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RENAISSANCE THEATRE NEWS:

Renaissance Theatre to take the hit musical "Godspell" on the road:

Renaissance Theatre is proud to announce it's first ever tour. Shows will be held in Paris, Tn, Jackson, TN, Knoxville, TN, Decatur, AL, Bartlett, TN, and Bethel's hometown of McKenzie, TN.

Godspell is a fun and exciting story about the life of Jesus and the impact He had on those who followed Him. This series of parables, based on the Gospel of Mathew, will challenge and inspire audiences of all ages. Told through story and song, the life of Christ is illustrated through the company of players or ‘disciples.’  Creative storytelling, choreography, mime, and many forms of theatrical expression make this telling of the passion of the Christ one not to be missed!  You will be challenged and inspired as you see many of the important events laid out before you, including the last supper, the crucifixion and the resurrection! 

For questions or ticket information for any of the following locations you can contact Brian Hill at hillb@bethelu.edu or Aubrey Ham at hama@bethelu.edu, or by phone at 731-352-6446. 

Renaissance Theatre begins it's traveling church program, "THIS IS MY STORY":

This fall the Renaissance Theatre program will begin touring its church program "This Is My Story". This program is a dramatic worship experience that includes skits, sign language, human videos, music, testimonies, and much more. This program wants to inspire people and bring the love of Christ to churches using student's personal salvation experiences. We would love to come to your church, and are also available for youth events, Sunday services, Wednesday night services, and any other special events your church may be hosting. If you have any questions or would like to book Renaissance Theatre's church program, "This Is My Story", you can call Aubrey Ham at (901) 573-9351, or e-mail her at hama@bethelu.edu.
 

RENAISSANCE THEATRE ANNOUNCES BUSY SUMMER SCHEDULE:

Renaissance Theatre Completes First "CAMP RENAISSANCE ONSTAGE"

Acting, singing, dancing, improvisation, and games were all a part of the first ever "CAMP RENAISSANCE ONSTAGE," a week long intensive theatre camp held at Bethel on June 6-11.  Twenty-eight students came to campus and spent the whole week immersed in theatre activities and games.  Students were challenged with an activity called "24 Hour Theatre" where 4 groups of students were required to come up with the ideas, script, and all the technical needs for a short play in only 24 hours.  Also, each student performed in a 10 minute play at the end of the week.  It was a fun filled week and one that we will remember for a long time.  Check back soon for information about "CAMP RENAISSANCE ONSTAGE 2011."

For information on the Renaissance program, check us out on the Bethel website at www.bethelu.edu or check our blog www.renaissancetheatre.blogspot.com.  You can email hillb@bethelu.edu or hama@bethelu.edu  or call our office at 731-352-6446 or 6414.

• Our mainstage shows include major plays and musicals that will be produced throughout the year.  We will do 2-3 mainstage shows each year which could include musicals and plays and will be performed in our BethelPerformingArtsCenter.  Shows that we have produced in the past include “Oklahoma,” “Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat,” “The Matchmaker,” “Fiddler on the Roof,” “Seussical”, "God's Favorite", "Bye Bye Birdie", and "Disney's Beauty & the Beast." 
• Along with presenting great material to our community, we also have a desire to bring the arts into local schools and provide educational opportunities for elementary, middle school, and high school aged students to learn about theatre and the performing arts.  Each year, we will travel to schools in our area and do workshops, acting exercises, and present educational material to students.  This will be an important part of what we do in Renaissance by teaching younger children and students about acting and the arts.
• Another very important part of our program is our church production.  Each year, we will create a dramatic/musical piece to be taken to churches around the southeast.  This program will include music, drama sketches, mime, and other creative tools to communicate the message of Jesus Christ. 

Renaissance Theatre performs a majority of it's shows in BPAC, the Bethel Performing Arts Center.  Once the home of the McKenzie First Cumberland Presbyterian Church,  BPAC seats around 200 people and the historic building is the only building in McKenzie listed on the National Register of Historic Places.  The current building was completed in 1892 and replaced a previous church building that had been constructed in 1873.  The vaulted sanctuary is an architectural marvel that was constructed over a 5 year period.  Comfortable and cozy, you will love seeing a show at BPAC as you will feel like you are a PART of the action.  We hope you will join us soon! 

How YOU can join Renaissance Theatre!