‘Really Struck a Chord’: Shen Yun Spellbinds Theatergoers With Cultural Revival
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Henry Campbell and Bradie Beseda attend Shen Yun Performing Arts at the Long Center for the Performing Arts in Austin, Texas, on Jan. 4, 2026. Nancy Ma/ The Epoch Times
AUSTIN, Texas—Texans are being mesmerized by Shen Yun Performing Arts, a touring classical Chinese dance company—not from China but from New York—that aims to revive ancient dance and spirituality through its mission to remind the world of “China before communism.”
New York-based Shen Yun stirred theatergoers onstage Sunday at the Long Center for the Performing Arts in Austin, expressing a fresh take on a deeply rooted culture. Spirituality took a front seat in a show that has been banned from performing in China by the communist regime that promotes materialism.
Henry Campbell, a financial advisor, shared how he felt about Shen Yun portraying the divine: “It’s a side of China that I haven’t seen before,” he said.
The opening scene begins with the Creator in heaven, descending to the world with a convoy of deities, and then beginning a journey through China’s different dynasties and cultures together.
“It’s amazing, I feel like I’ve gone on a little tour across all of China, all of the different aspects,” said Bradie Beseda, who owns a gifting company. “The costumes are gorgeous, phenomenal, a work of art.”
As many of its performers fled China due to religious persecution in their homeland, Shen Yun began as an undertaking to preserve the traditional culture that has been under attack in China since the Cultural Revolution in the 1960s. It also raises awareness of religious persecution still going on in the Middle Kingdom today.
“Myth and culture and tradition is very, very important to maintain,” said Campbell, speaking of his biggest takeaway after seeing Shen Yun. “Because ultimately, it tells the story of where we’re from, and that’s very important for us going into the future.”
In particular, Campbell mentioned some spectacular moments in Shen Yun, like where the ‘Monkey King,’ a character from Chinese literature, flew into the air, aided by a combination of acrobatics and special effects. Shen Yun boasts a state-of-the-art animated 3D backdrop that transports the audience into the heavens, to ancient palaces, and even under the sea.
“Oh my gosh, that was so cool! When the dancers would go back, and they would just become part of the screen or vice versa, that was really interesting to watch,” Nickole Hines-Staples said after seeing Sunday’s performance.
Nickole Hines-Staples attends Shen Yun Performing Arts at the Long Center for the Performing Arts in Austin, Texas, on Jan. 4, 2026. Nancy Ma/The Epoch Times
During the performance, the audience also watched Shen Yun portray a scene from modern China. Besides ancient myths, the performers include segments where Falun Gong believers are being persecuted, such as the fictional boy who was maimed by costumed communist officials.
“That last act as well, with the mother and the son, that was very touching,” Hines-Staples said, adding that she “almost cried.” “I really felt the connection with that, probably because I have a 13-year-old son, and I could see him standing up for what he really believes in. And that really struck a chord with me.”
