The Church and The Arts
I once heard Jeannette Clift George (The Hiding Place, 1975) compare the arts in church to the stained glass windows of a church. Not only did it fill the church with color & variety, but it altered what people saw looking in from the outside. It was such a profound observation that it moved me to create a logo of the Comedy & Tragedy masks in stained glass so I would not forget. It is so important to keep the arts alive in our churches today. In days gone past, it was the church that was the repository of art & beauty. Even the first plays written in ancient Greece were religious themed. When Christ spoke the parables, he was telling stories; painting word-pictures for his audience that enthralled and inspired the a way just telling them the truth could not. They had to be "shown" the truth through the power of the spoken word.
The Church needs that power today. Chuck Neighbors has a great article on the subject called "Redeeming Entertainment".
There are many fine actors and script writers out there: Chuck Neighbors, Tom Long, Jeff Smith, Steve Wilent and publishing houses such as Lillenas & Willow Creek. But you may not be aware of the acting potential of the people in your own congregation. Possibly the best way to "root out" this untapped pool of talent is to have an experienced actor come to your church and perform. Once people see how drama can touch hearts and change lives, ask the performer to offer a seminar on acting to people in your church. Begin to search out conferences that offer a drama track such as Worship Northwest and ask your people to attend. Before you know it, you may have a drama ministry on your hands and then WATCH OUT! You just don't know where things can go from there.
I am one of those actors that also offers teaching sessions. I have a number of possible subjects for anything from a start-up drama ministry to one that's been around for many years. Below you'll find a list of the performances I offer.
One-man Presentations |
| Traveling Light |
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 My newest presentation, Traveling Light, was written by Lawrence G. Enscoe and is a series of short-monologues taken from the book of Mark. This presentation is chock-full of characters, Peter as a tough-guy Brooklyn longshoreman. Levi, a nerdy, high strung tax man. Jairus, a conservative businessman. King Herod, a mobster Don. Even Peter's "oh so Jewish" mother-in-law makes an appearance. This entertaining and yet hard-hitting one-man play runs 45 minutes, is perfect for a sermon replacement, and plays well to all ages.
Contact me for booking information.
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| Wrappings: |
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This holiday presentation, Wrappings, was written by Lawrence G. Enscoe and asks the question "What if the first Christmas had happened today?" How would Gabriel, Joseph, and the Inkeeper have behaved at the most important event of Human History if they had been part of 21st Century society? Come unwrap the humor, joy and wonder of the birth of Christ viewed through contemporary characters. These revisited biblical stories are then illuminated by a tale from the modern world in which a nine year old boy re-discovers the heart of Christmas. This holiday presentation runs 30 minutes and is perfect as a sermon replacment or special event.
Contact me for booking information.
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| Merry Christmas, Mr. Jones |
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This is the touching story of one Edward Jones, disgruntled department store Santa Claus. Mr. Jones lost his wife to cancer 5 years ago and is still dealing with her death and his estrangement from his son. Join him in his journey as he discovers the true meaning of Christmas through a letter written in the pages of his wife's bible.
Contact me for booking information.
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