Peking Acrobats
The Peking Acrobats performed in Ransburg Auditorium at the University of Indianapolis on March 26. The world-renowned acrobatic team from China demonstrated its skills to a crowd of students and other excited viewers.
According to the group’s website, www.iaipresentations.com, the acrobats have been performing across the world and have appeared on numerous television shows and in other performances since debuting in 1986.
The Peking Acrobats showcased several stunts such as balancing with one hand on stacked chairs that almost reached to the ceiling of Ransburg Auditorium, or contorting their bodies into unimaginable positions. Musicians played traditional Chinese music to accompany the acrobatics.
“I didn’t remember the name [The Peking Acrobats] when I read the flyer, but after seeing the show, I vaguely remembered TV advertisements for them in years past,” said sophomore Daniel Batteiger.
While traveling through Indianapolis on tour, the Peking Acrobats contacted the Office of Student Affairs at UIndy and asked to perform.
The Peking Acrobats demonstrated their centuries-old techniques to the UIndy campus community on March 26. The acrobats are known worldwide for their prowess and dedication to preserving their art. Photo by Elizabeth Wheeler.
Campus Program Board and the Diversity Lecture Series also supported the acrobats’ performance.
“We [UIndy Student Affairs] wanted to give students an entertaining learning experience about Chinese culture,” said Student Activities Coordinator for Student Services Stephanie Barry. “College is a great opportunity to offer students new learning experiences and this was a great fit.”
Chinese acrobatic acts date back as far as the Ch’in Dynasty. Chinese acrobats continue to perfect what has become an evolving form of folk art. Chinese tradition implies that each new generation of acrobats add their own improvements and embellishments, and they are considered honorable talents.
“What made The Peking Acrobats stand out is their commitment to preserving history,” Barry said. “Historically, Chinese acrobatics started between 221 B.C. and 207 B.C. and for them to be able to still perform these ancient traditions in today’s society is astonishing.”
The acrobats used their own bodies for balance, agility and contortion.
Photo by Elizabeth Wheeler.
Performers demonstrated plate-spinning techniques and agility while tumbling through rings and climbing beams. Other stunts included balancing on spear points or demolishing bricks balanced on a fellow performer’s head.
“I looked around after the show to gauge student reaction and was happy to see that the students really enjoyed the show,” Barry said. “They responded well to the performance, and I hope they were able to take away something from the performance.”
Although some students attended for L/P credit, all in attendance experienced a rare performance.
“The performance made me feel lucky to have gone. It was one of the coolest things I’ve ever seen,” Batteiger said.
The Peking Acrobats are produced by IAI Productions and led under the direction of Ken T. Hai, an experienced artistic director of Chinese acrobats in the west. More information, including history of the troupe and tour dates are available on the IAI Productions website at iaipresentations.com.
