Issue: 638   Date: 11/14/2002 The Center for International Studies, University of Missouri-St. Louis presents: New Shanghai Circus  Incredible Acrobats of China 2002-2003 International Performing Arts Series J. C. Penny Auditorium      November 13, 2002

New Shanghai Circus Company New Shanghai Circus - The Incredible Acrobats of China Presented by the Center for Int'l Studies, UMSL By Virginia Lee The New Shanghai Circus was presented by the Center for International Studies, University of Missouri-St. Louis and sponsored by the St. Louis Chinese American News, the Chinese Culture and Education Foundation and the St. Louis Chinese Association. The show took place at the J. C. Penney Auditorium on November 13, 2002, where more than 400 people enjoyed the show along with UMSL Chancellor Dr. Blanch Touhill and Dr. Joel Glassman, Director of the Center for International Studies. A standing ovation and applause were given to Chancellor Dr. Touhill who will retire at the end of the year.  This was the second performance of the 2002-2003 International Performing Arts Series hosted by UMSL. This series of live performances will allow outstanding artists from all over the world to visit the UMSL campus. It will also be an opportunity to share their rich cultures and customs and to flourish cultural diversity in our region.

At the beginning of the show, Dr. Joel Glassman, Director of Center for International Studies introduced a group of government officials from Nanjing GuLou District, Nanjing, China. These visitors stayed at the UMSL campus for 2.5 weeks to study U.S. Public Policy and Government Management. Dr. Glassman extends his thanks to the Chinese Culture and Education Foundation for its promotion and sponsorship of this event. 

The performance began at 8:00 p.m. The first part of the program included a group of beautifully dressed contortionists whose balance and grace was astonishing. There was a young man juggling jars of all sizes and a group of young ladies doing amazing things while spinning plates on slender bamboo sticks. Several young acrobats showed their skill at diving through hoops of all sizes. During the next act, two girls roller skated on a table that was no larger than 6 ft. round. Their grace and balance was astounding. The female barrel contortionist did things with her body that you would never believe possible. She slid her entire body into a barrel that was just 12 inches across. The finale was a magic act. Pretty amazing!

Hoop Diving & Lion Dance (photographed by Ming C. Lee)


Fan Dance & Nose Balance (photographed by Ming C. Lee)


Roller Cups & Bench Balance (photographed by Ming C. Lee)

After a 15 minute intermission, the show continued with a young man balancing many size bowls on their edge on the top of his head. The Lion Dance that followed was very colorful and fast moving. This was probably the most popular act with the young children in the audience. Other performers did balancing acts with wooden benches and other objects. The final act was a very graceful (but physically strong) young lady who did an aerial ballet while supporting her entire body on one hand. What a way to end the show! 

Chinese acrobatics has a history of over 2,500 years. Highly skilled, rigorously trained and superbly talented, these performers follow an unbroken tradition since 700 BC. Today their remain only a few brothers and sisters of the old and famous acrobatic families. China's tradition is carried on by professional acrobatic troupes with formal academies for training. If it weren't for this tradition, we would never have had the opportunity to be amazed by such dedicated Chinese people. 

Chancellor and Mr. Touhill enjoyed the show.




Dr. Joel Glassman, Director of the Center for International Studies, his wife Catherine and Dr. Chingling Tai with Jar Juggling actor Zhang Bihuan.