WorldView Series: “Heaven: How I Got Here” Directed by Tim Gregory

The 2015 WorldView series concluded with an intense and thought-provoking performance of “Heaven: How I Got Here,” directed by Tim Gregory, the founding artistic director of Provision Theater in Chicago.  Rod Armentrout was cast in the role of the thief on the cross.  During the play, the audience is invited to join him in Heaven while he tells the story of how he got there.

In a compelling story of redemption and reconciliation, it was impossible to not be moved by the powerful message that even in our final moments, God is with us and forgives us for anything and everything that we’ve done.  “Believing in God is different from fearing God,” stated the thief on the cross, as he told the audience that fearing God means respecting him, trusting him, and ultimately giving our lives over to him, because of what Jesus did for us on the cross.

In the discussion following the performance, several of the actors spoke to the audience about how performing in the show has made an impact on their faith.  “There are few opportunities to combine my faith and the arts,” said Kona N. Burks, cast as Kate, saying that this was a unique opportunity for her. Patrick Thompson, cast as Max, stated that through method acting, the process of using all of one’s senses to get into a character role, “has made the reading of scripture more real…the details I guess.”

Please visit Provision Theater’s website at www.provisiontheater.org for information on their upcoming events and performances.