 Kristen had just given the worst audition MoezArt Productions had ever seen. The tall, willowy blonde had no self-confidence and it showed.
She believed deep down that she couldn’t act. But God allowed me to see something in Kristen that she couldn’t see. Unlike some other drama groups where Kristen would been simply told “thank you” and shown the door, I was determined, with God’s help, to work with this seemingly wilted flower and release the beautiful rose inside.
I told her that everyone can act – even her – it’s just a matter of someone taking the time to teach her. I gave her a small part that wouldn’t scare her to start to build her confidence. And slowly but surely, the rose began to bloom.
It took a lot of encouragement but Kristen was willing to be pushed past her comfort zone through improvisation and slowly allowing her unique personality to be revealed onstage. Kristen was so good because she didn’t realize how good she really was. All I had to do was draw her out of her shell and let the talent be unleashed. And when her senior year came, it was Kristen’s time to shine…
One day, my assistant director, Jennifer and I pulled Kristen into our office, and told her that we were seriously considering her for a leading role in “The Sound of Music” - as the baroness.
Kristen looked at us in horror. She replied: “Oh no, not me… I can’t sing and I can’t dance” and she rattled off a list of other students’ names that she felt were more qualified.
Jennifer and I looked her straight in the eye and told that her personality was perfect for the part. We would teach her how to sing and teach her how to dance. We gave her the part and just as we had prayed for her, she hit the ball out of the park. When Kristen made her entrance on stage, all eyes were on her. Her stage presence was incredible. Nearly everyone who approached me after the performance marveled at Kristen’s performance.
This humble and sweet girl was someone you just wanted to give an opportunity to. And after four semesters of constant encouragement, Kristen had achieved the goal that God had given to me on the day of that first awful audition – to have the self-confidence to be herself and blossom onstage.
The following semester Kristen served as an intern and I marveled as I watched her teach the next generation the lessons she had learned about coming out of her shell and be the best that she could be. God had used MoezArt Productions to change her life, and now she was willing to be used by Him to transform the lives of those students coming after her.
As I think back over the seven years that MoezArt Productions has existed, I can think of no better story than Kristen’s that illustrates what we prayerfully strive for…to not only glorify God through the arts – but to make an eternal difference one life at a time.
Why do I share this story with you? Because MoezArt Productions is not just another teenage theatre company. It’s a company that exists to create Christ-honoring theatre, not only in the quality of the productions, but through the Christian walk and witness of our staff and students. Kristen is just an example of the students whose life has been changed through MoezArt…there are dozens more as we strive to not only glorify God through the arts and make an eternal difference one life at a time.
But we can’t do it without the prayers and support of God’s people. MoezArt Productions is a tax-exempt, non-profit organization whose support depends on student registration fees, ticket sales, and concessions for its support. And while those sources of income sustained us over our short history, the costs of running such a program, such as sets, royalties, and other production costs stretch our budget to its absolute limit, and sometimes beyond.
We have already been blessed with a tremendous $5,100 gift which paid for our entire facility rental for our fall shows, allowed us to take a full salary for the first time in months and put a part time teacher on staff this spring. It is hope and prayer that more gifts will come in the next few weeks that will allow us to bring on additional staff so we can reach even more children through the ministry of MoezArt.
There are so many more lives that need to be touched…so many more teenagers that need a wholesome Christian environment that nurtures their faith, but there is only so much that we can presently do given our present resources. Your tax-deductible gift to MoezArt Productions can help us to not only provide these positive alternatives to our youth, but to truly make an eternal difference in their lives.
I hope you will prayerfully consider giving a gift to help MoezArt Productions to grow and touch hundreds of more lives for Christ while glorifying Him through the arts. Thank you very much.
In Christ’s Service,
Steve and Sharon Rodriguez |
