In the world of contemporary performing arts, no theater company has quite captured the world’s imagination, hearts, and acclaim like The Shen Yun Performing Arts Company.
Shen Yun was born in 2006 out of a long-held vision by Li Hongzhi, a Chinese spiritual teacher.
In 1992, Li founded a movement known as Falun Gong, one of many qigong and traditional Chinese medicine groups that flourished in the post-Mao era. But when his organization grew to millions of followers and was perceived as a threat by the Communist regime, Li sought refuge in the United States.
Along with a small band of fellow exiles, he conceived of an ambitious plan for reviving, restoring, and sharing with the world the knowledge of the ancient wisdom that ensouled Chinese civilization for 5,000 years.
Ancient Chinese culture, infused with Confucian, Buddhist, and Taoist values and spirituality, gave birth to everything from medical and scientific innovations to refined opera, dance, architecture, and even martial arts. But after decades of rule by the Chinese Communist Party (CCP), much of this rich heritage has been destroyed, suppressed, or forgotten.
Five thousand years of profound culture and science is no mean treasure. To let it fade away would be a catastrophic loss for the Chinese people and the world—a tragedy akin to the destruction of the library of Alexandria.
For this reason, Li Hongzhi and his friends created Shen Yun. They saw it as a clarion call, not only to the Chinese people but to all of humanity, to stop the destruction of the spiritual and cultural heritage left to us by our forebears.
Under Li’s leadership, the company succeeded in creating a spiritual and cultural haven for fellow Chinese immigrants.
Their headquarters, located in Deerpark in New York’s Hudson Valley, is built in the architectural style of the Tang dynasty and sprawls across 427 acres.
The property also houses the prestigious Fei Tian Academy, whose sole purpose is to develop and nurture their performing arts company, the artistic phenomenon now known as Shen Yun.
Shen Yun has grown from its modest beginnings in 2006 to eight full companies with 480 performers.
Each troupe includes professional dancers, singers, and musicians, supported by a technical crew. They currently perform in more than 200 cities annually in North America, Europe, Asia, and beyond, attracting a wide range of audiences from different cultural backgrounds.
The heart of Shen Yun
“Shen Yun” means “the beauty of divine beings dancing.”
That’s not just a reference to the dancers themselves, whose breathtaking art conjures up visions of fairies, gods, and angels floating through the air. It also refers to the stories depicted in the performances, which hark back thousands of years.
Divine beings
Shen Yun’s artists tell of a time when divine beings walked upon Earth. They speak of a land where gods and mortals lived in close relationships with one another and together created a divinely inspired culture. When Earth mirrored heaven, all would be well in the land. In this sense, Chinese history and mythology are deeply intertwined.
The Chinese believed that Buddhas, Bodhisattvas, Taoist immortal adepts, and deities would sometimes incarnate as emperors and officials of various dynasties. These advanced beings shaped their cultural values and brought divine gifts to humanity—wisdom, skills, and inventions that enabled dynasties to flourish.
Moral behavior
Morality also played a major role in Chinese culture. Many traditional Chinese stories, myths, legends, and tales from folklore emphasized harmony, virtue, respect for the elders and ancestors, and an equal respect for the realm of heaven. They promoted the moral principles of truth, compassion, and forbearance.
By depicting these stories, Shen Yun’s goal is to rekindle the sense of pride and appreciation on the part of the Chinese people for their rich cultural heritage.
True to their origin in Falun Gong, members of the Shen Yun company are known for their conservative beliefs, such as embracing non-modern medicine and honoring the traditional role of women in society, in opposition to the worldview of the Chinese Communist Party.
At the core of Shen Yun is a strong belief in the power of art to uplift and inspire. Shen Yun’s performances want to enlighten, revive, and transform. By outpicturing stories that transcend the mundane and touch the hem of divinity, Shen Yun offers audiences a glimpse into a world of beauty, grace, and profound meaning that takes them far beyond the boundaries of everyday living.
The Shen Yun dancers
Undoubtedly, the focal point of this magnificent theatrical company is its dancers.
Becoming a Shen Yun performer requires immense discipline and total dedication. These young dancers undergo rigorous training in classical Chinese dance, which demands physical strength, extreme flexibility, and precise technique.
Central to their training is the practice of spiritual cultivation and adherence to the values of Falun Gong. Performers study ancient texts, practice traditional etiquette, and immerse themselves in the spiritual and philosophical aspects of ancient Chinese culture.
For Shen Yun performers, dance is their life’s vocation. Fulfilling Shen Yun’s grand vision comes at an immense cost in time, energy, and resources—but for these young performers, it’s worth it.
Another principal dancer, Angela Lin, touched on the spiritual aspect of pushing herself to be her very best on stage:
Shen Yun’s advanced technology
Though Shun Yen’s dancers steal the show, they couldn’t impress their audiences to the extent they do without the brilliant support of modern technology—for although the company embraces traditional values, their theater technology is avant-garde and state-of-the-art.
Shen Yun’s use of digital technology is nothing short of magical. It transforms the theater experience into an awe-inspiring journey through time and culture. The digital backdrops, crafted with meticulous attention to detail, show breathtaking natural sceneries, celestial realms, and ancient Chinese architecture.
But these virtual environments are not static; they come alive with vibrant colors, dynamic animations, and intricate movements that synchronize perfectly with the performers’ actions on stage.
To give an example: Imagine a group of beautifully attired digital dancers with flowing garments flying through the air. They land on the stage. The digital image fades, and simultaneously, up spring these very same characters—now as flesh-and-blood dancers—to continue the scene in person.
This impressive blend of virtual and live elements creates an immersive experience that enriches the storytelling and deepens the emotional impact of each performance.
As the dancers leap and twirl with ethereal grace, the digital backgrounds respond in harmony and transport the audience to another world.
The result is a theatrical experience that’s not only visually stunning but also deeply moving. It leaves audiences mesmerized and filled with a lasting impression of beauty, creativity, cultural appreciation, and wonder.
Shen Yun costumes
Like Shen Yun’s technology, its costumes also deserve a special mention. Inspired by traditional descriptions and visions of the celestial realm, they are beyond spectacular.
Each performance showcases more than 400 Chinese costumes, since the dancers change their attire for each new story or scene. Shen Yun spends an enormous amount of time and energy on historical research and design. Then, there’s meticulous care in the actual drawing, cutting, and sewing of the costumes.
What audiences see on stage is the result of approximately 19,000 hours of drawing, cutting, and sewing. The costumes are all handmade and often hand-stitched. And each piece must pass the dance test. Most will then take another 4-8 hours of fitting and adjusting.
Why do people love Shen Yun?
Most people who have watched a Shen Yun show will attest to having a deeply transformative experience. The breathtaking choreography, dazzling costumes, and stunning digital backdrops create a feast for the eyes and the heart, no matter what someone’s walk of life or religious background is.
The unique blend of Chinese and Western orchestral music adds another layer of richness to the experience, turning each performance into a multisensory delight.
Moreover, Shen Yun touches the audience on a deep emotional level with the simplicity, clarity, and purity of their art. The universal themes of courage and honor strike a profound chord, as these audience testimonials show:
“I feel better about the world. I feel uplifted.”
“It was encouraging, gave me hope.”
“It’s a must-see, must-see.”
Shen Yun: A source of hope for the world
Shen Yun undoubtedly has earned its place in the annals of modern choreography and in the hearts of millions of people who have been fortunate enough to have personally watched one of the performances.
In a cynical, materialistic world, Shen Yun reminds us of the eternal power of beauty, truth, love, courage, and integrity.
Plugged into the best of the human spirit, Shen Yun is more than an outlet for artistic excellence. It’s become a beacon of hope for the future of humanity.
Leave a Reply