GREENSBORO, NC—After a successful 2-day showing in Charlotte, the New York-based Divine Performing Arts (DPA) Company arrived in Greensboro for its third performance of "Holiday Wonders" in North Carolina. A group of cheering fans greeted DPA in front of its hotel in Greensboro. The Epoch Times interviewed "Holiday Wonders" hosts, Leeshai Leemish and Mei Zhou, who entertained questions about the upcoming Greensboro show.
Epoch Times (ET): What messages does "Holiday Wonders" aim to deliver?
Leeshai: The "Holiday Wonders" message is bright, hopeful, optimistic, and empowering. People leave the show feeling excited and invigorated. Our show emphasizes the quest that people have in life—what are we're doing here, where are we going, and what is the meaning of life. Our show really tries to entertain these questions.
Our show is also very much about encouraging diversity. Greensboro has a strong tradition in civil rights and human rights. These elements connect people to our show.
ET: There are scenes about Falun Gong in the show. Can you elaborate?
Leeshai: Our message is that Falun Gong is a part of traditional Chinese culture. Falun Gong is about self-cultivation and self-refinement, both of which are core values in Chinese tradition. [Falun Gong] is persecuted in China, so it something important, and we want to express it through art, songs, and dance. We raise this issue for people to contemplate and perhaps call them to action.
Mei: There are four songs about finding the Truth. A Chinese adage goes, "when truth speaks to you, you should open up your heart." One dance, for example, portrays how simple choices can alter one's fate. Maybe a single kind thought or act is enough to improve one's fate."
ET: How do you feel about performing in Greensboro?
Leeshai: I am excited about being here. I heard people are really warm. I'm excited about meeting them. We try to interact with the audience and talk to them.
Mei: Interaction with the audience is a gift to us as performers, too.
ET: Any thoughts on the Chinese embassy's interference with "Holiday Wonders" in Charlotte?
Mei: The interference actually helped us sell tickets, as usual. It's free publicity.
Leeshai: The interference achieved the opposite effect. It's ludicrous.
ET: What does hosting "Holiday Wonders" entail?
Leeshai: (jokingly) I played baseball and often pitched. I have the ball and stand in the middle, and nothing happens until I throw the ball, and everybody is waiting. It's the same with a mic, a similar type of feeling.
Leeshai: Hosting really combines a variety of skills, from straight narration, to acting, to stand up comedy, and to singing. The emphasis is on understanding the audience's needs on a deeper level and knowing what information they need to understand the dances.
Mei: We went through self-directed training, and learned techniques in body language, and fine-tuned every sentence.
Leeshai: We have extensive training in Chinese vocal techniques, and there is continuous refining of our skills.
ET: Most of the performers in "Holiday Wonders" grew up outside China, yet the show is supposed to capture traditional Chinese culture.
Mei: Most of the choreographers were born and raised in China. They have inherited the Chinese culture. Their artistic pursuits are very different from those of non-Chinese artists.
Leeshai: There are many talented performers in China. What sets our show apart most is the emphasis on the heart of the performance. The purity, truth, and goodness in our show are unparalleled.
Mei: The most remarkable feedback we have is from Chinese who have lived overseas for a long time. They often say, "I've been overseas for decades, yet this is the first time I've seen a real Chinese show."
ET: Can you give the audience a sense of the dedication needed to produce and perform "Holiday Wonders?"
Leeshai: Since we are a touring show, we try to keep the expenses as low as possible. Everyone plays multiple roles. The dancers help in things like lighting setup. Others help with changing costumes and training. There are so many more people involved, about 200 people, in producing "Holiday Wonders." In addition, there are trainers, teachers, and researchers. Everyone works tirelessly from morning to night.
Mei: We see the show as a mission, not like just a task to accomplish.
"Holiday Wonders" will make its Greensboro appearance on Dec. 23 in War Memorial Auditorium to complete its first North Carolina tour. The show visits Florida next.
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