The traveling talent of the Liang Acrobatic and Comedy show came to the Student Union Theater Tuesday night. The show featured the duo of Liang, a renowned Chinese acrobat, and Bill Patti, her husband and emcee for the night.
Main elements from the program included the 2,000-year-old ancient art of plate spinning, the chopstick dance, a display of skill with a Chinese yo-yo, the fan dance and hula hoop feats. Liang is the only person known to hula 25 hoops while blindfolded. She changed costumes for each portion of the show, donning colorful and authentic oriental apparel.
Audience interaction was highly encouraged. Patti brought volunteers on stage to get a chance to participate and try their hand at some of the skills Liang expertly demonstrated.
They were given smaller toy versions of her equipment and various audience members attempted plate spinning, head balancing, the Chinese yo-yo and hula hooping in a contest featuring four girls and one boy.
There was also a question and answer portion of the show in which audience members were given the chance to ask Liang about her homeland, profession and life.
When asked how she got started, Liang said she was one of only 50 children chosen from thousands in China to be in a traveling troupe. All expenses were paid, although the children practiced eight hours a day and had different teachers for every skill.
When asked if she would want any future children of hers to go into acrobatics, Liang said she would introduce them to the stage and if they enjoyed it, she would encourage their passion.
She also said she valued education and would be more than pleased if her child grew up to pursue a college degree instead.
After the show, the audience was invited to a meet and greet with Liang during which they could purchase autographed pictures and delicate Chinese fans.
Audience enthusiasm during the show was high and applause was frequent, especially during the more challenging portions of Liang’s routine.
“I came because 20 years ago I saw a traveling troupe of acrobats and was astounded,” said Renee King, who attended the show with her family. “I thought it was very, very good.”
“I didn’t know what to expect but found it very entertaining,” said Jennifer Paustenbaugh, Ph.D., associate dean for planning and assessment, and Puterbaugh professor of library service for OSU. “I saw the article in the O’Colly and thought it sounded interesting.”
Liang and Patti were pleased with the Stillwater crowd.
“We had a pretty good audience,” Liang said. “They seemed like they were here to have fun.”
“We love the auditorium — it’s beautiful,” Patti said.
The couple agreed that the main reason they enjoyed doing university shows was the chance it gave them to bring culture to the students.
“I have a chance to show my culture and I think we learn more from each other culturally,” Liang said.
With the experience of over 600 shows, neither admitted to being nervous before a performance.
“It’s just another day at work,” she said.
When asked about the benefits of working with a spouse professionally, they were very positive about the effects.
“We make a very good team, we know each other, we know how to work together,” Liang said.
“If something should go wrong, we know how to cover,” Patti said.
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