Chicago-based Non-Profit Theater seeks online crowdfunding to bring new production of Jesus' words to life.
What was it like to be a first-century follower of Jesus Christ and to hear his words first-hand? This question has been asked for centuries and Provision Theater is on a mission to bring Jesus' words to life with its production of ‘Red Letter Jesus' starting in September.
Provision Theater Company is looking to raise funds through a campaign with Indiegogo –which means gaining support from the public –by September 15th to bring the parables, the teachings and the journey of Jesus Christ to the 21st century.
Provision Theater is devoted to producing works of hope, reconciliation and redemption and is preparing to open their 10thAnniversary Season with Red Letter Jesus, a deeply moving new show of Jesus' words from the synoptic gospels (Matthew, Mark, and Luke) performed with an original multimedia presentation, including stunning videography captured throughout Israel and Jordan.
Facing rising production costs, Provision is asking the public to pitch in to help defray the costs of Red Letter Jesus with an Indiegogo crowdfunding campaign seeking to raise $5000.
To help out, visit http://www.indiegogo.com/projects/red-letter-jesus. Donations are being accepted through September 15.
Red Letter Jesus stars Atlanta-based actor Brad Sherrill who devotes eight months of the year to the ongoing U.S. tour of his faith-based theater work. Red Letter Jesus, which includes an original visual presentation from Israel and Jordan created by his collaborator and multimedia designer Mark Hickman, is Sherrill's third live theatrical offering based on biblical texts. Sherrill has performed The Gospel of John over 600 times, including a run off-Broadway. He also recently premiered his original adaptation of Prophets, based on the texts of Isaiah and Jeremiah, at Georgia Shakespeare (Atlanta, 2010).
“Our fundraising goal is only a fraction of the production costs for Red Letter Jesus,' says Provision's Artistic Director, Timothy Gregory. “Donations will help support multiple aspects of the show, including creating the set, facilitating the multimedia presentation of videography captured throughout Israel and Jordan and compensation for all of those involved in the production from the talent to the stage crew and box office staff.”
Campaign perks include mentions on Provision's Facebook page, Red Letter Jesus cause bands/bracelets, Red Letter Jesus bookmarks, as well as tickets to the show and a signed poster from critically acclaimed actor Brad Sherrill for larger donations.
“This is something we need to do to continue producing works of hope,” says Gregory. "With the publics' support, Provision can continue to produce works that positively impact the community."
The production will run September 6 through October 13 with performances on Fridays and Saturdays at 8:00 p.m. and Sundays at 3:00 p.m. at Provision Theater, 1001 W. Roosevelt Rd., Chicago, IL, 60608. For tickets, call the box office at 312-455-0066 or visit http://www.provisiontheater.org.
To watch a trailer of Red Letter Jesus, visit http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0K26xf0GDhU&feature=youtu.be.
About Provision Theater Company
Provision Theater Company is a 501c3 non-profit devoted to producing works of hope, reconciliation and redemption; works that challenge us to explore a life of meaning and purpose. Provision Theater Company has celebrated numerous Joseph Jefferson Award nominations for their critically-acclaimed productions of SHADOWLANDS, THE HIDING PLACE, COTTON PATCH GOSPEL, A CHRISTMAS CAROL, C.S. LEWIS ON STAGE, THE FOREIGNER, A CHRISTMAS MEMORY & THE THANKSGIVING VISITOR, THE SPITFIRE GRILL and BEAST ON THE MOON. Other highly praised productions include: SHAW VS CHESTERTON: THE DEBATE, FISH EYES, SPOON RIVER ANTHOLOGY, THE CHRISTMAS MIRACLE OF JONATHAN TOOMEY, BONHOEFFER'S COST, THE TIME OF YOUR LIFE, SANDERS FAMILY CHRISTMAS, GODSPELL, SMOKE ON THE MOUNTAIN, THE BOYS NEXT DOOR, and THE GOSPEL OF JOHN.