How Did Shen Yun Succeed in the Performing Arts?

(Minghui.org) Recently I saw a newspaper article criticizing Shen Yun for seeking profit through religious fanaticism. I do not agree with this conclusion. Based on my knowledge, Shen Yun has become successful because of hard work, talent, and the world-class artistry it has brought to society.

Becoming financially sustainable in the arts, especially performing arts, is not easy. George Balanchine, known as the father of American ballet, co-founded the American Ballet company in 1935. But its first tour performance suffered a huge financial loss, and the company began to perform at the Metropolitan Opera House. This arrangement ended in disagreement three years later. Then several ballet companies were created and dissolved. Even after Balanchine founded the New York City Ballet (NYCB) in 1948, it went through many financial difficulties in the early years.

The performing arts industry in the 21st century has become increasingly diversified, and classical art groups find it difficult to survive. Without sponsorship from companies and institutions, it is difficult for performing art groups to sustain themselves solely through ticket sales. For example, the Royal Danish Ballet is still funded by the Danish National Ministry of Culture. The Royal Danish Ballet School and the Danish National Opera are also government-sponsored.

An Arduous Journey

Shen Yun Performing Arts was launched by Falun Dafa practitioners in 2006 with a mission to revive 5,000 years of traditional Chinese culture. Twenty years later, Shen Yun has grown from one troupe to eight. What was the journey like?

A recent article on Minghui.org featured an interview with Master Li, the founder of Falun Dafa and Artistic Director of Shen Yun, as well as some Falun Dafa practitioners. “When Dragon Springs was established in 2000, it had nothing but a stretch of forest, a lake that was neither attractive nor clear, and a modest house. The house was a simple three-bedroom structure, and there was no parking lot,” wrote the article.

“Over the past 19 years, the Fei Tian schools and Shen Yun have developed into vibrant institutions, complete with academic classrooms, dance studios, a cafeteria, theaters, offices, a library, a concert hall, and various recreational spaces—all built, brick by brick, by practitioners guided by Master,” the article continued.

Master Li has been busy the whole time. “When lifting timber, he always chooses the heavier end. He regularly cleans up debris, often cleaning it up before others get to it. When no one wants to clean up a muddy water pit, Master silently steps in and takes care of it. When there are small rocks on the road, he picks them up and tosses them aside to prevent the pavement from being damaged by wheels. Nails on the construction site or road? Master picks them up, sorts them, and takes them to the storage room,” recalled the interviewer.

“He guides Shen Yun’s visual arts, designs costumes and props, teaches vocal technique, oversees the creation of new pieces, and ensures the highest artistic standards. Amid his busy schedule and during travels, when he finds a spare moment, he pulls out a simple paper folder in which to write lyrics and compose music.”

In addition, Master Li stated clearly that as the one leading everyone in their spiritual practice, he must set an example himself. Since there have been many historical lessons about the dangers of money, he never takes any money for himself.

Master Li also clarified the issue of money back in 1999, in “Teachings at the Conference in Canada”:

“Let me take this opportunity to say a little more because there are some reporters here. Some people wonder, “Is Li Hongzhi a millionaire?” You can regard me as a millionaire, a billionaire, or a trillionaire. That is fine, because what I have is worth more than all the money and wealth in the world.”

“In fact, if you look at that from another angle, does it matter whether I have money? Even if I had money, I wouldn’t care about it. For example, there are 100 million students studying the Fa, and if I asked all of you now to give me a dollar—think about it—if all of you gave me a dollar, then I would be a hundred-millionaire. Moreover, since all of you are willing to give it to me at any time, you can just regard me as a hundred-millionaire!”

Some religions require tithes, but Falun Dafa does not charge any membership or other fees, nor does it accept donations. After the Chinese Communist Party (CCP) began to persecute Falun Dafa in 1999, the regime tried all means to defame Master Li and Falun Dafa. But they could not find any wrongdoing and had to fabricate lies to do so.

The Success of Shen Yun

In its 2024 season, Shen Yun performed more than 800 shows in nearly 200 cities in more than 20 countries. Over a million audience members enjoyed the show. What was the result?

When Shen Yun performed at the Eventim Apollo on February 2, 2024, it was praised by audience members in the packed theater. Among them was Wayne Sleep, former dancer with the Royal Ballet as well as director, choreographer, and actor.

“It was faultless. Where do they get all those people? All with such expressive movement, and when you just finish a line, like we do ... but when [they] finish a line, it almost ripples into the next movement, so it’s never still,” he remarked.

He also liked the simplicity and purity of the stories told through Shen Yun’s dances. “I love the innocence of it like a child because I would imagine that China’s been sort of maintained and a lot of people didn’t get outside, so it’s protected the innocence,” he said.

Sleep was also impressed by the color. “Oh, Technicolor. It was like watching a movie. It’s like I’ve seen color for the first time, because it’s so different than our color,” he explained. “It’s stunningly simple with the pinks and the yellows, and it’s just one color, and the silks, and everything. It’s different than what we have. I love Chinese watercolors with the pens, you know, that sort of thing, and I expected more of that. But we’ve gone to Disneyland, but I think we’ve gone to heaven as well.”

Musician Joanne Tokessy said she was “blessed” after watching Shen Yun in Montreal in 2023. “I got better physically. I went through a bit of a bad time. But then it was like something happened, and my whole life changed. It was a miracle last year that I experienced.”

She also learned about Falun Dafa from watching Shen Yun. After reading the main text of the practice, she said her life “physically, mentally, spiritually, has just been put higher.”

The value brought by Shen Yun cannot be measured by money. We all long for peace, harmony, and goodness. Shen Yun has given us all of these, and more. I hope more people will cherish the hope Shen Yun brings us.