A representative for the popular dancing show discusses the negative press coming from the show – and why those behind it continue to rise above it.
Shen Yun has been one of the more popular shows over the past few years, celebrating the culture of China in beautiful, exquisite ways. And while the show has won over hundreds of thousands of fans, it’s also gotten its fair share of critics.
One of the bigger pieces against the show got published in The New York Times back in August, accusing the people behind the show – Falun Gong – of emotionally abusing its dancers and not taking care of their injuries. Some have also taken to social media to discuss their disdain for the show, including YouTube.
However, part of this influence seems to come from the Chinese Communist Party (CCP), who have made their intentions very clear about shutting the show down. Some believe that the group may have bribed certain types in speaking out against Shen Yun, in an effort to damage its popularity. Some evidence on this theory recently emerged, with two former Chinese agents arrested for trying to bribe an IRS agent.
Despite this, however, the show thrives. And what’s more, many have spoken in defense for it, including a former dancer that was proud to be part of the experience and writers that believe the New York Times piece was nothing short of jaded.
What’s more, the current staff remains unfazed, continuing to push forward with the best show they can possibly produce. They speak to us now about the experience, and how they’re moving ahead.
Q&A:
- Why do you think the Chinese Communist Party is so driven in trying to shut down Shen Yun?
- What about the negative comments that have stemmed online, mainly from the piece in The New York Times?
- Some question whether Shen Yun offers value in discussing the Chinese culture. What would your response be to such critics?
- What about those that defend the show? Do you believe they understand what the message is about, and want others to see it as well?
- Do you think Shen Yun will continue to be a huge success as 2025 comes around?
- Where can we learn more about the beautiful art of Shen Yun, and how it motivates others?
- The official website can be found here. Tickets to shows are also available there for purchase.
FROM SHEN YUN
Piotr Huang
Shen Yun Principal Dancer Piotr Huang holds a Master of Fine Arts in classical Chinese dance from Fei Tian College in New York. He won gold in New Tang Dynasty Television’s 2014 International Classical Chinese Dance Competition’s and has performed over 1,500 shows with Shen Yun on the some of the world’s most prestigious stages. Born in Poland, Mr. Huang may have pursued a basketball career had he not turned his energies to dance.
Samples of Piotr on camera:
- https://youtu.be/St0tJ1vAwVc?t=890
- https://youtu.be/St0tJ1vAwVc?t=1571
- https://www.shenyuncreations.com/video/_video_4c946017331d4f10a421600409ab2565/Shen-Yun-Principal-Dancers-Top-7-Essentials?pid=p_NLB4jvIQQ5u2&view=
Shindy Cai
Shindy Cai was born and raised in Sacramento, California. She attended the San Francisco High School of the Arts before furthering her studies in classical Chinese dance at Fei Tian Academy of the Arts in New York. She has been touring with Shen Yun since 2013 and has performed in over 900 shows around the world. In her spare time, she enjoys reading and writing, has a secret weakness for chocolate chip cookies and good poetry, and gets overly excited when she hears great music.
Samples of Shindy on camera:
Jared Madsen
Jared was one of the first students from Iowa to study in China where he fell in love with Chinese culture. For the past 18 years, Jared has served as MC for Shen Yun Performing Arts.
Samples of Jared on camera:
- https://www.shenyuncreations.com/video/_video_8c5f163284fe4e9281ac40a7c85f684c/An-Inside-Look-at-Shen-YunE28093And-How-ItE28099s-Defying-the-CCPE28099s-Global-Campaign-to-Cancel-It-?pid=p_DaJ4kSAASRyd&view=
- https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WTRDEDglS24
Alice Liu
Alice Liu has performed over 1,500 shows with Shen Yun to date. A timpanist and percussionist, she also performed with Shen Yun Symphony Orchestra at Carnegie Hall and other prestigious venues, is featured on many recordings for CD and DVD, and boasts more than 16 years of orchestral performance experience.
FROM FALUN DAFA INFORMATION CENTER
Levi Browde
Levi Browde serves as the Executive Director with the New York-based Falun Dafa Information Center – an organization dedicated to ending the human rights abuses against people who practice Falun Gong in China.
Over the past 20 years, Browde has been interviewed and quoted by the New York Times, the Wall Street Journal, the Chicago Tribune, CNN, the Associated Press, TIME Magazine, BBC, AFP, and other media outlets. He has spoken about Falun Gong and human rights in China at briefings on Capitol Hill in Washington DC, at the United Nations human rights sessions in Geneva, Switzerland.
Browde studied East Asian Studies at Wesleyan University and is an avid supporter of traditional Chinese culture. He founded several software start-ups, and lives in New York with his wife and two sons.
Samples of Levi on camera:
- https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=oS3RS4vJguI
- https://tv.faluninfo.net/unmasking-chinas-gestapo-610-office/
- https://tv.faluninfo.net/levi-browde-exposes-the-new-york-times-distorted-coverage-of-human-rights/
For Interviews, contact Bookings@SpecialGuests.com or call Todd Baumann at 512-966-0983.
