From 8 to 10 March local time, the Chinese modern dance and poetry theatre Dongpo: Life in Poems had four performances at the Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts in Washington, D.C., and four performances at the David Kirk Theatre at Lincoln Center in New York City from 15 to 18 March. The tour was welcomed by local governments, representatives of international organizations, ambassadors of various countries and people who love dance art. In this tour, Su Peng, associate professor of the Dance Department of the School of Arts and Communication of Beijing Normal University, played the lead role of Mr. Dongpo in Dongpo: Life in Poems. His exquisite performance and superb skills were recognized by overseas industry people and audiences, and played a positive role in the artistic dissemination of Chinese culture. Therefore, the Cultural Affairs Bureau of New York, the Lincoln Center for the Arts and the Chinese American Arts Association jointly presented Su Peng with The Most Outstanding Asian Artists Award in recognition of his outstanding achievements in the field of dance performance.

"The Most Outstanding Asian Artists Award” established in 1981, is an award designed to honour artists of authority in various fields of art and outstanding individuals who have made special contributions to the development of Asian art. Established and presented by the American-Chinese Arts Association, the New York City Department of Cultural Affairs, and the Lincoln Center for the Arts International Arts Exchange, the award has a high degree of credibility overseas. Historically, film actress Li Lihua, cellist Yo-Yo Ma, and Peking Opera artists Mei Baojiu, Zhang Junqiu, and Tong Zhiling have received this award. In the field of dance art, choreographers Lin Hwai-min and Shen Wei have won the award. Su Peng is the first dance performer from the Chinese mainland to receive the award since its inception.

Chinese dance performance artist Su Peng

Modern dance and poetry theatre Dongpo: Life in Poems uses modern dance body language as the main focus, and at the same time integrates multiple elements such as opera, taiji, calligraphy, guqin, painting, seal carving and poetry, etc. to present Su Dongpo in the contemporary perspective, completing a fusion and innovation of traditional Chinese culture and contemporary aesthetic expression.

Su Peng said, as the actor of Mr Dong Po, mixed feelings are the most emphasised feelings in the creation process for him. "Joy" is because it is fortunate to be able to participate in this dance artwork which is based on the principle of upholding fundamental principles and breaking new ground and has a pioneering significance to the form of Chinese dance theatre. Hardship is because the play has clear and precise requirements and restrictions on the actor's physical mobility, physical endurance, dynamic management of the body's microcosm, sensitive control of the combination of physical and mental ideology, as well as the ability to quickly switch between physical and mental performance state. At the same time, he said he was very grateful to Director Shen Wei for his sincere dedication to this work, which enabled him to meet Su Dongpo and gave him a different thinking and understanding of art, dance, body and mind, as well as of life.