Shen Yun ‘Shows How Strong Chinese Culture Is,’ Says Former Ballerina

ATHENS, Ga.—Former ballerina Amara Duckett and her husband Thomas attended Shen Yun’s evening performance at The Classic Center on the evening of April 11.

It has been a few years since Mrs. Duckett last danced, but she said watching Shen Yun made her itch to do it again.

“It’s absolutely stunning. Everything about it is entertaining,” she exclaimed. “I think it’s an amazing mixture of culture and history. The technique and everyone performing was amazing.”

In their spare time, the couple frequently traveled to learn about different cultures.

“To get to have that culture brought to us and to see things that we might not ever get to see otherwise is just beautiful. The choreography, the dancing, the technique—everything is just absolutely amazing,” Mr. Duckett stated.

Based in New York, Shen Yun artists are highly trained in classical Chinese dance. Dating back thousands of years, it is one of the most athletic and expressive art forms in the world.

The couple was most touched by Shen Yun’s story-based dances recounting various historical events of ancient times to those of modern times.

“It’s a big mixture of miracles and sadness—a big conglomeration of emotions all at one time. It’s very comprehensive. I like it,” Mr. Duckett said.

Mrs. Duckett added that she noticed a recurring theme of sacrifice and honor in the show.

“There’s a lot of sacrifice in [Chinese culture]—fighting for what they believe in, their culture, and their history.”

Shen Yun’s performance is comprised of a series of short pieces that takes its audience on a ride through the dynasties and across the vast regions of China.

Audience members can expect to see a brand-new set of classical Chinese, folk, and ethnic dances, as well as solo musical performances every season.

Referring to the company’s mission to revive traditional culture and bring back the beauty of China before communism, Mrs. Duckett said Shen Yun “showed how strong Chinese culture is.”

“How much they have fought for it and how they are still fighting to keep the culture and the stories going—to let [everyone] know the history behind it all—that speaks volumes,” she added.

“It’s deep. It makes me want to go research more and learn more about the culture.”

Mr. Duckett, too, thought Shen Yun is much more than just art.

“It comes off as entertainment, but it’s also educational. [Shen Yun] is mixing in the lighthearted pieces with the more emotional and heavy pieces to get you to connect on a personal level and understand more about what different people are going through,” he expressed.

“It’s beautiful. I’ll definitely [want to] learn more about it. It speaks to you and makes you want to know more and see more.”

Reporting by Yawen Huang and Jennifer Tseng.

The Epoch Times is a proud sponsor of Shen Yun Performing Arts. We have covered audience reactions since Shen Yun’s inception in 2006.