The MasterWorks Theatre Experience

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2010-03-13T13:00:00.001-08:00

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one month = two semesters

2008-10-10T12:03:00.001-07:00

Because of his dedication, involvment, and enthusiasm for the spiritual, personal, and professional lives of each of his students, Rich (the director of the program) has managed to elevate the Theatre Program to the level where one month at MasterWorks is equivilent to at least two semesters in any college acting program.

--Brandon Langeland

Theatre Program student 2005-2008

Blog comments

2008-01-07T17:23:00.001-08:00

The training at Masterworks is very good, but the mentoring from experienced Believer-artists is the most valuable part of the experience. When working artists are willing to share their lives and experiences with you for weeks at a time, there are few more significant ways you could spend your time.

If you’re reading this blog, you probably already believe that working in theatre is an incredibly high calling. Our culture is driven by stories, and we have the potential to transform hearts in a way no other profession can touch.

But theatre is also a spiritual and emotional minefield. Yet another failed audition can send you into depression over never being “good enough,” or working on a show can take you far away from God because the whole cast is living a morally bankrupt life. Even working in the church can hurt you, because you want to say meaningful, challenging things to Christians in your work—and the Christians just want to be entertained. But if you have a strong relationship with God and wisdom from Godly people (like the Masterworks faculty), it’s possible to navigate your way through the minefields.

Masterworks also helped me understand my strengths. I did my undergrad at a Bible college, so I was sort of curious as to how I’d “measure up” with the REAL theatre majors. I discovered that my acting was not as strong as the “trained” students. But I also realized that when it came to writing and directing, I could probably hold my own.

I still use experiences and skills I picked up at Masterworks. I teach workshops on Comedy Improv, which I first learned from Sean Gaffney in the summer of 2001. I got to cut my directing teeth on some challenging scenes I worked on with other Masterworks students. And I’ve met great people like Rich Swingle, who I still keep in touch with, and who have helped me along the way with networking and encouragement.

Today, I’m a full-time freelance artist, writing and directing and teaching my way to meager paychecks. But by God’s grace, my wife and I haven’t missed the rent yet, and I wouldn’t trade this life for anything. Masterworks was a big part of helping me get started.

If you’re an aspiring theatre artist who loves Jesus, spending a few weeks at Masterworks this summer should definitely be a part of your plans. Your experience there will equip you professionally and spiritually for one of the greatest—and most difficult—careers you could choose.

George Halitzka

www.dramabygeorge.com

Visit George on the web

www.dramabygeorge.com and www.writingbygeorge.com

Ken Wales

2007-07-28T12:45:00.000-07:00

Ken Wales (actor in 34 films opposite James Dean, John Forde and the like, and filmmaker on all the original Pink Panther films, The Tamarind Seed, Breakfast at Tiffany's, The Party, Christy and Amazing Grace) blessed our theatre department for four days. He critiqued a runthrough of The Crucible and met one-on-one with every student but one (he gave him his personal phone number because he ran out of time). He said to post how much he loves our students.

Masterworks Theatre '05

2005-12-11T17:19:00.000-08:00

My name is Tiffany and I attended Masterworks Festival Theatre for the first time last year. I can't even begin to describe what a wonderful experience it was. Even now, five months later, I am still talking about the people I met, the spiritual growth, and the practical things I learned while I was there.

The teachers at Masterworks were some of the best in the country. It was wonderful to be able to be under the tutelage of such talented people who are using their gifts for Christ.

I am a senior Speech Communications major at Pensacola Christian College. The skills I learned at Masterworks have enhanced everything I am learning at school.

MasterWits

2005-12-03T16:37:00.000-08:00

Hey everyone, I've been involved in the performing arts for years, but
it really wasn't until I went to the MasterWorks Festival that I knew
that my passions and talents were something that God could use for His
glory. MasterWorks really helped me tap into the depth of what it means
to be a Christian and a performer at the same time. I am a MasterWits
alumnus hailing back to the summers of 1999-2001. Every year I looked
forward to the camp with great anticipation. The training I received
there really helped me prepare for a career that still feels like it's
just getting started! I can't wait to see where else my training and
experiences at MWF will benefit me down the road.

Feel free to contact me any time!

-David

www.davidcosand.com
www.myspace.com/redesigned

The 2005 MasterWorks Theatre experience was...

2005-11-03T17:01:00.000-08:00

... in one word 'unforgettable'!

I don't know of any place apart from MasterWorks where I've grown so much in the Lord and in my craft at the same time. My MasterWorks Festival (MWF) experiences have been both spiritually and artistically challenging. Being a MasterWits (i.e. MWF Theatre student) in 2003 opened my eyes to the world of theatre and expanded my horizon of Godly fellowship. I knew I had to come back! :)

I feel very fortunate to have been a part of MasterWits2005. The MasterWorks leadership, and in particular the MasterWorks Theatre leadership exemplifies servant hood, humility and excellence. It is an inspiration to see their craft as something deeply connected to our Saviour. Moreover, our teachers are not only interested in our artistic development, but readily invest in our spiritual and personal growth. Richard Swingle in particular is an inspirational teacher, artist and shepherd who ensures that our fellowship & prayer support continues post-MasterWorks. Put simply, our teachers are not only great role models and encouragers – they’re great fun to be with! ;)

The MasterWits & MasterWorks friendships have been an awesome gift to me. I met some very special people this year. These are genuine friendships that I would like to (quote Christi and) keep 'for life'. We learnt to share our ups & downs and be vulnerable to each other. I also learnt how to see my friends and myself through our Savior's eyes, and to receive & apply His strength to all things I do.

MasterWorks is definitely about artistic excellence for our Lord. But more so, it is about developing our crafts as children of God in order to glorify Him as we serve the people around us and in the audience. Above all, MasterWorks is about LOVE. I feel richly blessed to be a part of this group of tremendous people in celebrating & growing in our love for the Lord, His love for us, and our love for each other. It is an experience that I'll always cherish and praise Him for. And I'm glad to say that it is an experience that continues even after MasterWorks Theatre! ;)

Irene Kao
MasterWits 2003, 2005

University of Melbourne alumni
Royal Melbourne Institute of Technology post-graduate student
Compassion Australia from Jan '06

Why I love MasterWorks

2005-10-23T20:39:00.000-07:00

It's difficult to try and narrow down why I love the MasterWorks Festival in general and the theatre program in particular. I guess it's mainly because this program is so needed. These past few months that I have been interning at the North Shore Music Theatre in Massachusetts, I've seen a general respect, if something less than acceptance, of "old church stuff." The problem is that this respect is something deliberately vague and distancing so as to avoid anyone not liking you or limiting your lifestyle. This takes away the joy and the deeply felt intimacy in our relationships with each other and especially in our relationship with our Savior. What the faculty at the MasterWorks theatre program understand and teach us both through class work and through example is that, while theatre does involve skilled acting and stagecraft and polished performances, it is actually all about these deep, intimate relationships that so many theatre folk miss out on. There was a lot that I, a college graduate, never knew about this art form until I attended this program, and through the rigorous schedule and intense coachings from our teachers we came up with performances we could be very proud of. But I don't think any of us students would say that the first thing that popped into our minds when we think of the program is the performance. I know that first and foremost I will remember my brothers and sisters in Christ and most especially getting to know my Lord in ways I didn't know existed before. And looking back at the different productions I've been a part of, I think it is a testament to MasterWorks' goal that the ones where the Holy Spirit was invited in, even if it was just between two people, were the ones that ended up being the most cherished and meaningful both to those working on it and to the audience.

--Brandon Langeland
Intern
North Shore Music Theatre

"And now these three remain: faith, hope, and love. But the greatest of these is love." 1 Corinthians 13:13

I miss you all!

2005-07-29T15:12:00.000-07:00

I am amazed by how much growth--spiritually and artistically--took place in those four weeks, and it was such a privilege to share the experiences with all of you. Each of you is such a precious brother or sister, and I am so thankful for the impact that each of you left on my life. I arrived at MWF so worn out from having to constantly be on guard at school. God used you, my instructors and fellow students, to both restore me spiritually and challenge me artistically. It was an honor to be ministered to by all of you talented and wonderful people, each of you in your unique, God-given way. Thank you for allowing God to use you in my life. May God bless you as you finish out the summer and face new growth opportunities in the year ahead.
--Sarah Keyes
Student at Columbia University