SHEN YUN PERFORMING ARTS REVIEWS

Homeland Security Specialist Praises Shen Yun as ‘Phenomenal’ Experience

Apr 04, 2026

4/4/2026Updated: 4/4/2026

COLORADO SPRINGS—On the evening of April 3, Mick Tingstrom, an intelligence specialist with the U.S. Department of Homeland Security, attended the opening performance of Shen Yun Performing Arts at the Pikes Peak Center for the Performing Arts in Colorado Springs. It was Mr. Tingstrom’s first time seeing Shen Yun after years of anticipation, celebrating his mother’s 80th birthday at the theater.

Reflecting on the experience, Mr. Tingstrom expressed admiration for every aspect of the production. “It’s amazing,” he said. “The dancing, the talent, the music, the costumes—the entire production is just phenomenal.”

Based in New York, Shen Yun is the world’s premier classical Chinese dance and music company, with a mission to revive traditional Chinese culture. Since its founding in 2006, the company has presented an entirely new program each year, captivating audiences around the world.

Having long hoped to see Shen Yun, Mr. Tingstrom said it exceeded his expectations. “I’ve been watching from afar and hoping to get to a production like this for many, many years,” he said, adding that attending with his mother for her birthday made the experience especially meaningful.

He shared that the performance moved him throughout, noting that each piece left a strong impression. “I’ve been moved at every single one of the dances,” he said.

One of the most memorable elements for him was Shen Yun’s innovative use of digital backdrops. “I really like when the characters jump out of the scenes on the screen onto the dance floor,” he said. “That’s amazing—taking the technology and putting it into the dance.”

Shen Yun’s animated digital backdrops depict breathtaking landscapes and vivid scenes of Chinese society, ranging from ancient to contemporary. Perfectly synchronized with the live performance, they create a visually engaging and immersive experience. The seamless synchronization enables the performers to fluidly transition between the on-screen world and the stage, often delighting the audience with big surprises.

Mr. Tingstrom also expressed his support for Shen Yun’s mission to revive traditional Chinese culture. “I think it’s great,” he said. “There are places around the world where certain traditions aren’t accepted, but here they are—and we’re grateful they’re bringing this tradition to our city.”

For thousands of years, Chinese culture was deeply spiritual in nature. That changed only in recent decades with the rise of the Chinese Communist Party and its promotion of atheism. Shen Yun now aims to bring that lost, divinely-inspired culture back to life by celebrating “China before communism”—an effort that is striking a chord with audiences around the globe.

Mr. Tingstrom was moved by the performance’s spiritual themes. He noted that Shen Yun powerfully underscores the role of faith in human life. “Many people are struggling today, and that’s part of the human experience,” he said. “But the performance effectively conveys the idea of faith and God’s interaction with humanity.”

As the evening concluded, Mr. Tingstrom encouraged others to experience Shen Yun for themselves. “Come out and see it,” he said. “It’s worth your time and effort—you’ll enjoy the experience.”

Reporting by NTD and Olivia Li.

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