Reach Out with Easy-to-Produce Dinner Theaters

If you are looking for a creative way to reach out to your community this summer or next Fall/Winter, Masterwork Productions dinner theaters are a great way to communicate while having a lot of fun.

Getaway to Chipaway follows three families escaping the problems of every day life on a camping vacation. There they find friendship and hope. This fun, family-friendly script comes with a message and original music by artist Bill Cooper, so you don't have to spend time tracking down songs or getting copyright permissions to perform them. It's ideal for drama teams and youth groups. To order a review copy of the script and a demo of the songs, click here or email us at masterworkproductions@yahoo.com. Production kits also are available.

Feedback:

• "Fun, fast paced, great music. Loved it"


• "I got goose bumps ... great laughs and the themes and developments were spot on."


• "This generally isn't my kind of thing, but I really enjoyed this. Very fun, clever, well written and entertaining."


• "Excellent messages beneficial for families."

The Seasons of Friendship follows the friendship of two women from the time they meet until they have to part and all the seasons they weather in between. Just perform the sketches as an offering or add music, other presentations and even a talk as guided by the script. This is ideal for women's events, women's retreats or a Sunday sermon series. Use the talent you have in your church and gear the message toward the audience you are trying to reach. This is hot off the presses! To order your reading copy, contact us at masterworkproductions@yahoo.com.
Productions kits also are available.

Wanna Be Divas, Variety Show on Tap for Episcopal Actors' Guild

The Episcopal Actors' Guild presents Sylla Haskell in "Wannabe Divas" 7 pm Thursday, April 30 at Guild Hall, 1 E. 29th St., NY.

This multi-media explores the lives of Madame Florence Foster Jenkins, Anna Russell, and others.

Also on tap at Guild Hall is the inaugural "YO PRO Variety Show" 7 pm Thursday, May 7.

The EAG Young Professionals present an evening of song, magic, comedy, dance and more featuring sketch comedy with Marcus and Rodney, Lynn Newman, Choreographer with Artichoke Dance Company, magic by Slav Efremov, singer/actress Jennifer Fouche (theamoralists.com) w/ Michael Hopewell and the Accordion Stylings of Franca Vercelloni.

To make reservations for this event, call 212-685-2927 or contact matt@actorsguild.org.

Each event has a suggested donation of $10. Proceeds support the organization's relief funds. Wine and Refreshments will be served.

Steven Curtis Chapman Receives Top Dove Awards

Steven Curtis Chapman won Artst and Songwriter of the Year at the 40th annual Dove Awards last night in Nashville. Natalie Grant and Brandon Heath took female and male vocalist honors.

Casting Crowns received Group of the Year honors and Tenth Avenue North was named New Artist of the year.

The song "Give Me Your Eyes" by Brandon Heath and Jason Ingram won Song of the Year. Listen to it here.

A full lst of all the nominees is available at http://www.doveawards.com/doveawards/nominees.php.

Jubliee Choir Offers Concert

"Cross & Resurrection" will be presented by the Jubilee Chorus and Orchestra 8pm Saturday, April 25 at Calvary Church at the corner of 21st Street and Park Avenue.

Soloist Kamel Boutros will be featured. The choir is directed by Virginia Hart Pike. Stephen P. Brown directs the orchestra.

Jubilee Missions New York is a Christian performing arts organization that provides a place for everyone to learn and perform. The organization believes that God has blessed each one of us with a talent, through which faith is inspiration.

Admission is free. An suggested donation of $20 will go to support the organization. For more information, call (212) 608-1330 or email: newyork@jubileemissions.org

Sing joyfully to the LORD, you righteous; it is fitting for the upright to praise him. (Psalm 33:1)

Project Dance Performs in Times Square

On my way to a show last weekend, I was surprised to hear some Christian worship music blaring from the area of Times Square. There, just off the square on 44th Street, members of Project Dance® were sharing their gifts with crowds in the heart of the city.

What a treat, and what an encouragement to see Christians unafraid to worship the Lord. So many Christians I run into in this industry are afraid to let folks know they follow Jesus. It isn't politically correct; they'll be seen as judgmental; they'll be shunned. All of those things are possible, but how exciting to see a group rise above that and say "this is who we are."

While many folks pray, write or sing to worship the Lord, this group uses their bodies, project founder and Rockette Cheryl Cutlip told the crowd. The organization seeks to positively impact culture through artistic integrity (and Cheryl said she had just referred someone to our site, http://reflectionsinthelight.blogspot.com/, for Broadway and theater reviews with an added Christian perspective, so thanks, Cheryl!)

The dancers offered hours of entertainment and danced to everything from worship music to salsa. And the crowd just kept getting bigger.

For more information on this ministry, visit http://www.projectdance.com/.

Biola Media Conference

The last day for early-bird pricing for the Biola Media Conference is tomorrow.

Brian Bird, best known as writer/co-exec producer of "Touched By An Angel" has been added as a workshop speaker. He’ll be joining Doug TenNapel (creator of Earthworm Jim) to teach workshop: How to Package & Sell to Hollywood.

Joseph C. Phillips (Actor: "The Cosby Show," "C.S.I.", "King of Queens," "Judging Amy") has been added to "The Talent Factor" panel!

This year's conference theme is "Closing the Deal" will feature workshops on the art of pitching, knowing what projects Hollywood is looking for, discovering niche projects, no budget filmmaking, the legal aspects of deal-making, how power is used in Hollywood, living out your faith, and more.

For more information on the Biola Media Conference which will be held Saturday, April 25 in Studio City, CA, visit http://www.biolamedia.com/index.shtml.

36-Hour Film Contest Winners Selected

The results are in and "Leave Me" has won the 36-Hour Christian Video Contest sponsored by Christian Filmmakers.

View the winner and other entries here http://www.christianfilmmakers.org/contest/2009-04/