The stories of Jesus can seem irrelevant in a westernised world, yet they have captivated every culture in every age for 2000 years. Artists, writers and philosophers have been inspired to celebrate and explore these stories as they navigate their own humanity and spirituality.

When Jesus interacts, listens to, talks with and does life with people he shines a light on what it might mean to be spiritually human.

With a combination of teaching, writing, performing, composing, and filming, Dramatic Encounters With Jesus takes these interactions and gives the viewer and the listener an experience that will stimulate thinking, develop faith, inspire creativity, and enable insight into how Jesus is actually doing life now in everyday living.

A theological and cultural conversation about a particular story of an encounter with Jesus is filmed, exploring its form, meaning and themes, and the various ways it can be interpreted.

In the light of the roundtable conversation, the actors are filmed in rehearsal as they examine the drama of the text, exploring different options of how it might be played; and alongside this, their real-life responses are documented.

The creative process of the filmmakers and other artists as they shape the text for film, forms an integral part of the episode’s journey.

The discoveries of the roundtable, the rehearsal, and the film-making artists’ creativity are all brought together into a fully informed screenplay and beautifully crafted final piece of cinematography.

In this way, the viewer is taken on a voyage of discovery. Each of these elements sheds light on what meanings the story holds and how the final film evolves. It is a rational, emotional and artistic journey, revealing why and how a film is crafted but also holding in suspense which choices will impact the end result.

A text is chosen and then rehearsed in front of an audience.

The actors are influenced in their choices in many ways: the prescriptions and intrigues of the text; the insights of scholars; the observations of the audience; and the emotional and rational impulses they themselves experience.

Interpretations and assumptions we have of the bible story are tested by bringing them to life in the rehearsal process. Discoveries are made through the dynamics of the actors’ interaction, and the impact of words, actions and other creative expression such as music, poetry and art. The process is interactive and participative. It may naturally incorporate prayer and worship, with moments of discussion or personal reflection.

Ideally, at least 60 minutes is needed for a performance workshop.

This is typically preceded by an explanation and reasoning behind the process and followed by reflection and feedback.
This event is also done as a part of a worship service, shaping the workshop to fit the usual time and space.

Actors can be brought in or identified from among the group and one or two preparation meetings held beforehand.
For some stories other artists may also be used, including musicians, painters, poets etc – once again brought in or invited from the among the group.

Suitable space is needed where the audience can all see the performance – using seating in the round and/or staging blocks. Depending on the space, there may need to be microphones for principals (usually just 2 or 3) and for instruments or accompanying music used.