Set Apart Theater Series in New York

This week we feature a wonderful series at The Salvation Army's Theatre 315 in New York City. The series offers theatre works that contain the Gospel message. The latest in the series, "Ananais," is written by Hollie Ruthberg and stars Geoffrey Hastings Haberer in the title role. Performances are scheduled for June 1 and 2 at 8:00 pm June 3 at 7:00 pm. For tickets, go to SmartTix.com.

Being a Light in the Dark Theater

Well, it's Spring and in the New York theater world, that means it's awards time. There are a number of organizations that present awards to top shows and performers on and off Broadway culminating in the award of all awards, the Tony. As the theater community gets ready to honor the best of 2007, I'd like to remind Christians in the theater world to remember to honor the best of all eternity: our Lord. The theater community is a missions field for Christians who make their living amidst the greaspaint and the roar of the crowd.

So often at gatherings of theater folks, there seems to be an overwhelming disdain for God, Christians and anyone who might suggest that you can't do whatever you want when you want. And Christians ministering in that world need your prayers to find loving ways to share the need for a saving Lord.

At one of this season's award ceremonies in which a number of honored performers were asked to share a few words, I was surprised to hear how often God came up in the conversation-- even if all of the comments weren't positive (OK, the Lord's name was taken in vain twice, but that's not what I mean). One actor expressed joy at having a role which allows him to speak in favor of evolution and say negative things about those who believe in creation. One spoke proudly of being raised in an atheist home and another was proud of parents who had left the ministry. And one person, given a special award to honor his achievements, reminisced about his start in the theater in middle school and how at the end of the run of their production, all of the participants clung to each other not wanting to part from those with whom they'd shared such comraderie. "Maybe that is God," he said wistfully.

The thing that was very clear to me is that God is very much on the minds of those folks, whether they'd like to admit it or not and we Christians who have an opportunity to work in the performing arts with those who don't know Him and who are searching for God, have an obligation and sacred calling to introduce them to Him. A couple of people who spoke at that awards ceremony did mention being blessed in their lives and work. But not one said from whom the blessings came.

Don't be afraid to let people see Christ reflected in you and through you as you sing, act, dance, direct, play your instrument, design lights or sound, usher people to their seats or clean the carpet in a theater. If you are a Christian and you are involved in the performing arts, God is speaking to you. He has placed people in your path who need to know Him. Be the light to show them the way through the darkness that can consume the theater world to what they really need to be blessed.

From Broadway to India, this Pianist Serves the Lord

We're delighted to have Mary-Mitchell Campbell as a member of the Masterwork Productions team of performers. She is a pianist for our touring musical "Early One Morning," words and music by Ron Melrose, and there isn't a performer who has worked with her who hasn't sung her praises.
Mary-Mitchell, an instructor at the Julliard School, is music director for "Company" playing at the Barrymore Theater on Broadway and has been nominated for a Drama Desk Award for Outstanding Orchestrations for her work. In her spare time, she helps children in India and Africa.
Get to know Mary-Mitchell better in a feature article by New York theater writer Retta Blaney on her blog at
http://uponthesacredstage.blogspot.com/
(scroll down through some theater reviews to find Mary-Mitchell.)

Focus on the Audience of One

As you prepare to use your gifts in the performing arts this week, take a few minutes to reflect on the Audience of One, as He should be our focus in all we do.

At rehearsals, guard your tongue. Seek to build up the others in your group. Pray and give all aspects of your talent and performance to Him to use to bring others to Himself. During the performance or worship service, remember that you want people to see Him -- not you.

Reflect on these words from Psalms 95 and have a blessed week!

Come, let us sing for joy to the LORD;
let us shout aloud to the Rock of our salvation.

Let us come before him with thanksgiving
and extol him with music and song.

For the LORD is the great God,
the great King above all gods.