When I started writing this series of columns on the mystery of beauty, I had no plan to include columns on the Fellowship for Performing Arts (FPA). The FPA was not present in my planning, but once I thought of it, I knew I had to include two columns about it. FPA is an excellent example of almost everything I have been promoting in this series of columns.
What has amazed me and continues to amaze me is how successful FPA has been in fulfilling its mission of presenting theater that incarnates a Christian point of view. The apostolate of FPA is a wonderfully successful example of what I have been trying to do with this series of columns. Put briefly, FPA is trying to present first-rate theater that deals with Christian themes, and they are achieving incredible results.
For several years, probably about 20, I was involved in an apostolate similar to what FPA is doing. I tried to present film festivals with the hope of choosing ones that either directly or indirectly helped people grow in their faith while living in a very secular society. I think some of the presentations I made about the film are still occasionally appearing on NetTV and the television network of the Diocese of Rockville Centre. For me, the film festivals were a labor of love. I remember vividly the first evening of the first festival back in the late 1960s.
The film I chose to start the festival was Ingmar Bergman’s “The Seventh Seal,” to be screened in the auditorium at the Immaculate Conception College Seminary in Douglaston. The auditorium had about 400 seats but about 800 people arrived to see the film. We had to get extra chairs to try to accommodate the crowd and delay the start of the film by an hour. Even then, we could not accommodate the crowd. I had to show the film again at midnight and a third time at noon on the following day.
The only FPA production that I have not seen is its latest production, “Further Up & Further In,” but as soon as it appears in Manhattan, I plan to attend the performance and bring a group of friends with me. The following are a sampling of comments made by those who have seen a production of “Further Up & Further In”:
“It awakens the soul to an inescapable desire for relationship with our Creator.”
“Inspired, encouraged, and spiritually challenged to journey further up and further in!”
“Powerful, beautifully presented, amazing heart impact.”
“I was edified and engaged, as well as reminded of why I have found Lewis such a persuasive apologist.”
“Our faith was bolstered by attending the performance.”
I am amazed and delighted with FPA’s success. Over 600,00 thousand people have seen the production of “The Screwtape Letters” alone.
I am especially happy about their success with college students. I am also interested in its entrance into filmmaking. In the Summer 2023 Issue of the FPA newsletter, Artistic Director Max McLean wrote the following:
“William Shakespeare famously said through Hamlet: ‘The play’s the thing wherein I’ll catch the conscience of the king.’
At Fellowship of Performing Arts, we believe that over the years our plays have captured the consciences and moral imagination of thousands. And with the creation of our film division, we are convinced that intelligent and imaginatively produced films from a clearly Christian worldview can capture the hearts and minds of many thousands more.
Our first film, ‘The Most Reluctant Convert,’ had more people see our work on screen in one night than in our best full year of theatrical production on tour. Not only that, but with digital streaming, it has
been seen by thousands more in 132 countries. Such is the power of film. As a result of our first film, FPA made a commitment to filmmaking as part of our mission. We commissioned two new storylines to produce two new C.S. Lewis-focused films to cover the time from his conversion in 1931 to his death in 1963…
Our objective is to produce films that engage and entertain while being true to the life and legacy of a man who has meant so much to so many. To do that well, we need more time. FPA’s vision is to be a leader in the creation of thoughtful, provocative films from a Christian worldview in a way similar to what we do in theater. And we know that begins with a great script.”
Knowing the amazing success that FPA has had so far in its existence, I am very confident that it will continue to be successful in creating great cinema.
Father Lauder is a philosophy professor at St. John’s University, Jamaica. His new book, “The Cosmic Love Story: God and Us,” is available on Amazon.com and at Barnes & Noble.
