Photographer Reflects on Shen Yun: It’s Important Not to Forget ‘Where You Came From’
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Pamela Stege (L) and Alli Stege attended the opening performance of Shen Yun North America Company at the Orpheum Theatre in Minneapolis, on March 27, 2026. Wen Hua/The Epoch Times
MINNEAPOLIS— After attending Shen Yun, acclaimed photographer Pamela Stege said the performance left her with a lasting reflection on cultural identity and heritage. “I think it’s so important to keep your culture going,” she said. “It’s so important to not forget who you are and where you came from.”
On the evening of March 27, 2026, Pamela attended Shen Yun’s opening performance in Minneapolis at the Orpheum Theatre, accompanied by Alli Stege, who runs a blog in the science field. The performance’s rich colors and flowing costumes left a deep impression on Pamela, who described the experience as “sweet” and visually beautiful.
She expressed particular appreciation for Shen Yun’s elegant costumes. “The outfits were more conservative, which I really, really respect,” she said. “In this day and age, so many outfits are quite revealing, and this felt like a representation of an older China. It was beautiful.”
Based in New York, Shen Yun is the world’s premier classical Chinese dance and music company, with a mission to revive 5,000 years of China’s divinely inspired heritage and share with audiences the beauty of China before communism.
One of Pamela’s favorite pieces was the water sleeve dance. “We loved the costumes where the sleeves came out—the water sleeves, whatever it was. That was beautiful,” she said.
Pamela also admired the vivid colors and the movement of the costumes. “When they moved their arms and the fabric flowed, it was just beautiful,” she said, adding with a smile, “Make me those sleeves—I want that outfit.”
She noted that the dancers’ energy was equally striking. “Everyone seemed to be happy to be there—they really looked like they were enjoying what they were doing,” she said.
Alli shared a similar impression of the water sleeve dance. “That one was super, super awesome,” she said. “I loved how they were throwing their sleeves and catching them perfectly. Everyone looked like they were giving it their all, and it felt like they were moving with the music—like they were feeling it through every part of their body. It was just magical.”
Both were also impressed by the live orchestra, which seamlessly blends Chinese and Western instruments into a single ensemble. “They were incredible,” Pamela said, adding that it would have been “fun to be closer” to watch the musicians perform.
The erhu performance, in particular, left a strong emotional impact. “It felt very classical—like something from the good old days,” Pamela said.
Alli agreed, adding that the music moved her deeply. “It was very emotional—I don’t know why, but within two seconds I had tears in my eyes,” she said. “It just touched my soul. It was wonderful.”
A striking aspect of Shen Yun is its portrayal of both traditional culture and the realities of present-day China, , creating a powerful contrast on stage. The contemporary story-based dances often depict the communist regime’s suppression of tradition, faith, and free expression, as well as the courage of those who stand up to it.
“It was informative, and they didn’t need long explanations,” Pamela said. “You could feel the conflict and the resilience through the dance. That was really powerful.”
Speaking about Shen Yun’s mission to revive traditional culture, both expressed strong support. “It’s beautiful—we love that,” Pamela said.
In closing, they expressed their appreciation to the artists. “Thank you,” Pamela said, while Alli added, “Thank you so much for your creativity, for sharing your story, and for giving it your all. It was wonderful.”
Pamela is an accomplished professional photographer whose work has been widely recognized across the American Midwest. Her photography has been featured in numerous solo exhibitions and publications, and her pieces are held in both private and corporate collections nationwide.
