A Few Thoughts on
The Ministry of Drama
By
Jim Pappas
In 1971 I was a non-Mormon
Christian attending graduate school at Brigham Young University. I was
there seeking means to extend my abilities in the areas of play
writing, acting and directing, with an eye to either teaching in a
Christian College or perhaps getting involved in Christian drama.The
Mormons are noted for their involvement in the fine arts and I was
there to study drama under some of their best directors.
As I attended classes I would wander through the various theaters and
watch as the designer's sketches made their way to the wood shop and
from there to the actual construction of sets. I visited the costume
shop and saw skilled seamstresses fashioning period costumes that were
as exacting and realistic as research and diligence could make them. I
watched rehearsals that would continue long after I had headed home for
bed. Come opening night there would be university and city news people
to document the glory. Everyone waited eagerly to see if some new
playwright, actor, or director would make a big enough impact to be
noticed by someone important.
There were the practiced sword fights, with each thrust and parry
planned out weeks ahead: the arguments: the tears real or onion induced
etc. The play would run its course and within minutes of closing
curtain there would be the sound of hammers as the set was being struck
in preparation for the next extravaganza.
As I watched it all I questioned with myself, "Is this God's way?" "Was
He pleased with so many thousands of man hours and as many dollars
spent for such a brief burst of glory?"
Today I ask the same questions about the cinema - the most powerful
medium of communication ever devised by man. But to what purpose?
In my course of study I came to some conclusions about the dramatic
method which I will attempt to distill in these few words.
1. It is powerful! You feel as if eavesdropping on the private thoughts
and actions of others from the platform of Omnipresence. Your feelings
are aroused to a high pitch and you feel as if you had been a
participant in another life. Indeed, the memories you carry away can be
more real than your own experiences.
2. It is popular! And, if your talent and dedication blossom in front
of the right people you can become popular too.
3. But, The cost is high in terms of time, money, energy and ruined
lives.
4. The effects correspond to motivation. A brief perusal of "People
Magazine" will show that in general the stage/cinema is a corrupting
agency on both sides of the footlights. Most performers &
producers are there for the power and the glory and ill-gotten power
destroys.
In my Master's thesis I questioned with myself as to whether the good effects of powerful communication could be maintained without the harmful side effects as seen in nearly all drama. My conclusions were as follows:
1. The essence of good drama is the story. Do Christians have a good story to tell? If so then they can offer the best drama ever.
2. Just because it moves doesn't make it interesting. Ever been to a
boring movie or play?
3. Just because it doesn't move doesn't make it boring. Ever been
stirred to your depths by a preacher or storyteller?
I early decided that sets, props, actors, cameras, lights, action, etc.
were only aids to drama. They were not drama themselves and could not
create it where there was none. I also decided that drama could live
and breathe in a listener's soul sparked merely by the skill of the
good storyteller. Jesus did not hold thousands of people captive
against their hunger pangs by reciting pages from rabbinical writings.
He told stories! In prayer He received insights into the kingdom of God
that He delivered to the people in the form of stories. Exciting
stories about Abraham, Isaac, Moses, Joseph, etc. And lives were
changed! The entire world was changed!
And why? Because Jesus' stories taught truth. God is truth and when we
imbibe truth we absorb energy from the life that walks the starry
corridors of eternity. When we teach truth we give out sips from the
cup that never runs dry.
My final thoughts on drama are these:
1. If you are interested in using some form of drama be very sure as to your motivations. If you are in it for your own glory it will prove to be at best a waste of time or, at worst a curse upon your life.
2. However, if you love God with all your heart and if you have the
burden and talent to use the dramatic method for God's glory you may
proceed with the assurance that He will instruct you and teach you in
the way that you should go.
3. Simplicity allows God to assume a more active roll. Early on, I settled upon "Reader's Theater" as the most portable and powerful dramatic tool I could use. There were no sets, no props, often no lights or even sound system. Yet my group and I could walk into a church or school and touch hearts to their core with messages born of heaven. And why? Because the story was a vehicle that taught truth about God.
4. Drama, from the single storyteller to the multi-million dollar movie can do good only as it teaches a truth that moves the audience closer to God. To that end I have devoted my writing and directing talents. If you are blessed with talents in these areas I invite you to join me in praising God through the arts.
Sincerely, Jim Pappas
P.S. Although I was treated very well by my Mormon professors & fellow students I found their Biblical base rather unconvincing. Therefore I remain a Christian still.
How may I serve you? Email
me at jim@orionsgate.org
How To Finance Your Drama Ministry - A brief look into the hows and whys of raising funds for your drama ministry.
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Questions? Email Jim at jim@orionsgate.org
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