I regularly look for cultural events that might be a positive source for personal growth, my own and the growth of others. Frequently I write about those events in this column. Max McLean is an exceptionally talented actor. Back in the 1990’s McLean’s apostolate was to dramatically present Mark’s Gospel. Someone suggested that he expand his apostolate by starting a theatre group whose purpose was to present theatrical productions featuring a Christian theme.
That is how the “theatrical miracle”, Foundation of Performing Arts, (FPA) came into existence. In the Foundation’s fall newsletter McLean recalls a very unfortunate situation in the nineteen nineties. There was little interest in the arts in the evangelical Christian community and at the same time the elites in this country who produced most of the art looked upon Christian cultural expression with disdain, mocking it as irrelevant and sentimental and criticizing its poor production values. Could FPA ever be more than a pleasant dream doomed to failure?
I have to believe that the Holy Spirit was involved in the birth and success of FPA. That’s the only way I can conceive of its birth and success. McLean writes the following about the birth of FPA:
“My vision was to find a way to breakthrough. It involved three criteria:
First, to carefully select work that was thoroughly Christian, smart, engaging, entertaining, had conflict, didn’t shy away from tough questions and could communicate the Christian worldview to a religiously diverse audience. This led to presentations from the Bible and later to the writings of C.S. Lewis.
Second, we would attempt to execute our work at the highest levels of excellence our budgets allowed, so it could be produced in mainstream cultural venues where it would be seen by believers and unbelievers alike. This meant we had to set the quality bar as high as possible and hire the best talent to tell our stories.
Third, I would seek out those who shared this vision and ask them to help support it.”
That is how FPA came into existence. McLean is an exceptionally actor and knowing the success FPA has achieved, he must be an very gifted organizer. Before it came into existence if someone told me about plans to start FPA, I am embarrassed to admit I would have told them to forget about the project. My view would have been that something like FPA would be doomed in our very secular society.
I have seen all their productions and I do believe that McLean and others, who have contributed in various ways to the mission of FPA have accomplished and continue to accomplish this very needed service, presenting theatre that deals with Christian themes and making the presentations first class theatre.
I have been attending theatre with some regularity since the days when I was a college student. I can recall wishing to experience theatre that was first rate and that dealt with what I believe Christianity tells us about the mystery of God and the mystery of ourselves. FPA has accomplished that in just about every production it has presented.
Apparently the most popular production is based on C.S. Lewis’ “The Screwtape Letters” which dramatizes Satan instructing an inexperienced demon. I saw McLean play Screwtape probably more than twenty years ago. Max was magnificent. Since that production other actors have played the role. “Screwtape Letters” is excellent but my favorite of all the productions is “Satan on Trial.”
What especially interests me about FPA is its marvelous success with college audiences. The production company has made presentations around the country. They have been exceptionally successful. When tickets went on sale for a production at Brown University a woman inquired about group sales for college students at her church. McLean writes the following about volunteers who have helped FPA:
“Across the country, fans of FPA are supporting our campus efforts. Some help by making donations to fund our $5 student tickets. For our upcoming return to Brown, we created a special marketing piece specifically for a former graduate to help spread the word. Others get the ball rolling by introducing University Coordinator Erin Reed to contact their alma maters or nearby
schools who can help us get permission to come to a campus and perform.
‘Since we started asking friends of EPA for assistance in reaching out to colleges, we’ve received more than 30 new campus contracts, Erin Has reported. It’s a multi-step process to bring an FPA show to a college or university. But it always begins with a connection. And it just takes one person to make that happen — a person just like you!
Want to learn more? Email Erin at ereed@FPA theatre. com.
Tomorrow I am going to investigate if FPA can be invited to St. John’s University.
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.
