Should Christian Artists Work in Church for Free?

I asked this question to an actor sitting across the table from me. I thought she’d have something to say about this. She is a Christian and her sole income is as a free lance dramatist. She’s been doing this work for a few years. It’s hard work. Though she juggles many free lance teaching and performing jobs, she still lives at home, and still lives month to month on meager earnings. Her answer was as I expected. “They will expect me to work for free, and will make me feel guilty if I suggested that it is my livelihood and tell them my fee.”

As an artist myself, I sympathize and identify with her answer. As a pastor’s wife of nearly twenty years, I also have a unique vantage point on this issue.

Churches by definition are volunteer organizations

Most churches run on a shoestring budget. Supported by the offerings of their congregations, most churches have barely enough money to pay a modest salary to an overworked pastor or two. The average church budget rarely can afford much more than the rental or upkeep of their facility, operating expenses and the support a missionary or outreach cause. The Christian who fixes toilets or repairs electrical outlets for their livelihood often volunteers his service to help maintain the church. The teacher, who works six days a week, can often be found on the seventh in Children’s Ministries. The accountants can be found on the church board. The doctors and dentists often treat pastors and missionaries for free and then go to some developing nation on their holiday to pull teeth or offer other healthcare. Romans 12:5-8 says, “We are all parts of his one body, and each of us has different work to do. And since we are all one body in Christ, we belong to each other, and each of us needs all the others. God has given each of us the ability to do certain things well. So if God has given you the ability to prophesy, speak out when you have faith that God is speaking through you. If your gift is that of serving others, serve them well….If your gift is to encourage others, do it!” In light of these verses, what is so special about artists? Why would we even assume it should be different for us?

No one owes us a living

I believe part of the grumblings is from a need to have better boundaries. We also can get a bitter because in choosing art as our career we have such pitiful incomes compared to others. But following art as a career path is a choice, your choice. It should be no surprise that there is little money to be earned in art; in the church or in the marketplace. Throughout the ages, unless an artist has a wealthy benefactor, finances have always been a challenge. It is more realistic to think of your craft as a “calling” than a “career.” There is usually great personal satisfaction and often great freedom in a creative career. There is also ample thanks and praise that come with the job. But cash is not quite as free flowing as the praise! This isn’t any different for church. Though we may like the verse in 1 Timothy 5:18 that says, “Elders who do their work well should be paid well….Those who work deserve their pay!” Here is the reality: When asked to bring your craft to a church, you can assume that they mean for it to be an offering. You may be offered a little white envelope when your service is done. It’s a “love offering.” Though it may be enough to reimburse you for the expenses you incurred on the job, don't do the work with hopes that the contents will pay your rent! So, you need to face reality about your income as an artist and pray from Proverbs 30:8 “Give me neither poverty nor riches! Give me just enough to satisfy my needs. For if I grow rich, I may deny you and say, ‘Who is the Lord?’ And if I am too poor, I may steal and thus insult God’s holy name.

When asked to bring your craft to a church, you can assume that they mean for it to be an offering. You may be offered a little white envelope when your service is done.

A talented dramatist here once told me that he doesn't serve in his church in the area of drama. He feels that when he is serving in some other capacity, he can't get a bad attitude about doing it for free. However, soon after he told me this, I learned that he was directing a big project at his new church. He felt convicted about helping them with this project and wanted to serve the Lord and his church this way. Later he told me that the church had given him a generous monetary gift which he didn’t ask for or expect.

The key to our practice as artists: follow Jesus

Once you are “discovered” by your church, you will be asked by any one who can use your talent, to serve through your art. You must follow Jesus, and learn to listen to his voice about how, when and where he wants you to give your gift back in worship to him. The church wants and needs the creativity you have to offer. If you are truly talented, you will be asked often to serve. Your gift came from God when he created you, and you are developing it with his hand on your life. Look to him to see how he wants to lead you in using your craft, both in and out of the community of faith. When you do offer your gift as an act of service to him, it needs to be from a full heart of gratitude and never from a sense of obligation. Don’t be bullied by well meaning people who know you’ve got something that they want. Make it between you and the Lord. They’ll wait for your answer, and though they may be disappointed, they’ll respect a firm “no” when you know it’s not the right thing for you to do. I am constantly refining my calling statement, which helps me in making purposeful ministry commitments. (See http://kimberlycreasman.blogspot.com for the draft.) Romans 12:1,2 is a touchstone for me about this, “Give your bodies to God. Let them be a living and holy sacrifice…When you think of what he has done for you, is this too much to ask?....Let God transform you…then you will know what God wants you to do….”

“When you do offer your gift as an act of service to him, it needs to be from a full heart of gratitude and never from a sense of obligation.”

Nearly all my life I’ve had a strong conviction that my calling is as a theatre artist. Even more specific, my calling has been to discover ways to practice theatre as a means of sharing the Gospel, equipping Christians, or drawing people closer to God in worship. I knew from the start that this was not going to be a lucrative career! My expectation was always that I would make money doing something else on the side while I worked on learning and practicing my craft. Being from Los Angeles, where there are so many out-of-work actors waiting tables, I considered it a privilege that my church allowed me to experiment with my art and gave me a platform to actually showcase it and have an audience who would see it and hopefully be enriched and blessed by it.

The truth of this really was impressed on my one Easter season when I went to see an actor friend in a Community Theatre production. You can find Community Theatres in nearly every city of the United States. People get involved merely for the love of theatre, and the chance to do it. In this particular performance my friend performed with 8 other actors. She gave an outstanding performance of a well crafted show to an audience of only, get this, FIVE people. I, on the other hand, was writing and directing a piece about the verifiable facts of Christ’s resurrection which in a few weeks would be seen by more than 7000. I was so very grateful to God for the platform he’s given me to influence others through the art I love!

Over the years, God has always provided for me; even though my art has rarely been validated by a pay check.

Last year, I worked nearly full time in some capacity of theatre as ministry. I traveled to 4 countries to teach, direct, speak or write. It was great year for me. It was all very fulfilling work. However, I made no contracts before hand, and at the end of the year, my total income was only $500. Well, that plus a few thank you notes and a pair of earrings. In the past, this engendered self-pity. After 100 hours or more on a production, I’d look at the $100 inside a white envelope and thought, “Is this is all I’m worth?” Over the years I’ve have to take these thoughts captive, and put them on the altar of his grace. I have to constantly ask for his heart and mind toward myself and his church. Over the years, God has always provided for me; even though my art has rarely been validated by a pay check. Meditating on Philippians 2:5-8 has given me perspective: “Your attitude should be the same that Christ Jesus had. Though he was God, he did not demand and cling to his rights as God. He made himself nothing; he took the humble position of a slave and appeared in human form. And in human form he obediently humbled himself even further by dying a criminal’s death on a cross.”

The church I attend here has a policy, for now, to not pay any artists. If money is given to someone leading a workshop or class, it comes from the individuals taking the class and not from the church budget. The church does pay their guest speakers however, and once being far too cheeky, I asked the Creative Arts Pastor, “Why this double standard? In some cases, aren’t guest artists likewise holding forth the Word in worship?” He agreed with the inequity, but he is not the gatekeeper on church policy. For the time being, I’ve settled it for myself in this way: I am very careful about the commitments I make for serving churches, and if I am not sure that I can do it as joyful offering, I suggest making up a contract. I recently told another volunteer drama ministry leader that if they wanted to host their drama training for a group of churches, then I would gladly come do the training for free. If they wanted to have me come teach a small group of their people, we would need to make a contract. She’s getting back to me about it.

I am very careful about the commitments I make for serving churches, and if I am not sure that I can do it as joyful offering, I suggest making up a contract.

If when settling this issue for yourself, you need to start making contracts with churches, Paul McCusker in his book Playwriting: Choices and Challenges gives some great advice. He tells artists to talk about your expectations and convictions up front. Do not commit to anything without knowing where both you and the church stands. It's often awkward, but he says its win-win if you are open and upfront and both sides communicate well at the beginning of the project. You can see this as part of your serving the Lord: communicating with clarity and honesty.

Summing it up with some advice…

Earnestly ask the Lord the path he wants you to take, and don’t give up asking until you know for sure what the answer is. Take every effort to improve yourself in this calling. Follow him and his Word. Learn to be wise about money. And trust him more than anyone you love to take care of you. Whether or not you are paid by a church is not as important as whether you are being obedient to Jesus in practicing the art he’s gifted you in and called you to with an attitude of thanksgiving. Colossians 3:23, 24 says,“Work hard and cheerfully at whatever you do, as though you were working for the Lord rather than for people. Remember that the Lord will give you an inheritance as you’re your reward….”

Some of you will sense the Lord wants you to use your talent in church as your gift to him, some of you will want to check out sample contracts that other artists use. Some will find that it is a mixture of both. No matter what, keep your attitude about your worth as an artist on the altar before God. If you’re not making a contract to offer professional services, pitch in with your craft and be part of the volunteer organization that is the church. Then you’ll consider it an unexpected ang bao when they offer you a little white envelope.

Scripture quotes are from the New Living Translation, Tyndale House Publishers, Inc.

"Till We Meet Again" Tapestry and Invited artists
have a great night playing back stories about
reunions and farewells.

Journaling Our Journey

Journey of Desire by John Eldredge was a favourite book for the Five Stars last year.
I'm re-reading it again with a larger group of friends in 2005!
Want to travel the book through blogging with a group of us?
Follow this link to Journey of Desire, get a copy of the book, and join us.

Author, Speaker, Actor, Counselor & Outdoorsman John Eldredge has written this little book. It is a great tool for sharing our faith with our free thinking artist friends who haven't yet found the meaning to life.

It was a great party! We'll have to do it again. 

Lausanne Congress on World Evangelisation - 2004

The Lausanne Congress on World Evangelisation. meets this week. The Congress has identified 31 issues to discuss at this stage in the history of the church and sharing the good news of Jesus to the world.

I'm eager to see what comes out of the Congress this year. Especially in relation to the arts. There is an issue group on Redeeming Culture Through the Arts. I've had stimulating discussions with both Colin Harbinson and Mary Jones. Here's a quote from the site:

Overview: The rapidly increasing numbers of Christians in nonwestern nations is challenging the Euro-centric understanding. With this dramatic change comes new ways of characterizing the faith. The Western emphasis on (abstract) reason is being overtaken by an emphasis on (concrete) embodiment. The neat clean logic of propositions is being replaced by the more fuzzy-edged accounts of narrative and the communal nature of these other cultures challenges the individualism of the West. Moreover there is an upheaval right within Western culture that calls for change. Postmodern discontent with Western modes of thought is offering new openness to "spirituality" and widespread attention to the aesthetic side of life. It appears in both these situations the language of choice is one that leans towards the arts. The power of the arts to communicate is unquestionable and its presence is everywhere. Unlike the West, the other parts of the world have not relegated the arts to galleries, theatres and concerts halls, but have allowed it to permeate ordinary life and nurture the human spirit in a more consistent way. We are in a transitional moment in history and these important changes must be considered as we seek to give shape to global evangelization.

Stage fRight Feedback- Trinity Christian Centre

Trinity Christian Centre TENET Class: Stage fRight

Customer Satisfaction Survey 80-101%
I can't believe you got me to try...
to act.
acting solo in front of others.
memorising lines in a few minutes.

I will never forget the lesson about...
using the same dialogue for different scenarios.
The Holy Backrub, it was awsome!
forgetting myself and focus.
Mirroring
Using the Bible stories.

I really want to work more on...
my acting skills.
learning to relax and be spontaneous.
Observation

I wish we'd had more time for...
everything!
vocal exercises
those cool ice breakers
more group plays.
the stretching and relaxing exercises.
reading out the emotional stories.
some theaory and explanation.

I hope I never have to...
nothing, no regrets!
miss this!

I was moved by...
how everyone participated with enthusiasm.
that we had this workshop in church. Drama is much neglected.
The scenes from the drama ministry people (esp. Kat and Jerry)

I sensed God's presence...
in the diamond ensemble with the worship song.
fellowship with other participants.
in the creative company of so many fellow Christians.

I also have this to say:
I hope there will be more such drama courses. It's fun and all the faciltators are natural actors. Even the participants are good.

This has been an eye opener and I have faced some of my fears.

Had fun and really blessed by your ministry.

Most blessed that God is not left out of the workshop.

This is one of the funnest workshops I've attended in my life. Everything about it is totally unforgettable. I love the company too, Kim and the CM team were great. I can't wait for the next workshop.

This is great fun! I've never been to any drama lessons & this first changed my perception of drama in my life and also makde me realise drama and the arts should exist in the Christian life!

What I Found in Sydney

Can you imagine a school where art students are also passionate about following Jesus? Can you imagine a school where the faculty and administration all share the conviction, that the creative arts are a gift from God; a gift which must be celebrated?

Imagine such a school where those who sense a creative call from the Lord can go to explore and develop as artists. Does a school dedicated to affirming and equipping graduates to practice their craft both in the marketplace as well as in ministry sound like a dream?

For an artist who follows Jesus, it’s a dream come true.


At the invitation of their President, Dr. David Johnston, I recently visited Wesley Institute for Ministry & the Arts in Sydney Australia. I wanted to see for myself that such a place does exist! I enjoyed a week of mixing with students of various disciplines and soaking up the creative excitement and “vibe” on their delightful campus just a few minutes drive from downtown Sydney. It’s a place where they obviously take both their art and their Lord seriously! In the world of Christian Higher Education, especially in the arts, I think what is available at Wesley is a little known secret.

Time to let the word out!

When I returned from my visit, I spent some time looking again at their website. If you're considering higher education that merges your faith and art, consider Wesley. I'd love to have had the opportunity to study in a place like this!

The Gathering

While in Australia I had some fun teaching Tom Long's ART OF THE HOLY BACKRUB to the students of Wesley Institute, in Sydney. It uses the parable of the sower and is a fun exercise to have the audience use different backrub techniques for the different kinds of soil and the harvest the farmer had in the end.

Here's what I had to say to follow the fun:

If nothing else, my experience in China and Singapore has been carving out of me my ego and identity coming from what I do. The world will keep spinning if I’m busy at work or just hiding away doing a poor job at studying Chinese or doing housework.
God doesn’t need me. I need him. I’d been a human doing: caught up in my work, getting stuff done, proving my worth through accomplishments…and all for what I thought was God’s glory.

I’ve been learning more about what it really means to be the human being God created me to be. As I rest…as I abide in Christ I’m beginning to understand my worth comes from being attached to him and his love and grace.

My existence is less focused on the importance of doing excellent art and more focused on the shortness of life here – I’m more aware now that what I’m doing – the hard work I’m doing – the art I’m doing – Is just a means to prepare myself and others for eternity.

Maybe it was getting put “on the back burner” in China and Singapore for awhile. Maybe it just comes with getting older. But now, though I still love my work, (and still can get obsessive about it) it’s more important to me to concentrate on what kind of soil my heart is…

I want to be that rich well composted soil, so that the seed of God planted in me will through his miraculous work sprout, blossom, and yield a 100 fold harvest. Can you identify with any of this?

Is your heart well watered? Do you tend to the soil of your heart or is your soil beaten down hard, so hard that the word of God, God himself doesn’t really even get in?

Or has Jesus just been planted in you shallow with no roots?

Have you got soil with a lot of rocks still in there, or are you allowing weeds in your soil to grow up and choke the goodness out of what he wants to do in and through you?

Then we ended chapel as the 2nd year drama students joined me to lead the group in an enacted prayer. (Twila Paris: Cry for the Dessert)
"Pray for Rain for Australia, let that prayer become a prayer for your dry heart spiritually."

New Blog of LESSON Plans & Handouts

Need something more practical than what you find here? I've just made a new blog with recipes of lesson plans and handouts for adding spice to life thru theatre.

here's a good one...

The Christian dramatist ...doesn’t have to tell the whole gospel at once.  He may find insights coming from the negative dramatic work of people like Albee, Ionesco, and Samuel Beckett, who depict man’s loneliness and hopelessness without God.  But he will not stop there.  He must do more than expose man’s depravity, more than raise searing questions about human existence; he must start to work out some answers in terms of justice, love, reconciliation, and resurrection. (Gordon Bennett)

Parody: Sung to the tune of “OLD FASHIONED WEDDING”

From the musical Annie Get Your Gun
(of course you CAN get a man with a gun!)

HE:
We’ll have an Old Fashioned reading.
Powerful with merely stools and black notebooks.
I’ll speak as if you’re a spot out there.
You’ll move them deeply though we both face front.
Anywhere in any little chapel,
Bookstores & coffee houses too.
We’ll have an old fashioned Reader’s Theatre
A simple reading for a low-budget ministry.

SHE:
I want my dramas in a big church with stage crews and orchestras!
A lot of actors with costumes and wireless microphones.
150 graceful dancers who will fill the stage I pray.
From the rafters fly in angels just like how they do in Cirque du Soleil.
Better yet we’ll have it in the beautiful and brand new Esplanade
A big finale that will end with fireworks and huge parade.
I want my dramas like that Willow Creek has
Everything big not small
If I can’t have that kind of production
I don’t want to have drama at all.

REPEAT TOGETHER

(END:
HE: We'll have an old fashioned reading!
SHE:If it’s not a big show then I don’t want to have drama at all)

Artists: Take Heart!

Don't Give up on the Church!

Artists Retreat at the Royal Plaza on Scott's 

Many artists get frustrated trying to serve in their churches.
Our ideas and personalities are too "out there" to be acceptable to nice conservative church folks. My experience this year with the Good Friday production at Grace Assembly of God in Singapore has given me hope that we can learn to work together with our churches in worship and proclaiming the news of our Savior. It wasn't a perfect ride, but we have all learned from one another. My "push the envelope" personality is learning to be more respectful and appreciate the comfort and stability of tradition, while my more pragmatic brothers and sisters are growing in respect for my prophetic voice and fresh ideas for presenting Truth. It is taking time, and tact to build the trust between us.

If you are an artist and feeling like an odd-ball in your church, don't give up! God made you the way you are and the church needs your special uniqueness! Keep learning and growing both spiritually and artistically. Keep praying for God to open the doors for ministry and guide you to what He has planned for you. Even when it doesn't feel like it, He IS faithful and is working things out for your good, even if you are feeling shut out or shut down. If you are carrying a yoke of bitterness and resentment from feeling un-appreciated or abused, give that back to Jesus. Forgive them, they didn't understand what they were doing. Get rid of that burden and travel light! Let Jesus teach you graciousness, strength and candid honesty for the next time you want to use your art in church. There is hope for change. I've seen it this Easter.

TRAVELING LIGHT - Good Friday Singapore Style

Creating a localized version of Mark's gospel
Grace Assembly of God, Singapore 2004
K!Mberly Creasman, Director

Traveling Light Cast 2004 

Every new year, churches around the world begin thinking about Easter. How can we share our good news of an incarnate God who lived among us, taught for a while, was brutally killed and then came back to life…AGAIN? The Easter story is pretty well known in most of the world and in many hearts which have heard it since childhood it has lost its impact. More than any other Sunday, Easter is the day we want our hearts to engage in worship. We want to be moved by his great sacrifice and proof of his deity through the miracle of his resurrection. How can we make the story fresh again this year to our hearts, minds and souls?

JANUARY
I met for lunch with Yvonne Tay, a leader in the Creative Arts Ministries at Grace Assembly of God on Tanglin Road. I've been attending Grace with my family for the last 2 years. This year, the church had scheduled Good Friday's 2 worship services to be organized solely by the drama ministry of the church. She wanted to know if I had any ideas for non-musical plays for Easter. I am one of the church's biggest cheerleader and toughest critic when it comes to arts in the church. I believe we must explore and use the arts in worship and evangelism, but I also am often ashamed of how poorly we do it. As I met with Yvonne, I admit that I was quite skeptical about our church being able to mount a production that would truly lead the congregation in worship, let alone that we would dare to invite those who don't follow Christ to come hear and see his story through our amateur production. Was the church drama team ready to tackle such a large scale project? We prayed for direction and wisdom as we looked at some of the scripts we knew of. I sensed God saying in my heart to accept the offer to direct.

This year we all knew that Mel Gibson was making THE PASSION OF THE CHRIST, due for release around Easter. Without a doubt viewing this movie was going to bring Spiritual renewal or awakening to even the hardest of hearts. Every time I thought about the potential of this movie to share the story of the Lord we love to the entire world, I just couldn’t help but stop and thank God, and pray for the success of the film and that the church around the world would find ways to use it in their celebrations and proclamations of Easter this year. This would surely be the most realistic visual presentation of our story in film or other-wise. In planning worship services for Easter week this year, it seemed pointless to me to plan anything that involved portraying 1st century Jews and Romans.

Grace would be buying a few theatres-full of tickets at LIDO and would sell tickets to the congregation at reduced rates, but Good Friday would still be an in-house event. Not wanting to compete with Hollywood's 1st century realism, we settled on TRAVELING LIGHT, a modern American script based on the gospel of Mark. The original script is 2 hours, and covers the whole gospel. It is comprised or 70 monologues from those who were eyewitnesses of the events told in Mark's gospel. In the original script, the characters are modern American types: A longshoreman fisherman from Boston, a Wall Street banker, a surfer dude, hick tourists, etc. We decided we would do about an hours' worth of the script, and work at revising the script and characters to be local types with local dialects and accents.


. 

DRAMA MINISTRY: Process is as Important as the Product
My heart's desire in directing the project was not primarily how the end result of a show would turn out, but how God would work in the hearts and minds of the cast and crew through the process of putting the show together. What did he want us to learn about him, about ourselves, about trusting and abiding in him, about being the body of Christ, and letting our witness be our love, care and encouragement for one another? It was going to be exciting to trust him together and see.

FEBRUARY
I already knew many of the Grace Drama members from the SingaporeCAN "Beyond Bathrobes and Sandals," and some had been part of "The Case of the Missing Bodies" production the August before. Our first gathering in February was with only 5 from the team. The rest of the team rehearsed a worship sketch for Valentines Day next door. I passed out a few of the original monologues and they took turns reading them aloud. Then I gave them their assignment for the next ½ hour: Find a local “type” and re-work the wording of the monologue so that they become a Singaporean and not an American. We prayed for insight and creativity…and were all amazed at what came from that first try at revising.

The following week we shared those first drafts with the rest of the group and enlarged our circle of editors. A few more people from the Grace congregation began showing up, willing to give acting a try. Everyone went home that night with two or three of the original monologues to see what they could make of them.


Thomas and Bartholomew. These guys are probably the most blur of the 12 in Jesus' crew. 

SHOOTING STRAIGHT with Church Leaders
I had been bold in my accepting the project. I had said that I would take it on if it truly was to be an evening where the drama is the main event to tell the story, and not a warm up to a long sermon and longer altar call. I believed that drama, through the Spirit of God, can move, and teach, and convict and transform and I'm tired of seeing churches advertise and invite unbelievers to outreach events that end up being a prelude to a regular worship service and awkward endings that make our guests feel trapped at best, and tricke” as worst. Surprisingly, Yvonne came back with the news that the pastor agreed to these terms. He would welcome the people at the beginning and wrap up the play with a 15 minute talk which included leading "audience" in a prayer of dedication without an altar call.

I was still nervous about the church leadership changing the rules on us in the middle of the project. Rather than grumble or live with my distrust, I called and made an appointment with the Executive Pastor myself. I wanted to talk to him about my vision for the project and learn face to face if we were in agreement about it. I was prepared with my questions and ideas, honest (and hopefully gracious) and brief with him when we met. He, in turn was gracious, supportive, and to-the-point about his questions too. I know that the candor on both sides was appreciated and I left fairly confident that we trusted one another and equally wanted to be God-honoring with the Good Friday presentation. I left feeling that the church was being very courageous to give us the latitude we had to devise this piece.

INSPIRED BY PROFESSIONALS
Only 9 weeks before our performance, Singapore's World in Theatre was premiering a production simply called THE GOSPEL OF MARK. I knew that this production would inspire us on many levels, so with as much authority as I could muster to a team of volunteers, I "required" that Grace team see this show. Awed by what professional theatre can do with a story they merely see as interesting folklore, we began to work on our presentation of the story we believe to be truth and life.


MARCH & APRIL

SCRIPT
Over the next few weeks it all came together more wonderfully than we could have imagined. Empowered to make the script their own, and with a lot of collaboration to make decisions as a team, the all-volunteer group was very committed to the creative process and giving 100%. We had the expected frustrations of spotty attendance or not meeting memorization deadlines. But we must be affirming and patient when working with volunteers. Everyone involved had other work and life demands that sometimes are beyond our control. Instead of shaming or lectures to those who were tardy or absent, I insisted on grace and trust with each other to make every effort to be there and be prepared. There were times that this was tested! But instead of getting angry we would give it to the Lord and ask for him to work it out in his time

REHEASALS
My directing style is more democratic than dictatorial. I like to collaborate with the cast and crew. Once we'd gone through casting, which we tried to make as relaxed and painless as possible, I began with one-on-one rehearsals with each actor.

First we simply discussed their character and what was going on in their heads during the scene. The next couple of times we did some rough blocking with a chance for them to try it out off book (without the pressure of others watching!). In the process I wanted to find out what ideas they may have that I haven't thought of, or ideas which will compliment or are better than my own. I like to help actors discover who the character is and how they feel about their part in the story. I want to find the conflict, or their heart's desire.


If you can believe it, this is Levi telling about how Jesus calmed the storm. 

I don't want to see actors "act" I want to believe them as real people. We worked at getting rid of the gestures and falseness of acting and together found out how to make these very normal people become really interesting and larger than life. I pushed them to find quirkiness and outrageousness in their characters, and challenged them to try larger than life ways to express themselves & to let themselves go in discovering who they are in the characters they were playing. My promise to them was that as a director, I would not let them make a fool of themselves. They had to trust me.

In only a few weeks, with a few rehearsals, these amateur performers surprised even themselves! It was thrilling to see them give 100% in their own creativity and courageously taking my suggestions.

THE PRODUCTION TEAM
Especially rewarding was to see how enthusiastically the crew took to their roles. From the beginning I realized it would be a challenge for the overworked technical director to make Good Friday a heart project rather than another job on his to-do list. When we met for our first production meeting in a small classroom at the church, I could tell by his body language that he was exhausted and out of sorts. Yvonne and I had a plan. Since our play was called "Traveling Light," once everyone arrived I looked at her and said, "Well… are you ready to go?"

"Yes," She said. "Let's go." And we started to pack up our things.

The crew just sat there and looked at us and I said, "Come on. Get your things together."

"Where are we going?" Someone finally asked.

"Well, the play is called 'Traveling Light,' so we thought it made sense to do a little 'traveling' for our first production meeting." I said as we headed out the door. Yvonne and I were having fun with our game.

"Yes, but where are we going?"

"You'll see." Yvonne grinned.

"We'll have you back by 9:30," I said. "That is when the meeting is supposed to be over right?" It's a good thing I drive a 7-seater mini-van. We all barely fit, but we weren't going far.

It wasn't any spectacular venue…just a Starbucks nearby. But the mystery and fun of an out-of-the-ordinary meeting got us all off to a good start. I know they were surprised that we didn't have a finished script, couldn't promise exactly when it would be done, and that we wanted to know their input rather than telling them the plan. But it seemed the collaboration made it more fun and definitely more creative.

COLLABORATIONS

An unconventional John the Baptist 

Their most creative collaboration was the opening monologue by John the Baptist. He ended up becoming a professional wrestler from the "J&J tag team." The original script was revised and performed by Grace Drama's leader Fong Wei Kurk, the monologue alone guaranteed that our Good Friday worship would start off with a bang. But the tech crew added a dimension I could not have added since I have never watched professional wrestling. They put together a very professional multi-image video introduction for John, the "Desert Heavyweight Champion." It defied description.


The ex-Paralytic tells of her healing after being lowered through the roof. 

The paralytic who was lowered through the roof by 4 brave friends became a spunky Cantonese speaking woman in her pyjamas, surrounded by her loyal friends.
The story of the demoniac and the pigs who jumped off a cliff was told by a pig farmer from Tuas (She ended up going into the travel business since she lost her livestock). The widow who gave her mite was a Mandarin speaking Auntie. And the servant girl in the temple courtyard who recognized Peter as one of the disciples was a fast food working A Lien ("holiday job lor").

And then there was the original music. A few key musicians from Grace, with another keyboard friend who's new to the family of God took it on. They composed original theme music for scene transitions or sound effects. Their live presence added a wonderful dimension to the atmosphere.

GOOD FRIDAY WAS GOOD
I began to second guess myself as we headed into production week. The process had been wonderful. There'd been lots of growth artistically, relationally and spiritually; but perhaps our play was too bold, or modern for this conservative church. Would the audience be blessed and drawn to the Lord by our work, or would they be offended rather than be drawn into the story in a fresh new way. I've only been in Singapore 5 years and perhaps I don't know the audience well enough. To be on the safe side, we invited, no, URGED the senior pastor to attend one of our dress rehearsals. He was glad we did. He didn’t put a damper on our enthusiasm and said he would defend us if there were any complaints.

God is good! We followed his leading in our hearts, and there were NO complaints. None that I've heard of anyhow. Everyone seemed pleased and touched and excited by the story of Jesus through "Traveling Light." From before the show started they were hooked.

As the audience entered, the 4 piece band looked like buskers as they played jazz on the floor stage left. They’d even hung up a tin can and handwritten "God Bless You" cardboard sign.

The children and youth were ushered up to the front to sit on the ground on picnic-style blankets.

Preshow mingling with the audience. 

The actors all wandered the ailes and mingled with the audience and talked with them, in character, saying "I didn't know you were on this flight!" "Which town are you headed for next?" or other such nonsense.

When it was time to start, the actors sat among the audience and when the Power Point showed their name the corresponding passage from Mark, it was their turn to hop up and tell their story. Each actor came out from the crowd instead of from backstage.

Mid-way through the show, after the widow gave her little offering, we were invited to share ours. As the ushers came forward, and one of the actors (the Rich Man!) prayed, I heard one person say behind me, "Is this for real?" Her friend chuckled. "Yes. Better get out your money. I think it is!"

While the disciple Thomas told about the feeding of the 5,000 he got all the disciples to pass around 12 baskets full of bread and dried anchovies. No one was forced, but everyone enjoyed getting into the story. Everyone, including the audience got involved in the drama of this worship service!


Judas the traitor. 

Everyone except for Jesus. It's tough to present Jesus in any way, let alone in an amateur production. I'm averse to fake beards and wigs and flowing robes. They never look right, and are distracting. For the majority of this show, Jesus was simply a voice-over with a special lighting on a white scarf. Jameson Soh, an ASA actor who attends another church, agreed to help out with our show. He pre-taped all the voice overs and then on the night of the show, he wore the scarf and started out as one of the musicians, singing old standards about traveling with the band. The first character in the play started the show by getting the scarf from Jameson, and off we went, using the scarf as a reference to our Lord…until the end. Pilate had come out to tell how the body had been taken by Joseph of Arimathea, and he placed the scarf in the footlocker downstage. Thump went the lid of the trunk. Off went the lights. The band played Jesus' theme music as Jameson walked on stage, the lights came up slowly as he reached in the trunk for the scarf and began the last monologue,

"Early in the morning…on the third day…the women came to the tomb to anoint my body for burial…"

He motioned for the disciples to gather around him and he sat down on the trunk to finish the last part of Mark. He gave them the great commission:

"Go and make disciples...."

As he did, the band began the intro to our final song. Even the director got in on the dramatic worship. The band asked me to sing the final song, so I came up to sit among them all and sing "Come and Make My Heart Your Home." The cast joined in on the chorus. What a memory of sweet fellowship on stage!

A HAPPY ENDING
We finished the song and the show with a curtain call. The cast stood to fill the stage for the last note of our song which led into the sound of a train as it traveled off into the distance. Senior Pastor David Lim joined us on stage, took the microphone from me, and Jameson placed a mantle of the white scarf around his neck. The cast sat on the stage as the pastor gave a short and meaningful wrap up and invitation to the congregation/audience travel light with Jesus too.

Joen Wai, who helped with the script and played the role of Peter, has made a website for Traveling Light! Check it out!

The 5 STARS

Joni, Serena, Charlotte, Melissa & SuPing 

Since January 2004, I've met with a group of 5 professional dramatists; young women and Christians, who are meeting weekly and are growing in their faith. We've read thru THE HEART OF THE ARTIST, and THE PURPOSE DRIVEN LIFE. We'll be on to SCREWTAPE LETTERS, JOURNEY OF DESIRE, THE JESUS I NEVER KNEW, SACRED PATHWAYS and THE CREATIVE CALL next (so you know where my heart is by the books I have them read!). These gals aren't readers normally, unless you count trashy fiction novels :-) but this year they are reading, coming on Tuesday mornings, sharing and praying together. They are finding true fellowship and growing trust with each other that is very sweet. I just love to listen to them interact and challenge each other. I've been going one-on-one thru the Steps to Freedom in Christ by Neil Anderson (Freedom in Christ Ministries) I'd be happy to do with any staff, since I'm an outsider and "safe" for secrets to come out of the closet with - but it takes about 5 hours or more!


Lifelines with the 5STARS, May 2004 

Equipping for Drama in the Church

"Beyond Bathrobes & Sandals" participants 

Most of my "expertise" is in the area of integrating drama into worship. Writing & directing sketches for worship. I've a free downloadable database of the sketches I've read over the years and thought were good...ancient website and in desperate need of a webmaster, but here's the website:

Drama for the Church

I have an IMMENSE library of these kinds of resources since the publishers all wanted to be included in the database(back in the '90's). By immense, I mean, I have more than a thousand sketches from dozens of publishers. I also have some excellent full length plays with a Christian worldview you may not have heard about.

From intercollegiate forensic competition days, I know Readers' Theatre quite well.

A few other local Christians in theatre have had a great time with me teaching how to take drama in the church "Beyond Bathrobes and Sandals".

Helping Others Find Their Purpose

Joni's timeline... 

James, my husband, primarily works as mentor and executive coach for pastors in Singapore. I have been a College Admissions Counselor and Outplacement/Retrenchment Counselor (since work in Theatre often doesn't pay the bills). This means I've learned quite a bit about how to help people discover and refine their unique purpose in life. God intends for all of us to live out who he's made us to be, but often we don't know how to do that.

We serve through CRM (Church Resource Ministries) who's byline is "Empowering Leaders Worldwide."

I'm eager to continue discovering how to creatively teach these concepts with artists.

My Theatre CV in Singapore

Rainbow Fish in the Straits Times 

THEATRE WORK IN SINGAPORE
Since moving on to Asia with my family in 1997, I've done a lot of learning. Mostly in independent theatre studies and Chinese language! In 2001 I started doing some work in professional & children's theatre (my previous work in Disney's character department helps!).


Mickey's 75 years old this year! 

The work I've been doing here includes staged shows as well as school tours, writing, directing, commercial singing, acting, prop making, costume construction...well, you know how it goes. I've done work with itheatre on their Sincerely Anne Frank play for the Asia Children's Festival, a fun little show called The Rainbow Fish and Little Violet and the Angel.


QUEST FOR THE PAPER GIFTS: I can make ANYTHING from newspaper and masking tape. 

Sharing the Good News Through Theatre

I am VERY interested in dialogue and brainstorming with young Christian dramatists about what the future can hold in the area of communicating the Gospel, and Biblical truths through drama. Generate new ideas, learn from each other across cultures...I've recently joined the brainy and intriguing group of "International Council of Ethnodoxicologists." There are not many theatre people among them YET!

Whenever we see a Karaoke Lounge, James and I check to see if they have ENDLESS LOVE...we're shameless. 

Playback Birthday Party for Paul

I'm having a surprise party Sunday night for Paul - the manager of drama and events at the church where he produced Missing Bodies, Rainbow Fish, etc. After Jim and the kids of course, I love Paul the most here - he's got a real pastor's heart and because of our similar temperaments and talents he has ministered to me a great deal and been a very good friend. I don't know if 20 or 70 will show up at the Botanic Gardens stage for a bring your own picnic Sunday night! I've arranged for a playback theatre group to come, and a few of us have been getting the word out to everyone who knows him. The friends and family will tell stories about Paul and the group will re-enact them. Most everyone there will be Christian, but some will not be. I'm praying that it not only bless Paul, but that it be a wonderful testimony to the non-Christians there - a witness of the blessing and fullness of a life devoted to Jesus.

Getting PAID Validates a Person's Work

emailed to Christian Dedrick

You want to know the really neat thing for me about being a missionary? My "work" here in Singapore, while still in performing arts like i did at RHCC, is more in the world, ie. professionally. A place where I make friends with people who don't yet know Jesus, or are Christian artists who've never felt like they "fit" in church. It is VERY VERY cool. And, being as it's professional, I also get PAID to sing, act, write and direct...not much, mind you, but still it is a very nice thing to get some cash for what you do! I got to do some more studio work singing again this week!


What an ego! I made an album for my family of the songs I'd recorded this year. 2003 

After all the years of kind of feeling like the eccentric little pastors' wife who (pat her head) had a nice artsy hobby that the church could make room for as long as it wasn't too weird or contorversial. (OKAYYYY. I have to stop myself here and admit that's really kind of unfair to say- I had many great opportunities while at Rolling Hills Covenant Church). Still, all those years as a young adult -not to mention a Woman in a conservative male dominated church, I was trying to find where my place was in the world, and how to give my heart and life completely to Jesus...

Jim was the one who brought the pay check home. Like it or not, $ is a tangible symbol of value, and he's still the one who's name the CRM paycheck still is written out to (CRM is the organization we serve with). Getting paid here for art has been such a gift from God to me - a validation from Him after all these years of feeling like I was just a little bonus to the important (valid) stuff that Jim does.

God loves the way he made ME! I'm not an "Oops!...Uh oh, that one turned out weird."

NOPE, I'm made just the way he intended!

You are too!

New Years Resolution: "The 5 Stars" begin meeting weekly

These "FIVE STARS" are young Christian Singaporean women who are also professional dramatists. I've acted with or directed all of them in the last year. They agreed to meet me last Friday at the (symbolically chosen) Four Seasons Hotel to brainstorm their new years resolutions. Turns out these gals want to meet regularly - weekly - starting today! And they are ready to put it in their freelancer calendar as WORK (the work of nurturing their souls), even when they need to make up financially from a slow year last year because of SARS shutting school classes and shows down for so long.

They are saying now, "I'm going to tell others that I have this time committed to something else. Even if it means giving up work." (I smile, dubious that they'll follow through on that when cash is involved, but I'm proud of them for at least the idea...)

The sweet thing was listening to them pray for each other together this morning (we met by the garden pool of another 5-star hotel, The Goodwood Park). They are so full of anticipation and relief to find a circle of artistic women who have no ulterior motives in meeting them but growing: closer to each other and the Lord and growing in their skills as artists.

Until this group, never really felt like they "fit" into fellowship anywhere. A sweet start to the new year. I get to pick the 5 star locations we meet, AND what we'll discuss or study. Next week: the lobby of the Shangri-la. My SARS-season temporary hobby of checking out the best deals on Singapore's Five star hotels continues to reap benefits into 2004!

Sincerely, Anne Frank

Asia Children's Drama Fiesta

Joni Tham as Anne in SINCERELY ANNE FRANK 

An adaptation as a one woman show with Power Point images. It was a public school tour 2003 that was again re-worked for production in the theatre at the Alliance Francaise for the Asian Children's Festival in November. The program directors notes have my bio from the program too - and a list of genocidal statistics in Asia since 1945. In the end of the show, as Miep, the secretary who found the diary, I asked the audience to stand with me at the end and read the genocidal statistics of the 20th century. Many audience members filled out a Pledge Against Genocide provided by Genocide Watch International.
See more pictures on the ACDF website

Artists Trip to Cambodia

Cambodia in all it's poverty, chaos and dirt was super.

We had a driver and a clean place to eat and bathe and sleep everynight, and teenaged Khmer translator for some of the time. And we felt safe. Which is more than we were thinking we'd have. We just had to be more flexible with not being able to communicate (the place we stayed or the driver weren't English speakers and there was no
phone).

Our team got along marvelously and moved graciously through the week a ittle in the dark and confused about some things, but sweet and gracious and honest with each other. It forced us to trust the Lord's leading, and learn to lay down our rights. It was great to be on a team of mature and Godly confident people...even if we all were artists, there were no prima-donnas!


Teaching drama at a chicken farm. 

The children were absolutely dear. So wonderful. And our theme of the "truths about your Father God" was fun to see take shape in their lives through the drama, dance and art activities. They all loved us!

Mirror Exercise 

Diamond Ensemble exercise 

CCAM is a creative arts School/orphanage in Phnom Phen. I'm eager to go back again, or try it out in another country!