Portraying the Pope: An Interview with Actor Jeremy Stanbary |
05/17/05 |
| 26-year-old Jeremy Stanbary is the founder and principal actor for Minneapolis-Epiphany Studio Productions, a theater troupe devoted to performing Catholic dramas. With the recent passing of Pope John Paul II, Stanbary has been kept busy performing his one-man play on the early life of Karol Wojtyla, Lolek. | |
In This Article... | ||
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| In addition, Stanbary has also written and performs Alessandro ? a play on the life and conversion of the man who murdered St. Maria Goretti ? and a play about the miracle of Lanciano. He spoke recently with writer Tim Drake. Q: How did you first become interested in acting? A: Acting has been an interest and passion of mine since as young as I can remember. I received my college degree in Theatre Arts from the University of Nebraska-Lincoln and was awarded the top performing arts scholarship for actors two consecutive years. I grew up Catholic, but was not living my faith as I entered college. Thanks be to God, I experienced a profound conversion of heart after my freshman year and as I grew in my relationship with Jesus Christ and His Church over the next few years, my understanding of how I should use my gifts and talents began to change. Unfortunately, there are very few opportunities for Catholic actors to pursue a vocation of beauty today, which integrates our faith and morals. I knew that I would have to create my own opportunities and in June of 2003 I started Epiphany Studio Productions. Epiphany is a non-profit 501(c)(3) Catholic theater production company through which I write, produce and perform original one-man dramas that are designed to travel wherever we are invited. Q: Your work has been directly influenced by Pope John Paul II. Can you describe the impact he has made on your life and work? A: I can go as far as to say that without Pope John Paul II there would be no Epiphany Studio Productions today. I founded my organization on the revolutionary vision of Karol Wojtyla (John Paul II) for theater and the arts. I discovered his dramatic and artistic vision as I was going through my journey of conversion in college. My mother sent me a copy of his most popular play, The Jeweler's Shop, a remarkable and unique drama that left me deeply inspired. I remember being stunned by his passion and involvement in the theater as I started to learn more about his life. Pope John Paul II helped to form a clandestine theater troupe in Nazi-occupied Poland during WWII. He risked his life in order to pursue his passion for the theater, using his God-given gifts as a form of cultural resistance. He also helped to firmly establish a whole new genre of theatrical expression, called the Rhapsodic Theater, or a "Theater of the Word." This form of theater gives precedence to the beauty and power of the "Word," not only literally through the power of the spoken word in its ability to grasp and convey transcendent Truth, but also figuratively by giving precedence to the Word of God made man, Jesus Christ. Rhapsodic Theater makes use of all the elements and spectacle of a full theatrical production, but in a way that is at service to the Word, literally and figuratively. This is a highly artistic form of theater, combining poetic beauty and creativity with philosophy, theology, history, a deep spirituality and a rich Catholic cultural heritage. I am taking up this form of theater and putting it onto the stage for modern audiences, making use of contemporary forms of expression that ultimately seek to lead the audience toward a deeper understanding of man and our relationship with God in the great drama of human existence. The very name of my organization embodies John Paul II's influence on my work, coming from his 1999 Letter to Artists where he declares that the Church hopes for "renewed epiphanies of beauty" in our time, in order to meet the needs of the Christian community. The Designs of God's Providence Q: What prompted you to write and perform a play about Karol Wojtyla?A: The more I learned about the younger years of Karol Wojtyla the more I became convinced that this story needed to be told in the form of a drama. Most people know something of John Paul II as pope, but very few people know much about the amazing experiences and influences that helped to form this great man within the designs of God's providence. This was also a great role for me because I look somewhat like the young pope and I've learned how to speak with a convincing Polish dialect. This is a beautiful and moving play, which offers a lot of important messages for our modern day culture. Q: I imagine that your play, Lolek, has a special poignancy now that John Paul has died? A: Absolutely. There has been a surge of increased interest in the life of John Paul "the Great" following his passing into eternal life. This play helps give some important perspective to his phenomenal papacy by providing insight into the heart and soul of John Paul the disciple. The incredible life of Karol Wojtyla growing up offers a necessary backdrop to better understanding his life as pope as well as his role in both world and Church history. His life offers a beautiful and inspiring example to the rest of us and will continue to inspire people the world over until the end of time. I firmly believe that Pope John Paul II will have an even greater impact on the world after his death than he did before, which is saying a lot! His life speaks to the heart of every individual, teaching us that by complete abandonment to the merciful love of God's providence, He can and will do great things in our lives as well. Education, Inspiration and Evangelization Q: Lolek isn't your only play. Can you tell me about your others?A: Alessandro is a one-man drama about the amazing martyrdom of the young modern day teenage saint, Maria Goretti, and the miraculous conversion of her murderer, Alessandro, from his own perspective. This is a dynamic one-act play that was designed specifically for adolescent and young adult audiences, although older audiences get as much out of the play as the teens do! I don't recommend this play for youth under 12 years of age due to the intense nature and content of the drama, but from audiences of junior high school age and older we have received incredible feedback after performances of Alessandro. My third play is called A Miracle in Lanciano and is a one-man, one-act play about the most ancient and on-going miracle in Church history, the Eucharistic Miracle of Lanciano, Italy. Modern science has validated the authenticity of this miracle and my play explores the significance of this miracle for the lives of all human beings today. Q: How can people book a performance? A: People who have access to the Internet should visit my website www.EpiphanyStudio.com where they will find more information about my organization and how to contact me personally. People can sign up online, email me or call me in order to receive a booking information packet. This booking packet provides all the information about our booking fees, our specific needs for the performance, including some sample publicity materials as well as a booking contract. My plays offer a great tool for parishes, conferences and schools to assist in their mission of education, inspiration and evangelization. My performances also offer a tremendous fundraising opportunity for churches and organizations. I'm happy to answer any questions people may have over the phone (651-336-3302) or via email at: jstanbary@epiphanystudio.com Tim Drake is the author of Young and Catholic: The Face of Tomorrow's Church (Sophia Institute Press, 2004). He serves as staff writer with the National Catholic Register and Faith and Family Magazine. He writes from Saint Cloud,Minnesota. Young and Catholic can be ordered by calling 1-800-888-9344 or visiting Sophia Institute Press.
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It is called Catholic then because it extends over all the world, from one end of the earth to the other; and because it teaches universally and completely one and all the doctrines which ought to come to men's knowledge, concerning things both visible and invisible, heavenly and earthly; and because it brings into subjection to godliness the whole race of mankind, governors and governed, learned and unlearned; and because it universally treats and heals the whole class of sins, which are committed by soul or body, and possesses in itself every form of virtue which is named, both in deeds and words, and in every kind of spiritual gifts. Cyril of Jerusalem [c.A.D. 315-386]
For in the Catholic Church, not to speak of the purest wisdom, to the knowledge of which a few spiritual, men attain in this life, so as to know it, in the scantiest measure, indeed, because they are but men, still without any uncertainty (since the rest of the multitude derive their entire security not from acuteness of intellect, but from simplicity of faith) - not to speak of this wisdom, which you do not believe to be in the Catholic Church, there are many other things which most justly keep me in her bosom. The consent of peoples and nations keeps me in the Church; so does her authority, inaugurated by miracles, nourished by hope, enlarged by love, established by age. The succession of priests keeps me, beginning from the very seat of the Apostle Peter, to whom the Lord, after His resurrection, gave it in charge to feed His sheep, down to the present episcopate. And so, lastly, does the name itself of Catholic, which, not without reason, amid so many heresies, the Church has thus retained; so that, though all heretics wish to be called Catholics, yet when a stranger asks where the Catholic Church meets, no heretic will venture to point to his own chapel or house. Such then in number and importance are the precious ties belonging to the Christian name which keep a believer in the Catholic Church, as it is right they should, though from the slowness of our understanding, or the small attainment of our life, the truth may not yet fully disclose itself. But with you, where there is none of these things to attract or keep me, the promise of truth is the only thing that comes into play. Now if the truth is so clearly proved as to leave no possibility of doubt, it must be set before all the things that keep me in the Catholic Church; but if there is only a promise without any fulfillment, no one shall move me from the faith which binds my mind with ties so many and so strong to the Christian religion. Augustine [A.D. 354-430]
"Many Catholics in high office have fallen woefully short in their performance in office," CBC News and Reuters reports cite the bishops as saying. Such people should "repent, or quit the public arena and stop causing havoc to the people and giving the Catholic Church a bad name." Although the bishops don't mention the name of any leader, the reports point out that Zimbabwe's Robert Mugabe and Angola's Eduardo dos Santos, both Catholics, are criticised internationally for various forms of repression. At the closing of the Synod on Sunday, Pope Benedict XVI called for peace and reconciliation among all people on the continent, regardless of ethnic and religious differences, AP reported. "Courage! Get up, African continent!" Benedict said during the Mass, which he concelebrated with some of the prelates who attended the synod. The pope also said that globalisation should be regulated in order to include all nations, not just developed ones. The bishops statement, too, refers to the issue: "Multinationals have to stop their criminal devastation of the environment in their greedy exploitation of natural resources. "It is short-sighted policy to foment wars in order to make fast gains from chaos, at the cost of human lives and blood."Published: October 26, 2009
Bishops at the Vatican's Synod on Africa are calling for "saintlypoliticians who will clean the continent", lambasting corrupt leadersin office in a communique released on Friday.
BUCKS CAMP LOG: 1916-1928; A WISCONSIN DEER CAMP DIARY
- The true story of three children who received numerous apparitions from our Blessed Mother in 1917 Portugal has just been immortalized on film. The 13th Day is the first film from directors Ian and Dominic Higgins and has gained some impressive notoriety from one of the biggest film festivals in the world, Cannes. The film tells the story of three shepherd children who received apparitions on the 13th of every month for six consecutive months leading up to one of the world's most notable miraculous events - The Miracle of the Sun. Oh yeah, that miracle was witnessed by 70,000 people!
From the website:
"We aim to make it available to view as soon as possible, so our current focus is to find a distributor with the right commercial and spiritual sensibilities to exploit the full market and message delivery potential of the film. We are currently negotiating for the license rights in North America, and so hope to be able to make the film available to view and buy within 6 months."
Catholic Schools Week is a joint project of the National Catholic Educational Association (NCEA) and the United States Conference of Catholic Bishops (USCCB). According to Karen Ristau, NCEA president, “Catholic schools provide good things for students and families—high expectations and daily experience of faith. In these challenging times, the theme also reminds parents that the dividends of a Catholic school education—students prepared in faith, knowledge, morals and discipline—last a lifetime. There is no better way to invest in a child’s future—or the future of our world.” Marie Powell, executive director of the Secretariat of Catholic Education of the United States Conference of Catholic Bishops, noted: “We realize that in most parts of the country a Catholic education is not without some cost. But I can't think of a better investment in the future than to invest in the education of a child.” The logo designed for the week features a cross superimposed on an outstretched hand. Rays coming from behind the hand express the concepts of faith, knowledge, morals and discipline—all beneficial aspects of a Catholic education. The theme “Catholic Schools" runs across the top of the art and "Dividends for Life” runs across the bottom of the art. As part of Catholic Schools Week, National Appreciation Day For Catholic Schools will be observed Wednesday, Feb. 3. National Appreciation Day was established to encourage supporters nationwide to showcase to elected officials the great accomplishments and contributions of Catholic schools. In Washington, a delegation of Catholic school students, teachers and parents will visit Capitol Hill to meet with congressional leaders to promote Catholic schools. Schools in other parts of the country are encouraged to carry their message of good news to local and state officials. Committee Members NCEA is the largest private, professional education association in the world. Founded in 1904, the association's membership represents more than 200,000 educators serving more than 7 million students at all levels of Catholic education. USCCB is the national public policy organization of the bishops in the United States. -end- For more information on Catholic Schools Week, please visit our Catholic Schools Week page and our Catholic Schools Week Press Kit page.“Catholic Schools - Dividends for Life” is Catholic Schools Week Theme for 2010
Theme reminds that there is no better investment than the education of a child
Washington, DC—“Catholic Schools - Dividends for Life” is the theme selected for Catholic Schools Week 2010. Catholic Schools Week is the annual celebration that focuses attention on the good work done by the nation’s Catholic schools. The week will be observed Jan. 31 to Feb. 6, 2010.
Marie Powell and Sister of St. Joseph Suzanne Bellenoit, associate director for public policy, represent USCCB on the National Marketing Committee. NCEA members are Regina Haney, executive director, Department of Boards and Councils; Christian Brother Robert Bimonte, executive director, Department of Elementary Schools; and Daniel Curtin, executive director, Chief Administrators of Catholic Education.
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