JACKSONVILLE, Fla.—Deanna Stotler is a business analyst, and she spent her birthday this year with Shen Yun Performing Arts.
“Today is my birthday, so I’m so excited to be experiencing such a beautiful show,” she said.
Shen Yun, based in New York, is on a mission to present “China before communism,” and to revive people’s connection with 5,000 years of Chinese civilization and culture.
“I’m so appreciative to be getting insight into ancient Chinese culture, to see the beautiful costumes and the dancers, how they move through their bodies. They dance very big. Their movements are very elegant, and I’m just grateful to be experiencing it all,” Ms. Stotler said.
When the Chinese Communist Party (CCP) took power in China, it systematically destroyed and distorted traditional Chinese culture through movements like the Cultural Revolution. Ms. Stotler is getting a glimpse into true Chinese culture through Shen Yun.
“I don’t know that I had much insight into Chinese culture, so it feels like an awakening to me, to just have an experience like this,” she said.
She said she appreciated Shen Yun for its revival of tradition through beautiful storytelling.
“I think it’s very important. I think tradition overall is extremely important, and the art of storytelling is just beautiful. That’s how you carry it through generations,” she said.
Shen Yun’s artists are trained in classical Chinese dance, one of the most comprehensive dance systems in the world.
“I think they’re beautiful. I was sitting in my seat, and I was mimicking some of their hand movements because I love how they finish their lines and their feet. And I’m surprised at how athletic everyone is. The men—they get so much height in the air; it’s just amazing. You can tell that they put a lot of hard work into what they do,” Ms. Stotler said.
Classical Chinese dance is known for its incredible potential in expression. The movements allow Shen Yun to retell stories from Chinese history, myth, and legend.
“The stories behind each of the dances. It’s very easy to follow along with the performers because of how well they move and their storytelling abilities. … I think they’re doing an excellent job with all of their stories and the beautiful scenery,” she said.
