The Parallels of Ensemble Theatre and Worship
Photo by Vitalii Onyshchuk on Unsplash
I love theater; watching it, building it, teaching it, supporting it, being in it, directing it, producing it, and imagining possibilities through it. Whether it's on the big screen, a TV screen, a stage, someone’s backyard, a school gymnasium, or a child’s playroom, the creative energy of theater has always given me joy. My mother used to say that I was born for the theater. She told stories of me dancing in the womb and directing my first fashion show before the age of eight. Yes, theater is in my blood. It is the air I breathe, residing in the depths of my spirit, shaping my worldview and all that I do. While I have known this for as long as I can remember, it wasn’t until I sat in a church at the rehearsal for my wedding that I began to realize it was my frame for ministry as well.
I was sitting in the pews as the pastors discussed their roles, and family members kept making suggestions for who should do what, or sit where, or enter when. The members of my Young Adult Bible study quickly silenced any rumblings that deviated from the plan. I had used my years of theatrical experience to organize all the players: family, musicians, bridesmaids, ushers, groomsmen, etc. All participants, young, old, and in between, knew their roles. The timing of every step, the weaving of music and words, the colors and other visual elements, were all crafted together to reflect the way my and my spouse’s family were uniting through us. One particular member of the Bible Study group was assigned the role of wedding coordinator at the church, and she was keeping everything in order.
One of the pastors came to me and said, “Priscilla, this is a worship service, you can’t treat it like a theatre production.” As my wedding coordinator swept in, redirecting said pastor back to the pre-planned agenda, I thought to myself: “Why not?”
Years later, I was standing in almost the same spot, in the same sanctuary, when I had an epiphany moment that eventually sent me to seminary. It followed another worship service that blurred the line between sacred and theatre. It was another embodiment of a truth that I somehow always knew in my spirit; that the line between theatrical production and reverent worship is as thin as the veil between heaven and earth, a veil that was torn when Christ died, or perhaps long before. After all, Jesus was a storyteller who followed the models of the prophetic storytellers, who were inspired and guided by the source of all stories, our heavenly Creator.
What could happen if we did life together in church with that same commitment to relationship, partnership and mutual care?
In the beginning, whether we read Genesis or John, relationship and partnership are central to creation. Throughout the Hebrew Scriptures, God is shaping the people to be a community. Various roles are honored and valued. Those who partner for the common good flourish. As I studied in seminary, I found more and more similarities to my life in theatre. Theatre cannot be done in isolation. Even John Leguizamo, who writes, produces, performs and directs his One Man shows, still needs an audience and house manager to make the performance complete. The prima ballerina needs the musicians. The improv artist needs the energy of the audience to build with. Even the wildly imaginative child needs a partner in their play.
This is a lesson for us in life and ministry. God made us for community: the first humans as helpmates, Noah and his family, the 12 tribes of Israel, Elijah and Elisha, Hannah and Eli, Mary and Elizabeth, Lydia and Paul, you and your faith community. Scripture tells the stories and theatre embodies them.
My most impactful theatrical experiences have emerged from the sincere relationship and partnership of all its players. The depth of relationship that is formed when participating in an ensemble production in a theater is hard to describe. But recently I saw it lived out and embodied by Cynthia Erivo as she moved faster than any body guards or security team member to protect Ariana Grande when a “super fan” charged at her on the runway in Singapore. The fierce loyalty and protection is born out of the relationship the 2 women formed in working together on Wicked and Wicked: For Good.
What could happen if we did life together in church with that same commitment to relationship, partnership and mutual care?
It’s Sunday morning and the pastor arrives entering the sanctuary to prepare for worship. Sanctuary lights on, bulletins in place, and the lingering scent of Fabulosa serve to remind them of the others who partner with them on this day. Some who are already in the building, others whose work was done behind the scenes. Liturgists (writers), visual arts team (set designers), office support (house management staff), and the worship planning team (director/producers) have prepared for this day.
“Good morning, Pastor” comes the voice from the organ loft (orchestra pit), followed by the rousing chords of the musician as they warm up with the choir. The usher unlocks the doors and places the signboard outside to invite the community to join. There's no tickets needed, yet everyone gets a “program”. The worship leaders (performers) review their roles (lines) as the media team (tech crew) sets up cameras for the Livestream and tests the sound.
The Pastor is not the star of this show; neither is the choir or congregation. They are all there to make sure the star is seen and known. Sometimes as pastor, I find myself serving as conductor or director. Other times I might be the dramaturg who helps the youth find their words in worship. Still other times, I am a creative partner shaping an experience for those with whom we worship. Most often, I am an understudy for the Holy Spirit, reciting lines that are not my own, in the style of the true star of the show: Jesus.
Yes, as cheesy as it sounds, all the world is a stage and we are merely players. Loving God in partnership with each other is a theatrical masterpiece that needs each of us to bring our full and authentic selves to reveal the glory of God beyond the Broadway light.