A growing number of Christian-theater companies have opened across the U.S. and are finding acceptance in secular regional theater circles.
The magazine Books & Culture (March/April) reports that “Across North America in select urban markets, there are new Christian drama companies, often founded by theater artists in their 20s and 30s who feel duty-bound to supply an alternative for Christian’s entertainment dollars.” Some of these theater companies make evangelism their central mission such as Art Within, a group that operates in the center of Atlanta’s art community.
Other companies do not make their Christian identity explicit and may only ambiguously insert a Christian perspective through story-telling, such as the pioneer Lamb’s Players Theater in New York. The productions often generate debate and heated discussion and at company’s such as Art Within, there are talkback sessions that allow audience members to interact with the participants in the play. Art Within and Vancouver, BC’s Pacific Theater have shown growing attendance when many secular venues are declining as well as finding greater acceptance in the arts and media community; Pacific is the third largest resident company in Vancouver.
(Books & Culture, 465 Gundersen, Carol Stream, IL 50188)