BALTIMORE -- On the evening of April 18, Maryland State Delegate Denise Roberts attended Shen Yun Performing Arts at the Hippodrome Theatre. Following the show, she presented a formal proclamation to the artists in recognition of the company's achievements.
Marking Shen Yun's 20th anniversary, Ms. Roberts praised the company for its outstanding cultural contributions and global impact. It was her first time seeing the performance, and she spoke warmly about the experience.
"We wanted to present this citation to honor the art that they bring all over the country," she said. "We're especially grateful that they come to the Washington, D.C., area and to the state of Maryland. It's very important to all of us here -- for all the residents -- to be able to see this wonderful performance of a great culture.
"It's very inspiring, and honestly, this was my first time seeing it -- I fell in love."
She particularly commended the artists' expressive storytelling.
"Above all, the performance itself was wonderful -- the way emotions and stories were conveyed through dance without words," she said. "I haven't seen a show like that in a very long time, so this was very refreshing."
Traditional values conveyed through the performance -- such as kindness, perseverance, and hope -- also resonated with Ms. Roberts, who said such messages are especially meaningful today.
"In the current state of our country, there seems to be a lot of turmoil, and morale can feel low," she said. "A performance like this is deeply emotional -- you feel it in every step, every costume, every effect. When the performers appeared to leap from a cliff into the digital backdrop, it was just amazing. It took my mind completely away from the present and allowed me to enter another world. It was wonderful."
She also emphasized the importance of cultural exchange.
"We all come from different backgrounds and cultures, and it's important to learn about one another," Ms. Roberts said. "In America, people come from everywhere -- you never know who you'll meet or what traditions they bring. It's fascinating to understand where others come from."
Ms. Roberts encouraged others to experience Shen Yun for themselves.
"It's an absolute must-see," she said. "This performance is second to none. It's important for everyone to experience it. I can't wait to see it again, and if they come to Prince George's County, I will absolutely spread the word and help connect them with our county leadership. It was amazing -- just amazing."