I have loved theatre for as long as I can remember. The thrill of knowing anything can happen and the sense of belonging has always fascinated me. The summer before I came to college, I took an internship with a theatre company run by Christians, and it completely changed my approach to theatre. I hope to keep Jesus first not only in theatre, but in every area of life. I have so much more to learn, but I’m excited for what the future holds. Although there are some limitations and challenges as a Christian, theatre is a beautiful and fulfilling art form that Christians can study and practice.
Theatre is appropriate for Christians because we are called to be image-bearers of God, and it is one way we can carry out that calling. When God created
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Objectionable elements must be taken into consideration. Clearly, there are things that people who believe in Jesus should not do, say, or glorify. In Ronald Horton’s book about Christian educators, he addresses the subject of objectionable elements; he discusses multiple views and thinks we should recognize “that the image of God in redeemed man--Christ-likeness--includes moral understanding and that moral understanding requires an awareness of both good and evil (Horton).” I believe it has to do with how the evil is represented. A secular play that has violence or sexual themes, for instance, may show what the world would be like without God. I think it is important for every theatre artist to have his or her own standards and stick to them faithfully. God leads people differently and some have the liberty to do things that others feel they cannot. Keeping Jesus as a priority in life and following where he leads is the safest and happiest place to be. The Bible says, “For to this you have been called, because Christ also suffered for you, leaving you an example, so that you might follow in his steps.” Following Christ is not always easy, but it is always worth it in the …show more content…
Making sure to give glory to God in theatre is a challenge. It may be easy to praise the Lord out loud or online, but it is harder to keep a humble heart. The Bible tells us that God will give grace if you’re humble; truly thanking God for each success and opportunity will bring happiness and peace. Another challenge Christians may face is disapproval from other Christians. Many churches focus “not on creating excellent art, but on didactic moral teaching and evangelization” (Matson). Although there is definitely a place for theatre in the church, I don’t think Christians should have to restrict themselves to purely “Christian” theatre. If an artist does decide to produce theatre with biblical themes, they should hold themselves to a high standard of excellence. Not only is it good testimony for Christians to have excellent art, it also pleases God. There are definitely challenges and limitations a Christian will encounter, but if they work hard and have healthy relationships with Jesus and others, they can be a part of something very special – theatre
I see that you’re into theater. That’s cool. I saw quite a few plays. (I’m not much of a performer, though. Whenever I’ve been in front of an audience, I hid behind a guitar.)
I enjoy theatre because it provides insight to understanding humans and their behavior. This is not through lectures and textbooks, but through real experiences on a live stage. The understanding of behavior is shown through performing realistic (or metaphorical) situations that audience members can relate to or learn from. This provides comfort for an audience member to compare their lives to the ones that are spilling onstage. For me as the performer, it also provides a comfort because I can conform into another person and flee from any struggles that I am having in my
“Acting is behaving truthfully under imaginary circumstances” said by Stanford Meisner. Theatre is an area of arts where you can be free from reality and imagine the impossible. Some of my favorite things about theatre are, the people that are involved, how helpful theatre is and how helpful everyone is, then my last thing is how much fun we have. One of my top favorite things about theatre is the people that are involved within it. Every person has a different personalities, that put together makes a new and neat experience. Theatre is an important part of my life and I enjoy every minute, while I’m there.
In Scott McCloud’s “Understanding Comics,” he defines art as both “any human activity that doesn’t grow out of EITHER of our species two basic instincts: survival and reproduction” (164), and “the way we assert our identities as individuals and break out of the narrow roles nature cast us in” (166). Although McCloud was discussing graphic novels in his work, I think that these quotes and his argument apply to any type of visual rhetoric. As a former theatre minor at Marquette, I have had the opportunity to be privy to this argument in the form of theatre. Watching a play unfold onstage has an effect on the participating audience, largely due to the intricacies of each scene. While a good play must start out
Cast and crew member for Christian Educational Consortium’s winter and spring theatre productions. Minor speaking part in each play, helped also with props, and set
The first professional show I ever saw was an Off-Broadway production of On the Twentieth Century, starring Kristin Chenoweth. I remember getting swept up and consumed by the music, the dancing, the romance, the comedy, the story, and walking out of the theater astonished by the idea that there are people that do that for a living, there are people that do theater for a career, not just for fun. That is part of the reason that I decided to pursue theater, for the thrill of adventure and I know that I am not going to be doing some boring-ass desk job, but in the future I will get to use the skills that I learn in college to get my degree, and apply these skills to a career that I am excited about. To me, theater means that I get to work with
Earlier this year I was able to take part in a local production of Pippin the Musical, by the South Coast Coral and Arts Society (SCCAS). SCCAS has been performing in Victor Harbor for over 60 years and have produced many memorable productions, such as the Wizard of Oz, The Sound of Music, Jesus Christ Superstar, and most recently My Fair Lady where I had the pleasure of playing Freddy Eynsford-Hill the main love interest. Winning many local awards and a few state awards SCCAS has proved that they are ready to step up into more complex and dynamic productions. Robert Bell, was very gracious to receive the Adelaide theatre guide award for his performance as Jesus in Jesus Christ Superstar, was determined to bring something fresh, and exciting
I wanted to do it again this year but I was in between jobs, and really couldn't stop working or I would fail my first hour class. I hate that I couldn't do it even though I'm not much of an actor I do enjoy doing this. Plus it is good. We had over 150 people give their life over to God because of the play. This play speaks to them and that's the most important
Theater is the activity or profession of acting in, producing, directing, or writing plays. It is that of escaping the real world and going into a new one. Not only does one go more in depth into their mind, but they also go into the mind of others.Theater helped me find out who I really am. Growing up, I always enjoyed the idea of stepping into someone else’s shoes, but I never got the chance until I was in the sixth grade.
As my transcript undoubtedly shows, I am an Anthropology and Sociology major who also has a great intellectual and personal investment in Theater. I am continually fascinated and taking deeper looks into societal structures academically, but I have acquired a good deal of hands on practical knowledge about life, love, and how to make the "magic" happen through being a part of theater productions. Granted, I have certainly worked the most behind the scenes in set building, design, lighting, props, management and directing, but maybe because of that I am all the more cognizant of the message being conveyed to the audience and how the subtle ways in which the world of the play manifests change the message.
Theatre seemed too involved and, well, dramatic.However, when asked upon, of course, I did help my middle school theatre. I made set and prop pieces. The first ever prop
Although the origin of the Greek theater is unclear, many historians believe that it developed out of religious ritual and its performances were connected to religious festivals. The performances were used to educate and entertain. "The theater is certainly not the same as it was in ancient
Our choice to tell stories should exist in the same moment that we identify an audience who needs to hear that story – now, in this context, in this time, and in this medium. The best relationship with an audience begins dramaturgically, at the beginning of a rehearsal process. We must ask: How can we keep our minds open to the audience we have and also to the audience we want and the audience with whom we hope to collaborate? How do we enter a community and work with new people, learn from them and hope they learn from us? Partner with our similar goals and share resources. Work with them and never for them. Theatre isn’t a service—it’s a
I can play so many aspects of myself on stage, whereas I never get to experience that in the real world. I can be evil, or sad, or quiet on stage when in reality I am shy, introverted, and loyal to a fault. It is one of the most magical experiences of my life that I know I will never find again, especially not with the group that over the course of four years has produced some of my best friends, who I will rarely see again. More than that, though, they have become my family, and I will cherish them forever. This is the true reason theatre has become my lifeline, not the love of the stage alone, but for the family I have gained on the
On reading Christopher B. Balme’s The theatrical public sphere, the concept of theatre’s role in the Public Sphere is explored. Balme traces the origins