Tuesday, July 22, 2008
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.
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3 comments:
Here, Here, Brent!!!
This is a huge part of my heart and concern! The church has been very good at encouraging the singing part of the arts but not performing (which has been confused with pride) and even more importantly writing. Great writing is a necessity for powerful communication! And frankly, we ain't got it. Yes, there are a few who are gifted. But, how many more in our churches are not encouraged to write. We've let media think for us and train us how to talk, behave and think (election year). God Please dig deep in our hearts and give us a creative voice to represent you. And not just in front of the choir but in the most elite playhouses in America and the world!!!
Ok, I've been acting professionally for sixteen years! It's been my lifes blood and the primary way to support my family. Throughout that time I've been watching the church slowly open up to the idea that drama can be useful. Imagine, stories unfolding so that people can understand a concept! Sound familiar (Jesus and His parables). I understand that the fear of getting people involved and becoming prideful is a concern in the church. And lets face it so many actors are just, Weird. But that's were training comes in. What happens on stage stays on stage. You don't run around all day and portray that character when you go shopping or spend time with your family. But training in the understanding of the craft can help us understand to pull our life experiences, healthily, into and onto the page and stage.
Lets talk more,
Michael Lapham (aka Neville Readings)
Neville was a character I played in the a play about William Tyndale, one of the greatest Reformists of the church.
"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."
Real Life Stories- I think I would just be happy with stories that could have or might be happening in life. It seems like we have to give ourselves permission to display real life situations. Why does this have to be in the church? If there is anyone who should not be living in denial it is the Christian. After all, haven't we been exposed to the truth of our own human nature and its need to be changed? In a "life-story" what good is the Light (or goodness) if it doesn't have darkness to overcome. Did Jesus die for nothing or was darkness truly overcome? Contrast is essential in any picture (photo) I think it remains essential in any life story. To see a life story and for that story to ring true there must be a key ingredient. The reality of RISK. Without risk there is nothing to overcome. I guess in the Church we are very scared that all the talk we've had about Victory in Jesus may not necessarily be backed-up in our own lives. If this is harsh feel free to tell me. But, if it's true let's find ways to write about life and ask God to open our eyes to Him and the reality of what He has truly done for us.
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