March 25, 2005 Every other week we are excited to bring you a personal story from someone within our own community who shares our passion about what StoneBridge School is and does. We hope you will find these words encouraging and inspiring. If you have something you'd like to share, please e-mail us. |
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StoneBridge Students & Teacher Participate in "The Play" Three members of the StoneBridge School community, high school history and Bible teacher Mr. Geoffrey Burke, and ninth graders Tessa Carroll and Jake Robinson, are all putting their dramatic talents to use as characters in The Play. The 2005 production of The Play, the story of Jesus Christ’s life, ministry, death, and resurrection, is scheduled to open at the Virginia Beach Pavilion Theater on March 23. The Play, now in its 21st year, is put on annually for Easter by a volunteer company of more than 350 people from over 30 local churches and is produced by TMCJ International. Not only is it a critically acclaimed production, but The Play is also an evangelistic tool, with an altar call after each performance. The purpose of TMCJ International Productions Inc., is to “equip the Christian community worldwide to present the Gospel through the arts.” This purpose is very similar to the mission of StoneBridge School, which is, at a fundamental level, to present the Gospel through and in every subject, and in doing this, equip students to impact the world for Christ. “StoneBridge is teaching us how to go out into the world and be good leaders for Christ. This way we can let Christ shine through us and win people over to Him,” says Tessa Carroll, who plays a Roman woman named Octavia. “This is the same with The Play only in different ways. Both StoneBridge and The Play are striving to bring people to Christ and show Christ’s love to others.” Jake Robinson, who plays a temple guard and a zealot, says,“I see my involvement in The Play as a way of impacting my culture because the culture is changed one person at a time.” Both Tessa and Jake attribute their experiences at StoneBridge with helping them to prepare for their roles in the production. For Jake, it was his participation in drama. For Tessa, it was what she learned in history and Bible classes. “A great deal that I learned in 8th and 9th grade history and Bible has been a great tool in this production,” said Tessa. “The information I have received these past few years about Rome and the Bible has helped me develop my character. It helps me be able to feel like a Roman and understand what was going on in Jesus’ time.” Mr. Geoffrey Burke, dramatizing the character of James, one of the “sons of Zebedee” and a disciple of Christ, became involved with The Play three years ago. He says, “My participation in The Play is an outreach into our community for the sake of Jesus.” His teaching at StoneBridge can be seen in the same light. “StoneBridge School’s purpose is to train up a Godly generation to have a profound impact for Jesus Christ in our homes, communities, nation and the world,” says Mr. Burke. “Our student actors are exercising leadership when they step out of their comfort zones to perform on stage for the glory of Jesus. Not only are they being good stewards of the talents God has given them, but they are also part of something so much greater than themselves. They have joined a community with a unique purpose; they are sharing Jesus’ story in their own way.” Tessa summed it up when she said, “Yes, I believe I am making a big impact on my culture. I may not be a main character in The Play, but as a whole WE are making a big difference in many peoples' lives.” Catch our StoneBridge family members in action in The Play from March 23 through March 27. For ticket information, visit www.theplay.net. |
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