rock, paper, singers

Perhaps you remember the rocky tomb from "Risen".

This photo is a little dark, but you still see that it's a big 'ol rock. I bet you never imagined that it starts out a little something like this:

No, that is not The Blob taking over the stage. No, we did not borrow a set piece from a putt-putt golf course. That, my friends, is the mid-stages of construction of a realistic-looking rocky tomb. A mixture of glue, water, and paint (the cheapest we can find, regardless of color) combined with newspaper creates a durable papier mache. This covers a frame of chicken wire to create the rock shape. When it dries, it is painted with various shades of grey until one might assume we just brought in a cave straight from nature. Or at least, something very close to it. ;)

There's an extra special piece hidden, too. You see, we wrote the names of people for whom we are praying and added it to the frame. While we perform "Risen", we will remember them. They are part of the set.... just as they are part of hearts. Sometimes, it's easy to be lost in the mechanics of production and lose sight of what's truly important. This is one small way we maintain perspective.

As we near our final rehearsals, I am personally striving to keep the big picture in mind. In addition to the work for the show- from blocking and music to writing a short biography for the playbill and securing my costume, as well as continuing work on the next show, "Job"- there are increasing responsibilities outside of the theater. Part of my job at a church means that Easter is a particularly busy time, and the semester is in full swing at school. Sure, I can do all things through Christ who gives me strength, but I have a tendency to push the limit of how many things that includes. At this time last year, I was in the middle of a job search and moving to a new home. This year, I am juggling jobs and house-breaking a puppy. Sometimes, I imagine a mythical time "when things are less busy", but when will I choose for that to happen?

For the moment, "busy" is just what it is. It's easy to be overwhelmed and let stress suck momentum from the campaign to accomplish everything. But as I sat atop the platform on stage, perched over chicken wire with pink, goop-covered hands, I took a breath. Maybe it was the feeling of the slimy papier mache mixture, or being surrounded by friends as we constructed the set. Perhaps it was taking time for a creative, artistic act while singing along to fun music. There is something magically soothing about singing (or maybe it's less magic and more about the mechanics of the controlled breathing that is required). Regardless, in the midst of my current chaotic life, I found oasis in the rock.

Then again, why am I surprised? I always find oasis in The Rock.