Ms. Kruger said, “That was mind-blowing. When there was a ping, that was when you'd see the dancers do something, and at the same time, on the background screen.

“The colorful background screen changed and was very interactive. The screen with the dancers with the music was very well timed and orchestrated. I think the choreographers of the show did an incredible job,” she said.

When Ms. Kruger saw a dancer appear to jump out of the backdrop, she said, “My first question was, how did they do that? At the same time, it was surprise and shock. That was fantastic.”

Ms. Kruger said she would enthusiastically recommend people to see Shen Yun. “100 percent—absolutely would recommend it. It’s breathtaking, absolutely breathtaking.”

She said she would tell people, “the show is all about ancient Chinese tradition and culture. It is portrayed with the most talented dancers and the most beautiful costumes.”

“Absolutely brilliant.”

Reporting by NTD and Yvonne Marcotte.

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