Oh what a summer it has been! Our 26th summer musical, Big Fish, was a production of epic proportions with 75 cast members in total. More than 2,000 people attended eight fantastic performances, and thanks to the generosity of show patrons, we were also able to donate $2,610 to Epiphany’s Storybook Project. Many thanks to all who help make our summer musicals possible each year.

In early August, we held our first “Bite of Theatre” drama mini-camp, which was made possible by a portion of the funds raised at last fall’s “Leap of Faith” event. In three short mornings, 33 campers and their leaders explored many aspects of drama, from improv to dance, and produced a short “informance” that family members and church staff thoroughly enjoyed.

As the summer comes to a close, we are already gearing up for the season of Advent. The children’s Christmas show, directed by Jackie Darnell, will take place December 10-11. Children in grades 2-8, and at least age 7, are invited to join us at auditions on September 30 and October 1 (more info coming soon). The Live Nativity drama tradition continues on December 17, and we are already seeking volunteers to serve in acting and hospitality roles for that annual event.

But at the heart of all this hustle and bustle is the true mission of Epiphany: to love Jesus by serving others. Ultimately, we are all here as a family of God to create, share and serve something much bigger than ourselves.

I have participated in theater since high school, serving in a number of different backstage roles over the years. And I’ve been an active Lutheran for just as long. But when I first joined drama here at Epiphany, it was because I was looking for an outlet to continue my theater “hobby,” and I was impressed with the high-caliber productions that happened here. What I didn’t expect was how incredibly intertwined my involvement with drama would become with my own spiritual journey. From the people I have met and built amazing relationships with, to the pure sweat, exhaustion and even tears that come with putting on a theater production, I see God’s amazing love and grace at work in every moment of it.

I see it in the mom who discovered this summer that it’s never too late to pursue your own dreams; in the youth that struggle to “fit in,” yet feel like they truly belong here at Epiphany; in the family that spends the summer together doing something they love; in the cast member that becomes an active church member because he discovers a spiritual family along the way; in the friends that kept me going (and fed my family for weeks) when my husband was seriously ill; in the strong inter-generational relationships that form throughout every production process; in the young boy who was hesitant to stay on the first day of camp, but jumped right into an improv scene performed for family members a few days later; in those who grew up doing drama at Epiphany, and now put their heart and soul into continuing that legacy for the next generation.

And THAT is why I do drama at Epiphany.