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.
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5 comments:
I think one of the problems is that everyone thinks they ARE naturally funny and what might be stupid jokes to you and I still seem to make a lot of people in the pews laugh out loud.
When is excellence necessary and when is it just nice to have? I'll relate this to worship music. How much excellence is necessary for people to be able to worship? Can too much excellence sometimes be a hinderence to worship? Can we ask these same questions with regard to drama? And is bad music, bad lyrics, bad acting, bad scripts, etc. a subjective assessment?
No answers here, just more questions.
OK. First, I understand that many aspects of the arts are subjective, but there is still a way to measure quality, especially when it comes to writing (dialogue, lyrics or music). Of course, in the end, if the masses like it then who cares, right? However, What I'm hearing from dozens and dozens of pastors and people all over the country is that the scripts they read are just poorly written and unrealistic. I didn't make this stuff up. They are the ones who use the word "Corny." So apparently there truly is such a thing as good writing and one called "bad" with people on either side that may disagree. We must aim for relevance, intrigue, interest, clarity and impact.
In communication, especially theater, excellence is always the goal, which makes it necessary. In worship music it's the goal, but is not necessary. If the lack of excellence is hindering ones worship then there is a problem that must be addressed. However, I do not put worship music (especially in the public form)in the same category as drama or storytelling.
Plus, too much excellence and too much performance fall under two COMPLETELY different categories. I think that people mistake one for the other. Anything can be over performed, but when it comes to worship it should not exist. I have been in too many worship services in churches where the performance was too polished and just "too much." It hinders me because the focus is not on worship. With worship music we should do our best to have quality simply for the sake of creating the most conducive environment for true worship of God.
With theater, we are all at different skill levels. This I understand, but just like playing the piano or guitar, we must take the craft serious and strive to be better, all for the sake of reaching the hearts of people. Theater and Worship are too different subjects with some similarities, but still vastly different in many ways.
I agree with you Brent. There is a lot of corny stuff out there. I think the problem lies not so much in individuals not doing their best, but in the Church as a whole not supporting the arts specifically and creativity in general. Our best creative minds must go to secular pursuits because that's the only place where they're accepted.
I especially like your distinction between excellence and performance in worship. True excellence in worship music goes beyong performance and addresses spirit as well.
The only exception I would make (and one that I'm sure you'd agree with) is the educational value of skits apart from their performance level. Performing skits in an educational setting without great skill (or even rehearsal) can have great benefit in disciplship.
Yes! Great comments on "skits in education." I agree and plan to comment later on that specific subject.
There is one caveat that is devoid of this conversation. Drama/theater is essential to better understanding ourselves and the generic experience of humanity. When in chorus with and through the lens of Christianity, added components include a greater understanding of God, the complexities of adhering to and loving this God, His relationship to us, and vice versa. To portray, display, analyze, and explore these topic via mediocre performance is at best asinine. The "components" I have already referred to must be examined and explored with accuracy and in depth (We as Western World Christians have a proclivity to accept the mundane and refuse to look at things critically, to examine, to delve into, to defend our faith, to exegetically study the Bible, to deny materialism, to deny selfishness, to eliminate apathy, to go and REACH the lost. Hence, it is no surprise that in the arts we demonstrate the same symptoms of Christians who are ill and who refuse go deep in God, to strive for perfection in Him, knowing full well we will never attain perfection but giving Him everything because He deserves it). To not explore these paramount topics of life and Christianity in depth and with accuracy and with excellence is foolishness. We must strive to put out the best if for no other reason than to challenge ourselves and grow as Christians. As Christians it is never a show; rather, it is a golden opportunity to mature and put away those childish things. Simply, childish and "phony" Christian theater will only breed phoniness in those who watch. God is excellence; let us do our best to follow His example.
Thanks, Brent, for everything you do!
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