Performing The Sacred

Performing the Sacred is the first book-length exploration of the intersection of theatre and theology, illuminating the importance of preserving live performance in a virtual world. This compelling dialogue unfolds between a theologian and a theatre artist who revisit theatre’s rich history and paint a picture of its promising future while building bridges between theatre and Christianity.

Theologically, theatre reflects Christianity’s central doctrines–incarnation, community, and presence–enhancing the human experience and shedding new light on theology. The authors show how theatre engages viewers on multiple levels, including political, social, religious, personal, intellectual, emotional, and kinesthetic. In theatre, the presence of live human beings speaks of the incarnate nature of God’s redemption in Christ and the imago Dei. The communal nature of theatre models the Trinity, while the immediacy and transcendence of theatre performance draw out the presence of God in nature and grace.

Performing the Sacred encourages Christians to celebrate, embrace, and experiment with dramatic stories found in Scripture. This Engaging Culture series title will be a key volume for teaching theatre in the academy and influencing drama practitioners, worship leaders, and culture makers.