Centuries of Chinese Tradition and High-Flying Artistry Coming to USAO
The University of Science and Arts of Oklahoma’s Davis-Waldorf Performing Arts Series has something special planned for its 25th season. On Thursday, March 5th, the Davis-Waldorf Performing Arts Series will host the world-renowned PEKING ACROBATS for an evening of gravity-defying feats, traditional music, and high-tech pageantry.
Since their founding in 1986, the PEKING ACROBATS have redefined the ancient art of Chinese acrobatics. Combining centuries-old folk traditions with 21st century production values, the troupe performs daring maneuvers atop precarious pagodas of chairs and showcases technical mastery in trick-cycling, precision tumbling, juggling, and gymnastics.
The performance serves as a cultural bridge, a mission established by founders Don Hughes and Ken Hai nearly 40 years ago. “The initial vision of creating THE PEKING ACROBATS was to foster understanding between cultures,” the company stated. “If the people of the west appreciate a culture from another country, they are less likely to take up arms and make war against each other. This is the ultimate goal of the arts – peace and understanding. “
The performers are along the most elite in the world, selected from specialized arts and performance schools in China. Training begins as early as five, where students balance traditional academics with rigorous physical training. By age 16, the most talented performers are invited to tour as cultural ambassadors.
The show features a vibrant “Chinese Carnival” atmosphere, often accompanied by live musicians playing traditional instruments. While the program includes a variety of specialized acts, the troupe highlights “Bicycle Pagoda” – an act where the entire company balances on a single moving bicycle – as an audience favorite.
“It feels like we’re flying,” one member of the company stated. “Our biggest pride comes from performing for children. When they appreciate our talents, we feel we’ve succeeded in giving our audiences joy and showing them they can achieve anything in their lives.”
THE PEKING ACROBATS have been featured on numerous television specials and star in the film Oceans Eleven. They continue to push the limits of human ability, defying gravity with displays of contortion, flexibility, and control rooted in traditions dating back to 220 BCE.
The Davis-Waldorf performance is part of a 50-city North American Tour. Tickets are available for purchase at usao.edu/dwpas.
About the Davis-Waldorf Performing Arts Series:
The mission of the Davis-Waldorf Performing Arts Series is to regularly present professional performing arts events, to facilitate student attendance at these shows as an important part of a liberal arts education, to provide affordable entertainment for our college family and our community, and to lead local arts education by creating access to high-quality, relevant, culturally diverse programming that broadens the aesthetic of each audience member.
Contact: Hannah Thompson | 405-574-1362