Christians in the theatre

[musicalsinger20]

Posted: 1/30/05 at 12:11am

How do you all feel about being Christian in the theatre world? I really want to be an actress and I want to be able to show the world through my actions that I am Christian. Is it harder to make time for volunteer work when you are not performing? Updated On: 1/30/05 at 12:11 AM

[chinkie azn jai]

Posted: 1/30/05 at 12:13am

I never knew being a christian in the theatre was so taboo.

[BlueWizard]

Posted: 1/30/05 at 12:24am

I'm sure there are plenty of Christians in the theatre. What do you mean you want to show the world through your actions that you are Christian? If it means you'll be generous, kind and accepting of other people's differences, then I'm sure you'll be welcome in the theatre.

[CatieElphie1]

Posted: 1/30/05 at 12:31am

I'm christian, too...I'm not exactly sure what you mean ...do you mean that you don't want to do shows with questionable content, or, like spread your faith through the work you do???
I'm kinda confused...I've been doing theatre since I was really little and being christian has never interferred with it at all.

[Derech2]

Posted: 1/30/05 at 12:37am

I'm a Christian too. I didn't exactly think that theater was a controversial issue among Christians ... maybe you're referring to the content of some shows? Or are you concerned that being involved in theater is unbiblical? If you'd like to PM me I can give you some passages for reading that could be helpful.

In my opinion, theater is as great of an opportunity as any to be a light. You're working with people around you constantly, you have a chance to bless them, bless the audience, and glorify God through hard work.

[musicalsinger20]

Posted: 1/30/05 at 12:41am

I have thought of theatre as unselfish and blessing people. Performing in theatre and being Christian I think are ok I am wondering what you all think about performing in Theatre and doing Community service and participating in churches outside of it. I would be interested in hearing some passages on that from the Bible.

[Derech2]

Posted: 1/30/05 at 12:46am

>I am wondering what you all think about performing in Theatre and doing Community service and participating in churches outside of it<

Sorry, I'm not quite sure what you mean there ...

[sweetiedarlinmia]

Posted: 1/30/05 at 1:00am

That is such an odd question. You make it seem as though you can't be in theatre or like theatre if you are Christian. There are no stipulations on religion when it comes to theatre. Being Christian and liking theatre are just parts of a person. Sometimes they intersect, sometimes they dont.

You might want to rephrase what you're trying to say.

[musicalsinger20]

Posted: 1/30/05 at 1:06am

Thank you so much. I kind of figured that but It was nice to hear another person who agrees. I am sure if I wanted to do volunteer work then I could make time for that. I mainly wanted to know how I could hold onto my beliefs when I am not acting. I do believe that sharing my talents is important and a way to serve GOD.

[Derech2]

Posted: 1/30/05 at 1:08am

sheneb, that's horrible. I really wish I could talk to that woman to convince her otherwise. It's maddening when parents put their children through something because of their lack of understanding or because of close-mindedness.

I've done and said things onstage that otherwise in real life I would not do, things I view as wrong. musicalsinger, in any show you are generally going to have characters who sin. If you play a character who steals a cookie from the cookie jar (or steals a coke from a grocery store), do you feel you have actually sinned? Extrapolating from there, I'm assuming this is more what you have an issue with -- if you play a character who swears or uses the Lord's name in vain, have you sinned? In my opinion, if your being consistent, you should answer either both "yes" or both "no" to the above questions.

Updated On: 1/30/05 at 01:08 AM

[Derech2]

Posted: 1/30/05 at 1:24am

Believe me it's much more satisfying if you rip her to pieces through rhetoric and smash all her pathetic ideas and show her how incredibly wrong she is LOL

[jrb_actor]

Posted: 1/30/05 at 1:25am

There are many people working professionally and doing theatre as a hobby who are religious. The important thing to realize is that you will be working with people who are not only Christian, but Jewish, Buddhist, New Age and other religions or even the lack of religion. The theatre is one place in society where people are open about things--being gay is one. The theatre is not the place for arguments about beliefs. You come to work to do a job. You have to be willing to be a team player and to leave any differences at the stage door.

If subject matter is a concern, then you should only take those roles that you feel comfortable playing.

[BlueWizard]

Posted: 1/30/05 at 1:53am

I am sure if I wanted to do volunteer work then I could make time for that.

Of course you can. In fact, many (and I would even say most) performers working in the theatre do lots of charitable work, whether through performing at fundraising events, volunteering at non-profit organizations, or just doing community work outside their performing gigs. Of all entertainment industries, I find that the theatre community is the most giving and devote a huge amount of time and energy to charitable causes.

[MaTakeALookAtMe]

Posted: 1/30/05 at 2:11am

NOOOOO!!!! THEATER IS ONLY FOR THE UNGODLY!!!!

[Musetta1957]

Posted: 1/30/05 at 2:57am

musicalsinger20, have you seen how many graduates of BYU's Music-Theatre-Dance program have gone onto Broadway or Broadway tours? (Go here if you don't believe me: http://cfac.byu.edu/music/Academic_Programs/mdt/alumni.htm )

Don't worry about it. :)

[iluvtheatertrash]

Posted: 1/30/05 at 11:09am

Um. Well, I don't know about you, but as a Christian in the theater, I really hate having Jewish people in the theater. God. I mean, "Fiddler on the Roof", come on?

*rolls eyes* Who said Christians can't be in theater? Who said Muslims can't be in theater?

The more I post on here, the more I lose my patience for stupid questions.

(And yes, the bit about Jewish performers was sarcasm.)

[MTRBOI24]

Posted: 1/30/05 at 11:16am

Um Kristin Chenoweth. She is very into her religion. Just give back to your religion when you are a performer. Shes a big Broadway star and she still has time for church.

[FindingNamo]

Posted: 1/30/05 at 12:39pm

If you think that associating with or playing the role of any "type" of person is against your religion, and your religion is Christianity, then you obviously COMPLETELY missed the message that Jesus both lived and modelled. He was roundly criticized as a rabbi for hanging out with sinners before they were absolved of their sins. For actually going into their houses. The only people he actually had harsh words for were those who considered themselves to be better than the sinners.

So, if in any way you let it be known that a person or a person's behavior is "against your religion," then you are failing to behave in a way that in any way resembles the way that Jesus urged people to behave. You're blowing it big time. If even a shred of superiority comes through in your words, actions or behaviors, then you are failing to behave as Jesus would. If you combine this with a tendency to talk about what a Christian you are and to trumpet your good Christian works in a way that even remotely looks as if you want credit for it, then you are totally going against Jesus's teachings.

If you look through this post and see things that remind you of how Ms. Chenoweth behaves, then you might get an inkling of why she rubs so many of us the wrong way.

[Chrysanthemum62001]

Posted: 1/30/05 at 2:42pm

Michael Cavanaugh is a Christian, and look at him. What a doll.

[broadway geek]

Posted: 1/30/05 at 3:20pm

I don't think performing would interfere with doing charity, etc. In fact I think it would be easier than 9-5 jobs, except maybe having to work on the Sabbath.

On a similar note Derech brought up, I know that I would feel uncomfortable using the Lord's name in vain, if it was in the script. I think the Bible is very clear on that issue. I don't think that means that you can't play certain characters, because that's your profession's description.

[Sumofallthings]

Posted: 1/30/05 at 3:21pm

Christian Baskous Actor
Christian Borle Actor
Christian Camargo Actor
Christian Campbell Actor
Angela Christian Actor
John Christian Actor
Karl Christian Actor
Robert Christian Actor
Christian Hoff Actor
Christian Kauffmann Actor
Christian Klein Artistic/Production Staff
Christian Monte Actor
Christian Nova Actor
Christian Slater Actor
Christian Smith Artistic/Production Staff

Updated On: 1/30/05 at 03:21 PM

[Joshua488]

Posted: 1/30/05 at 3:28pm

I think it can be awkward at times. When I was doing FAHRENHEIT 451, I had to curse like a sailor. There was another actor whose character had to use mild language, like "hell" and "damn", but he was so Christian that he asked the director if he could modify those words. The director told him no, but during rehearsals, he just couldn't bring himself to say them, so the director let him replace them with other words. He was also supposed to say, "Oh, my God!" but he changed it to "Oh, my gosh!" It was pretty ridiculous, but, hey, what are you going to do? I kept my character's foul language in and I cursed my face off... it was fun!

[Hank]

Posted: 1/30/05 at 3:46pm

Sumofallthings, you beat me to it. There are also lots of Cristophers, Cristines, and Cristas, and a Cristina coming soon.

Musicalsinger20, maybe you were thinking, as in The Producers "Half the audience were Jews", well most of the rest were Cristians. Now if you were to ask your question concerning Moslems in musicals, that would be another thing. I could see it now, "Bourqas on Broadway".

[FindingNamo]

Posted: 1/30/05 at 10:23pm

I'm not just saying this to be a wiseass, but it's really worth researching the etymology of the word "cretin." Seriously.