In Asia, Dante Law is known for his abilities as a magician. As the artistic director for the National Acrobats of Taiwan, however, his job involves more than magic.

Law is in charge of The National Acrobats of Taiwan, keeping tabs on the talents and physical abilities of each of his performers.

As tough as it may be to keep the troupe in line, especially while it is touring overseas, the performers’ profession is equally as rigorous.

The performers train at the Fu Hsing Dramatic Arts academy, a performing arts school in Taiwan that children ages 10 to 18 attend to study a range of subjects, including acrobatics learned from Chinese masters. After graduation, students are examined for their acrobatic skill, and the best are hired by the government into the National Acrobats of Taiwan and then sent on tour.

“The members are touring the United States for 16 weeks, with roughly six shows per week. There are approximately 35 members in the troupe, ranging in age from 17 to 52,” Law says. “Staff is light with only four crew members, including lights, audio, costumes and the artistic director.”

The acrobats start their day around 10 a.m., leaving the hotel they rested in to travel to a new destination. Driving five or six hours per day, with one stop for lunch, the troupe typically arrives at its new hotel with enough time to take a nap, get ready for the show and take to the stage. A schedule like that for more than 16 weeks can become exhausting.

“Days are long and tiring for the acrobats,” says Marya Glur, company manager for the National Acrobats of Taiwan. “The next day they get to wake up and do the whole thing over again.”

Although the itinerary may require the performers to be on the move for most of the day, it is a team effort, like the show.

Each performer’s individual talent lends something unique to the show, which features acts such as chair spinning, furniture stacking and plate juggling. The individual expectations on each performance can be a burden when a member of the troupe finds themselves with a health problem.

“The hardest part about traveling is when one performer gets sick, because everyone is needed to do the best performance possible,” Law says.

Health care aside, the troupe still puts on its show to give audiences a view of Asian culture that isn’t normally seen in America.

“The performance reflects the Taiwanese culture through Chinese song, dance and backdrops. The newer, more modern acrobatics are an improvement from the original tradition.”

American crowds seem to enjoy the performances, and Law says that the acrobats enjoy performing in front of foreign audiences.

“American audiences [are] better, because they are more appreciative and there is more applause,” Law says. “Asian audiences are not as easy to cater to; maybe they are just more shy.”

Although the acrobats enjoy touring for American audiences, there are still things about Taiwan they miss. Law says homesickness is common from time to time, and the performers find they miss their families the most.

Since the troupe has local Chinese food delivered to each performance, however, they can still enjoy Asian cuisine.

Glur says she tries to keep the acrobats’ homesickness minimal.

“My favorite part of the job is putting them back on the plane home,” she says.

Who: The National Acrobats of Taiwan

Where: Stephens Auditorium

When: 7:30 p.m. Friday

Cost: $18.50, $16.50 students $34.50, $30.50 public