“I think it’s wonderful. There are so many different elements, cultural elements that are just very intricate, very interesting story lines, and so I’m really enjoying the experience,” Ms. Neal said.

“You feel a sense that you’re learning, for each and every scene that comes up, you’re learning a different aspect about some cultural story, and I think that’s powerful,” Ms. Neal said.

“I’m trying to understand why [the CCP] is trying to crush the experience of everyone actually experiencing the cultural influence of China?” Ms. Neal expressed.

Shen Yun uses classical Chinese dance to tell stories from China’s five millennia. Its dance stories also portray the modern true story of Falun Dafa practitioners being persecuted for their faith in China. Falun Dafa is a peaceful practice that teaches the principles of Truthfulness, Compassion, and Forbearance.

“It seems like it’s wrong not to allow dancers to perform in their own country. And so it seems like there needs to be a shift in the acceptance of all people to be able to exist,” Ms. Neal said.

There were two dances that stood out to Ms. Neal.

“I like the dance where they were talking about being one with the creator—that really resonated with me. All things come from one being—that really touched me. And then the Monkey King [showed] the power of transformation.”

Ms. Neal was impressed with “the way the dancers position their bodies.”

She especially enjoyed the ‘Water Sleeves’ dance, stating it gave her the imagery of a graceful swan floating on water.