SHEN YUN PERFORMING ARTS REVIEWS

Shen Yun Shared A ‘Very Positive Message,’ Says Foundation Director

Feb 07, 2026

2/7/2026Updated: 2/7/2026

ST. PETERSBURG, Fla.—On Feb. 6, foundation director Beth Waybrant and Bob Swick, a Catholic priest, attended Shen Yun Performing Arts’ evening show together at the Duke Energy Center for the Arts. They were mesmerized by both the beauty of the production and the depth of traditional Chinese culture it conveyed.

According to the company’s website, the name “Shen Yun” translates directly to “the beauty of divine beings dancing.” Mr. Swick couldn’t agree more.

“My goodness gracious, [Shen Yun] was gorgeous,” he exclaimed. “The lady performers—they walked on air.”

“The choreography was just so magnificent. It was just breathtaking, and it’s a beautiful message too. Love it. It was heart-rending. I’m very, very happy that we’re here.”

Ms. Waybrant, too, loved the flowing costumes, the movements, and the vibrant colors. “It was just so beautiful,” she said. The dancers are “so graceful—smiling and happy. I loved the music.”

Based in New York, Shen Yun is the world’s premier classical Chinese dance and music company.

Founded in 2006 by elite Chinese artists who fled persecution, the artists are dedicated to reviving the beauty and virtues of China before communism. Its performance takes the audience through China’s dynasties and legends, while also raising awareness for the ongoing human rights challenges in present-day China.

Mr. Swick was particularly moved by the spiritual dimension of the performance and the portrayal of divine beings descending from the heavens to help humans establish history and culture on Earth.

“The whole atmosphere was about Creation and a divine God,” he shared. “We are all children of God, and we have different beliefs, but there’s one supreme being. That was so beautifully done.”

Shen Yun helps “return us to positivity. [It’s] uplifting. We need it. We lack something in our culture today, especially here in the United States.”

Ms. Waybrant echoed his sentiments and believes that the performance is very educational for future generations.

“We’re so divided now. We need to work together for a common good,” she said.

“There was so much [in the performance] about happiness and goodness, and goodness overcoming evil, and the beautiful scenery of heaven—it was a very positive message.”

Reporting by Sally Sun and Jennifer Tseng.

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