SHEN YUN PERFORMING ARTS REVIEWS

Shen Yun Theatergoer: ‘I Feel Peace at Heart Right Now’

Feb 12, 2026

2/12/2026Updated: 2/12/2026

DALLAS—Rick Martinez and Lisa Martinez saw Shen Yun Performing Arts on Feb. 11 at Eisemann Center.

“It’s very inspiring. It’s very educational … I feel peace at heart right now,” shared Mr. Martinez, a retired general manager.

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.

“It tells you about the ancient way that life was, and it was very peaceful. It was very spiritual. And I think a lot of people forget where we come from and where we should be. It’s inspiring me tremendously,” Mr. Martinez said.

Before the Chinese Communist Party forced its atheist ideology on the people of China, China was full of spirituality and piety.

Shen Yun’s depiction of China before communism has Mr. Martinez wishing that he lived in a different time.

“It makes me wish that I was back at least 3,000 years ago. Just to be in that time to see it for real. Sadly, the communists have changed that.”

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

“I think it’s brilliant and it’s beautiful. It’s gorgeous. I think the stories behind the dances are very inspirational. They’re teaching a story that I didn’t know. It’s very educational, but the beauty beyond it is just outstanding,” said Ms. Martinez, an executive assistant.

Shen Yun’s dancers are not only diligent in honing their dance skills, but also at becoming better people. The artists follow the principles of Truthfulness-Compassion-Forbearance to guide their everyday lives.

Ms. Martinez could sense that the artists are passionate about what they do.

“It’s not what I was expecting. I was expecting the costumes and the dance. I didn’t expect to feel the spirituality. … You can feel a passion and the spiritual spirituality of the dance. You can feel that. It radiates from the dancers,” she said.

In dances such as ‘Water Sleeves,’ the costume plays an important part. Ms. Martinez was highly impressed with Shen Yun’s utilization of its costumes.

“I still love the costumes, and I love the dancers, they’re just gorgeous … the whole show itself has been breathtaking to me. The phenomenal things that the dancers can do with the costumes—it’s just gorgeous,” she said.

Reporting by Sonia Wu 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.