NEWARK, N.J.—Mark Nowak is a martial arts master with 40 years of training under his black belt. He’s studied Japanese Karate as well as Chinese Kung Fu.
Mr. Nowak joined his first Japanese dojo at age 14 before moving on to tai chi and wing chun kung fu—the same system Bruce Lee practiced. But besides all the awards he’s received, Mr. Nowak says he’s most proud of being cast in the 2021 kung fu flick “Made in Chinatown.” He knows what it takes to be in a show.
Shen Yun “is way up there,” he said. “I think probably most people couldn’t comprehend how difficult it is to orchestrate something like this.”
Shen Yun’s dancers have been touring the globe for 20 years, striving to revive ancient Chinese arts. But their mission runs deeper than physical movements; they want to revive the culture that was “almost lost” during China’s devastating Cultural Revolution in the 1960s. They portray the values of “China before communism,” placing spirituality highest of all.
“They’re promoting righteousness, love, treating people [with kindness], and they’re demoting I want to say communism or dictatorship,” Mr. Nowak said. “They’re saying that this is stifling the artistic community and the religious community.”
Watching Shen Yun by his side on Sunday was Sharon Deventer, a former Radio City Rockette who’s been teaching dance in her own studio for 50 years. Seeing dozens of dancers flowing in unison was “incredible,” she said. “I used to do all of that, and I know what it takes to do all of that, so I respect it.”
Below the stage, but still visible to the audience, a full orchestra plays in sync with the dancers onstage. Both Chinese and Western instruments bring each story to life with dramatic vibrations of sound.
Meanwhile, the artists behind the scenes—the countless choreographers, trainers, and both set and costume designers—go unsung.
“You would need a lot of people to pull this together. A lot of people—a lot of talented people,” Ms. Deventer said. “They’re extremely talented. I mean, they’re up at the top.”
