SEEDS OF JOY # 3

(From my column “Looking Forward and Glancing Back” in the SGT monthly newsletter, September, 1986.)

Yes, God had given us a building rent free! However, there was much work to be done. We began working day and night to turn the basement of a restaurant into a theatre. It seemed a monumental task for a few young artists (and one old one) with limited funds and time. Seats had to be found and installed, a stage, scenery, and seating risers had to be built, carpet found and laid, lighting and sound systems installed, letters, news releases, programs and publicity written, printed and mailed, interviews and commercials recorded, and costumes made. 

Pat Edmonds directing rehearsal

All of this and more, plus one other small detail—a show had to be rehearsed and readied for production. Yes, the task seemed too great, and I often found myself asking, “Why am I doing this?” Somehow, through sleepless nights and exhausting days, God gave that little group of dedicated actors and technicians the strength to get it all done on schedule.

Pat Edmonds and Ward Franz

Denise Boutwell and Ward Franz

October 27, 1983, Stained Glass Theatre, the Midwest's only full-time Christian theatre, opened its doors for the first time with a special premiere performance and dedication ceremony. The play that night was SEEDS OF JOY, and because of that, “SEEDS” has a special place in our hearts.

Seeds of Joy clown tent

Nate's office

The first season was underway. As it turned out, it was a season of ups and downs, blessings and disappointments, good nights and bad, and always (and I do mean always) a financial struggle.

Our biggest disappointment of that first season was attendance. It soon became evident that Springfield had not been holding its breath, waiting for the arrival of a Christian theatre. We did have some overflowing nights, but those were the exceptions, not the rule. Many times we played to less than ten people. It was hard not to get discouraged and want to quit, but God kept our spirits up most of the time.

With low attendance and little (if any) pledge support, there was the ever present specter of having to close down simply because we couldn't meet our bills. Even before we opened, the restaurant sold, and with the new owners, the free rent soon went to $100 a month, then $200, then $400, and finally $600. There were many times when we couldn't pay salaries for the three who were working for us. The times were hard, and we just didn't see how we could keep afloat, but just when it would seem that all was lost, God would give us another miracle. I recall one such miracle. After a show one night, a man and wife heard us say that we had to have at least five hundred dollars or we couldn't open the next show. They left and came back a few minutes later and handed us five one hundred dollar bills! They told us God spoke to their hearts and told them to give us the money. Needless to say, we all cried tears of joy and praised God that night. We know that God kept Stained Glass Theatre going that first year, and we give Him all the praise and glory. Thank You, Father! Praise Your Holy Name! Jehovah!

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We are forced to move and face many trials but God calls a new warrior to join the battle for survival.