TORONTO—On Sunday afternoon, among the theatregoers gathered to watch Shen Yun Performing Arts at Sony Centre, The Epoch Times talked to two professors: Centennial College professor Ian Miles and University of Guelph professor Tony Winson.

Although the two academics did not come together, both were impressed with their first introduction to traditional Chinese culture through Shen Yun.

One aspect that stood out for them was the integration of the dances with the large-scale digital backdrops.

Using state-of-the-art graphics technology to transport the audience to another realm of reality, Shen Yun’s animated backdrops are designed to complement every aspect of the performance, including the characters, costumes, and props.

Professor Miles, who lectures on telephone systems in the Department of Engineering, had an eye for the high-tech elements.

“[It] is very innovative,” he said. “I’ve never seen anything like that before.”

Professor Winson noted a magical quality in this integration and said that the whole production was “visually very beautiful.”

New York-based Shen Yun features performances of classical Chinese dance as well as ethnic and folk dances.

“I love the dances,” said Professor Winson, noting that they were beautifully coordinated. “It’s just an art form I’m really enjoying,” he said.

Professor Winson lectures on agriculture, food, and rural development issues related to Canada and the Third World in the Department of Sociology & Anthropology at the University of Guelph. He is the author of several books, one of which won the John Porter prize of the Canadian Sociology Association for 2003.

After this introduction to Chinese culture, he is thinking of learning more about these traditions.

When he first came to the show, professor Miles also did not know what to expect. Although unfamiliar with the culture, he was happy to recognize a familiar story in one of Shen Yun’s dances—How the Monkey King Came to Be, which he used to read to his children when they were young.

He was impressed overall by all the dances. “Very dynamic, very lively, very colourful,” he said, praising the dancers’ talent, athleticism, and expressiveness.

Yet Shen Yun also gave him a deeper insight into Chinese culture. “I get a sense of spiritualism, a social culture. People like to work together—that’s what I get from this,” he said.

Professor Winson said the performance was “looking back at a more traditional, religious world view which was dominant in China until more recent times.”

He believes the value of tolerance that was showcased is something important for people today.

“I think people are looking for tolerance rather than imposing rigid imposition of one view or another,” he said.

Reporting by Allen Zhou and Madalina Hubert.

Shen Yun Performing Arts International Company will continue on to Mississauga for five shows at the Living Arts Centre.

For more information, visit ShenYunPerformingArts.org.

The Epoch Times is a proud sponsor of Shen Yun Performing Arts.