On the evening of March 13, 2026, Shen Yun Performing Arts presented its first performance of the season in Miami, Florida, at the Adrienne Arsht Center for the Performing Arts. Ms. Blackman attended the performance that evening. She is a certified speaking professional and the founder of an organization dedicated to developing public speaking skills.
Shen Yun, which means “the beauty of divine beings dancing,” features vivid scenes that bring heavenly realms to life on stage. Ms. Blackman said she was deeply impressed by the performance and eager to share the experience with others.“This is absolutely my first time seeing the show, and I cannot wait to share it with people who have never heard of Shen Yun before,” she said. “It’s an incredible experience. Absolutely, absolutely incredible.”
“The dance form really exceeds anything that I’ve ever seen before,” Ms. Blackman said. “I’ve had the opportunity to see many different types of dances throughout the world, but there is nothing quite like this.”
She also described the performance as dreamlike, noting how the music, singing, and dance came together to weave stories seamlessly.
“The messaging is about the divine—that we’re all meant to be here, meant to take this path,” she said. “We’re supposed to come here and see this, and it’s supposed to reawaken our spirit.”
Spirituality and tradition, she added, are deeply meaningful to her.
“Spirituality is very, very important to me,” Ms. Blackman said. “My people, the Jewish people, feel very strongly that tradition is so important.”
She was also touched to share the experience with audiences from around the world.
“It was beautiful seeing people from different places, different ethnicities, and different ages here tonight,” she said. “Someone behind me from Australia said, ‘This is the second time I’ve been here.’ Others were saying they had seen it 20 times. It’s a beautiful blend of everything—the dance, the opera, the orchestra, and the instruments.”
Ms. Blackman said she had heard of this painful reality in modern-day China, but the way Shen Yun expresses it is “incredibly new and vibrant” for her.
Ms. Blackman concluded by expressing heartfelt appreciation for the performers and encouraging them to continue their work.
“A huge thank you,” she said. “Continue on—whatever you’re doing, do more of it. See if you can do more shows around the world and come to Naples, Florida.”
She added that she would gladly recommend the performance to others, including “friends, families, colleagues, and organizations.”
