JACKSONVILLE, Fla.—Jason Smith shared his experience after watching the New York-based Shen Yun Performing Arts, a dance company that bills itself as “China before communism.”
“It’s beautiful,“ he said of his experience. ”The dance is amazing!”
Mr. Smith dug deeper and told the newspaper how he felt about the dancers’ backstory, as told by Shen Yun onstage.
“It’s an interesting story,“ he said. ”Understanding the origin story of the Chinese people and what they believed, and then obviously what they’re allowed to do based on their culture and their government, is very interesting.”
Shen Yun openly tells its audience how many of its performers are American-born Chinese or expats who fled religious persecution in China. Its many stories communicated through dance include a couple of pieces about the communist police beating peaceful Falun Gong believers meditating in China’s parks.
“I am aware that’s gone on in China for some time now,” Mr. Smith said, speaking of religious persecution in China and having to practice in secret. “I’m supportive. I’m a Jewish person, so I understand persecution.”
Then he added, “But there probably is hope, right? That they can continue to carry on their traditions and keep them alive.”
Shen Yun’s website explains that it aims to revive a culture that was “almost lost” during China’s destructive Cultural Revolution in the 1960s. Its dance segments are a refreshing take on ancient myths, as well as a celebration of the many ethnic groups from across the Middle Kingdom.
Paige Olekowski, who saw the same show in Jacksonville, said she was taken aback by the costumes.
“The costumes were really gorgeous,” she said, explaining how some costumes sparkle and shine, and the beautiful, long-flowing sleeves of the ladies that are based on heavenly scenes depicted in ancient Chinese art.
Cathy Digaetano with Paige Olekowski (R) enjoyed Shen Yun at Jacksonville Center for the Performing Arts, in Florida, on Dec. 28, 2025. Linda Li/The Epoch Times
And the animated backdrops were “cool,” she said, speaking of Shen Yun’s patented use of 3D digital projections. The characters onstage interact seamlessly with the projected animations, transporting the audience from ancient palaces in the heavens to those in the ocean depths.
Ms. Olekowski’s stepmother, Cathy Digaetano, also attended. Mrs. Digaetano told The Epoch Times how she loved the stories. They’re “amazing,” she said, adding that she had been waiting “three years to come and see it.”
“The story behind [Shen Yun] has been beautiful,” Ms. Olekowski said, adding that one story dance that stood out for her was about a young man losing his eyesight at the hands of communist officials, after being tortured and abused for his faith. These performances often demonstrate redemptive themes where the divine intervenes for those who have faith.
“If it’s anything like the religions we have over here, where pretty much everybody believes in a God and the good versus evil, there’s nothing wrong with having faith,” she said. “So everybody should be able to.”
Reporting by Linda Li and Michael Wing.
The Epoch Times is a proud sponsor of Shen Yun Performing Arts. We have covered audience reactions since Shen Yun’s inception in 2006.
