Theatergoer Says Shen Yun Helps Him Discover a Different China
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James Kuhlman, a strategic account manager, enjoyed Shen Yun at the Trump Kennedy Center Opera House in Washington, D.C. on Jan. 9, 2026. Frank Liang/The Epoch Times
WASHINGTON—James Kuhlman, a strategic account manager in medical sales, said Shen Yun presented a China very different from his previous understanding—one that was “very culturally grounded” and “rooted in divinity.”
On the evening of Jan. 9, 2026, Mr. Kuhlman attended the third performance by Shen Yun World Company at the Trump Kennedy Center Opera House in Washington, D.C.
Based in New York, Shen Yun is the world’s premier classical Chinese dance and music company. Its mission is to revive China’s culture as it existed before decades of communist rule nearly destroyed it.
Through classical Chinese, folk, and story-based dances, the artists showcase China’s diverse regions and bring its rich history and culture to life.
Mr. Kuhlman found the experience deeply engaging. “I didn’t realize there’d be so many different stories … It’s entertaining, and it’s educational,” he remarked.
Shen Yun presents traditional Chinese culture as it existed before the Chinese Communist Party came to power. Mr. Kuhlman expressed his admiration for the beauty of that culture, saying, “It’s remarkable. China used to be free and spiritual, very culturally grounded.”
By contrast, he noted that “freedoms have been lost” in today’s China under communist rule.
Mr. Kuhlman also marveled at the artists’ superb technique. “The athleticism, the grace, the timing, and the synchronicity are all impressive,” he said.
“The grace really stands out,” he added, praising the performers’ dedication and hard work. “What they’re doing is very difficult. They make it look easy, but it’s actually very challenging.”
Many professional dancers, when sharing their impressions of Shen Yun, have remarked that the performers’ ability to control strength surpasses that of any other dance form they have seen. Their movements embody a perfect balance of power and flexibility, allowing them to leap high into the air and land with remarkable softness.
In conclusion, Mr. Kuhlman said, “I now probably have a full appreciation of the [Chinese] culture. It’s very much rooted in divinity.”
