I haven't had time to update you on what God's been doing here at The MasterWorks Festival. It makes me happy to be in an environment filled with artists learning to worship Him with their craft. But we can get so busy that we don't get enough time to sleep~!
Things have been moving very fast. We're already into our third week. On the first Monday of the festival the Theatre Company auditioned for roles in the production The Miracle Worker which we'll perform at the end of the fourth week. When I was in LA I stayed with Sean and Catherine Gaffney, former faculty of MWF Theatre Company. Catherine gave me some great pointers for my auditions and I was keen to put them in practice. The audition time was challenging but fun and God impressed on me during my quiet time that it wasn't about the roles I get, but about growing closer to him through the role. I was ready and hoping for a challenge but also had peace with the roles I was given.
The Holy Spirit led our faculty members Rich Swingle, Patricia Mauceri and John Kirby to choose the casting and by Wednesday I was entrusted with the roles of SMALLEST BLIND CHILD, THIRD CRONE and the understudy of ANNIE (Anne Sullivan). When the cast was announced I was in tears because I felt that He was answering my heart's desire. An understudy has the responsibility of learning all the lines of a leading role without having to perform it unless the lead couldn't perform for any reason. Being a perfectionist, I've had fears of memorising lots of lines and it's been a blockage for me in receiving more performing responsibility. So this is the perfect opportunity for me to overcome this fears. I'm grateful for His perfect plans. However, my schedule has been very full here and I haven't had a lot of time to learn ANNIE's lines nor rehearse on set. Am learning to juggle a lot of things and to prioritise. "Lord, enable me!"
On the first Tuesday Rich asked me to direct a short skit 'Jesus is the Way' to about 90 basketball camp kids alongside our percussion faculty John Cassica. About 7 fellow colleagues jumped to their feet to help out in this 'mini mission trip'. I felt so in my element. I love doing evangelistic skits!!! God's hand was on us and He enabled us to come up with the skit within 45 minutes after Bible Study and perform it at about 10pm. The kids rose to their feet in applause for John and for the skit. That night 12 kids came to know the Lord. WOHOOOOOOO!!!!!!!
During the first week, we also had two Masterclass instructors come - Bev Holloway, a casting director from LA and John Forbes, a former West End and Broadway producer. Bev gave me revelatory pointers on my Biography and head shots, and then gave each one of us an opportunity to do screen auditions of real film projects with feedback. Patricia has had years of television experience as a soap star and coached us before we went on screen for Bev. It is the first time that I've been afraid of the camera. We also got to see the audition videos of those that got the roles in one of the films we auditioned for. Acting is not easy!!! But it's so rewarding for those that are created by Him to do it! We stayed up till at least 11pm, 12pm in class each night. Our days are so full!!! As Bev was finishing up, John Forbes came and shared one of the most powerful testimonies I've ever heard. I was sobbing for most of it - one and half hours. Then the Theatre Company got to audition for the MWF Honours Recital, after spending 15 minutes of coaching time with John. He is such a humble, talented man. I'm amazed by how and what he was able to draw out in my characters in such a short time. I was on the verge of tears during the music theatre audition (Colours of the Wind), and I literally wept for a good minute in my monologue audition (Saint Joan). I never felt so truthfully connected with my characters and was able to present them in their vulnerability. It was a new discovery for me.
As part of my 'Work Service' Scholarship, Rich asked me to train the theatre class on Improv and lead our Improv night performance. The performance took place last Wednesday. It was AMAZING! God's hand was on us and the team came up with the most random and hilarious CROWS (Characters, Relationships, Objectives & Where's) for the scenes! The audience erupted into laughter and I have received many reports of belly aches on the night. After Improv time we spent some time in free 'worship' (where whoever had a song on their heart would sing or play on their instruments and everyone else would join), then we spent the rest of the night in enacted prayer (some of you may remember the 'acted out' prayer requests that Rich Swingle introduced). It was a powerful night of 'worship' & prayer. One of my theatre colleagues was so deeply impacted that she received Christ that night. Another colleague shared his testimony during morning devotions the next day. It was heartbreakingly beautiful. Most of us were sobbing. Apparently John Forbe's transparency and vulnerability in his testimony has been instrumental in changing my colleague's life for an eternity. Praise Jesus for their divine appointment at MWF!!! I got asked today to direct him in the scripture performance of Psalm 139 this Sunday. I'll also be performing Psalm 139 as my persoanl testimony at a church in NY at the end of July. Lord, enable me!!
Rich had me lead warm up, devotions and worship yesterday. During that hour, I shared the spiritual insight on Yoga with the Theatre Company. It was a powerful time. Seeds were sown, and I pray deeply. It was a breakthrough for me as well because I've been getting agitated doing research for it. I knew that He appointed me for the job as I used to do yoga in group fitness classes. I'm thankful for the truths He's revealed to the class through me about His Word, about how the demonic infiltrates cultures / fads. I pray that His truth will continue to draw individuals into closer walk with Him, to choose Him over what's convenient and to walk in His Light.
Leading my bible study group tomorrow night. :)
Many more testimonies to come.
Please pray that I won't get sick again. I got sick on my way to USA and was sick during week one. I've had very limited sleep over the past weeks and am feeling under the weather. I promise to be good and go to bed earlier... like NOW!
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