Theatre Niche

Being Rude and Not Even Knowing...Until later...

2011-10-02T23:29:00.000-07:00

I was attending the TCA College graduation. Since 2006 I've been teaching college level theatre courses to those who want to use drama/creative arts in ministry. At the reception, I meet and get into conversation with a Board Member and a Richard Goetz professor of Theology, who comments about the power of the arts, and how Christian Churches are missing out on embracing the arts for worship and outreach. I feel like we're clicking in this conversation, so I make a comment along these lines:

I struggle sometimes with the paradox of generating excitement for practicing arts as ministry, because there will never be any income in it to speak of. I've spent my entire life devoted to exploring how to use arts in ministry, and though the thanks and praise were abundant, only on one hand can I count the years I was remunerated more than $500. That's what some churches will pay a one time guest speaker. And yet, they'll ask me to work longer and harder preparing a sketch for worship that supports his message....

Still, God has given me this passion and calling, so I keep having to put such facts at his feet. He has always provided for me, in other ways, but it's harder to have faith in his provision for my students, when I know they are destined to have the same sense of being devalued for the gifts in ministry God has given them and I am fanning into flame.

I went home last night and saw an interview with this faculty member in the Graduation Booklet:

"My passion is for the classroom...I told myself that this was so great that I will do this even if they don't pay me. When you find your passion you know it, because you can honestly say I will do this even if they did not pay me."

Ooops. I now imagine that he thought my comments were in critical response to his interview. Duh. Nope, I was just being guilelessly honest about my experience and what I wrestle with as an artist.

Playback Theatre Intro Links

2011-10-01T18:29:00.000-07:00

Getting ready to teach some playback, here's what I passed on to participants.

A written description of how to
(buy Improvising Real Life by Jo Salas for the book on it!):
http://spicetolife2.blogspot.com/2005/11/playback-how-tos.html

overview of one particular theatre company (remember: each performing group is a bit different based on the personalities they bring to the group)
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=77ruQ67Hwbs&feature=related

Fluid sculpture
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9cB5KISbZIE&feature=related

Pairs (using too much text!)
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-RFgOTKXz6k&feature=related

storytelling demonstration
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8zDC89VCD74&feature=related

Japan Relief Through Network of Christian ministries

2011-03-13T07:54:00.000-07:00

Our ministry connections from Japan are all recommending this network: If you are looking for a way to respond to the disaster in Japan, here is one excellent option. We'll have a way to do online donating soon! http://crashjapan.com/

Post CoLab Rant

2011-03-08T08:11:00.000-08:00

Again promised out of the box,

To Creatives among Jesus' flock.

The venue first rate.

The goodies just great.

But a 'CoLab', it simply was not.

ENC hosts "CoLab" @ TAB on Orchard

It was exciting to roll up the escalator with a sense of expectation.

I've been praying for this as an outside/insider for 2 months since i heard of it.

Two text messages had come from friends who were already there: "The place is packed."

I was arriving quite late. I'd been praying since 5PM when it began, but I just couldn't get there when it was to start. I had anticipated it was more like an open house kind of event, more organic, which would have people coming and going between 5 and 8PM. Maybe later if they were having a good time.

I was kindly greeted by outgoing happy strangers who wanted me to feel welcomed. But my heart sank when one of them chased me into the hall and required me to give my particulars on a registration card in exchange for the clever little packet/notebook that had just been given to me.

I kid you not, that's what they said, "You need to fill this out in exchange for the packet."

[What about the guest who doesn't want to give their particulars? If I'm one of the group's cheerleaders and I'm a little put off by this, surely someone else is.]

But, I reasoned, this is the Singapore way. Why should this night be any different?

I laugh to myself thinking that there will probably be an evaluation form at the end.

There wasn't. Instead the evening ended with an announcement that fell flat:

"By the way, we've made a nice gift for you. And by the way, $15 would be a nice donation for it."

We all understand. These things cost money. I gave my $15 on the way out.

As I entered the CoLab I saw a restaurant full of people. Yeah!

But though the chairs were full, the tables were all but empty. A few drinks and no signs of food that I could see. For awhile I stood in the back near the awkward TAB staff.

Hired to serve, when it wasn't an atmosphere to do so.

This stinks for the owner. He's going to take a dive tonight.

Facing Forward.

What looked to be about 200+ people, all were facing a stage. A speaker was on stage. A speaker i'd like to hear from, truly, but not tonight.

My heart sank lower as I began to realize that this CoLab was not some kind of collaborative Salon, or Literati open mic event, or Performance Art or a collage of experimental creative activities that might make us draw near to Jesus while getting to know one another. Except for three canvases brought to life on the sides of the stage (additional artists from Church of Our Saviour), this night didn't look like anything creative was happening with the majority of expectant Artist who had gathered.

And there were A LOT of artists.

Who are they? Since I'd come in late, I wonder: Before I got here, had the people in the room had a chance to find out who they all are?

I saw some friends I've not seen in a long time. I saw people I'd have liked to get to know. I want to hug everyone. I want to find out:

Why did you come?

What about the arts are you most passionate?

How has art played a part in you knowing God better?

What are your dreams?

What are you afraid of?

If you had the resources to do it, what would you do with art to change the world?

The audiences' eyes and voices facing forward toward the speaker, watched musicians join him onstage. My heart sinks a little further. We're going to get to do what many of us had already done earlier that day at church: Worship our God corporately through music. I didn't come out tonight to go to church again.

Granted, it was good music, yes. A LOT of good. loud. music.

As the music went on, I saw more people I longed to interact with, I got frustrated in the loudness of it all. I wanted to interact with people. I wanted to leave. But I held on, tried to enter into worship with an open heart. Asked God to free me from a critical spirit. Fellowship would eventually come.

I'm sure many who came were really, truly blessed.

And I really hate being so negative about it. It was probably an amazing event for many people there. The Lord probably met them and ministered to them through the well organized event. And as an event, it was a marvelous night.

But I'm old(er), and I'm tired.

I've been around a long time. And perhaps there will never be beautiful new clothes for the Bride of Christ. Time and again my expectations that innovation will eventually come to the church has been disappointed. I sound like a grumpy old curmudgeon talking like this. Who after all doesn't like WORSHIP? I hesitated to admit all of this because I sound like a pagan to be complaining.

HOWEVER,

I ardently love Jesus

and I'm a singer.

So, it's not that I don't like worship through music.

What it is, that has me a little rankled, is that I had been tricked. CoLab for the March 6 event was a misnomer.

I had watched the promo video and thought,

It doesn't really say what it IS. but it is fun. WHAT IS IT GOING TO BE EXACTLY? It seems to be just hype for an idea, but surely they'll figure out how to execute it by March 6.

The team now is reviewing the feedback. Post production pow wow.

I believe by May 22nd they'll find some inspiration for how to make it live up to it's name.

Dear Lord, don't let the disappointed get jaded. Let us continue to strive for unity, even when we let one another down. Even if we offend.

Maybe there's lots of good ideas on post it notes. If they need more, maybe they'll ask me.

Hope springs eternal.

I can't wait to see...

Another Trial Class this Saturday

2011-02-24T06:00:00.001-08:00

Namiko's Intro: Worship Hula
Originally uploaded by K!Mberly.

Claymore 8 - Dance on Us. the under-construction building near the American Club. A good turn out last Saturday, it was non-threatening for non-dancers. Some mom's and daughters came together, and Namiko's demonstration was breathtaking.

Visit Art Galleries Through Google

2011-02-15T05:21:00.000-08:00

Awesome art resource from google art project - it allows you to visit many of the art museums around the world from the Hermitage to the London National Galley - explore the galleries and paintings and even get really close up. It looks amazing.

Check out the introduction here.

Worship HULA

2011-02-09T22:25:00.000-08:00

Yeah Namiko for launching into yet another artistic adventure.
It's going to be fun.
If you don't know Namiko, read about her on Wikipedia

WEAR HIS YOKE: Stop trying to save yourself by yourself.

2011-02-08T01:57:00.000-08:00

Artist CNY Reunion, A4J Group

February 7, 2011 7:30-10PM

Touch Community Theatre Jalan Buki Merah.

Prop List: coloured pencils, drawing paper, ipod, speakers, verses printed out, highlights journal, samples of postit notes.

Intro:

If we’ve known each other for more than a year, you find out that I love the New Year. I love fresh starts. I love the impetus to begin again - the seasonal natural proof that Spring follows Winter. It’s time for REFLECTION and RESOLUTIONS!

I love taking a personal retreat and asking the Holy Spirit to help me in brainstorming ideas for ways I should be growing, or things I’d like to do in the new year.

I do it on postit notes in categories:

Organizational, Intellectual, Relationships, Adventure...

Since 2004 I’ve done this exercise in community. Subsequently, friends give me postit note pads as gifts! Just look at some of my collection!

Discovering with other artist friends what types of dreams we have that we can partner in, or at least cheer each other forward in. When I started doing this, I had recently turned 40 and I still had dreams that, with enough dedication, discipline, goal setting and grit, I could become some kind of a World Class Artist.

Some of you are rolling your eyes about resolutions. But let me tell you, I started this journey with some eye rolling artists who now say that the exercise has been sort of life transforming. They may not have made some of the same life decisions or risks had they not joined me in 2004.

I always like to preface my postit notes exercise with some reflections on the past year. And in 2011, this is where I camped out for a long time. For weeks I’ve done more reflecting. Trying to make sure I’ve learned what I needed to learn from the lessons that came along in 2010.

Reading over my highlights planner (the only record of my life anymore that’s not digital, I remember lessons or insights from the year before), I saw the note after one particular sermon about relationships, a realization that Jesus was a world class lover of people.

This is a goal or dream that, coming up on 50 now, is probably something I can aim at & possibly hit: I want to be a world class lover of people. That’s what my reflections reminded me.

So, I embarked on to New Year exercise part 2: the postit note resolution making and I didn’t get past the IMPORTANT RELATIONSHIPS category: Loving Jesus better, loving James better, loving Cameron and Tyler better, loving my extended family better, loving my neighbors better, I mean, REALLY loving my circle of friends more honestly and genuinely better.

Jesus, increase my capacity and creativity to apply it to loving others better. How do you want to change my heart? What do they need from me to know your love better?

The rest of the resolution categories, the other possible resolutions, PHYSICAL (yep, as you can see there are a few resolutions that could be made in that category), INTELLECTUAL, PROFESSIONAL... they have no importance to me this year. Whenever I sat down and prayerfully pondered the postits in January, I couldn’t get past: RELATIONSHIPS: LOVE THEM.

So, as I prayed this past month about how to love you tonight, I’m very clear about what you need to hear from me. He wants to love you through me tonight. As God has guided the seemingly random input I’ve had, a number of avenues have converged on the following passage of Scripture. Including yesterday’s sermon at church was on the passage I wanted to look at - after I’d already written and printed out what I wanted to say.

Perhaps what I’ve been learning, you need to hear as well. Let me explain. Let’s look at

Scripture: Matthew 11.25-29

Come to me ______

you who are weary and carry heavy burdens

And I will give you rest

Take my yoke upon you

Let me teach you

Because I am humble and gentle

And you will find rest for your soul

For my yoke fits perfectly

And the burden I give you is light.

[PLAY: O, The Deep Deep Love Of Jesus, then Carlotta from The Mission]

SKETCH: Can you take a few moments and sketch what may have come to mind for you as I read this passage?

What kind of burdens? Why are you weary?

You can continue to sketch, but I’m going to tell you where your burdens are from: You feel weary from trying to work hard to be good enough. The burdens are heavy, because there are so many areas where you must work to be good. You must work to be a good girl, or a good boy. You must work to be a good citizen. a good Husband. a good Student. Mother, Father. You must work to be a good Worker. A good Professional. A good Christian.

Jesus is saying to you this New Year:

SONG: Come to Me (Celine Dion)

I will always love you no matter what

No matter where you go or what you do

And knowing you

You're gonna have to do things you're own way

And that's okay

So be free, spread your wings

And promise me just one thing...

If you ever need a place to cry

Baby, come to me

Come to me

I've always known that you were born to fly

But you can come to me

If the world breaks your heart

No matter where on Earth you are

You can come to me

Don't walk around with the world on you're shoulders

And you're highest hopes laying on the ground

I know you think you've gotta try to be my hero

But dont you know the stars you wish upon they fall its true

But I still belive in you

If you ever need a place to cry

Baby, come to me

Come to me

I've always known that you were born to fly

But you can come to me

If the world breaks your heart

No matter where on Earth you are

You can come to me

And the seven sea's you sail

All the winding road you're on

Leave you lost and feeling all alone

Let my heart be your beacon home

If you ever need a place to cry

Baby, come to me

Come to me

I've always known that you were born to fly

But you can come to me

When the world breaks your heart

No matter where on Earth you are

You can come to me

You are weary from trying to be good enough your whole life. Jesus says, COME TO ME. He wants to give you rest.

REST. That may be all God wants you to take away from our evening together. He’s giving you the permission to rest - let HIM give you rest. He has spoken: Come to me. I will give you rest.

We could stop right here for many of you.

But for some, you need to think about:

What’s at the core of the burden?

We have been told the gospel, we believed it enough to admit we are sinners and need Jesus, and then we got on to work at being good enough.

We’re burdened because we’re trying to work to be good enough.

And when we’re not, we’re trying to work to cover up or hide that we’re not good enough. We’re trying to cover our bad.

So what do we do to cover our bad? To be good and acceptable? We HIDE. We work at being nice. Moral. Successful. We work at being creative geniuses. We work at being important...to cover up.

And with all this working going on, there’s no need for Jesus. We keep forgetting: He saved us once and for all, the righteous for the unrighteous to bring you to God...(Hebrews)

You can’t help it. This hiding is our human default mode. It’s a human reaction to sin, from the Original Sin. The first persons who hid their bad were Adam and Eve.

I heard you God in the garden, and I was afraid because I realized I don’t have any clothes on! So I hid from you...

You also can’t help it because you were raised to be this way. You were raised to be a little moralist. A good person who needs to work to save yourself by the power of yourself.

Did you ever have this experience in your family? Cause, this is how it went with my children:

“Tyler! BE KIND TO YOUR brother!!”

And Tyler said, “[sigh. Ahhhh.] I’m k i n d . You’ve said it, and I will it to be. I am kind!”

Ha. It doesn’t really work that way does it? Tell the child to shape up and they will it in their own power to be good. Nope. Doesn’t work.

Did you ever experience this? Child does bad and parent...

Ahrgh! you did it Again! Go to your room. You make me sick. You will never....Argh just...get out!

In other words when we mess up the response is condemning.

I just can’t deal with you right now!

And the child is split off relationally because they were bad. By rejecting you...I mean, by rejecting the child, the child slowly slowly in the deep gets sent into hiding their real self, trying hard to be good, but can never be good enough.

So, when this is all you ever are told is,

BE GOOD!

Then slowly, slowly over time you’ve come to a core belief that you can’t be loved as you are Which is BAD and nobody can cover your bad except for you, and the only way to cover it, is by being good.

Let me ask you something.

Did you feel loved by your parents when you were good?

Did you feel loved by them when you were bad?

Did you feel MORE loved when you were good?

That’s what I thought.

You grew up programmed to think that no one can love you in your bad.

But here’s the bright side:

That’s what has made Singapore so great! To prove your worth, to show you are great and worthy and not just a tiny red dot, you’ve grown into a society of high achievers totally driven to excell.

But, That’s also what made some of you -- especially as artists creative people who’s hearts aren’t drawn to careers that will make the parents proud or give you respect and draw a high salary -- you gave up on being accepted. You instead were driven as a teenager to give up, act out, drop out.

Perhaps you came to believe in the core of your soul that no one could love you or who you are - which is ADMIT IT, partly, sort of, a whole lot... bad. (Am I repeating myself?)

And then this comes out in how we relate to others in all our relationships, but especially in our spiritual life. Though we may at first have believed we’ve been saved by grace. We come to God knowing we aren’t good enough and enter into communion and abiding in him covered by that grace. Then, we try to prove our worthiness! Which is stupid, because it’s not possible, and it makes Jesus sacrifice pointless.

Oh, and it’s probably the worst, for those of us who have grown up in the church. We’ve been working out our salvation with fear and trembling and discipleship, and service and prayer life and bible study to cover our bad. No, because of all this WORKING, by the time we’re teenagers, we got bored with the cross. On top of that we feel guilty about it, knowing we should feel a different way. Rather than coming to him in relationship and learning with him how to face up to our bad; recognizing it, admitting

I can’t do this without you Jesus,

We instead just did a lot of work!

What did Jesus mean by “take his YOKE?”

[picture of a YOKE]

SKETCH: Would you take a few moments and draw a little sketch of what comes to mind as you think about a yoke. What is the traditional way of understanding what Jesus is talking about?

Here’s something about a yoke, that you may not have known before. It may blow your mind:

Different rabbis had different sets of rules.... A rabbi's set of rules...was really the rabbi's interpretation of how to live the Torah, was called that rabbi's yoke. When you followed a certain rabbi, you were following because you believed that rabbi's set of interpretations were the closest to what God intended through Scriptures. And when you followed that rabbi, you were taking up that rabbi's yoke. [ Velvet Elvis, by Rob Bell, ]

So Jesus offered this new yoke, which he claimed was easy. But in a way, it seems harder. He often began with "you've heard it said" and cited the Old Testament law. Then he followed with "but I say to you." For example, he said, "you've heard it said,... 'Don't murder.' but if you call someone a fool or hate them, you've killed them" (Matt 5:21-22) ...His teaching encouraged people to hold to a higher standard than mere legalism but also helped them to realize that keeping the law perfectly is an impossible proposition. rest - living in sabbath simplicity (keri wyatt kent)

His yoke is his teaching, his yoke is HIM and he’s bearing the sin, not you...he’s already born it!

You’ve heard this before: 2 Corinthians 5:21

He made him who knew no sin to (what?)

become sin for us,

that we might (what)

become the righteousness of God.

He also said he is

Gentle and Humble.

He has a few words to say to you about that too.

He doesn’t follow the TIGER MOTHER method.

Take my yoke upon you

Let me teach you

Because I am humble and gentle

This is what I heard growing up, in my wonderful loving Christian Western Moralist Family:

Kimberly! Oh. Kimberly! Shame on you! That’s not nice! Creasmans don’t do ______. Do the GOOD. [spank]

Take a moment and write down what YOU heard. Did you have a tiger mother or father? Or teacher. You’ve got a few of those tapes always playing in your mind. What did they say? We’re going to try to start reprogramming tonght.

This is Gospel Parenting.

This is what Jesus says to you:

Kimberly, Dawn, Namiko, Aaron. You are a failure. I love you, but on your own, you are a failure. You’ve done it again, wandered off. But you need me. You can’t do it. Stop. Give up. Abide.

Here’s grace. Here’s me. Be filled with me. here’s my yoke, It’s easy because it’s mine. Because it’s me and I bear the weight of your bad on my shoulders. Wear my yoke and let’s go on a journey. You have no idea what kind of journey I’m going to take you on. But first you must open your heart to me. Search your heart. Before we go on adventures together, first we must go down. I’m going to take you down Kimberly...and see your crap. Kimberly, you know it stinks and you will want to hide it, or run. I promise you Kimberly, you will get nothing but LOVE from me as we go down there and sit in it so that you can really know what it is and really know I love you no matter what it smells like or how much there is.

You don’t believe it. Guilt and shame has made you believe that no one will love you in the deep honesty of your bad. But I do.

It may take you some time to reprogram. But take my yoke. I will teach you. I am gentle and humble. If you draw near to me and let me help you, it will actually be easy. Would you like to try?

In early childhood we should have been modeled unconditional sacrificial love. Firm standards for right and wrong, surely, but with a foundation of

I AM HERE FOR YOU AND I LOVE YOU

NO MATTER WHAT YOU HAVE OR HAVEN’T DONE.

My guess is you didn’t get that.

As I work on being this kind of parent to my sons, I’ve started reading books about ADHD. One which has become a kind of Bible for me lately: UNDERSTANDING ADHD is written by Daniel Amen. People with ADHD have what he calls “ANTS” Automatic Negative Thoughts - condemning thoughts that come into your head that you’ve heard since childhood in addition to other voices of authority who may have confirmed your worthlessness and hopelessness.

There are some things that Psychologists do to help in reprogramming clients who are victims of these Automatic Negative Thoughts.

As Christians, we can reprogram with breath prayers. Have you heard of “breath prayers?” Early church fathers...I can’t remember who...they practiced these simple statements of truth or desire or worship like a mantra. A phrase that can be focuses on for a period of time and said in a single breath. Here’s a sample of a breath prayer:

Lord, show me how to wear your yoke.

Here’s another one.

Lord, help me give up on this project of trying to be good enough.

I present myself, and my bad to you. Transform me by your love.

Let’s take a few moments for you to think of one that you like. One that suits you and you’d like to start to practice. Let the Holy Spirit lead you in what breath prayer you could start praying. I’m comfortable with silence...

In the Bible we are told to “Work out your salvation with fear and trembling...”

Isn’t that what it says in 1Peter? You know what comes after that part?

“for it is GOD WHO WORKS IN YOU according to his divine purpose & pleasure.”

It’s GOD who does the work with you as you come to him and abide in him. I’d like you to exchange the parenting statements -- your “tapes” for these breath prayers.

Here’s one last passage from Scripture that I want to read. You’ll hear it in a new light, now that you’re realizing a new perspective on relationally, WITH HIM, doing good.

It’s from Titus 3

5 he saved us, not because of righteous things we had done, but because of his mercy. He saved us through the washing of rebirth and renewal by the Holy Spirit, 6 whom he poured out on us generously through Jesus Christ our Savior, 7 so that, having been justified by his grace, we might become heirs having the hope of eternal life. 8 This is a trustworthy saying. And I want you to stress these things, so that those who have trusted in God may be careful to devote themselves to doing what is good. These things are excellent and profitable for everyone.

We have a new perspective on what we’re doing and why we’re devoted to doing good. It’s doing good in relationship WITH HIM not FOR HIM. Come to him and let him be part of the decisions, the reactions, the work, the frustrations, the mundane. Have him do it with you and help you decide, DO I REALLY HAVE TO DO THIS? or is there something else more important you want me to be doing?

Prayer:

The last thing we’ll do tonight is spend some time praying together. Because this is kind of personal, I’d like you to find someone you know to pray with. Groups of 2 or 3 would be good. You can pray about whatever the Spirit leads you to pray for. What we’ve been thinking about just now, or something else that’s on your mind and heart. You can pray for one another, or other artists. All I ask is that you don’t take the time to TALK about your prayer requests. Just go to God, together in prayer.

Diary of an Arts Pastor: A Landscape of Church & Art Questions: Part 2: Cor...

2011-02-07T19:33:00.000-08:00

What are the two problems that we need to keep in mind as we think about the place of art in corporate worship? (FYI: By "art" I mean any given art medium and all possible functions of art.)

1. Ignorance
2. Anxiety

Diary of an Arts Pastor: A Landscape of Church & Art Questions: Part 2: Cor...: thanks Aaron Lee for the link.

Devised Theatre: my definitions

2011-01-17T01:38:00.000-08:00

always seems like an odd rojak (sald bar) with a number of tasty bits, but a few odd and "off" items thrown in to make it a meal where I feel a need to go home and take some Eno!

...or "a 2 hour shower of confetti. Some colorful and sparkly, but an awful lot of confetti made of newsprint and tuition worksheets in the mix!"

Ice Breakers, Teambuilders, Icebreakers, name games, songs, and more!

2010-10-27T07:37:00.000-07:00

Time to build a team, or get off the ground in a first rehearsal?Need some fresh ideas? Think: ICE BREAKERS in your FRESHMAN DORM... ResidentAssistant.com has some good ideas.

Family Time Toolkit: Drama Games & Storytelling Kids Can Teach Their Parents

2010-06-23T19:05:00.000-07:00

Designing a Community Workshop for Sept 5th*

Is your family stuck in a rut of what you talk about around the dinner table, or when you're together on evenings and weekends? Take the "Creasman Challenge" and learn a few drama tricks to spice up your family life. This session is for kids of all ages to let their hair down and have a little creative & dramatic fun. The catch? You take what you've learned back home and try it out with their parents and grandparents! If you report back to me within the next 2 weeks, I'll post on the web it to inspire others. A prize will be awarded on September 19th, to the student who has the best family photos/most creative report of the experiment.

BIO: K!Mberly Creasman spent the first half of her life in Los Angeles where she obtained her BA in Communications/Drama from Biola University and married James at very young age (in 1984-25 years ago!) It was eight and twelve years later that Tyler (the Singlish Speaking White Boy) and Cameron (13) added "Mother" to her CV. In 1997 the Creasmans moved to China for 2 years of language & culture study that help endear her to all her neighbors in Singapore, where she studied Mother tongue with her boys who attended local schools for their first 6 years here. She is currently working on a guide book: Get Out of the Malls and Movies: A Singapore Guide to Family Fun with Teenagers (working title).

A permanent resident for many years now, she gets really re-charged when teaching and mentoring creative people in theatre and personal development. Since her arrival in Singapore she's had some part in dozens of performances for itheatre, Focus on the Family, Tapestry Playback Theatre, yelowbox studios, raintree productions, All Good Gifts and various church groups. In recent years she has lead the drama ECAs at ICS (http://ourtheatrecompany.blogspot.com) and is currently an adjunct lecturer in theatre studies for TCA College. More about her work in drama can be found at http://spicetolife.blogspot.com.

*details: Date: 5 Sept, Sunday
Time: 3pm Free Health Screening by Adventist Community Services (ACS) / 5pm Concurrent Workshops / 7.30pm Worship with Be107FM
Venue: Jurong Seventh-day Adventist Kindergarten

Broadcast Media Ministry & Internet Evangelism: CVC

2010-05-02T21:33:00.000-07:00

WEDNESDAY, April 28, 2010

For the second time this week a group of believers in Singapore met up with local bases for Broadcast Media Ministries. After a quick lunch outside the Eunos MRT station and finding out who made up our "group du jour" we made our way to CVC's office in Eunos Techpark. Today's gathering was a bit of a challenge as one in the group spoke no English, and another in the group spoke no Chinese! We muddled through with translating and switching around and asking alot of clarifying questions. Hopefully I've gotten my facts straight!

CVC, previously known as Voice International, started its operation in May 2000. Here's a description of their comprehensive mission work from the CVC UK Website:

Christian Vision is a UK-based international charity. Our mission is "To introduce people to Jesus and encourage those who acknowledge Him to accept Him as the Son of God and become His true followers." We run projects working with local churches in training leaders and church planting. These include education, healthcare, skills training and humanitarian projects, aimed at making a positive impact on the local community.

Christian Vision's media projects use the most appropriate format, in the major languages of the world, to establish relationships with audiences and introduce them to Jesus. Christian Vision is both a producer and distributor of media content, and seeks to be contemporary and culturally relevant.

The local office here in Singapore was set up in mid 2008 and has a focus solely on broadcasting to the Asia Pacific Region, namely: India, Indonesia and China. They work closely with the region's main office, the Asia Pacific Broadcast Centre (APBC) on the Sunshine Coast Australia. These offices put together all the programming needed for the work of CVC in the region.

According to Hui Fang, a friendly energetic and articulate young Singaporean (with perfect Mandarin), our visit came during the first month of a huge transition for CVC. At the end of March 2010, only a few weeks ago, they have all but stopped shortwave program production and broadcasting, and are ramping up for doing all broadcasting via the internet. For now there is still an hour of shortwave broadcasting daly to China, and CVC continues to monitor it's effectiveness to determine their shortwave efforts in the future.

Their target audience for their pop music programming is young people aged 15-35. To be even more specific, Hui Fang and her team are now fervently studying how to reach the demographic of 18-25 year old Chinese nationals.

Theirs is not the traditional form of "gospel radio" where Bible classes and the message of salvation through Jesus is preached on the programming. Instead, their aim is to reach those who would not tune into Christian Radio, but might enjoy a station that plays pop music with positive messages with practical advice and help about life and listeners felt needs. Local record companies are providing CVC with their latest releases and then playing music with positive messages, the DJs will use this platform for developing a listener base. Listeners can tell, if they listen long enough, that the DJ's or talk show hosts are followers of Jesus and are part of a local church. There is encouragement via radio to call and write in, and counseling available, which is clear to the listeners will be from a Christian worldview. When listeners do show an interest in following Christ or learning more about the teachings of the Bible, CVC refers them to the programming resources of other Media Ministries such as HCJB, FEBA, FEBC, TRW.

NEEDS FOR MINISTRY PARTNERS/HELP/MENTORING: According to Hui Fang, "We are in the transition stage now where we are moving into 100% Internet Ministry and outreach to Chinese youths in China. Anyone who may have prior experience in China youth work or Internet-related ministry experience could contact us. It would be awesome if we could then learn from experienced folks who could give us some pointers on what we are doing currently. We are also looking at improving our website as well as to start producing video which are short, relevant, may/may not be evangelistic content on our own so we could use these clips to reach out and to impact the intended online audience."

Should you know of someone who might be able to assist/freelance/or take a position with CVC, contact leehuifang@cvc.tv

Here's what the others had to say about our visit to CVC:

Ray Arsenault My impression of CVC is that they are a small but professional organization with a huge mandate! They are trying to bring the Good News to most of Asia which encompasses more than half the world's population. Yet their staff is very, very small. During my time there, I really got the sense that the "Harvest is great, but the workers are few". Even so, God is always in control.

Rita Cao
(Worked in broadcasting in Mainland China before becoming a Christian, and is looking for what God would have her do now. Her child is starting school and her husband is in seminary here.)
Learning about these new trends in Christian media is eye opening. I am challenged to think more creatively concerning program making when I start to get involved in media again.

Christian Radio & Video: Studio Elpizo - Be107FM

2010-05-02T21:32:00.000-07:00

SINGAPORE. Our Christian Broadcasting Tour added a couple more visitors yesterday, and included a small core of those who made it to all three media ministry venues. Our last stop this week was for a visit with a dynamic, passionate and obviously multi-talented Faith Toh in the 3rd floor studio belonging to the Seventh-day Adventist Mission of Singapore on Upper Thompson Road between Caldecott Hill and Mt Alvernia Hospital. She packed a whole lot of information and inspiration into our short time together.

Incorporated in 1997, the mission of Studio Elpizo is: Enhancing your ministry through media content & services. They see their role through radio to broadcast a message of hope, healing, love and mercy. Their target audience is those who are "open minded to the Word of God" and makes their availability for prayer and counseling clear through their broadcasting and websit. The studio has a prayer-team network where they can forward calls and requests to the care of ministries serving and praying for specific groups (ie. children at risk, or counseling care for women's issues etc.)

The station incorporates media content from such groups as Focus on the Family, the Media team from Trinity Christian Centre, Loma Linda University, a Mandarin speaking pastor's wife (Jurong Chinese Seventh-day Adventist Church), as well as producing their own content and is looking for more partners. Studio Elpizo is programming for not only English, but Mandarin, Tamil and Tagalog as well!

With a transmission tower located on Indonesia's nearby Batam Island, they are able to broadcast on Batam, in Singapore and parts of JB. Broadcasting remotely via a tower in Batam has certainly gotten easier since the days when DAT tapes and equipment were carried by Sampan from the port at Batam to the little island Belakang Padang where the original transmission tower was; complete with it's own power generator! If something broke down at the site, it could take up to a month to complete repairs and get on the air again! In recent years the base has been on the main island where there is internet and stable electricity. But they still needed to hand carry programming via pre-recorded CDs to Batam. As we met with them this week we saw that they are on the verge of a huge change in the transmission their programs from Singapore via a WinMedia system. Not quite up and running, and with short term technicians Steve and Vlad still checking for "robustness" this will streamline the process, freeing the small two person staff to growing and developing new programs and projects.

Current Programs are as follows:

The aim of Studio Elpizo is to "echo hope to the community through 'beautiful music and inspiring messages.' We perceived a need for radio programs that offered hope in a world affected by broken relationships, loneliness and other social problems. The aim was to provide a positive alternative to the programs prevalent in today’s broadcast industry."

Sarah, and NTU Broadcast Media major nearly jumped up and down when Faith took us from the recording studios into their newest room and revealed that they have added a video production studio. "Over the years, we’ve evolved into media center, broadening our purpose to include producing Christ-centered materials for video broadcast and providing professional standard production services to suit your ministry’s budget." (website content). Faith told us they are currently organizing a short video production course where it will be a pay as you can, but ask those who attend to offer their new skills back to the studio of at least 10 volunteer hours. One of the many projects they've got going are with pastors who have their teaching in various languages made into dvds which are then sent in to other countries for Bible, Theology and other types of training.

Here's what the others had to say:

Ray Arsenault
107FM is a pioneering radio station delivering Christian music and talk formats to the people of 3 nations, Indonesia, Malaysia and Singapore. The idea for the station originated from Singapore. Even though the Singaporean government has said "no" to any form of religious programming, with a little bit of ingenuity and direction from God, the Word can become flesh no matter how difficult the circumstances may be. The physical radio station is situated in Batam, Indonesia and the office is located in Singapore. The message is beamed from Batam towards Singapore and the signal makes it's way to parts of Batam Island and Johor Bahru in Malaysia. I think that 107FM has already come a long way in the past 11 years, but I feel that there are many, many more chapters to be written in the future.

Adel
Really see how the different medias are used together to benefit the community. I am also very impressed byt the external partners and collaborative synergy with the local churches' outreach programs.... I want to thank Kimberly to organise these ministry visits and I especially like the way she closes the visits with a prayer for the people. I find that brings great comfort and encouragement to the ministry team in the various offices, it makes our visits all the more meaningful. I'd be looking forward to the future visits and events and courses and getting to know the people better.

The "I Am Second" Movement

2010-05-01T19:18:00.000-07:00

I Am Second

Check out this website - video interviews with a whole range of people who've learned that life isn't about them. It's about living for God and others...Simple. And very cool.

When meeting with Hui Fang at CVC last week, she mentioned that they were researching ways to harness the power of the internet. She mentioned this website particularly as inspiration to them...

Prayer for the Arts May 10th Touch Community Theatre

2010-04-26T23:08:00.000-07:00

this came today from...

lovesingapore

A moving song, an inspiring film, a captivating dance.
The Arts have an amazing capacity to influence our thinking, touch our hearts, and lift our spirits. But where you find a great potential for good, you will also find the same great capacity for evil. God knows. He is in the picture and He longs to create masterpieces through us that will reflect His character and fulfill His mission! Do you see what He sees? Is He already stirring your heart?
Don’t miss lovesingapore’s inaugural prayer encounter for the Arts and Entertainment Gate.

Especially if you are someone in Arts and Entertainment! Or perhaps you are just someone with an interest in or a burden for this Gate. Please come. We need you there. Pastor Lawrence Khong will be leading us. Our dream is to build a critical mass of visionaries and warriors to effect Kingdom transformation within the Arts and Entertainment Gate of Singapore. Bring your friends.
• Monday 10 May 2010 • 7.30 pm • TOUCH Community Theatre Auditorium (3615 Jalan Bukit Merah)
PS: Please help us spread the word. Forward this email to church members and Christian friends in your sphere of influence. Post on your web. Announce in this week's church bulletin. Thank You so much. All for the Kingdom!

Broadcast Media Ministry: HCJB Global Voice - Asia Pacific Office

2010-04-26T05:25:00.000-07:00

Five random believers in Singapore met this morning at the offices of HCJB - a broadcast media ministry which was founded in 1931 in Quito, Ecuador. HCJB has expanded and morphed over the years as technology has grown, and we had a chance to learn a bit about some big things which are going out from their little office in Bishan off Jalan Pemimpin. It was an inspiring morning. Not just in hearing from the staff at HCJB, but also meeting one another.

Besides hearing about the unique ministry of the Asia Pacific office, their work and dreams of what can be done in the various countries of the region, we also saw two compelling promotional videos. One aimed at potential investors in the work and the other video interviewed an Indonesian partner ministry who's effectiveness has grown through the support of HCJB helping them set up local FM radio stations around Indonesia.

Thank you to Ty Stakes (Radio Planter and all around great guy), Janice Reid (Radio Trainer),
plus Steve Balzer (Regional IT Support) and Lisa Balzer (working on a newly launched project of MMS subscriptions to English Lessons via Cell phones in Thailand as platform for link to website with Gospel and arranging user group meetings)

Here's what these guests had to say:

RITA
(Chinese national with a background in broadcasting before she became a Christian in China, seeking part-time work as a trailing spouse in Singapore the next 2 years)

It's amazing to learn that there are already so many forms of ministry in the media field, and there are almost unlimited possibilities for using broadcasting in ministry.

SARAH
(Student from NTU, majoring in Communications)

It was really an eye opener for me today to talk to people from HCJB. Just to see the various ways the Gospel can reach the Muslim world in Asia through non-direct pre-evangelistic ways. I think a lot of time when we thing of missions many of us thing about preaching the gospel directly but not seeing the way different locals can reach out their own communities in their own local contexts. It really touched my heart and I pray God will continue to work in this way through HCJB.

RAY
(Professional Trainer with education in Broadcast Media)

No matter how big or how small, the Lord will always find a way for His work to be completed. We met with an amazing group of individuals whose numbers were just a handful, but their small group has managed to plant several radio stations in SE Asia. Their plans are to plant up to 200 FM radio stations in Indonesia. So far, they are approaching 50! Praise God! What is seemingly small, God can make into a big thing. From the mustard seed to the largest plant in the garden.

ADEL
(Currently researching and working on new media based discipleship training)

This is an exciting information session and I am much impacted by HCJB's ministry in the Asia Pacific region. What I noticed in the presentation that I find suitable for what I do now is the way radio is an effective communication tool for church planting and outreach to communities in local areas.

Broadcast Media Ministry & Internet Evangelism

2010-04-23T08:23:00.000-07:00

Friends,

Last week, talking with an intern who is interested in broadcasting/media ministry, I thought: Hey! I know a few folks who do that sort of thing! I'll bet a lot of the Drama Ministry or A4J friends I've made along the way would be fascinated to learn about such work!

So, in my spontaneous "oK!-let's-make-it-a-party-style,"

I started setting up appointments to visit a some local broadcast media organizations/studios.

With no time to waste!

We're meeting up next Monday and Wednesday (and perhaps Saturday too!).

Join me!

I believe it will be a good opportunity to reconnect, meet some others who are in the arts and are believers,

learn about such ministries, pray for, be inspired, and perhaps even consider such a ministry for yourself in the future. Either partnering with an existing group, or pioneering your own.

Follow this link

http://www.doodle.com/us3aaurzdvyvvzhu

and check when you'll be there! Come for one, or all of the appointments. However it fits your schedule.

If you have to change your reply at the last minute, text me!

K!Mberly Creasman

kimberly@crms.org.sg

CRMS

Empowering Leaders

crms.org.sg

+65 98396965

So far we've got these lined up:

Monday 26 - 10AM

Ty Stakes

HCJB (Asia Pacific)

http://ap.hcjbglobal.org/

59 Jalan Pemimpin (Bishan)

#02-06 L&Y Building 577218

tea afterward at the kopitiam nearby on Jalan Pemimpin

Wednesday 28 1PM-2PM

Hui Fang

CVC Network

http://www.espira.tv/

60 Kaki Bukit Place
Eunos Techpark
#01-13

2:30-3:30 Faith Toh

Studio Elpizo / Be107 FM

http://studioelpizo.com

798 Thomson Road, Singapore 298186

Divine Arrangements! This week's events, and Saturday April 24th

After getting the inspiration for touring studios/regional offices only last week, then meeting up with this intern who brought it up on Friday, then today while sending out this little invite about the tour, I learned about this event below (and as I'm writing this, Cheh at Focus on the family sent me the info too!:

IED = Internet Evangelism Day

http://ied.sg/

Focus Day: 24 April 2010

Sat 24 Apr (Face-to-face meeting)Session 1 Understanding our Digital World (10am-12nn)Introductory seminar series on New Media and its Impact on Learning and Communications (Orientation seminar for pastors/ministry leaders)Session 2 Making the Gospel Click (2-4pm)Snapshots and sharing from Media/New Media ministries. Project Forum for missions in Second LifeSession 3 ATRIA Unconference (4-5pm)Open space discussions on three key issues around Church and New Media. Summary and FellowshipVenueKum Yan Methodist Church. Get map here Register here

Fringe events

Mon 19 Apr - Fri 23 Apr (Online activities)Mon 19 Apr: Blogging carnivalTue 20 Apr: Testimony wallWed 21 Apr: Online missionsThu 22 Apr: New media ForumFri 23 Apr: Creative Communications

IED@SG is jointly organised by:

New Media Group
Creative Communications, Singapore Campus Crusade for Christ

Drama Ministry Meet Up

2010-03-16T09:40:00.000-07:00

UPDATE on the meeting today:

A great time this afternoon meeting one another, talking about what each person had been or is doing or plans to do.

what we'd seen other churches doing etc.

Heard updates, affirmed the power of drama not just on the audience but the way it brings people together with the shared experience - lifelong lasting impressions.

(regardless of the professionalism - it still was a catalytic event)

A new youth drama ministry held auditions. A "using drama to teach children" workshop is now in the works for August. The Voice theatre company is branching out to do shows in the community in Chinese. We discussed things like the problem of youth not having the capacity to sit for long periods or tolerate simple, so churches working at Big production values and then there's the small churchplant where worship is simply singing, preaching, communion, casual welcomes and announcements every week and it's growing like i've never seen with teenagers enjoying it.

Oh, we covered a lot of territory in 2 hours.

But we all had the unanimous conviction that it's all pretty unimportant compared to simply walking with Christ our Saviour.

When the gals who exchanged business cards cc me on the plans they make, or the websites they've found, or other resources they've discovered, I'll post it up on the blog.

http://spicetolife.blogspot.com.

Please pray for my family and I in Turkey this next week! Let me know how I can be praying for you - especially Easter preparations! We'll come back in time to come watch and worship with you, so if you're using drama Easter weekend, please let me know! Also, if you want me to take you off this group, let me know that too! Don't want to spam you!

One of your fans,

K!Mberly

Theatre Practitioner / Explorer

CRMS

www.crms.org.sg

just an fyi - for what it's worth -

i made a second blog years ago with lesson plans, and handouts for drama training sessions/seminars

http://spicetolife2.blogspot.com

Who came today?

Quek Shi Wei (Riverlife)

Cheryl Ng (Trinity Christian Centre, The Voice)

Mary Soon (Lutheran Church of Our Redeemer)

Tina Atiga + imminent baby! (Every Nation Church)

moi (Redemption Hill Church)

Keeping the Faith - Article on Denzel Washington in Christianity today

2010-01-16T08:26:00.000-08:00

text from article:

Denzel Washington is more than just an Oscar-winning superstar. He's a Christian who's serious about his roles ... even when they get a bit bloody, like in the Book of Eli.

Brett McCracken | posted 1/13/2010

Denzel Washington is one of Hollywood's most successful and respected actors. But the two-time Academy Award winner (for 1989's Gloryand 2001's Training Day) is also one of Hollywood's highest profile Christians.

The son of a Pentecostal preacher from Mount Vernon, New York, Washington, 55, has been an active member of West Angeles Church of God in Christ for nearly 30 years, reads his Bible every morning, and always chooses roles that he can "bend" in the direction of a positive message or a reflection of his deep personal faith.

Faith is everywhere in Washington's new post-apocalyptic film, The Book of Eli, which opens Friday and is being marketed with "B-ELI-EVE" and "D-ELI-VER US" billboards. In the movie, Washington plays a mysterious machete-wielding traveler named Eli, directed by God to protect the earth's last remaining copy of the Bible—that's right, the Bible—and to take it "out West" for safekeeping while villains seek to take it by force and use it as a "weapon" of control.

Washington's character in the film is intensely violent—severing the limbs of bad guys at every turn—but begins to soften when he meets an innocent girl (Mila Kunis) who reminds him that we can get so caught up in protecting God's Word that we sometimes forget to live by it.

For Washington, "living by it" is chiefly characterized by love and sacrifice. The ultimate message of Eli, he says, is "Do more for others than you would do for yourself." It's a message Washington was surrounded by as a boy.

"We prayed about everything, everyday," Washington told members of the religious media last week in Los Angeles. "And we always ended with 'Amen. God is love.' I thought 'God is love' was one word. It took me a long time to learn what that meant. I don't care what book you read or what you believe—if you don't have love, if you don't love your fellow man, then you don't have anything."

Though Washington isn't a huge fan of the word "religion" and refrains from any sort of "I'm right, you're wrong" talk, he is not ashamed to speak bluntly about his Christian beliefs.

"I believe that Jesus is the Son of God," he says. "I've been filled with the Holy Spirit. I know it's real. I was in the room. My cheeks blew up, I cried like a baby, and it scared me to death. It kind of scared me off it. I backed up and went the other direction, to be honest with you. I didn't know what was going on. It was too strong. It has taken me many years to come back around."

Sitting in his house recently, reading the Bible (he's on his third time reading the whole thing straight through), Washington came across a passage about wisdom and understanding in Proverbs 4, which made him reflect on his life.

"I'm in this big house with all this stuff," he observed. "I've heard that saying, 'You never see a U-Haul behind a hearse.' You can't take it with you. The Egyptians tried; they got robbed. I said, 'What do you want, Denzel?' And one of the devotional words that day was wisdom. So I started praying on that. 'God, give me a dose of that.' I can't get any more successful. But I can get better. I can learn to love more. I can learn to be more understanding. I can gain more wisdom."

Like his character in The Book of Eli, Washington believes in prophetic calling and tries to make the most of what he believes God has given him to work with: In his case, worldwide fame and one of the most storied acting careers of his generation. Washington recalls a story from when he was 20 years old that demonstrates how intimately he relates his faith with his career.

The day was March 27, 1975, and Washington—who had just been kicked out of school—was sitting in his mother's beauty parlor. An old woman who was under the dryer kept looking at Washington and then asked him for a piece of paper, on which she shakily wrote the word "prophecy." The woman was named Ruth Green, one of the oldest church members in the town, known to have a gift of prophecy. That day she said to Washington, "Boy, you are going to travel the world and speak to millions of people."

That summer, Washington was a counselor at a YMCA Camp in Connecticut. The counselors performed skits for the kids, and someone suggested to Washington that he had natural talent and should pursue acting. That fall, Washington went back to school at Fordham University's Lincoln Center campus, where he started his training in acting.

"Years later," remembers Washington, "I asked my pastor if he thought I was called to be a priest, and he said, 'Well, aren't you talking to millions of people? Haven't you traveled the world?'"

Recognizing that he has been placed in a unique position, Washington feels compelled to make the most of it, "preaching" positive messages however he can through his acting.

"I've tried to bend my roles," he says, "even the worst of roles like Training Day. The first thing I wrote on my script [for Training Day] was 'the wages of sin is death.' In the original script, you found out that [my character] died on television. And I said, 'No, no. In order for me to justify him living in the worst way, he has to die in the worst way.' I had Ethan [Hawke] pull me out of the car, and I crawled like a snake. The whole neighborhood turns their back on me, and then I get blown to bits."

It was a littler easier to "bend" the character of Eli in a positive direction, "though not really," jokes Washington, because "this guy is more violent than the guy in Training Day. He's more violent than Malcolm X."

Similar to Washington's character in Man on Fire, however, Eli's violence is in the service of protecting the innocent.

"When I did Training Day," he says, "there was a police officer who talked about the Scripture that says there are those whose charge it is to protect the innocent, and that they are given the right to be violent to protect the innocent. This cop said, 'That's what me and my cops live by. This is what we do.' Maybe he needed that verse to justify what he was doing."

Though he has played rough, violent characters in films like Training Day, American Gangster, and now Eli, Washington is in real life a kind, calm family man. Married to wife Pauletta for 26 years and the father of four children—John David, Katia, and twins Malcolm and Olivia—Washington is far from the Hollywood stereotype.

In addition to his church involvement (he donated $2.5 million in 1995 for the West Angeles COGIC to build a new facility), Washington—who always signs autographs with "God bless"—is a longtime supporter of Boys & Girls Clubs of America (in which he was active as a boy), among other charities.

Washington, who is headed to Broadway this spring to appear opposite Viola Davis in August Wilson's Fences, knows that he has been blessed with much, and he's quick to downplay his fame and success as anything other than a gift from God.

"It ain't about me," said Washington in a 2007 interview in Reader's Digest. "I've been given certain abilities, and I look at it this way: What are you going to do with what you have? Who are you going to lift up?"

Near the end of Eli, Washington's character quotes the famous 2 Timothy 4:7 passage: "I have fought the good fight … I have kept the faith."

It's a line befitting Washington himself. He's a Hollywood superstar who, though not perfect, offers that rare example of a Christian in a place of extreme acclaim and success who doesn't let it go to his head, instead remaining grounded in the Bible and reliance on God.

In his 30 years as an actor, Denzel Washington has fought the good fight and done what too few could not. He has kept the faith.

Michael Gerson - Christmas: The grandest myth, the greatest hope - washingtonpost.com

2009-12-26T02:04:00.000-08:00

Michael Gerson - Christmas: The grandest myth, the greatest hope - washingtonpost.com

wonderful writing for a Christmas Day. That it's in the Post also sends a signal of hope for those who are despairing of modern US culture having uprooted and tossed out it's God fearing roots.

How Drama (and Sports) Can Be Good Missions Strategy

2009-12-01T21:09:00.000-08:00

let's go!

Development projects are just as crucial to Afghan hearts as U.S. military operations, author Awista Ayub tells CNN's Manisha Tank.

Adding some Spice to LIfe at the EPIC Experience

2009-11-20T23:10:00.000-08:00

Sketch called: "The Full LIfe" adapted for Singapore from

Photo highlights from Deniece Grace's album:

http://www.facebook.com/album.php?aid=344208&id=848875135

My New Hero! Grandma Can Salsa!

2009-11-09T20:15:00.001-08:00

It's dance video link day for Spicetolife!

Thanks David Calkins for the fwd!

Dance Addiction

2009-11-09T20:12:00.000-08:00

thanks Rhapsody for this forward from the Dance Fever TV show. Not only addiction, but any sin, I'd say. Powerful.

Watershed Arts, Garold Andersen, Brand New Bag

2009-11-09T08:00:00.000-08:00

Watershed Arts, Garold Andersen, Brand New Bag

just read about it on amazon...Garold & Lori came to Singapore a few years ago. Can't wait to read it.

CONFESSION: I'm a recovering Lone Ranger.

2009-11-04T03:20:00.000-08:00

Have you ever been frustrated with the messiness of working with others? I feel like I get so much more done, and done better when I go it alone, but I keep hearing, reading, seeing the motivational posters that we're stronger when we work as a team than when we go it alone.

I know it's typical. I'm well aware of the typical "developmental phases of a leader" (CRM Focusing Leaders/research by Dr. Bobby Clinton). A typical statement of people my age about their work/or ministry is: "IT WOULD BE GREAT IF IT WEREN'T FOR THE PEOPLE."

I'm in the middle of a project that's requiring professional flexiblity that Elastigirl from the INCREDIBLES would find challenging.

The Apostle Paul in the Bible teaches us about being "the body of Christ" Romans 12 first addresses it, and then in 1 Corinthians 12:12 & 21...

"12. The body is a unit, though it is made up of many parts; and though all its parts are many, they form one body. So it is with Christ....²¹The eye cannot say to the hand, "I don't need you!" And the head cannot say to the feet, "I don't need you!"

That about sums up how I've been feeling the last few weeks.

It doesn't so much matter what it is that's requiring me to grow in patience and grace. What matters is what I find myself reading the day after I asked the Lord: "Can I just quit? Would it be okay if I just stopped working on this?"And I sensed Him say: "Sorry. no. you need to stick with it. see it through."

I find myself finishing a terrific book by Gordon Smith, Courage & Calling. Chapter 9 takes all the teaching about our vocations: our holy purpose for being on the earth, for this time and addresses the topic "Working With and Within Organizations."

Among the many good points Smith has is this point - jumping off the page as if a neon sign:

"Accept and work within the limits and strengths of the organization.... This means accepting the limitations in a situation; but more, it also means seeing the potential within those limits....

"This does not mean that we tolerate mediocrity; rather it means that we pursue excellence within our particular situation and its potential rather than constantly complaining about what we wish did characterize our situation.

"...it is easy to be a critic. It is easy to identify with what is not present and what is not good and what you wish would make an organization better. But true genius has the capacity to identify the strengths and work from them, to build on them and celebrate them, being grateful for what is there rather than complaining about what it not there." p173-4.

As I put the book down, I pick up a missionary newsletter from a respected friend and Arts Ministry professional. Robin Harris was reporting on her trip to Tuva's capitol city Kyzyl, for a disorganized first Ethnomusicological Worship Arts Conference (layman's terms: culturally relevant music). It's not a surprise to me that she's reporting on a similar challenge with grace and dignity:

"It is very often true that pioneer efforts are messy, so it's no surprise that this first attempt was, well, messy. Besides, it's about time the churches in Kyzyl started working as a team! We count it a privilege to have been the catalyst to motivate that very healthy step forward."

If you're in the midst of a chaotic project and needing encouragement to stick with it with grace, know you're not alone! The integrity and character which is being built in us is to grow in not only our patience and grace, but even more fundamentally, our respect for the dignity and reputation of others, "regardless of their competency or effectiveness." (Courage & Calling, p166)

We all have so much growing to do!

Faith and Performing Arts in Slovenia

2009-09-23T21:43:00.000-07:00

From Lin Sexton a friend through CITA in USA:

Thank you so much for your help with Playback Theatre. The Slovenia performing arts camp turned out to be far more than we even hoped for. I am so thankful for your encouragement and help!

Except for the Playback sketch, they performed in English because most Europeans want to speak English. We were joined by a Slovene director who is getting her doctorate in Playback in a study sponsored by the EU. I hope you'll watch the little youtube clip below - in it you'll see these kids, only a few of whom are connected with an evangelical church singing about Jesus. Each song caused great discussion. Each sketch and dance, the same. The Spirit filled the room as they performed for a packed audience the last night. We have been invited back next year to do an even bigger camp!

The PT sketch developed in workshop was based on the true story of one of the girls. She had been raped as a child, her family would not even discuss it, betrayed by a lover as a college freshman, and through a Christian therapist found the "real God" who healed her heart. I could not have scripted anything more true or moving or relevant to Slovene culture. The PT expert chose this story out of all those told to prepare as part of our show (Of course, the girl remained anonymous to the audience).

I could go on with dozens of stories, but I just hope you'll watch the video clip (it's short) and accept my thanks.

Performing the Sacred, Dr Dale Savidge in Singapore

2009-09-03T00:51:00.000-07:00

Friends who are passionate about Jesus and Theatre!

Last Thursday thru Sat Dr. Dale Savidge* came to Singapore and we had a great intensive class : PERFORMING THE SACRED at TCA College (where I have the privilege of teaching the theatre courses for students who want to use creative arts in ministry:

(see FB group page for photos). We're all exhausted, but full from great fresh insight on the relationship between Christianity and Theatre, as well as collaborating with one another on bringing Scripture to life in creative ways.

Then, yesterday, Wednesday - Theatre Practitioners had a "Uniquely Singapore City Tour"

Working professionals in theatre and performing arts had a full day of tourism and hanging out. It was a good excuse to get together, know one another better, and be mutually encouraged by taking Dr. Savidge around out town.

Tonight: Drama as Ministry Fellowship

A casual gathering of those who use Theatre in ministry - or would like to. Held at Hope Church Singapore, Cuppage Plaza, top floor auditorium. A great opportunity to meet up with others who share your passion, and meet Dr. Savidge with some Q&A follow up to the PERFORMING THE SACRED class last week (for those who missed it!). If you've recently presented something for worship, or have a short script that's getting polished up, or have produced a short video for worship, bring it along as a show-and-tell to inspire us! (text ahead of time, so we can plan accordingly!)

Check out the Facebook group page for details! (join the group too!)

(Photos from our first showcase workshop May 2nd)

Hope we get to see you this week!

For the CITA SIngapore team,

K!Mberly Creasman

Theatre Practitioner/Explorer

Church Resource Ministries

*Info on Dr. Savidge & TCA College, Certificate in Higher Education in Creative Arts:

http://www.tca.edu.sg/

Dr. Savidge was brought out for TCA's 30th Anniversary celebrations starting later this week. I've known and respected Dale since 1992 when I joined CITA (a 20+ year old organization for networking and resourcing Christians in Theatre Arts). He wrote the chapter on theatre in Amour Publishing's SIGHTS & SOUNDS: A Christian Response to Media and the Arts (local) and helped us in designing the theatre courses for the college. He has 2 masters degrees and a PhD in English and Theatre, and has his own arts management company representing some extremely talented actors in USA (including Rich Swingle who came from New York to be in the cast of Judah Ben Hur years ago, and & Bruce Kuhn who came through a few years ago to do his Gospel of Luke in a few venues and teach a worshop on Biblical Storytelling at GBST.)

If you want to read more about Dr. Savidge, Here's the link to the CITA leadership page on the Christians in theatre Website. But trust me. He's not only well connected to what Christians are doing in theatre, and extremely smart, he's also just an all around great man.
http://cita.org/site/?page_id=8

PERFORMING THE SACRED

2009-08-27T00:55:00.001-07:00

Resources for drama ministry
Originally uploaded by K!Mberly.

Dale Savidge visits Singapore to bring his expertise at TCA College. Three days of good impartation. He says the history is the boring bit. But it was most fascinating to me!

Great to have a whole bunch of people sharing and creating and learning together. As Dale said today: over the years many things have come out of the connections made from seeds planted, germinated, sprouted at CITA conferences in North America. Marriages, Theatre Companies, Plays written, produced, collaborated on...

Who knows what will happen from those who gather together these few days while Dale visits us from USA.

One group the Footstool Players from KL came down for these 3 days. Check out the website to find out more about this touring group from Malaysia that was birthed out of a local church.

Thank you TCA College and Paul David (Acting Dean of their School of Creative Arts) for having the generosity and vision to bring Dr. Savidge out for your 30th Anniversary Celebrations!

Theatre as Ministry in Singapore

2009-08-27T00:53:00.000-07:00

a CITA Singapore and CRM (Church Resource Ministries) event

Thursday, September 2, 2009
Hope Church Singapore, Cuppage Plaza
7:30 PM

If you are using theatre in ministry somehow, or would like to explore performing arts in your church or outreaches, we're gathering with Dr. Dale Savidge of Christians in Theatre Arts

Come meet others in the city who have the same passion as you: Jesus and Theatre

Yu Ben Had's Feedback Form

2009-07-06T01:31:00.001-07:00

Yu Ben Had's Feedback Form
Originally uploaded by K!Mberly.

from the Drama workshop July 4. Seems we did a great Job. Mr Yu was very impressed.

Summer Ministry Update 2009 from K!Mberly

2009-07-06T00:48:00.000-07:00

Exploring Drama as Ministry Showcase/Workshop with local theatre & drama ministry leaders (8 different churches involved!).

On July 4th the team pulled off a second Exploring Drama as Ministry workshop. There was more hands on participation and loads of interest in us holding more workshops. Some of the churches have asked our trainers to come teach workshops in their churches.

Following the workshop was a unique opportunity to help coach a 7 year old Christian accapella group "Agape lla" for their first major concert! It was a delight to come alongside them in a few rehearsals to cheer them into a higher level of public performance/showmanship. I felt God's pleasure as I helped them go from good to great!

Agapella had two blessed nights of proclaiming our good news through accapella music to sold out crowds in the theatre of the Nanyang Academy of Fine Arts. Following that, I had a unique opportunity to work with local secular musicians for a Singapore Heritage Board Concert. A friend needed some technical behind the scenes help for the concert at the last minute. Please pray that God would open doors for ministry to musicians through the connections made in this concert.

This Monday night my college level Theatre students took their final exam and read their final drafts of the scripts they've written (for use in a ministry context). Two of my students went on a mission trip to Philippines (w permission, a sweet thank you note is pasted below).

The next big drama event for Kimberly: Christians in Theatre Arts Exec Director comes from USA late August to teach, speak, meet & encourage believers in the arts community. Pray with me as I organize support for his class (above) and set up opportunities for him to bless and encourage Christians in the arts.

But for the next week, we're on "staycation" -- taking a break here in Singapore! Glad for the time to relax with Jim even if it's still in muggy weather we can turn on the airconditioning and relax with a good book or two. We'll ride out this crazy swine flu and be rejuvinated for when Tyler comes back from USA and we launch into a new school year for the boys.

Prayers in our personal life answered. Thank God with us for:

-Growing depth of friendship and spiritual nurture with peers. After all these years we have a growing circle of peer friendships. Thank you for praying.

-Settling in a new "home church" here in Singapore: Redemption Hill, a 7 month old church plant.

-Competent health care providers on the various fronts of healing. Still not 100%, but thankful for good healthcare and healing coming slow but steady.

-Tyler's experience in USA w/YoungLife camp and special time with family. Cameron's maturing while being "only child" in Singapore for the summer break

-Focus on the Family offered us a generous bursary toward the course Cameron's taking to make it affordable for us!

Prayer :

Deepening love for and dependence on the LORD

Obedience to do daring things by faith, and staying the course in faithfulness. Whatever God wants.

Planning for the future.

Healing.

& Provision for those who are partners in our ministry financially. Continue to pray with us that God will provide for you, bless his followers and meet all of our needs. We are confident that He is able, but we are all now more aware of our dependence on Him!

Do let us know how we can be praying for you!

fondly!

Kimberly

for the Creasmans

(Love the World, Soul, Rock Bistro Bar: June 2nd, singing for an evangelistic concert hosted by Grace Assembly of God. They let me coach the 5 other singers in their introductions, and let me take the stage too! My first chance to perform in 2009)

*On Jul 20, 2009, at 5:10 PM, student Rachel Eric wrote to me after their trip to the Philippines:
Hey Kimberly! Of course...you can share it with anyone and everyone...no need our permission! Thank you so much for your kind words and encouragement! Feel so blessed and excited to 'go for it' even more cos God is so awesome! :) But it really is no small part you empower us! Ella, Bee, Khimmy and I always get so so excited about all that you teach us and show us is possible to do!!! Oh yes, forgot to say too that one of the mimes that we did there was The Box, which Dorithy did for her final performance in Performing Arts class! The videos on YouTube are so helpful and Dorithy was so kind and supportive providing us the script to do so too! :) Thank you so much again, and God bless you and your family so richly! lotsa love and hugs out,

Ella and i are back from a most wonderful mission trip to the Philippines. I believe Ella would have filled you'll in on the awesome things God amongst us. God really used drama, songs, dance as a tool that crossed cultural or language barriers...to not only spread His message but bond the people and us together in a special way. And from day one we were awed that God was our divine director. Cos no matter what mistakes we made - the entire thing ends on a perfect note, the people understood the message in a much deeper way than we expected and we had loads of fun! The drama workshop we did was so simple but super fun. A leader in our host church told us that those who are interested in drama don't have a chance to really learn this stuff that we have learnt, cos many of them arnt from backgrounds too that enable them to go to college or special courses. But the people, mainly kids, youth and young adults who attended are so talented and have such a burning heart for God, they learnt so enthusiastically and quickly. We are so excited that groups from some churches including our host church are also going to use drama as a ministry in a greater way! We came back home so blessed by the Filipinos. Cos though they're so super gifted in the arts, esp music, they have a spirit of humility. The very gifted people we had the privelege to be with never once displayed their talents but were always very communal - using it to encourage everyone to come together at various spontaneous occasions to give their talents, their best to worship God. We're back wanting to cultivate this spirit in ourselves and the youth we're so blessed to work with in church. We really want to thank you for your teaching and guidance in our lives, not just as artistes but as people who are passionate and available to God. We would not have the knowledge, confidence, creativity, resources and everything else that enabled us to do what we did if not for you'll being our teacher and role-model!

We thank God for you'll so so so much! God bless you and your family, work etc richly! With much love, rach on behalf of Ella too :)

Firstborn: Featured on Clicknetwork.tv

2009-06-12T00:53:00.000-07:00

Modernizing/Localizing Bible Characters

2009-06-10T01:21:00.000-07:00

In the Performing Arts course at TCA College (Singapore), we learn about different performance styles. This particular adaptation has taken a well known Bible character, Thomas the Disciple, and placed him in a modern setting. In adapting this, we imagined Thomas if he were meeting up with his friends in 2009, in a Singaporean Kopitiam years after the resurrection of Christ. Actually, it is a Kopitiam in heaven, because, in the end Thomas tells his friends of his eventual martyrdom for the cause of Christ.

In our placing Bible characters in modern settings, with local language, the audience can more easily identify with them. Otherwise, these characters might be seen as Ancient History and having no relevance to modern people's lives. But a modernized depiction breaks down stereotypes and helps us learn from and apply lessons of these ancient peoples. In the same way Jesus used parables to teach, these modernized Bible characters are just one way of effectively reaching and communicating with 21st century people. May God bless you in your effort to teach God's truths with creativity.

see the script here:
“Doubting Thomas”

Personal Notes of Thanks....

2009-06-01T10:04:00.000-07:00

when's the last time you sent a handwritten note? I've rec'd a few in the past month...wow.
They really means so much!
Mmmmmake someone's day! I wish I did it more...
Thanks Victor! Thanks Dee. Thanks Deniece. Thanks Fullerton Evangelical Free Church. Thanks Mom.

Worship Symposium to INCLUDE THEATRE!

2009-06-01T10:00:00.000-07:00

Methodist School of Music
Getting revved up to see what will come down. Looking forward to the chance to get to know fellow CITA member Colin Kirton better while he's down from Kuala Lumpur to do the drama training.

Middle Schoolers & Playback

2009-06-01T09:47:00.000-07:00

Facebook | Videos Posted by Desiree Den Engelsen: May 29, 2009 7:08pm
Desiree Den Englesen video'd with her phone, so hard to hear, but these young teenagers/preteen girls were telling stories of how they'd grown spiritually or times when it had been hard to be a Christian.

Middle School Dramaworkout ended our year May 28th by performing in the last chapel of the year. All of Middle School was QUIET in the crowded multipurpose room as the girls improvised the stories and feelings for their peers. I was paying close attention to the audience - they were leaning forward in their chairs...a good sign! Teachers came up afterward to say how amazed and proud of you they were -
brave to perform,
braver still to perform improv,
and bravest of all, to perform improv of personal stories!

APPLAUSE!!!!

Samples of Sketches in SE Asia (English)

2009-05-18T22:17:00.000-07:00

Just made a playlist of videos of drama ministry I've worked on, or student work in Singapore the last few years.

A couple of our favourites from the recent Showcase/Workshop:

Quote for Writers:

2009-05-18T21:33:00.001-07:00

"Firstly, it must be a well-made verbal object that does honor to the language in which it is written. Secondly, it must say something significant about a reality common to us all, but perceived from a unique perspective."
W. H. Auden

Academia

2009-05-06T08:33:00.000-07:00

At an Examination Board meeting for an institution of Higher Learning today I JUST HAD TO KEEP FROM ROLLING MY EYES! I am so not an academic!!! I learned today that the Singaporeans get their nit-picky need to obsess on details from the British! I almost laughed out loud a couple of times. Left brain people talking about adjusting every course assignment graded to a 100% scale and then re-doing the math to figure percentages for the grades in a grading systems for a CREATIVE ARTS program. I need an administrator! Absolutely Oxymoronic. and takes most of the fun out of it for me. God knows there's not much money when we add up the hours. Felt like they were tearing my fingernails out and I was just listening. Earners of Doctorate Degrees, I'm sure are mostly all good people. AND, If I just think about Academics as being, say, Slovenes from the Balkans, or Yaminaua Indians of Ecuador, and suspend my judgement of their culture Like i would if they had bones in their noses I'd not be so critical. I LOVE teaching, and seeing students learn, grow, experience life more creatively full and rich. I just can't tolerate the hoops we all must go through to make most of those students feel merely adequate in the end.

The world sees Christianity as backward, unimaginative and boring.

2009-04-30T09:44:00.000-07:00

And it's true. We've earned the reputation.

But, if you’re anything like us: increasingly passionate about knowing Jesus, and the role the Arts can play in sharing our convictions that truth can be known,

Welcome to the Party!

After spending the first half of my life in Los Angeles, the city with more theatres than any other city in the world, I grew up in love with both Jesus and the stage. Halfway through my co-starring role in “The Kimberly Creasman Story”, life took a crazy turn toward Singapore by way of joining Church Resource Ministries and learning “yi dian” Mandarin in China.

For the past 9 years now I've been a student of - and serving the church in – Singapore.
With our unique cultural integration of the best of both East and West, we have so much to offer, with limitless possibilities!

I believe that artists in Singapore, along with the well-resourced church here, are in a position to be a great influence not only to our society, but in the region and the world.

I'm excited about this step our grassroots network of Christians in Theatre is now taking to expose and equip the church in theatre arts. TCA College has been offering a Certificate in Creative Arts, but until now, we’ve never worked past a mere introduction on the genres from the Performing Arts course.

That’s why it's been thrilling to put this ½ day together with a wonderful team of friends, colleagues and former students. Once a week, for the past 3 months, we’ve had a great time getting to know one another and rehearsing the various scenes you’ll see today.

Many people believe that theatre requires a big budget and lots of fancy equipment. We have neither. When we came together we had only enthusiasm, a lot of experience & a little bit of talent. We want to inspire you today to employ creativity and drama in your ministry whether or not you've got money for costumes, sets and lights!

K!Mberly Creasman
Dramatist/Explorer
CRM Singapore

TCA College, School of Creative Arts, Adjunct Faculty

Calling Statement:
God delights in creativity and his creatures.
I am called to radiantly reflect his delight and add SPICE TO LIFE!

First, helping Christians discover His Creative Spirit in themselves,
and illuminating the truth of a personal God in fresh and tasty ways.

Then, helping the spicy friends I've made recognize and submit
to the source of their creative spirit.

Through personal relationships, writing, teaching, directing and connecting,
I am called to model holiness to the Artistic, and artistry to the holy!

At the end of my life,
I see the world full of Christ followers creatively and hopefully celebrating this mortal life
because they are made in the image of their Creator and have a strong sense of their unique destiny!

(Into Letter in CITA Showcase/Workshop Notebook)

2009-04-22T00:32:00.000-07:00

UPDATE on Drama Showcase/Workshop May 2: TEN DAYS TO GO!

Last night we had another productive rehearsal on sections of our Daniel 2 "finale" at Grace AOG. I hear that Lionel's group has extra rehearsals planned as well. The Playback group rehearsed last week at Grace. A photo of our giant (5 meter tall?) statue/puppet is up on the facebook page. A few of you are putting together your 3 minute testimonies to intersperse through the program (Siew Cheng Lee's is attached below since she can't be part of May 2nd). Joanna at CRMS reports that people have started to send in their $$$ registrations today.

We're really rolling quickly toward May 2nd on multiple fronts!

We finally have a flyer (attached) in jpeg format and are having a few posters made to put up in Christian schools for this last week before our event!

Thanks for helping get the word out. CRMS sent an email blast to pastors, TCA College sent to their list, and everyone I've called so far has been passing on the info in some way or another. I've so enjoyed the process with you, but having a whole bunch of people attending the workshop would be nice. I'm reminded of Jesus words: "Do not let your hearts be troubled..."

Grassroots, personal invitations are always best, so thanks for your help in getting the word out to those hidden drama enthusiasts who just need a little encouragement and training to integrate more artistic expression into their worship and ministries! Note below the facebook event page, and a 40% discount being offered to students.

I look forward to our Thursday night rehearsal at COOS this week. More details will get ironed out and fall into place so that you can "shine like stars in the universe" *

ALSO: We're not without challenges/opposition! Primarily: a number of us have fallen sick or had injuries the past 2 weeks.

Let's keep one another and this event before God's throne, asking him to be glorified in all aspects of the preparation and the the presentation!

*"Do everything without complaining or arguing, so that you may become blameless and pure, children of God without fault in a crooked and depraved generation, in which you shine like stars in the universe as you hold out [dramatize] the word of life -- in order that I may boast on the day of Christ that I did not run or labour for nothing." -- Philippians 2:14-16

The Ministry of Drama Ministry

2009-04-13T03:07:00.000-07:00

I recently asked one from our Thursday CITA group what it has meant to her Christian life and growth to be involved in Drama Ministry. Here's what she wrote:

Im a late bloomer and only started being involved in drama ministry in end year '01 (I think). My friends find me a drama cos I constantly have my hands flying all over when I talk to them and if I want to emphasis on something I will drag my speech.
I thought being in drama was just to come up and prance around. You get a whole audience to look at you. But having been involved through the years I realized that I have more to learn and is still learning.

I have to confess that Im no bible thumping from cover to cover. Ask my mom and she complains that I don’t even memorise the order of the bible be it the Old or New Testament. I now cheat by having tags on the sides of it.

Having done a few shows have helped me studied the bible (not all of it yet). You see I have to memorise the script and most important of all thoughts will be flying through me and it does seem that God is speaking to me through the script. Here are some excerpts from the scripts I have learnt.

In The Gift by Glenn A Hascall (Reader’s Theatre), our lines are only either one word or phrase but yet it kept telling us what this Gift from God is where it is from, where it is coming. Priceless, precious and perfect gift. And we all know that the Gift is Jesus.

Temple Merchant (John 2:13-23) by Debbie Lee. This is the only chapter that I will shiver if had been in the temple. I wouldn’t have thought that Jesus would be so angry. I can safely say that I don’t come to church to make money but on hindsight Church has often been my playground. I get to meet and chat with friends and sometimes loose my focus of coming to church.

All of us know the Lord’s Prayer by heart but what does it actually mean? I only got in depth when I did the Lord Prayer by (I don’t have the name) . Hallowed be thy name, and just like my part in the script that says “It means….it means…(loss of words) Goodness! How should I know what it means? It’s just part of the prayer. (pause) By the way, what does it mean? Does it break your conscience when you say “Forgive us our debts even as we forgive our debtors?” It was quite tough doing this script, I did sit down and cried a few times. I need to reconcile with what I have to say and now it is a constant reminder to me whenever I say it.

In a Christmas play “Saviour” no idea who wrote this. I learnt of the prophets from the Old Testament who predicted the Messiah’s birth. Micah predicted that the messiah would be born in the village of Bethlehem and it’s the village where King David is born. Isaiah predicted that the messiah will be born into the family of King David. Isaiah also predicted that the messiah of Israel will be God himself in human form. The messiah will be known to his disciples as Immanuel which means God with us. Mary already knew that her baby will be a boy who is the messiah. He will be called Joshua, a Hebrew name which means God is Salvation. The Greeks will pronounce His name as Jesus.
So yes, Christian drama does help me understand the bible better. It also helps me to have a closer walk with God. I just cant go out and say lines without it’s true meaning.

SIEW CHENG LEE, Wesley Methodist Church, Singapore

CITA in Singapore

2009-03-29T03:03:00.001-07:00

+ & - Space
Originally uploaded by K!Mberly.

A good exercise for helping us get past not wanting to touch each other. Our bodies are the positive space, the first person in a marked out square on the floor makes an interesting shape and one by one the rest fill up the "negative space" with other odd shapes!

"The Ledger People"

2009-03-29T02:56:00.001-07:00

"The Ledger People"
Originally uploaded by K!Mberly.

The Thursday after their success for the Focus on the Family Singapore Partner dinner, they ran it through for us.

PRESCRIPTION: the Spiritual RED BULL of fellowship in Egypt

2009-03-12T07:17:00.000-07:00

SINGAPORE. 60% Daoist Chinese. 16% Christian.

Pop: 4 million. Cultural hub of Asia.

My head is spinning from jet lag, career euphoria and a clash of cultures. There’s an Indian Festival going on in the common area of our concrete apartment blocks. My boys are playing funky American hip hop on the stereo. And though Asia has been our home since 1997, I just got back from turning 47 (middle aged?) in the Middle East.

ARAB REPUBLIC OF EGYPT. 90% Muslim. 10% Christian.

Pop: 80 million. Cultural hub of the Middle East.

No. I didn’t mix with the terrorists suspected of bombing a popular tourist spot (Day 1) or have a chance to meet more than one Muslim; a girl who’d just graduated from college in Islamic Law (Day 11). I spent all the time in the middle with 80 of the most passionate followers of Jesus of the millions of Arabic speaking Coptic Christians living in the 10/40 window.

SELF-DOUBT. Is it really a good idea to leave your family for 11 days? I mean really, you’re depressed. You’ve had a hard time juggling homemaking and a few teaching commitments. You’re rarely speaking your hard earned and easily forgotten Chinese in day-to-day life. What are you doing running off to the Arab world to teach drama when you’re a failure in Asia as a wife, mother and missionary who can’t keep toilet paper stocked in the bathrooms let alone be involved in any really significant theatre related work or ministry?

HEALING. Despite having the world’s most supportive and positive husband, I have become world-class at negative self talk.

However, New Year’s 2009 found the children and I making seriously positive steps toward equilibrium and health on all fronts (so far, 20 doctor visits, 6 prescriptions, and 4 books to figure it out!). Amazingly, it turns out that part of my healing was a solo trip to Cairo.

SHOULD I GO? When I was invited to come teach Evangelistic Drama Teams again this year, I brought it up with my sensible lady friends in Bible Study. The 6 who since August have most intimately seen me struggling in readjustment to life in Singapore. Instead of saying,

Egypt? Are you kidding?, they said,

Egypt! You HAVE to go!

I called the conference planner. I wasn’t sure how Playback Theatre, the style I’d taught last year, could be used with their theme this year to “Train the Trainers.” I could see how it might work to have 4 days to take Actors, or Directors, or Script Writers or Technicians to a level where they might be able to pass on some skill. But I needed to ask him directly: Do you really need me there this year? I was sure the answer would be “Not really, …but thanks for asking.” Instead we had a 2 hour conversation that started with,

I don’t think you understand that you’ve made a huge impact on these people. You are famous here. The first thing people ask when I tell them about the conference is, “Will Kimberly be there?” I’ve told them all “Yes!”…. You have to come.

(Egyptians, by the way, are world class at making people feel special. He may very well have said the same to all of the other trainers!)

So, by faith and credit card I booked the ticket and knocked on only two doors to pursue extra funds to help cover the cost in our internationally flagging economy. Door number two, a Singaporean pastor, followed up with an email,

Have my secretary cut Kimberly a check for the entire cost of her flight.

I made 2 Corinthians 12:9 my theme verse for the trip. The Apostle Paul had been complaining about having some kind of a nagging problem, his thorn in the flesh, when he heard God speak to him:

But he said to me, “My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness.” Therefore I will boast all the more gladly about my weaknesses, so that Christ’s power may rest on me.

WEAKNESS INDEED. I made my itinerary to arrive a day before the 5 other international trainers to make sure I’d get over jet lag. A sore throat and drippy nose hit and the now irregular curse hit my aging female reproductive organs full force. By the 3^rd of the 4 day conference I couldn’t get myself out of bed for breakfast. While my achy body waited for aspirin, vitamins and the healing of Jesus to kick in, downstairs the conference prayed for me because I had no voice. I laughed about my theme verse and thought,

The only way I’d be weaker and his power more perfect is if they brought me in on a stretcher and all laid hands on my English teaching notes to learn by osmosis!

BUT THERE IS A GOD IN HEAVEN. And he cares about you and I and our little attempts to please him. More than I could have even imagined before, his power was made perfect in my weakness. Needing to be flexible, and not knowing ahead of time who or how to prepare, I brought those notes from last year, and the Holy Spirit clearly lead my pedagogy for each of the 13 training sessions. I fell in love with the 10 students in my Playback section who quickly bonded, learned to love and trust each other, grasped the difficult and unusual concepts for this new style, marveled that they could use their whole bodies in worship and storytelling, stretched their creativity to the limits and told me over and over,

I didn’t think this kind of theatre & creativity was possible for Upper Egyptians.

I was skeptical at first, but now I see how amazingly powerful this can be used to bring people closer together and find common ground.

Playback gives us an unforgettable platform for sharing our testimonies, our stories of faith; our prayers. Not just among us in our drama teams, or in our church meetings, but somehow, as you’ve said, God will show us how to use it in our communities to bring down the walls between us and find what we have in common so that maybe we can open doors to share more…

The class did a performance on the last night. You’d have thought they had been rehearsing for more than half a year. One first time observer called it “miraculous.” A dozen told me they wanted to learn it too. Perhaps my class will train them. Perhaps I’ll get a chance to return again. My fellowship with Egyptian Christians for a week was like a Long-lasting Spiritual Red Bull energy drink. I’m more than just pumped, psyched, and excited about being back in Singapore. I’m full of love and motivation to serve my family, navigate the health issues to complete healing, and follow through on many wonderful opportunities I have to merge my other loves: Jesus Christ, artists and theatre. Especially the group of Christians in Theatre that’s recently started meeting Thursday nights. But that’s another story for another letter.

That Self-talking censor is silenced, and I hear myself saying instead,

I wonder how much Arabic I can learn by 2010?

About Jane Russell Hollywood Starlett of the '40's

2009-03-08T21:08:00.000-07:00

Sex Symbol and Christ Follower | Christianity Today MoviesSex Symbol and Christ Follower | Christianity Today Movies

Lauren Yarger

2008-10-31T09:31:00.000-07:00

Been awhile...I haven't quite recovered from another international move (I'm beginning to wonder if I will ever????). And life for the K! (besides a whole lot of really boring homemaking and setting up house and life details) has been all about football and forcing a pre-teen boy to do his homework. Okay, so I'll stop whining and make my post....

Wanted to pass these links on while i was catching up on emails and putting them over in the links column.

Met Lauren Yarger at this year's CITA conference. She's a producer, and has a few blogs:

Thoughts on writing and Broadway reviews:

Additional Reviews at American Theater Web

News and Inspiration for Christian Artists

Coaching vs Telling: How to Help Others

2008-10-12T07:44:00.000-07:00

Thanks Kim Zovak for these nuggets you love about coaching. I really have enjoyed employing some of the coaching tools I learned in the CORE COACHING course I took in Feb 2007.

“The carrot and the stick are pervasive and persuasive motivators. But if you treat people like donkeys, they will perform like donkeys.” Whitmore, Coaching for Performance, 1998, p. 100

“If people have always been told in the past, they will expect to be told. That is not the same things as preferring to be told.” Whitmore, Coaching for Performance, 1998, p. 133

For most of us, as leaders, the telling paradigm is what we have been taught and is deeply ingrained in us. To coach well we must believe in the power of listening, self-discovery and the Holy Spirit’s work in people’s lives. -Kim Zovak, October 2008.

Telling Paradigm
When you come to me for help, what you need is advice.
My value to you is in the knowledge, life experience, idea and wisdom I can convey to you in words.
You have trouble solving problems without my help.
I can quickly diagnose and solve your problem with minimal information.
If you get the right answers, you be able to change successfully.

Coaching Paradigm
When you come to me for help. What you need is someone to walk with you.
My value to you is in listening and asking questions that help you draw from your own knowledge, life experience, ideas and wisdom.
You have the resources to steward the life God has given you.
If I help you think this through, you can come up with a better solution than I can.
Successful change is more a function of support and motivation than information.

Modified from Stoltzfus, Coaching Leadership Coaching, p. 24

"We have left the age of the orator and have entered the age of the artist." - Arts Minsitry Training Institute website

2008-09-28T07:33:00.000-07:00

ACT: Artists in Christian Testimony (Byron Spradlin, founder, has been empowering artists since early 70's). They had what sounded like a fantastic conference in Nashville last month. Check out the lineup from their FIRST "Arts in Ministry and Mission" conference. I was inspired reading the bios of the presenters.

Also: there's a new online magazine CURATOR, and there's a link where you can upload for free the podcast of Ken Meyers (of Mars Hill Audio and Audition) of the founder Makoto Fujimura.

Find out more about IMA, which was featured this month on the cover of Christianity Today:
International Arts Movement

24 Hours later 1.5 Plays

2008-08-04T08:15:00.000-07:00

Had a fun time being spontaneous and participating in TheatreWorks' 24 hours playwrite competition from Saturday afternoon to Sunday afternoon. If interested in the whole script let me know. Here's the first 2 pages of...

NOMADS ADRIFT
(working title)

CAST

ASIAN, Caucasian American, male, 20’s, sees things in black & white.

EUROPEAN, Hispanic male, 30’s, strong migratory instincts.

SOUTH AMERICAN, Asian female, 20’s, identity crisis & delayed adolescence.

SET

Larger than life-sized sections of world maps, in angled shapes, are placed upstage at various angles to define the space. One section near upstage center has a functional door, but it is not clearly a door as it blends into the wall and is part of the map. The floor is painted in similar fashion with various sections of world maps. The acting areas are uneven, some raised, some floor level. The whole set has a cohesive uniform look, but it also gives one the impression of instability, randomness and expectation.

OPENING

ASIAN enters. Guitar on back. Juggles two carry-on type bags with ease. Enters with purpose from upstage and crosses downstage. He stops center to pantomime giving over a passport to an imaginary Immigration Officer. Waits, not looking at anything in particular.

From opposite sides, EUROPEAN & SOUTH AMERICAN enter with a similar world-traveler look. They all stop centre, facing the imaginary Immigration Officer from different directions. All three pantomime similar actions.

After a moment of waiting, they concurrently notice the Immigration official is finished. They take back their imaginary passports and put them away. Each continues walking in the trajectory they’d begun. At the same time they stop downstage. Actors are now in three different places DS. They take off shoes. Pick up a plastic bin and place shoes inside. ACTOR 1 speaks to the audience. EUROPEAN & SOUTH AMERICAN freeze in the process of putting their shoes in the bin.

ASIAN

I don’t know, it has always been like this. Well, not this actually. When I was much younger there wasn’t so much security.

ASIAN places bin on the floor and sits inside cross-legged. He gives the impression that he is floating at sea. We discover that some of the set panels are actually opaque when we begin to see a series of rear projected photos depicting Beijing. Faces. The Temple of Heaven. The Great wall. Cherry Blossoms. The character “Hua”for flower.

EUROPEAN

Notices a strange smell. Realizes it’s his shoes. Puts them in his bin.

But this life, it’s always been, well, I guess the best word for it is

ALL THREE

Mobile.

EUROPEAN

The panel upstage of him shows photos of France. The Eiffel Tower, L’arch de Triomphe, Notredame.

I’ve never been able to stay in one place for very long.

Hesitates. Tentatively gets in the bin, then gets out again. Unsure.
-----------------
[just let me know if you want to read the rest, i'll email it to you. K! The 1.5 mentioned above is a cheezy 1st act of a play about my son Cameron and friends when they are 17 - 6 years from now. Not available to the public! :-)]

24-Hour Playwriting Tips

2008-08-01T20:34:00.000-07:00

Thinking I may just show up for the 24 hour playwrite competition today. Reading over the rules, I'm reminded of the elements of a good play and hope I can rally enough energy to do this my first week back. theatreworks.org.sg

Gods Healing through Drama - Ellel Ministries United Kingdom

2008-07-04T09:35:00.000-07:00

Gods Healing through Drama - Ellel Ministries United Kingdom: "This exciting new course gives an opportunity to explore how performing arts can play a dynamic role in the healing and restoration of our God-created personhood. Although there are some teaching sessions this course is mainly practical and interactive. The relationship between identity and creativity will be explored in the teaching and through the expressive work. Improvisation using the God-given gift of imagination will be part of the weekend but there will also be an opportunity to work in a team on a short prepared piece of work. Digging deeper into our creativity opens up our inner being and this enables us to both learn more about ourselves and to allow God?s healing to touch our hearts in a new way. No previous experience of drama is necessary; all are welcome to come and to join in the fun."

CITA Cross Cultural Theatre Notes

2008-05-29T23:59:00.001-07:00

Links for further study

NOTE: I've put the books which were recommended in the CITA Cross Cultural Theatre track over in the sidebar.

The Center for Playback Theatre
has training and resources, and where you'll meet Jonathan Fox who's original group in 1970's started this fascinating new form. Improvising Real Life by Jo Salas is a very easy book to read and understand how to do it (see sidebar for link to the book). There is also IPTN International Playback Theatre Network publishes INTERPLAY a pracitcal journal full of articles by practitioners (find one in multiple languages by K! in dec '05 p22). I've written quite a bit about my performing and training experiences on the spicetolife blog. Just search "Playback" at the top of the page, and you'll find chronicles or outlines of training in Egypt, or Singapore, or Cambodia. I have another blog where I've stored training outlines and notes, including Enacted Prayer and Playback.

Send me your links for YouTube samples of cross cultural pieces, pieces which may be transcultural, or samples of your work! (there's a blog entry just below where you can also see the playlist). The videos we watched in our sessions are not all on YouTube. Find Mark Branner's CircoRedempto (Central China), and Sword Productions (Philippines). But I'm still searching for This Man Called Jesus, and any little videos or photos of Lin's group called New Hope in Slovenia. Also, here's another link to a helpful playback demonstration (not on YouTube).

Raising Support (recommended by the 3C missions resource on DramaShare).

Resources for further study/involvement

1. A Guide to Ethnodramatology based on research for doctoral studies in missiology as it relates to drama. Julisa Rowe's 2CDs plus guide is based on her dissertation comparing USA, India, African drama styles.
It covers three related areas:

A model is developed for ethnodramatology to help answer the question of how to discover and understand the drama forms of a culture.
The model is illustrated in three cultures in the attempt to show how and why drama style differs from culture to culture and that a universal drama form does not exist.
Recommendations are made for Christians to utilize drama in their own cultures, or cultures of ministry. Particularly appropriate forms for change-messages in Kenya and India are suggested.

You can order Julisa’s training resource that comes in a 2 CD set which includes a pdf of the guide and video examples. E-mail at ethnodrama@acquirewisdom.com

2. 3C Cross-Cultural Creativity
Though I've not seen more than the sample pages on the web, DramaShare has put together a 207page training resource ($119 includes a year subscription to their online dramas). A thorough, step-by-step guideline to organizing and creating a drama team for missions or outreach purposes . . . and to teach these skills to the mission field church. It looks like they've done some good work at putting together, and according to the website they have DramaShare members from all over the world, and their staff have been to many countries, but the offer ofa year's subscription to use their downloadable scripts in your cross cultural endeavors makes me wonder about the missiological training elements in this 3C curriculum!

Here's text from their website: Cross-cultural outreach covers short-term missions work around the world, but it also is meant for more local situations, such as inner-city outreach or prison ministry. The methods in 3C will walk amateurs through the "need-to-know" without long periods of study and research. The 3C Manual gives full instructions on team building, warmup games, characterization, training schedules and mime essentials. 3C Cross-Cultural Creativity Manual includes an annual DramaShare membership giving you one full year of full and totally cost-free use of all DramaShare scripts, including many non-verbal dramas written specifically for the 3C program. By using the 3C program you have full, and totally free use of all on-line DramaShare scripts, including a wide range of mime and human video scripts. The 3C Manual is downloaded from their website saving you time.

Mission Organizations Primarily for Arts in Mission
Artists in Christian Testimony Intl * is an evangelical, interdenominational Christian ministry that mobilizes, sends out, equips, and supports artistic ministers and missionaries who carry out various works of the New Testament Church. (*or in Creative Access Nations "Artists for Cultural Transformation")

OMF has an ethnomusicology wing called Heart Sounds International.

Networking Organizations
ICE, International Council of Ethnodoxicologists (indigenous worship arts). Mostly music, but eager to grow in drama!

GCOMM – Global Consultation on Music and Missions Makes CD’s of presentations at their conferences.

TransformWorld (Came out of the group that was AD2000. They have been networking mission leaders/strategists now has an Arts Focus Group) Kimberly has the Arts Focus Group's position paper and covenant if you are interested.

TransformWorld LA Arts contact: cory_raynham@yahoo.com they have regular meetings, with various speakers/artists coming to share what they are doing eg. April's meeting was from a person who specializes in Fund Raising - and spoke on new forms of Fund Raising banquets another large International Arts Conference in Bulgaria later this month

Recommended book list from ArtsLink (an arts arm of OM International)

All the World is Singing, Frank Fortunato, Paul Neeley and Carol Brinneman
Art & Soul - Signposts for Christians in the Arts, Hilary Brand & Adrienne Chaplin
Art & the Bible & How Should We Then Live?, Francis A. Schaeffer
Art for God's Sake, Philip Graham Ryken
The Arts in Your Church, Fiona Bond
The Creative Call, Janice Elsheimer
The Heart of the Artist AND Thriving as an Artist in the Church, Rory Noland
Imagine - A Vision for Christians in the Arts, Steve Turner
It Was Good - Making Art to the Glory of God, Ned Bustard
Modern Art & The Death of a Culture, H. R. Rookmaaker
Roaring Lambs, Bob Briner
Visual Faith - Art, Theology, and Worship in Dialogue, William A. Dyrness
Walking On Water, Madeleine L'Engle

David Kitch (Covenant Players) also recommended
On Beauty and Being Just, Elaine Scary
I just went on the CP website and ordered a DVD on their 40 years of ministry - and make a donoation ...The website has a handy way to make a donation if you want to support David and Sarah Kitch. Sure, we all could use more support, but I don't want to miss an opportunity to encourage giving!

If you make it to New York, check out the vibrant Arts Ministry of Redeemer Presbyterian Church. I didn't find anything on the website for cross cultural work, but you'll be encouraged (and a bit jealous) to see all that's going on through this church.

Jessica Lewis mentioned that she found her job in Kazakstan through the website Christianactors.org. Check that out too! Keep us posted Jessica! We're rooting for you as you find out who will be your support team with Navs!

So, there you go...
Look for more of our notes and links in the future, i just wanted to get something up right away. Strike while the iron is hot, as they say...

Christians in Theatre Arts, Azusa Pacific, June 10-13

2008-05-29T23:49:00.001-07:00

I've been to many of the CITA conferences over the years, and it's always been encouraging to meet others from around the USA (and a few from around the world) who share the same passions: Jesus and Theatre. My colleague from Singapore/Malaysia, Paul Seow is even coming into town for it.

I'm so thrilled that for the first time there's a new discipline track: Theatre in Missions, and I'll be helping facilitate it. There's a whole list of other discipline tracks too on the website. I'll post notes from out track here later.

K!'s Playlist of Cross Cultural Drama

2008-05-28T23:31:00.000-07:00

Playback Theatre in Kenya

2008-05-06T12:22:00.000-07:00

I'm overjoyed! I've just read a report from Julisa Rowe, a theatre colleague in Kenya who teaches at Daystar University in Kenya (a Christian University) and leads the Drama Ministry Team at Nairobi Baptist Church. Her team just had their first Playback performance yesterday, and below you'll find part of her report. She was the one who invited me to teach drama in Egypt earlier this year, and while we were there, we talked about the possibilities. Later we skyped about training her team. Equipped with a School of Playback video, a doctorate in Missiology, my notes, and a lifetime of being a theatre practitioner

What they're doing is realizing a long term dream of mine: mature and dramatically talented Christians using Playback Theatre in significant ministry. If you've paid attention to the news in recent months, you know what kind of terrible things have happened recently in this country. Their "offers" in Playback are desperately needed ones, and the performers on that team are instruments of the Lord to bring healing and hope. The Holy Spirit will use the immediacy and intimacy of improvised theatre to do his work.

Below is my response to Julisa followed by a section of her email report to me today.

wow. julisa! given such limited exposure to Playback, it's astounding what you were able to teach, and put together in such a short amount of time.
as we prayed earlier on skype, i do believe that this whole journey for you is one where you (the talented and capable Dr. Rowe) are out of your area of experience and it's forcing you and your team to grow in your trust of the holy spirit to lead, and you're going to be the vessel for his powerful work. THRILLING (and frankly scary) to let go of our perfectionism and see what God can do!

I'm home late tonight if we want to try to skype and talk through some more ideas. I leave for austria the 9-16th (now i wish i were coming a bit farther SOUTH instead!)

you're in my prayers,
K!Mberly

On May 6, 2008, at 11:01 AM, Julisa Rowe wrote:

Hi Kim:
finally, I'm getting back to you with a report of the last two weeks and our first show!
The training went surprisingly well, although I'm still feeling my way through things! The team (I have 8) picked things up well and have fallen in love with playback and its potential. They are thrilled to be the first (as far as we know) official playback team in Africa! (unless the Egypt groups have continued).

On Friday we had a test run with the Nairobi Baptist staff - we were allowed to take their staff devotion time and did it through playback. They were very positive, and after getting over initial nerves, the team did great. It gave us all confidence for today's performance.

So this morning we did our first official show - in Nakuru, one of the hotbeds of the violence. There were 70 attendees there (pastors, teachers, doctors, nurses, administrators, from all walks of life). Several had had their houses burned down and are displaced. Yesterday, the workshop began, looking at issues in conflict and scriptural response. They extended their time at the end because they had so much to report back from their small groups. So they were really primed this morning when we began. We had two hours but it was nowhere near enough time. Everyone was very emotional by the end, including the actors. The last story we had was from an IDP (internally displaced person) who told of betrayal by neighbors, the burning of their house and chicken farm, and her desire for resolution. After reenacting, we chose to finish with an enacted prayer for the group, the people of Nakuru and Kenya. Then we should have done the collage, but it seemed best to go straight into Is. 61 and the closing song. No one knew any different at least!
The biggest challenge we had was actually to get the tellers to stop talking, or to keep their stories short. We were trying to warm up on short forms, but we kept getting 10-15 min. convoluted stories. Just when I heard the makings of a pairs, the person would take a turn and bring in 5 more things! Or go through about 10 things before getting back to the story to finish it. And there were no natural pauses to interrupt and guide. During the audience talk time, the actors asked me if I could get the tellers to focus their stories, but it was rather difficult. Of course, that is really a part of the healing for them - just being able to be heard and tell what's on their heart. Still, any suggestions? One story in particular would have been best as collage, but I completely forgot about that form (although I was wracking my brain during the telling to figure out the best way to do it! We ended up with a fluid, but the team got mixed up somewhere between a reenactment and a fluid. The audience didn't notice, but we want to improve!

But people were very touched, and we have 3 invitations already to come to other communities in Nakuru and perform. So I trust that funding for that will work out soon. It was great to do it in combination with Daystar's week-long workshop on conflict resolution. The facilitator for today told me afterwards that we had already done what he had planned to accomplish today - so he was able to go on and build from there.

Any more guidance from you would be greatly appreciated as we try and refine this work!

Blessings,
Julisa

PRAY for Julisa and her team, that they'll be used in a powerful way to restore people, and bring healing in this nation.

Hello Dolly Chorus, April 20

2008-04-27T00:26:00.001-07:00

Hello Dolly Chorus.jpg
Originally uploaded by K!Mberly.

Can you find Tyler in olive green and tweed? I was one proud stage mom to see that my kid can sing and dance if he puts his mind to it. The show didn't turn out half bad as you can see! A few more photos posted on flickr (see badge on sidebar).

The Mirror Exercise

2008-04-24T21:49:00.000-07:00

TO all my students who've had to do the mirror exercise, here's a way you can use your skills!

The Pageant of Our LORD

2008-04-01T22:00:00.000-07:00

A concert with life-sized re-creations of great works of Art depicting the life of Jesus Christ.

I think it was 17 years ago, in 1991, that this Pageant became a big part of my life. It had already become an institution at the church where Jim and I started our married life in ministry in 1985, but 1991 was the year I got involved helping put the show together. That year it became a huge part of what shaped me as a leader, writer, director, artist. It's something that offered growth like nothing before our since in this calling of mine to use theatre as ministry.

Jump forward to Easter, 2008, and it's been 10 years since I've seen the production, let alone be a vital part of the production that engages more than 300 volunteers every year. I almost missed it again on this year that we're back in USA. Caught up in our "home assignment" lives in Pasadena, an hour north of Rolling Hills Estates, CA, it wasn't until the Holy Week that I got the family jets revved enough to get us all fed and out of the house and down the 110 freeway to stay out late on a school night. Without tickets, not knowing if we'd make it in time.

We arrived just in time to see Joan Benkoil walking away from the box office and tell her about our spontenaneous outing. She lead us, like VIP's, to an usher and had him seat us in empty seats in the back left of the house. When we were seated we realized we were surrounded by a group of Junior High kids. "DC Groups" were attending that night, in place of their regular Wednesday night activity.

We were glad to have done such an impulsive thing. Glad to have worshipped and commemorated the life, death and resurrection of Christ with this classy and classical tradition. Glad for our young boys' sakes, to let them see this important part of the church where their dad had been a pastor for 12 years, in the church where both of them were dedicated as babies, in the church that sent us and partially supports our work in Asia. We needed to see the Pageant. All of us were glad we did. Admittedly, the boys did a small amount of eye rolling at the music choices or soloists...at least they were better behaved than the preteens surrounding us.

Now, what got me writing about the Pageant tonight is that I'm supposed to write reports on music concerts for MUSIC 10 at Pasadena City College. This is one of the small (ahem!) hoops I have to jump through in order to take private voice lessons this term. I felt it was perhaps my last shot at getting some great specialized coaching while here in USA and the fee of $27 for the 1 unit lesson drew me in at first. Then I realized after passing the audition, that in order to take that 1 unit, which requires 5 hours of practice time a week, students must also take MUSIC 9 - a class to practice performing in front of your Music Major peers, another 1 unit. Then you must join one of the performance gruops, I'm in Vocal Jazz Ensemble now - and scrambling to memorize 4 song before next Monday when we'll be tested in quartets; another unit. PLUS attend all the campus concerts at noon on Thursdays. This is MUSIC 10. It also requires attending and writing about outside performances as well.

So, you see, what I thought was going to be a little moonlighting as a wannabe jazz singer has become my full time occupation this Spring. I had also signed up for the 1/2 credit music theory course, thinking that this might be my last chance to see if at 46 I am truly a hopeless case about becoming a REAL musician. Maybe not! I'm determined, and I've got 9 more weeks on the music lab computers to find out.

But tonight, as I sit looking over the program again, it's still early in the semester to be writing erudite comments about live classical pieces I heard in a concert. Nope. As I listen to the comments of other students in my MUSIC 9 class, or the chatter outside practice rooms in the music lab, I feel that in this music world I'm peddaling my little tricycle on the autobahn.

I've seen and heard all of the pieces from this Easter Pageant concert/show dozens of times in the past, and all I can come up with for a musical commentary is to say something about how they make me feel, or whether the lyrics or the mood of the piece fit the transition between art pieces or fit well with the art they underscored. The most striking aspect of the entire evening, musically or otherwise, was that after all these years NOTHING seemed new.

Granted, they are still asking every night who is seeing the program for the first time and around 300 people will raise their hands, so, for them it is new. There is also something comforting in having the old standards of A Mighty Fortress for the sculpture of Michael Casting Satan into Hell; or the Hallelujah Chorus from Handel's Messiah for the resurrection piece at the end. I will never ever get tired of Bach's Air for Michaelangelo's Pieta. These pieces are so perfect and well loved, to change them would be like not having pumpkin pie on Thanksgiving.

The evening was a "warm fuzzy" night for Jim and I. We always are so encouraged by the love poured out to us when we visit. I nearly cried seeing so many familiar faces (and bodies --covered in all colours of makeup!) greeting us backstage during intermission. We love the people. We love this aging church where this hallmark Pageant of Our Lord continues to have mass appeal as an outing for Retirement Centers. however, as I sat amongst a gaggle of unengaged youth watching the massive choir of mostly grey hairs, I started feeling discouraged about the relevance and vibrancy of the church for feeding the next generation's spiritual lives.

But I am not hopeless about this. Being in the music department of Pasadena City College, listening to 18 year olds sing classical art songs they are obviously passionate about gives me hope. This reminds me that I'm merely an appreciator, not a lover, of classical music, and there are others - even YOUNG others - who are passionate about classical music. Despite my children's lack of excitement about the music, and the rowdy Junior Highers who sat around us for this program, I don't have to become cynical or sad about the traditions my church has become ensconced in. Why? Because some of my young classmates at PCC would have wept instead of wiggled through the Pageant of Our LORD.

Playback Theatre in North Africa

2008-03-07T19:36:00.001-08:00

“M here, will teach script writing. J will take the directing track. And we have two performing tracks. C will teach acting, and Kimberly…Kimberly…,” the Sponsor paused and looked to me for help. “She will teach something…something new called Playback.”

This is how the trainers for a Drama Conference in ____ were introduced to the 120 participants gathered for 3 ½ days of training over the leap year weekend in 2008.

As the participants made their choices for which foreign teacher they would be with for the weekend, they wanted more information. The Sponsor invited me to explain, to pitch the Playback track. I stood with my interpreter and addressed a sea of eager faces. This was their first Christian Conference solely focusing on drama training and they wanted to make the right choice. I did my best to explain.

“From the first time I saw Playback in 2002, I have been excited about the possibilities of this new form of theatre. It is relatively new, created in 1975 in USA, but now there is an International Playback Theatre Network, and there are teams which practice it all over the world. It is simple, beautiful, inexpensive, and powerful, even when performed by amateurs. It also seems that it can be all these things in any language or culture. In a lifetime of being a theatre practitioner, I’ve seen nothing else that makes the most of what theatre has to offer that is special and different than television and films. Theatre, you see, is an immediate art form. The live audience is as important to the success of each show as the actors, play, or any technical element added. Playback is improvised theatre that takes the fun of improv – like the television show “Who’s Line is it Anyway?” and gives it depth and purpose beyond just entertainment. Why? Because the stories, the content of the plays come from the audience. The audience is part of the creative process. The lives of ordinary people become the subject of art. In teaching you Playback, I don’t have to worry about my understanding Arabic or the nuances of your beautiful culture. You already know what is taboo, you already know what is funny. I will teach you how to improvise it on stage with adaptable rituals we use in Playback, and you will be ready to perform anywhere and anytime. Come learn playback with me this weekend and be perhaps the very the first to know it and use it in North Africa.”

Sixteen brave souls signed up for the Playback track, which, even after the introduction still felt like a mystery to them. But thankfully for me, they jumped in with both feet from the very first session; giving themselves wholeheartedly to the process of learning Playback. My translator D kept remarking about their enthusiasm unhesitating involvement. She said, “I can’t believe they’re doing this! It’s especially unusual for upper Egyptians, because they tend to be more reserved and conservative.”

(write to me if you want the rest of this article).

I fell in love with my students as I picked up some Arabic along the way. But the phrase I’ll never forget is:

"Yalluna Netfallug"… “Let’s Watch!”

Link to photos from Egypt Drama Conference

2008-03-04T05:46:00.000-08:00

http://www.flickr.com/photos/spicetolife/sets/72157605865379308/

uploaded photos from the Christian Drama Conference this last weekend in Upper Egypt. 120 attended. It was really amazing. I loved my students (taught playback), and had fun learning Arabic and EVERYTHING. It was also a great time getting to know the 3 other trainers who are friends and theatre colleagues from CITA (Christians in Theatre Arts). The only sad part: Leezibet was supposed to join us to do the stagecraft class and Emirites didn't give her the week off work. We missed having her!

Take One: Beginning Jazz at Pasadena City College

2008-02-19T10:26:00.000-08:00

My dance teacher went down the roster asking which students would like to choreograph a dance piece for the final, or who might like to be in one of the student pieces. I said,

"I'd like to teach the class an exercise."

"Oh? Really?"

"Well, yes." I said. "I've noticed that we're all not very good at working as an ensemble. When we do our routines or warm ups everyone is focused only on themselves. I'd like to show you all something that will help us build a sense of teamwork, and make us pay attention to one another more."

So we did. I told them the rules for Diamond Ensemble, and let them have a go. It was fun to see how beautiful it was even on the first pass. My teacher got out his video camera. He asked me the next day to lead it again saying, "I'm going to use this in all my classes from now on!"

I asked the students once they'd tried it, "What did you learn or experience in this first try?" One guy named Andrew says, "I've never before felt so unified with people. It forces you to stop thinking of yourself."

Wow.

So I told them that this is why I love doing it so much and that when I've taught it before it was for Christians - to help them learn about using their bodies in worship, and a symbolic picture of how when we work together following and supporting the leader it's a beautiful dance of unity.

"COOL!" was the reply.

My prayer is that this opens the door this next semester for me to have more opportunites to encourage some of these students in their Spiritual journey.

International Worship Symposium

2008-01-29T09:21:00.000-08:00

A little church in Pasadena has been doing this conference for something like 33 years. Taking it all over USA and to a few countries too, they now just stay at home and let the 700+ delegates come to them every year. This time around I got in on it. Went all by my lonesome to experience loads of dancing and flags and mime and banners and artists doing paintings during worship. My favourite quote from my notes is: "The main event of church is not the 'worship' or the 'sermon,' but is is the presence of God among his people." (Vivien Hibbert) and on John 4 regarding worshipping in Spirit AND truth, "Some 'prophets' are not much more than wandering fortune tellers in the name of Jesus. But on the other side, there are others who are so afraid of experience, and that they might do something wrong, that in their worship and life of faith, they've turned to stone." (Jim Gilbert)

I met Charlene Rice, a visual artist who was exhibiting her Worship Thru Art there. She was one of the highlights. After talking to her the first time she started calling me "Singapore Jazz." She has an interesting new ministry: she posts videos of her process in painting - with a fun a quirky message about following Jesus. Bought one of her posters and she threw in this one, "On a Mission," for free:

I went to sessions to learn Messianic folk/praise dancing. Loved the couple who were teaching! Bought a couple of their training videos and they threw in one for free. Met up with the couple who now run the school started by Todd & Marilyn Farley called Mimeistry. I've showed some of their pieces (via video) in classes I've taught before. Very disciplined and skilled in their craft, they have students who come study with them for 3 years full time!

All in all it was pretty amazing and refreshing and a little weird. Many of the participants were like hippies...free spirited types, if you know what I mean. Lots of people walking around in layers of flowing skirts or trailing vests with wreaths in their hair. Some of it was a little goofy for me to join in with them. But that's what's beautiful about it - they can just be like children before the Lord and not worry about looking foolish - so I admired it). Since i had gone on my own alone, and most of them seemed to know one another for years, or came with friends, I was still more of an outsider and observer. Many times I watched the flags and people down front dancing freely and it felt like heaven.

I went the last day to have some "healing prayer," which was really sweet. I was really ministered to by these strangers that would pray in the Spirit for my needs and specifically my request: to completely trust without doubting in God's goodness from the core of my heart. The themes that came out of their prayers were "Declaring the positive things God has done." "Labor to enter his rest." and "Sing to me, Dance with me."

Then another that was most amazing: "He will give you a nugget of Gold that will be the revelation or remembrance you need to surrender to knowing his love without a doubt."
The very same day I was choosing a song to sing for a missions event. I had decided to not sing a Christian song, but a showtune called GOLD, from "Camille Claudel." To me, "the Gold" is what we have when we know we are in God's will, and in doing it, we sense his great delight, are filled with joy and get a taste of "heaven on earth."

I've changed just a few words, but here are the lyrics I hope to sing in two weeks:

I wonder if when all is done
Anyone heard my voice
But from the start we have no choice
Our journeys just begin

Lord tell me did I do what's right?
Did I fight hard enough?
When the battles grew too rough
Should I have given in? (No)

So here I stand and swear to you
I did the best that I could do...

I know my voice was just a whisper
But someone may have heard
There were nights the moon above me stirred,
And let me grab a hold
My hands have touched the gold

My hearts been driven by extremes
Blind with dreams, tight with fear
But still God knows he put me here
And I've been so alive

And I can lay the past to rest
And in the end I'll do my best

You have to live the life you're given
And never close your eyes
You hold on, and stare into the sky,
And burn against the cold
For any moment, you might find the gold!

And there was joy
Through it all
And I am standing tall

I know my voice was just a whisper
But someone must have heard
There were nights the moon above me stirred,
And let my light take hold
I rode across that sky
And once I touched the gold

Here in my own two hands
I have held the gold

here's a YouTube promo video for Mimeistry:

Madeleine L'Engle

2008-01-22T04:31:00.000-08:00

Madeleine L'Engle, graduated to heaven last September. To the world, she is most known for her award winning children's books, the first famous one being A Wrinkle in Time and a series that followed it. (This is a great series for reading aloud to kids!).

However, it has been through her non-fiction books that she had become one of my mentors. For more than 20 years I'd had her book Walking on Water, Reflections on Faith and Art on my shelf. Written in the 70's, nearly every Christian and Artist I respected had told me that this was THE book to read as a Christian in the arts. However, when I picked it up as a younger person it was too "all over the place" for me. I wanted a book on this topic to give me clear answers, and the right answers. At that time I was looking for some book like this to give me a better apologetic for who I was as an artist (because I so desperately wanted to justify myself somehow to my evangelical world who called me 'artsy' with a hint of a scoffing). For my part I felt like I needed to be less "all over the place" myself. This meandering book, was not the golden ticket I was searching for.

20+ years later, in 2007, I picked it up and began to read. No longer with the need to prove my artsy-ness to anyone, and meeting with some other female artists for prayer on Monday mornings, I would read passages aloud to them and we'd all be captivated. Finally at a stage in life where I'm rock solidly convinced this is how God made me, and he has declared it GOOD, Walking on Water was like having a leisurely conversation over tea, or while strolling through the woods with an older and wiser friend. I still haven't finished it, but have felt this past year that I could pick it up savor sections of it when I had the time to listen more to the thoughts of Ms. L'Engle.

She also became a mentor to me about friendship through the book she'd written with her long time friend and publisher Luci Shaw. I wanted to learn what they had to say about female friendships and loved what I found in Friends for the Journey.

I've just finished reading a wonderful tribute to Madeleine written by her friend Luci Shaw. I learned more about this remarkable woman, some character qualities of hers that I'd like to emulate. You can find it in Books & Culture, A Christian Review. This is a free newsletter through Christianity Today.

Have a good day walking on water!

I Got Some New Shoes On

2008-01-10T17:30:00.000-08:00

JAZZ SHOES!

I've had the same new year's resolution for 5 years. So the 6th January in a row that I've put "TAKE A DANCE CLASS" down in my journal of resolutions, I immediately went and signed up for a 6 week interterm course: M-TH 2 hours a day!

Taking dance class has been a real workout. Two hours of S T R E T C H I N G me... and fun. Spend more than an hour just doing stretching! It's a real confidence builder. I'm walking taller. Dance is great for your self confidence and poise. My mom was always telling me to stand up straight, but all she needed to do was put me in some dance classes (Back then however, nice Christian girls didn't take dance classes).

I would have made a great dancer. You know why? According to what I can see reflected in the mirror, my body bends better/further than most of my teenaged classmates! At nearly 46!

No, I'm going to rephrase that: I'm gonna BE a great dancer! :-)

It's fun to be an encourager to the slower ones. There's even 8 guys in the class. I was saying to them yesterday how great it was that they were in the class, and that I'd told my boys about them.

One guy says, "So, guys aren't supposed to be in dance class?"

"Oh no!" I remonstrated, as the women around me giggled, "Guys are definitely supposed to be in dance classes, it's just that most of them don't KNOW THAT!"

I don't know that I'll take more classes, but my longing to do this for so many years is more than just for the fun of it. Taking a REAL dance class is a kind of symbolic act of healing and closure for me as much as anything.

That the PASADENA CITY COLLEGE baseball team does their batting practice into nets right outside the dance room door makes this class kind of especially healing. All the while I'm getting emotional closure on my childhood jealousy and inferiority to what I believed in my childhood was a preferred-and-easier-to-raise sporty-baseball-brother, I hear the constant thwack of the bats underscoring the music we're using.

Finally I'm in a place where I can celebrate that they're doing what they love, and I'm doing mine, instead of the "THWACK!" giving me a subconscious bitterness that I am wrong, or bad for not liking sports, it instead makes me happy that it is part of my dance class experience.

I feel so blessed to have this year for doing things like this. It's been such a gift to be able to take courses and fill in the gaps of my education. And that I'm doing it all at the Junior College rates so I can go to school without having to take out any loans, or make excuses that it's too expensive, or feel the need to justify it to people who might think my interests are frivolous.

Last night I had dinner with Christie Gill. A dear sister. We've worked on many a production in the past. Writing, singing, directing, acting...It was a great time to catch up with her. At one point I mentioned that I'd recently realized that all those years being a ministry wife in a church, I had an underlying anger toward God and the people I needed to prove my worth to, and that justifying myself - and my artistic endeavors - was part of my motivation for being a perfectionist. And she corrected me: "You've been angry because you feel you had to justify who you are." In the church, people who are good with numbers, or teaching, or care giving or hospitality don't have to justify their giftings. Artists contributions are not seen as essential to the ministry of a church. What we give is the extra, and is often seen as unnecessary by the typically non-artistic ones in charge.

That's part of my calling. To help others like me know how valuable they are - created by God to be just the way they are, and how necessary they are to the church, even if others around them don't get it. To empower them to, under the discipline and love of the Lord, live out of the fullness of who they are no matter what others might say.

New Book on Playback Theatre

2008-01-09T11:55:00.000-08:00

Interactive and Improvisational Drama
a webpage supplement to Hannah Fox's ch 1

So excited to explore playback in a cross cultural setting again. Reading up more and reviewing to prepare for a trip in late February. A friend from Singapore and now stationed in Dubai, may actually come meet me there and teach the tech theatre track for around 150.

RateMyProfessor.com

2008-01-02T22:07:00.000-08:00

Duke Stroud - Pasadena City College - RateMyProfessors.com
It's amazing what tools students have available to make decisions about classes! This professor was sweet enough to loan me books on directing over the school break. Generous. however, reading these student evaluations makes me glad I'm not still in my twenties!

Reflecting and Retreats

2007-12-30T21:28:00.000-08:00

I've been going over my 2007 journal...what have I learned, what insights have I had somewhere along the way. What do I not want to forget about. Always get reflective between Christmas and New Year. Missing the 5stars and our 4 Seasons escape with post it notes. So, I've sent an invitation to my So Cal friends to see who wants to get together January 7th.

Also came across some busn cards from Singapore...One, from John Chong Ser Choon, a retreat director for Trinity Life Centre I'm going to have to check their retreat center out when I get back to Singapore, but just in case someone in Singapore is looking for a Spiritual quiet get-away, I've made this post with the link.

Here's some subjects to reflect and journal (I'm still thinking about it, so I'll have to fill in the blanks in a few days!):

In 2007 I learned to…

I grew most in…

Another way I saw myself growing was…

One of my best adventures was…

I saw/knew God was doing something when…

A real gift from God was…

Something I really enjoyed doing more of was…

One of the happiest memories of 2006 I’d like to freeze in my mind…

I was really brave when…

Something I’ve grieved about this year was…

I’m still trying to learn what God wants to teach me through this hard experience…

The best word of advice or encouragement I can remember is…

One thing I’m looking forward to in 2008 is…

Phone Salesman Amazes Crowd

2007-12-29T02:12:00.000-08:00

Don't Give up on Your Dreams!
have you seen the clip of the phone salesman who ended up winning the 2007 Brittain's Got Talent televised competition?
Go Paul Potts!

Newsletters and blog posts: Word of Promise

2007-12-12T13:11:00.000-08:00

Word of Promise
=stars read the word, a new audio Bible. Rich Swingle wrote about it here on his blog...

2007-11-28T02:16:00.001-08:00

I disappeared for awhile because I discovered two new things: Facebook and the plays of August Wilson. Two things that can form addictive behavior. Facebook is kinda like hanging out with friends on steroids, alone. The August Wilson obsession has knocked off two more from my list of Pulitzer Prize winning plays. Fences, which loved reading and missed seeing at the Pasadena Playhouse by one year! (starring: Laurence Fishburne and Angela Bassett!) And The Piano Lesson.

So if you're looking for me, and the date on the most recent posting is getting old, go find me on Facebook,
or assume I'm at the library checking out plays by...hmmm. Who shall it be next? Maybe Eugene O'Neill.

A Thrill to Pass On Some Things I've Learned

2007-11-04T15:18:00.000-08:00

Had another chance to explore physical worship with the pastoral staff of New Song Church (San Dimas, CA) this week. Eight of us worked through some very basic ideas of how to use our bodies in improvised movement (Diamond Ensemble) and improvised prayer (Enacted Prayer). A brief description follows, but if you want to read more about both of these forms, click the links or search this blog or my other one for course outlines and handouts (http://spicetolife2.blogspot.com)

Here's what one of the pastors wrote following our time together:

Thank you for yesterday. We had a wonderfully worshipful experience. I hope you felt we participated enough. Although we are a VERY creative group, we aren't necessarily a group that acts regularly. We still enjoyed ourselves immensely. In fact, we were all impacted deeply from the experience and would like to learn more. We are thinking about experimenting with enacted prayer during our Christmas Eve service.

HERE'S A QUICK DESCRIPTION: Enacted Prayer is a style of improvised physical prayer developed in the 90's by the Theatre Department at Northwestern College in Iowa (under the direction of Jeff Barker).
I was first exposed to it at the Christians in Theatre conference in Irvine, (CITA, 2003), and subsequently had one of the Northwestern teach a workshop with some of the Christians I work with from Singapore churches. I've since had a chance to teach Enacted Prayer with Senior Theatre Majors at the Wesley Institute for Minsitry & Creative Arts (Sydney, Australia), at the CRM Worldwide conference (June 2006), and the new course I teach: Performing Arts and Ministry Applications at TCA College in Singapore (Theological Centre for Asia, Certificate in Creative Arts Ministry). I've had the chance try it out once with Americans, at Yorba Linda Friends Church in 2006.

Enacted Prayer came out of a form of improvised and highly ritualistic theatre called Playback Theatre. Playback is used in community settings to improvise plays from stories told by the audience. It was originally developed in the 70's by Jonathan Fox in New York State (they have numerous annual residential training sessions at Syracuse University). Though I haven't had a chance to study in New York, I am a member of the International Playback Theatre Network and spent a year training and performing with Tapestry Playback Theatre in Singapore. I've had a chance to explore it as a means of expressing Christian faith and our Christian experience in an orphanage in Cambodia, with children in an International Christian School, and in the college classroom. I've found a link to one video online that gives & shows a decent description of it, while expressing the heart of what playback practitioners are hoping to accomplish.

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Keeping the Faith - Article on Denzel Washington in Christianity today

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Worship Symposium to INCLUDE THEATRE!

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Quote for Writers:

Academia

The world sees Christianity as backward, unimaginative and boring.

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PRESCRIPTION: the Spiritual RED BULL of fellowship in Egypt

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Lauren Yarger

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International Worship Symposium

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I Got Some New Shoes On

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RateMyProfessor.com

Reflecting and Retreats

Phone Salesman Amazes Crowd

Newsletters and blog posts: Word of Promise

A Thrill to Pass On Some Things I've Learned