(PDF) (DOC) (JPG)February 21, 2003

(Mahwah) – The Peking Acrobats, a 26-member troupe of tumblers, contortionists, jugglers, cyclists, gymnasts and clowns hailed by The New York Times as brightly costumed (performers that) provide 90 minutes of family fun…and an extra measure of joy,” brings its 2,000-year-old tradition of Chinese acrobatics to the Sharp Theater at Ramapo College Sunday, March 16 at 1 p.m. and 4:30 p.m.

The 16th North American tour of the renowned Chinese troupe highlights the roots of its art and its members’ high-level acrobatic skills by employing items commonly in use nearly two millenniums ago, including jugs, plates, drinking vessels, sticks, hoops and straps.

The Peking Acrobats perform a variety of unusual and gravity-defying feats including: daring maneuvers atop a precarious pagoda of chairs, treacherous wire walking, and a trick cycling kaleidoscope of magnificent movement. In addition, their show appeals to children and adults of all ages, featuring powerful precision tumbling, somersaulting and gymnastics, displays of contortion, flexibility and control, foot juggling dexterity, and balancing feats showcasing high levels of acrobatic skill.

In addition, a group of live musicians perform on traditional Chinese instruments, creating the atmosphere of a Chinese carnival. Because of the unusual and difficult nature of the feats involved, an acrobat in China has the same status as an American opera star. In China, there are approximately 100,000 acrobats studying at schools dedicated to the art. After five or six years of extensive tutoring, often beginning as early as age 5 or 6, the student will join a professional troupe. The art of acrobatics in China dates back to the Ch’in Dynasty (225 – 207 B.C.).

Dramatic lighting effects, mood-setting music, and interspersed ground fog enhance the acrobatic choreography of the Peking troupe, which incorporates synchronized feats of handstands, headstands, unicycling, anatomical contortions, splits, juggling, tumbling, and magical acts.

The Sharp Theater is located in the Angelica and Russ Berrie Center for Performing and Visual Arts on the Ramapo College campus. Tickets are $22 for adults; $19 seniors; $12 for students with valid ID. For ticket reservations, please call (201) 684-7844.

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About Ramapo College

Ramapo College of New Jersey is the state’s premier public liberal arts college and is committed to academic excellence through interdisciplinary and experiential learning, and international and intercultural understanding. The comprehensive college is situated among the beautiful Ramapo Mountains, is within commuting distance to New York City, was named one of the 50 Most Beautiful College Campuses in America by CondeNast Traveler, and boasts the best on-campus housing in New Jersey per Niche.com. Established in 1969, Ramapo College offers bachelor’s degrees in the arts, business, data science, humanities, social sciences and the sciences, as well as in professional studies, which include business, education, nursing and social work. In addition, the College offers courses leading to teacher certification at the elementary and secondary levels, and offers graduate programs leading to master’s degrees in Accounting, Applied Mathematics, Business Administration, Contemporary Instructional Design, Computer Science, Creative Music Technology, Data Science, Educational Leadership, Nursing, Social Work and Special Education, as well as a Doctor of Nursing Practice.

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