It's All About "REstore"

Money and the Arts

Ever since I was in elementary school I noticed that a lot of money was poured into our sports programs while everything else, especially the music and art department got less funding. Of course, I could not explain it like that then. Now, I do love sports and I played Soccer and Basketball, but my real love was music and theater. These were my strongest gifts.

I pursued them and worked hard to be much better than good. I wanted to be great. Just like so many others all over this country in schools at any level, I worked with what I had. I got involved in the nearby community theater, which, thankfully, where I came from was truly excellent with a former Broadway entertainer as the director. There doesn't need to be any real discussion at this point regarding sports and that whole arena of money, funding and so on. It is what it is and, believe me, there is still lots of money out there for the arts, sciences and other aspects of education.

Over the years we've seen the growth and development of many great music and theater programs in many public and private schools. But, (and here I go again) within Christianity the money is usually not there. Yes, now and then, we find a Christian liberal arts college with huge (as Howie says) amounts of money put into this department. Then somewhere we find a group of people with dreams of making a film and someone steps up with a few million dollars to make it a reality. But far too often it is a struggle and fight to come up with the real funds to do something great. Hollywood has the money. Broadway has the money. Even most of our big Christian record labels were bought out by large secular record companies because... they had the money.

I have a dream and I believe that I've proven that it is worthy of funding. I believe that I've proven that I simply want to do something wonderful for God and the sake of humanity. But, I can't come up with the funding to take the dream to the highest level. No, I'm not alone. Others dream. Others work hard. Others thank God for the simple way in which He uses them. I promise to keep doing the same. I promise to be a good steward with what I have. But I can't help asking the question; Why can't that one person who has the money in hand just come forth and say, "here's all you need to make this dream come true. Here's the money" ??? This is at least something for discussion.

First official trailer for The Passion of the King

Our First ever teaser trailer has been posted for The Passion of the King, the newest musical by Brent Grosvenor. This short trailer contains actual music from the show composed by Grosvenor. This epic style musical is a fresh and riveting telling of the message of Jesus Christ and His Kingdom.

Christian Drama as a Teaching Tool

I had a comment on my last post about "bad drama" and our quest for excellence that I want to address. The person (Dan) mentioned that sometimes drama or skits are great for making a point or illustrating something more clearly during a teaching session or sermon. He mentioned that we can't always make these things a "production" or get them perfect in every way. We can't always get professionals to do them. This is very true and I respect any effort to help communicate better or make a teaching more effective. I would put this in a category of it's own. I would never want to discourage this in the teaching or preaching world. "Go for it." Throw out a good illustration as long as it does not take away from the lesson. Get the people together, do your best and have fun. Always strive to be a better communicator or teacher. Always strive to do a better job at touching and changing lives. In the meantime, let's keep working on the Theater Arts aspect of the Christian Church and aim to master the craft.

If you are looking for a Christmas Production for this coming season, consider The Richest Man in the Valley. This Christmas Musical will be fun and very effective in communicating the Christmas message. Go now to our website at www.lightsup.org.

Christian Drama - Why I have a problem.

Perhaps with this post I'll get some discussion going, but then again I could just be typing to the wall. I have a personal problem. This may offend some people, but I need to stop worrying about that. I learned recently through another great blog site called "Stuff Christians Like" started by a guy by the name of "prodigal Jon" (age 32) that there are some great topics within Christianity that really should be discussed and flushed out, so to speak. You know, it's about getting to the heart of the matter and getting real with some of the stuff we do and think and feel and... do.

So for now, the top is Christian Drama. My theater background before becoming a Christian at age 19 was in mainstream musical theater. It was my life and passion and, one way or another, was going to be my career. When I came into "the church" I found that Christian drama meant "skits" and "human videos." And, some people will throw into that mix Christmas and Easter cantatas or pageants. No way. I'm not going there. A choir concert (with a whole lot of narration) is not theater. And pageants are great and fun for the kids and grandmas and grandpas sitting in the audience, but it's not theater.

I quickly became frustrated with bad acting, bad dialogue, bad set design, bad sound... and, well I guess this sounds so mean. I understand that budgets can really hinder weather or not a church can have good sound or sets or lighting. But, we should be writing good relevant scripts about real life situations. People really don't walk up to strangers these days and say (in a melodramatic tone) , "But don't you understand that Jesus love you and only He can change you. The Bible says, and I quote WORD FOR WORD that..." and then the actor continues to quote three or four scriptures word for word. Most teenagers (skits are usually done by teens about teens) don't get into conversations with their friends about God in the way it happens in our skits. And they usually can't quote scriptures word for word. This is just one example, but the point is that most Christian skits are these scenarios. The over dramatized way in which dialogue is delivered is another problem. The next problem is the unrealistic body language and hand jesters. [helpful tip: If you want to help your acting, take some time to watch and listen how people really talk. One exercise is to watch two people have a conversation and mute (in your mind) what they are saying and just watch what they do. ]

This is just a starter conversation, but come on folks, isn't it time to write real life stories with good plots and subplots - real life stories where God interjected the circumstances in the way they actually happen. And one more thing, if you are naturally funny then be funny, but don't try to be funny... when you're not.

At another time I want to talk about human videos. Come back.

go to www.christiantheater.com where we are trying to take Christian Drama to another level.

Photo of the Day

Well this was taken several years ago out in Death Valley, California, but it's one of my favorites. I'm certainly not a professional, but I've loved photography for years and I'm trying to get better. It is quite challenging to try and craft something we don't have any control over into a unique piece of art. Sure, we can manipulate the shutter, F-stop, ASO, etc., and a few other things using filters and such, but it's really just having an eye for what is and right in front of us and then waiting for the perfect moment. Sometimes it's just a lot of hard work and patience.

I'm working on building my own collection of my personal photos from traveling and touring. Some of my photos would never make greatness, but I think they are pretty creative. You can see them at www.lightsupmedia.com. I have many more that I'll be uploading soon from around the country. I hope you enjoy.

If your looking for a Christmas Musical, Christmas Drama, Christmas Play, Easter Musical, Easter Play or something about Billy Sunday... well go to our website at www.lightsup.org or www.lightsuptheater.com. We're just trying to take Christian theater to another level. My name is Brent Grosvenor and I hope you'll keep checking out my blog.

One more for good measure.

Memories of Christmas

I have many great memories of Christmas, but when you change the subject to "Christmas play" then one memory rises to the top. Of course, when I say "Christmas play," I mean Christmas pageant with kids dressed as shepherds and angels and hay flung all over the place.

Yes, how could anyone forget the Christmas pageant. When this is mentioned I have one basic dominating thought... and smell. Let me explain. When I was young I went to church now and then, especially when there was something going on for kids. As soon as you say Christmas play, the first thing that goes straight through my mind is a great big whiff of peanuts and oranges. Yes, peanuts and oranges. You must know what I'm talking about. If you had any connection to a church as a kid and went to, or were a part of, the Christmas production you probably have this memory. At the end of the night as we were leaving the church building our hands reached out for that free bag of candy, un-shelled peanuts and an orange just to keep it a bit healthy... I guess. That little brown bag was stuffed and I tore into as fast as I could. To me it seemed like it was the low budget free bag of candy, but it was free. And I don't even remember eating the orange, but it sure made it all smell good. Now, if I could walk out of a church around Christmas time and get a free bag of goodies I would want the low budget version because the memory is more valuable and enjoyable than anything we could stuff into a little brown bag today.

If you are looking for a Christmas play that is NOT a pageant, check out my Christmas Musical "The Richest Man in the Valley." It's more like a Broadway musical with a very relevant story people can relate to. I have a Christian Theater company. Check us out at www.lightsup.org.
You may also want to look at my new Easter Musical called "The Passion of the King." I'm currently working on a contemporary telling of "the prodigal son" story. It takes place in Las Vegas. It's entitled "The Lost Son." If you are interested in American History, Billy Sunday or revivalist take a look at "Sunday in Manhattan," the story of Billy Sunday.

Thought of the Day on Storytelling

Let's take a look at two totally different periods in time and two very different, but not so different cultures. First, two thousand years ago and the ancient world. Specifically, lets look at ancient Palestine with it's Greek influence and Roman dominance. At this time there was no electricity, or of course, Television or high-tech cinema with all of it's visual special effects. They had live theater with some sets, props, costumes and man-made sound effects. They also had excellent oral storytellers.

In this environment, Jesus, as well as his followers who would further his message worked with what people were used to. Therefore, they stood and told stories and parables. Often they would use a particular prop, such as when Jesus personally washed the feet of the disciples or when he referred to the valley of Hinnom (Gehenna), which was just south of Jerusalem; a place with a history of human sacrifice and currently used to burn refuse. He also used confrontation as a teaching opportunity, such as the near stoning of the adulterous woman or the moment when the disciples tried to keep the children away from Him.

During his own ministry, the Apostle Paul, used Greek Philosophy or sporting events to help make his point. In Acts 19 we read of how he used the backdrop of the massive temple of Artemis (a goddess the people worshiped in Ephesus). It was here that he said that " gods made with hands are no gods at all." The people feared that the temple of the great goddess Artemis be regarded as worthless and that she whom "all of Asia and the world worshiped would be dethroned from her magnificence."

The settings, the props and the colorful illustrations as examples are endless as we continue to look at the way the people of of the first century communicated and taught. Today, our culture is very similar, but the "bar" has been raised. This is why quality Christian Theater is so important. With great musical theater, amazing images thrown at us daily through Hollywood and television, we must take all of this into consideration when presenting the Christian world view and the teachings of Jesus Christ. In the use of drama today or other high tech forms of communication we must remember how far Jesus actually went to make his point and learn from the master of presentation... the master of teaching truth to a culture that doesn't care.

Please visit our website at www.lightsup.org. If you are gearing up for Christmas and want a Christmas Musical to perform, consider The Richest Man in the Valley. Or next Easter, present the new musical by Brent Grosvenor, The Passion of the King (the story of the life, death and resurrection of Jesus Christ).

Lights Up Productions Inc.

Feel free to visit the official website of Lights Up Productions Inc. and Lights Up Ministries at www.lightsup.org. We are a Christian theater company dedicated to writing and producing quality theater in the style of today's contemporary Broadway musical. To many people, Christian drama or Christian theater does not have a good reputation. We hope to change that and for the last ten years Brent Grosvenor has dedicated his life to writing relevant musicals with unforgettable music and songs and intriguing dialogue that is not corny (if you know what we mean).

His touring included the show "Sunday in Manhattan," which is about the life and legacy of Billy Sunday, the "baseball evangelist." His Christmas production entitled "The Richest Man in the Valley" is available for licensing for churches and theater groups. It is a fun and timeless Christmas show that nearly any size church or drama group can perform. Yes, peopole still actually perform cantatas, but aren't they a little 80's? If you are looking for an Easter production, Brent's newest musical is also ready for licensing. This new epic style show is about the life, death and resurrection of Jesus Christ. Perform "The Passion of the King" this Easter of 2009. You can view five different short photo galleries at our website, which includes more photos from "The Passion of the King." [Galleries]

We will continue to strive to take Christian theater to another level. The up and coming rock/symphonic style musical "The Lost Son" will be theater unlike anything else. This is currently in production.

Lastly, please understand what we mean by "Christian" theater. This is simply a way of helping people know the nature of our foundational ethics and values. If you are not a Christian we believe that you will respect and appreciate our shows and artistic work as well as the heart in which they are presented. We hope you can see one of our musicals and continue to come back to our site.

Christmas Musicals and getting Exposure

Well, let me tell you, promoting a good Christmas Musical is NOT easy. When I was touring I had hundreds of pastors, music pastors and drama directors ask me this question, "where can we find a good Christmas show or Easter production?" My response was always the same. "It's not easy to find good scripts, let alone, good musicals. So finally, I wrote a Christmas musical that many say is very good and "fresh." We produced it, tested it, made a video for all to see and after several years of promoting the show only about 60 churches have produced and performed it in their town. To some that may seem like a lot, but there are still hundreds and hundreds of churches and Christian drama groups looking for a fun, interesting, clever and relevant Christmas story and I find it very hard to get this one out there.

But, I am working hard to do just that. I'm trying to use the internet to spread the news about this show while working to write and produce others. I am Brent Grosvenor and I truly hope that you would consider performing this show in your town. It is a Christmas Musical nearly any size church can perform and one that will truly impact hearts in the most dramatic way for the sake of Jesus Christ and their eternal destiny. More at www.lightsup.org or www.lightsuptheater.com

Christian Theater in Connecticut

For years I dreamed of building or somehow owning a state-of-the-art theater. The right place I have always felt would be in New England where there is very little Christian Theater. Through a series of circumstances God orchestrated things so that I would find a home in a church with a vision for "out-of-the-box" ministry and a true vision for quality Christian theatrical productions. This place is Crossroads Community Cathedral in East Hartford, Connecticut. This seven million dollar building was finished in January of 2008 and we've already produced two musicals here. The first show was literally days after it opened with the fifth and final year of "The Richest Man in the Valley." Then we moved right into rehearsals for the March opening of my new Easter musical "The Passion of the King."

This facility is beautiful, comfortable and has amazing acoustics. I'll soon give you a full run-down of the exact technical "specs", but for now let me invite you to come visit us here during one of our main worship services on Saturday night or Sunday morning or during one of our live shows. You will not regret it. For more on our shows with pictures and videos visit www.lightsup.org or www.lightsuptheater.com.

The Richest Man in the Valley

Six years ago I wrote the Christmas Musical, "The Richest Man in The Valley." This is a fairly twisted version of the Scrooge story based on the old short fable, "The Richest Man in the Valley," which has nothing to do with Christmas. It sort of goes with yesterdays comments on how you don't really need a "Christmas story." I simply took the old fable and set it at Christmas.

The old man who works for the rich man has a dream. In his dream the richest man in the valley will be dead in three days. In my story that third day is Christmas morning. In the fable, the old man is a good and honorable man. In my story he is a Godly Christian man. There are a few other similarities, but not many. I'll elaborate on my plot tomorrow. It gets far more complicated and interesting. A couple of other important themes are intertwined with the main story.

For more on my Christmas production and Christian theater visit our site at www.lightsup.org or www.lightsuptheater.com. It's hard to find a good Christmas play these days. This is one that any size theater group can produce and perform.

Christmas Story

My comments from yesterday on writing a good script with a Christ centered message is also true for writing a Christmas story. If we are honest, we must say that too many Christian Christmas shows today are starting to look and sound the same - the same message, basic plot line and so on. However, there are many great stories to be told, stories that could happen any time of the year, but when it's told with the backdrop of Christmas it becomes a Christmas story... sort of. At least it becomes "Christmaseeee." Now you have something interesting, something created and relevant. Relevant is the key word here, which I'll talk more and more about later. Well, if you're looking for a really enjoyable and fun and very moving Christmas musical, check out my show, The Richest man in the Valley.

For quality Christian Theater go to www.lightsuptheater.com. You can also buy a demo of The Christmas Show on DVD at our Store.

Christian Stories (basic problem)

In the world of Christian Theater, the real problem begins at the writing stage. The show lives and dies right there. Why is it so hard to find good scripts? One basic reason is that not very many Christians are seeking to develop their skill in this area, but the other reason is one that not too many people are talking about. Most of the time a writer seeks to write a Christian story with the secular added to it. But that is not the reality of the world we live in. We live in a secular world with Christ added to it. The light has penetrated the darkness and the darkness is "larger than life." So, if you want a GOOD story, a REALISTIC story, a BELIEVABLE story, an EFFECTIVE story... then write a secular story and introduce Christ into the story, the way it REALLY HAPPENS. Think on this. I'll write more later on this subject as well as the Christian Musical, Songwriting and so on. Have a wonderful day. And while you're at it, check out www.lightsuptheater.com.

Christian Theater

This is a huge topic and one I want to continue to revisit. Lately I've listed video trailers of my Christmas Musical, The Richest Man in the Valley as well as a trailer for Sunday in Manhattan (The Billy Sunday story) on You Tube and God Tube. These can also be accessed through www.lightsuptheater.com (Home site for Lights Up Ministries and Lights Up Productions). While doing this I've watched quite a number of clips under the subjects of Christian drama or Christian plays. All I can say is, "wow, it seems that our progress in this realm is very slow. We are nowhere close to keeping up with the music industry where professionalism and quality production is at an all time high. Musical theater has been the fastest growing form of entertainment for over a decade. Why is it that Christians are not training, developing, and even mastering the craft of acting, script-writing or any other area of musical theater? I have some theories, but I'll get to that next time.

What is Lights Up?

Feel free to check out the website for Lights Up at www.lightsup.org or www.lightsuptheater.com (same place). You can also go straight to our media site for photo galleries and high resolution videos at www.lightsupmedia.com.

Lights Up is a Christian theater company. I toured for nearly 10 years to about 330 cities and towns with my original musicals. The first show was called From My Rags to His Riches (292 performances) and the second was the only musical about the "baseball evangelist" Billy Sunday (229 performances). This show is called Sunday in Manhattan. You can buy the DVD, which also includes a short documentary about Billy Sunday and about 200 historic photos ranging from WWI to 19th Century baseball to Billy's career. Check it out at www.lightsup.org.

You can also learn about my musical that are available for your church or theater group to perform. Looking for a Christmas show. Here's your chance to present a true "Broadway" style musical that is relevant and effective. I believe it Christian theater at it's finest. This show is called The Richest Man in the Valley. And my newest musical is an Easter production entitled The Passion of the King. Soon you will have a chance to see a couple of video trailers for this show.

Welcome to my blog.

Welcome to my personal blog page. Here is where I keep things pretty "loose" and "open-ended." I suppose that is what blogging is all about. Myself or even some of my friends or assistants from Lights Up Productions will post comments, ideas, encouraging words, etc.