• I believe that theater, for a community, whether large or small, can lead, can set trends, and can influence great artistic achievement.
• I believe that our Creator wants to release extraordinary creativity and innovation, at levels never seen before, into those people He has placed in the arts.
• I believe that the art of theater can and should be a joyful and life enriching experience for those that produce it, the artists that make it, and all that see it. I believe God is saying “come up higher.”
• I believe that theatre artists of faith want to be a part of redemptive stories, and stories with spiritual dimension, done with such excellence and vibrance, that even the current mainstream model of professional theatre is “wowed”.
• I believe there is still room to do plays new and old, ones we have seen over and over, and ones we have yet to discover, with more excellence and depth than they have ever been done before.
• I want to be a part of what God is doing in the earth in this amazing hour of history.
• I want to innovate and create excellent and divinely inspired theater.
• I want to “go up higher”.
• I want to love theatre artists and theatre producers, owners and directors because God loves them and they are His people. They are also my people. My Assignment.
• I want to have ears that “hear” God’s voice, walk in His wisdom and speak His words.

I got a wonderful book from a dear friend for my birthday last week and I want to quote the author, Cindy Trimm, in the first chapter of her book Commanding Your Morning: Unleash the Power of God in Your Life.

     “One of the fastest-growing art forms today is called the “spoken word”. Throngs of people gather in clubs, schools, cafes, church auditoriums, stadiums, and theaters just to hear the poetic, pulsating rhyme spoken by artists who by virtue of their creativity and talent move their audiences to emotional highs and lows merely by what comes out of their mouths. Like painters creating moving masterpieces in vibrant colors, these artists “paint” on the canvas of the human soul”.

I consider that a great and glorious responsibility. We can impact our art form and we must because our art form has great capacity to impact our world.

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During final rehearsals for “A Christmas Carol” (based on the novella by Charles Dickens), a speech of Jacob Marley’s was highlighted to me. In case you have not seen the show or need a refresher, Jacob Marley was Ebenezer Scrooge’s former partner and died seven years ago on Christmas Eve. He comes (as a ghost) to visit Ebenezer in the night on this particular Christmas Eve as the story unfolds.

Marley is speaking of his regrets in life in the hope of convincing Scrooge to look again at his chosen path. Scrooge remarks to Marley, “But you were always a good man of business, Jacob,” to which Marley responds:

“Business! Mankind was my business. The common welfare was my business; charity, mercy, forbearance, and benevolence were all my business. The dealings of my trade were but a drop of water in the comprehensive ocean of my business!”

Marley, now aware of the true purpose of his life, had discovered that his true and authentic self was more than the one his life displayed. He had realized that he was created to be charitable, merciful, and generous. In life, he was positioned for it, he was resourced for it, yet in the actual living, he missed it. He desperately tried to reach his friend and partner with this realized truth.

In taking a closer look at Ebenezer Scrooge himself, we can see in the story that he started out better, was on a good path, but something happened. His true and intended identity was twisted and/or somehow diverted, as he began to believe things about himself that were not true. His name, Ebenezer, is a Hebrew name that means “stone of help”. Yet, he was not living out his true identity.

Of course, in the end, Scrooge, had his eyes “opened” to “see” his true and intended self, and he chose to turn himself around. He recaptures joy. The novella speaks of him finding his ability to laugh again: “For a man who had been out of practice for so many years, it was a splendid laugh, a most illustrious laugh. The father of a long, long line of brilliant laughs!”

It is so refreshing to see Scrooge’s ending. And although he himself is a work of fiction, he could be you or I when it comes to choices in life that may be based in a fiction of our own making, or, perhaps one that was wrongly spoken over us. What “fiction” do we believe about ourselves that is less than that for which we were created? Are we willing to let our own “eyes” be opened to the “good report” for which the price has already been paid?

Marley and Scrooge are still speaking this lesson with their story all these many years later. You (and I) are beautifully and wonderfully made, His masterpieces. The value of each individual life, brimming with purpose and hope, is His reason for “The Season”.

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I want to meet you, storytellers of the stage. Yes, you unique people who have a passion to make a way for the creative likes of actors, lighting/sound/costume/set designers and playwrights and other theatre artists. You are fearless creators, warriors of a sort, who wield all these artistic elements to craft the framework of a word story into a living, breathing beauty. I see you! 

There are some “chinks” in your armor — scars of battles, criticisms, and rejection, but the terrain is rough, and you knew that coming in. You choose it anyway. 

You direct the focus on everyone else, because you know it’s best for the art. The art you love. And you are happy. You shine and your brilliance is remarkable.

You answered that “call” or “longing”, or was it a “tug” for you, to cast aside more “sensible” choices, and travel the course that brought you joy even with possible disapproval? Yay… you did it, courageous one.

You are “a superhero” and a “rock star”. You are first a dreamer, but your heart tattoo says “dream maker”.

You bring stories to people in such a way that they laugh… or cry… and everything in between. If they forget to say “thank you,” let me say it for them… THANK YOU!

I know that with your work comes the incessant casting, blocking, planning, creating, thinking, and prop scouting, while you are eating, driving and instead of sleeping or while you are sleeping. Rewards are coming.

Your stories matter. They awaken hearts. They provoke empathy. They change atmospheres. They are powerful. 

We love what you do. Take a bow.

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There is the quiet snicker, the sudden and unexpected “bursting forth” laugh, as well as that prolonged cackle with the snort at each gasp. We love to laugh, and we all have our own unique style. Sometimes watching other people laugh, makes us laugh. It’s contagious. 

We have our favorite theatre ”laughers”… I won’t call names, but you know who you are. You are unashamed, uninhibited, and ready to “let her rip” at even the slightest “funny”. Yay for you. We always want you in our audience. Others may hold back, but they are waiting for you to give them permission, and you are always delighted to oblige. 

Truvy in Steel Magnolias has that famous line:  “Laughter through tears is my favorite emotion”. I do agree. Whether tears of sorrow or unspeakable joy, laughter exposes a heart that says “yes”. It releases hope to a world clouded with “no”.

We are naturally drawn to  smiles, laughter, joy and all of it’s companions. I think it’s because we were created for it.  Psalm 16:11 says: “In Thy presence is fullness of joy”. Wonder what “FULNESS OF JOY” is like? 

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Most actors and theatre creatives have high hopes of being recognized for the good work that they do. To be successful literally puts them “in the spotlight” (or their costumes or set designs). Whether that kind of recognition is a “tolerated” sidelight or a “hoped for” result, depends on the personality of the actor/designer.  Regardless of the level of notoriety or fame, each performer or designer has hopes of having opportunities to do that work they love and the accolades and applause become icing on the cake.

There are hopes too, frequently unspoken, of being at the top of their profession, working consistently, doing important work in film or on stage, winning awards, and maybe even being a celebrity. It could happen. It’s fun to hope. It keeps us going.

There are a lot of things along the way, though, that can dash those hopes, bring discouragement, rejection, and even cause some to abandon their once hopeful dreams. Romans 13:13 is a great reminder that the “Source” of hope has great plans for you:

Now may God, the inspiration and fountain of hope, fill you to overflowing with uncontainable joy and perfect peace as you trust in him. And may the power of the Holy Spirit continually surround your life with super-abundance until you radiate with hope! (Romans 15:13 TPT)

I love how this reminds us that those hopes we have came “installed”. And what actor/actress could not benefit greatly from “uncontainable joy and perfect peace”?

I will say that I have seen my hopes shift over the years as I have matured and sought more alignment with God’s will and purposes. But I have never felt like I gave up anything. Quite the opposite. If anything, it has been more like: “really God? That is a lot bigger than I think I can do…” or, “God, I think you must have the wrong person”. A couple of years ago I “heard” something that rocked me so much I said “God that is CRAZY”. My eyes fill with tears as I type this. I will tell you about it someday, because He said it and He will do it. I trust Him.

So here’s the thing. Actors and other creatives, often have super-high hopes… and it’s fun to watch some of them achieve their dreams. But what if we put our trust in the Source of hope, look to Him, who, after all, planted it within us, there is a power available that goes way, way beyond any “boot strap” power that you or I could muster. There is a dose of hope available to us, in a divine fountain, with possibility beyond imagination. It’s got your name on it.

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On the surface, we may be quick to judge a person we come into contact with or a character on stage. Maybe they said or did something we did not like, or perhaps are far removed from our own experience, but onstage we get a chance to be reminded that they are in the middle of their story and their “mess”. Some parts of it might actually feel a bit familiar, yet even good comes when you can’t relate at all. There is hope for a good ending, and like “real life”, it may not come, but there is value in the story told because someone saw it and they were moved.  

As their story unfolds, we might get a glimpse of their “why” or the “how” of their “what”. Sometimes there is more context onstage than we get in “real life”. I love the gentle breezes of understanding, the feathers of empathy that float about the room. The unexpected bursts of laughter are always fun, but the tears, reminders of life, are welcome too.

It’s interesting that the ancient Greek word for theatre, the place of the performance, meant “the seeing place”. I love that; it certainly is true. There is the “seeing” of the action on stage… the physical realm. But there is deeper “seeing” as well. The emotional undercurrent that happens when subtle expressions and body language tell a story different from the one revealed by words. Also, there is the “seeing” of the spirit, where the action reveals an unspoken story of courage, or loss, or resolve, or love, or family bonds.

At last, there’s the “takeaway”.  Mine may be totally different from yours, yet precious all the same. We leave the “seeing place” with a common experience, a little treasure tucked into our heart that reminds us that life is holy and your own story is yet to be told.

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It arrested my heart.

Thank you, Paul Eckenberger of Ennis, for allowing me to share it here (as it appeared, unedited):

“There’s too many giants walking around. Dream Killers, Blasphemers, Joy Stealers. There’s too many giants walking around. The streams prepared your instruments. The smooth, round, cold, zingers. Maybe 11 or 12 skippers maybe more, maybe more. You were supposed to be a giant killer. You were supposed to be a stone slinger. They fed you their passive line ringers, they ended your passion, heart singer. You were supposed to be a giant killer.”

I have always loved the Biblical account of King David’s life. He was not a perfect man, but he was a very courageous man. In the face of the taunting and bullying of this giant named Goliath, he remembered Who had delivered him, as a shepherd, from “the paw of the bear and the paw of the lion” (1 Samuel 17).

What does this have to do with theatre or acting, you might say? Well, a lot actually. We absolutely face Dream Killers, certainly Blasphemers, and, yes, many Joy Stealers.

But we, like David, were never meant to sit idly by and let them take captives… like Goliath intended to do. David KNEW who his Deliverer was and that He was way bigger and more powerful than this giant Dream Killer he was facing. David was willing to trust the One he knew as he moved toward the giant with his humble weapons. He stood up for his people, and their dreams; he said “no” to the blaspheming giant.  

We can, too.

Let’s be brave, my heart-singing friends. Let’s put the giants on notice.

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Twyla Tharp, one of America’s greatest choreographers, does not approach creativity from any spiritual standpoint. The first sentence on her book jacket cover quotes her, “creativity is not a gift from the gods….”, so it was surprising to me that she often says things that are very spiritual.  Unlike Ms. Tharp, I do believe creativity most definitely is a part of the human DNA, bestowed on each one of us by the One who created us in His image. I have found myself saying “YES” out loud several times in this reading and I have only finished half of the book.

After every chapter she has interesting exercises that spark imagination and help the artist to “scratch”, as she calls it, to get the creative “juices” flowing.  I decided to do one of these exercises, right here, on paper, with you.

This particular exercise is called “Our Perfect World” (pg. 135) and it goes like this… She introduces this idea of what her “perfect world” might look like with her creative gifts in full bloom on a daily basis. As a choreographer who has been making beautiful dance for the likes of The New York City Ballet, The Joffrey, London’s Royal Ballet and many others for more than thirty years, what would her perfect world look like? I smiled very big as I read her list. Just a regular “perfect” day in rehearsal.

There were only eight things on her very simple list, but as one who has the common work of producing a product for an audience on a stage, I related. What most captivated me about this exercise was that I have been thinking along these lines for years, but with a little different bent. If you read my “Actor’s/Artist’ Prayer”  posted several weeks ago, you know that I quoted the Lord’s Prayer, where Jesus taught the disciples to pray for “on earth as it is in Heaven”. For many years I have been wondering what theatre would look like, Ms. Tharp’s “perfect world”, or what does theatre in Heaven look like? Come on, do you really think we will be sitting around on clouds all day? I think not.

Wheee… I feel like I am embarking on a breath-taking ride at the amusement park. Let’s do it. I’m going to start this list, but I’m wondering at the same time, what you would add to it. So feel free to comment with some of your thoughts.

• In rehearsal, and in production, everyone would have bionic memories so that every line came out just on cue, fully memorized, every time. That way, the good stuff, the fun part, the brilliance, the creative sparks, and the genius spontaneous surprises could start flying right away.
• That writers, came with beautiful and monumental new works and we could collaborate and help them “see” their work onstage for the first time, while at the same time we are enriched by bringing their words to life and their first production to our community.
• As part of the above, I see people, actors, writers, composers, designers and all types of creative people seeing themselves rightly… no timidity, no self-depreciation, no feelings of insecurity and, at the same time, no puffed up, arrogant, prideful types are even in the neighborhood. Just people who are willing and eager to create and cheer on others to do the same.
• Fear banished from the premises!
• Such generosity as never experienced before. Artists willing to give of themselves generously, writers and directors, musicians and patrons, with all fear gone, just happy to be there with attitudes of “what can I do to help?”, knowing that we are all part of something bigger than a night at the theatre. And patrons lining up to watch and clap and laugh and cheer and even partner with the creative great work.
• An environment of safety, honor, validation and acceptance. Jesus may have encountered flawed and broken people, but He loved them all and never left them that way.

The way that the author ended her description of this exercise is with this sentence that made me scream a very loud “YES!”…

“What are the conditions of your perfect world? Which of them are essential, and which can you work around? You may discover that you are not that far from heaven.”

Wow!  In looking around me, I can see that she is so right!

Ok, now it’s your turn…

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1. The script tells you who you are, where you are, and gives all the clues for the story you are telling… what really can be a giant treasure hunt. Of course, you need to know this material forward and backward so that you can “forget it” when the curtain rises or “action” is called, and just BE. 
2. Research is the “digging” for more information that is not given in the script, but may be referred to, such as a time period, or historical event or anything mentioned in the script that might help you get a better understanding of some element of the story. Also, research the playwright and his/her story about the play, what inspired him, and any insights he may give on the back story (his or the play’s). The more information you have, the more opportunity for a thunderbolt of inspiration.
3. Character is your person, your part. Who is this person and how can you best bring them to life? All the things that you have uncovered in the script and the research will add to the many bits of this person’s uniqueness. I know actors who are such great “people watchers” that they “collect” voices, walks, traits and habits of people they have met or observed. Then when they have a role or character to develop, they go through their “collection” for something that fits and gives their character captivating traits.
4. Costume can be very important to the work of many actors, less so for others. In some productions an actor may have a lot of control over their costume(s) and this becomes an extension of the character development. Whether you make the choices or you must adapt to someone else’s selections, it is still a very important part of the role to be played and the story being told.

The basic elements above are part of the structure that should be in place first in order for the real magic and creativity to happen. If the foundation is firmly in place before the rehearsal process begins (or before the first day of shooting), you are then freed up to explore your relationships and the deeper layers of the story.  

For example, once an actor knows the lines instinctively, he or she can then let go of the script and be free to explore the relationships with eye to eye contact and physical interaction with the other characters. Bringing all the above foundational elements into your performance, with the other characters doing the same, where connection and relationship are happening organically, is fertile ground for unexpected brilliance.

A strong cast, all working in concert to tell a great story, where all have done “their homework” as described, can set an energy into motion that will bring their audience to the edge of their seats… for two hours… on opening night.

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Father, I pray today as Jesus taught the disciples to pray: “Thy kingdom come, Thy will be done, as in heaven, so in earth.” (Lord’s prayer) What does that look like Lord, to have heaven come to earth in the realm of arts and entertainment? We say “yes” to the possibilities. 

 

We know that we are created in Your image (Genesis 1:26), that we too are creative beings. Father, you have wired us to create, to dream and design, to innovate and invent, to discover, to lead with new ideas, to set the trends and even blaze a new path. May we, through our artistic expressions, creatively communicate Your heart of love, mercy, and grace to a world that needs You. 

 

Thank you, Lord, for the opportunity to participate in Your divine plan. Whether it be story-telling on stage, screen or page, if it be dance, painting, sculpting, music, accounting or agriculture, I pray that You breathe on our works of love. May they bless and bring vibrance to our community.

 

We call out to You for vision and revelation of Your plan for the arts and that which entertains. Father, let us not be satisfied with earth-bound ideas of arts and entertainment, limited by the voices of our culture, but instead, Father, that we would reach for what eye hath not seen, ear hath not heard, neither hath it entered into the heart of man what You have prepared for those that love You. (I Corinthians 2:9)

 

We pray that our artistic expression would be filled with joy and welcome Your presence.  

 

May Your name be glorified in all creation.

Amen

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