SHEN YUN PERFORMING ARTS REVIEWS

Lousiana Audience Impressed With Shen Yun’s Showcasing of Chinese History

Jan 14, 2026

1/14/2026Updated: 1/14/2026

METAIRIE, La.—Wealth advisor Bill Hrapmann was impressed by Shen Yun Performing Arts on Jan. 13 at Jefferson Performing Arts Center.

“It’s just amazing. It’s, of course, beautiful costumes, but the athletic ability and the power in these athletes’ legs is just phenomenal,” Mr. Hrapmann said.

Shen Yun, based in New York, is on a mission to present “China before communism,” and revive people’s connection with 5,000 years of Chinese civilization and culture.

“I think it’s very important. History is really important to people, and especially a country like China that’s been around for so many thousands of years. I think the next generation should really learn about their past,” Mr. Hrapmann said.

The Chinese Communist Party was established in 1921, but it has been in power in China for less than a century.

“Reading the program, I didn’t realize that communism just started in 1949. So up until that time frame, which is right after the Second World War, before then, China was not communist, so the people had a lot more freedom—a lot more freedom in their arts as you can see from this show,” Mr. Hrapmann said.

Shen Yun’s artists are trained in classical Chinese dance—one of the most comprehensive dance systems in the world.

“The movement is just so synchronized, just exact timing—it’s really amazing. And then the power of the jumps and the twists and the flips is really another amazing part of the show,” Mr. Hrapmann said.

Shen Yun uses Classical Chinese dance to tell stories from China’s five millennia. Its dance stories also portray the modern true story of Falun Dafa practitioners being persecuted for their faith in China. Falun Dafa is a peaceful practice that teaches the principles, Truthfulness, Compassion, and Forbearance.

Witnessing the scene that hinted at Falun Dafa practitioners being victims of organ harvesting in China, Mr. Hrapmann said, “That really made me think, is that going on in present-day China? And if it is, how unfortunate it really is.”

The Shen Yun Orchestra, which tours with Shen Yun, is a unique combination of traditional Chinese instruments and a classic Western ensemble.

“The music is very different from what we’re used to hearing. It’s very pleasant and peaceful,” Mr. Hrapmann said.

Shen Yun’s use of its digital backdrop is patented. The versatility of the technology allows the set to change scenes in the blink of an eye, giving the stage endless possibilities.

“The background is just unbelievable. To watch the people jump in and out of the screen and the sky, just to come watch that alone would be worth the price of admission,” Mr. Hrapmann expressed.

Reporting by NTD and Maria Han.

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