Perspectives: Emma
It's time to introduce another fellow student! Ladies and gentlemen, meet my friend and roommate, Emma Bishop! Emma was actually began as a student last year, but unfortunately had to leave a few months in for health reasons. But that means that this year we all get to experience the Conservatory alongside of her, listen to her lovely and floating collortora voice, and watch her well-thought through monologues and scene-work. Plus, we've had some sweet memories together as roommates: laughter, silliness, and encouragement when things seem overwhelming.
Emma has a great perspective to share with you about theater performance as service and ministry. I added a few pictures along the way so captions are from me. So please enjoy seeing the Conservatory through her eyes!
Hello readers! I’m so happy to get the opportunity to write a post for Kinsey's blog!
I’m a small town girl from Maine who moved down to Pennsylvania to follow my dream and calling in the performing arts. At home I did local community theatre and church musical productions. I loved stories as a kid and tended to lean towards the over dramatic side, so I don’t think it was a surprise for my parents when I firmly decided that theatre was for me. I’m so blessed to have them supporting me through my training at the Conservatory!
Jesus Christ, the ultimate servant.
Jesus Christ, the ultimate Savior, the Son of God, the Almighty Creator. The precious Lamb. Our Beloved. The Prince of Peace. The sacrificial Lamb. One who was obedient even to death on the cross. One who lowered Himself to the position of men after dwelling in heaven. One who washed the feet of His disciples and took the lowly position of a servant. Jesus Christ. The ultimate Servant.
Sight & Sound has an incredible mission and is a beautiful place full of people who love God! We pray and we praise His name each day in cast meeting. We humbly invite God into our day and ask Him to move in us, through the show, and in the hearts of our audience. These people have a heart for God and it is such a treasure. They have, and continue to, inspire and impact my life daily.
The ladies from our dressing room! (Back row, left to right) Abby, Emma, Bethany, Brittany, Allegra. (Front row) Ellie, Mina, and Amber Renae in front!
An area in which I have felt inspired by the cast and staff at Sight & Sound is to serve selflessly and in abundance even when I feel I have nothing to give. God has been drawing me into deeper waters with this and opening my eyes to what a life of service looks like as a Christian.
For me, theatre most definitely hasn’t always been about giving. Often times it was about taking; about adoring myself. It was how I felt loved and where I found my identity. However, when I was fifteen God shifted my view and saved my life in more ways than one. I sat in the audience of the exact theater in which I now daily preform and watched the story of Joseph unfold on that stage. I felt the praise in the performers' words; the genuine, raw truth of their service to God. Years later here I am on this same stage, singing and worshiping and bringing glory to His Name!
Emma performing a song in our Singing For The Stage class.
But it’s a lot harder than it looks folks. I’ve realized it’s not about the sort of praise I thought it was. It is the life of a Christ-loving actor going on that stage, doing what they love! And I believe it is a joy and privilege to be here and perform. Yet, on the bad days when you’ve argued with a friend or just woke up on the wrong side of the bed, you still go out. You sacrifice how you feel to tell a story.
But it's not just ANY STORY. It's THE story. The Gospel: a story of redemption and forgiveness. That is living a sacrificial life of love and service (Romans 12:1). I’ve found that, here, God has taught me this truth. He has done it through people at the theatre and through the things I have had to walk through in faith while being here.
We are furthering a story to bring others to Christ. It’s not about us. It’s about Him.
JT, Abby, Emma, and Wes hanging out during the weekend!
Service starts behind the scenes. It is not about self-glorification. Sometimes it’s about silence. Sometimes blessing someone else's life off stage is all about that person and God asks you to remain anonymous. It isn’t about a big stage or a fancy location. It’s about hearts with humble attitudes and giving spirits.
Being here at this big theatre and small school, I can quickly become consumed with the crazy schedule. We pray every day before cast meeting and I have both biblical classes and performing arts classes. And yet I can shrug off tugs on my heart to serve. It’s easy to walk on that stage and just have to pull yourself through the show. It’s easy to forget the mission. It’s easy to excuse business for laziness and lackluster zeal for service and Christ.
I've been inspired to serve through perforamcne not only at Sight & Sound, but also through a local theatre organization called Servant Stage Company. Here is their mission statement:
“We will serve our Audiences by providing outstanding theatrical and musical experiences that are easily accessible even to those with financial or physical limitations.”
They repeat this statement before all of their performances. A few weeks ago I went with Kinsey to see their production of Civil War. Before it began, they ran a promotional video. It told us about why they chose the name "Servant Stage" and what their goals are as a company. Some unique things about them is that their ticket prices are always pay-what you will. They take their productions to retirement homes. They rely on God to support them and they serve those who wouldn’t normally be able to enjoy a live performance because of either financial or health issues. I'm inspired by the fact that service is woven into the very fabric of who they are as a theatre.
Emma and I at Servant Stage's production of Civil War. (Which was, way the way, absolutely INCREDIBLE.)
Service begins in the heart. It starts with turning to Christ. I’ve found a big stage, a big musical, a big set and a big theatre it mostly is about a big God. A big God who asks me and all Christians to do things that we may deem “little”: a kind note to a co-worker. A heartfelt smile to a stranger. A welcoming hug to a friend, or a sincere question to an acquaintance.
Astoundingly enough, it isn’t a burden to serve. It’s an incredible gift. To change someone’s life for the better on any old day, to make them feel loved and valued as Christ does for us daily is one of the greatest gifts I can give.
Being here, I’ve found that it’s the only way to live life well lived.