Home Harrisonburg: Laughter and lamentation
Virginia News

Harrisonburg: Laughter and lamentation

Contributors

Story by Jim Bishop

When we allow ourselves to laugh, the possibility opens up to experience and accept God’s grace.

Local actor-playwright Theodore K. (Ted) Swartz will build on this precept through “comedic exegesis” as resource person for fall spiritual life week at Eastern Mennonite University.

Swartz will introduce the theme for the week, “Laughter and Lament,” with a presentation 9:30-10:30 a.m. Tuesday, Oct. 28, in Martin Chapel of the seminary building.

At 10 a.m. Wednesday, Oct. 28, in Lehman Auditorium, Swartz will share his personal journey of laughter and profound loss that included the death of his performing partner, Lee Eshleman, in May 2007.

He will present a collection of sketches, monologues and stories that reflect his life as a performing artist for the last 20 years 7-8:30 p.m. Wednesday in Martin Chapel. Admission is free for students and by donation for community members.

The series will conclude 10 a.m. Friday, Oct. 31, in Lehman Auditorium, with Swartz illustrating through performance and sharing how God continues to surprise him, sometimes speaking through the very art which had become painful to perform. Informal conversation will follow in the Campus Center Greeting Hall.

Swartz, a 1989 EMU graduate, experimented with the intersection of humor and faith while enrolled at Eastern Mennonite Seminary – when he thought his search would lead to a pastorate. Instead, his journey led him to creating and performing dramatic plays that engage the biblical story for more than one quarter million people across the U.S. and into Canada, Kenya and Japan.

The first 20 years of this work included the creation of Ted & Lee TheaterWorks with Lee Eshleman and development of plays such as “Armadillo Shorts,” “Fish-Eyes,” “Creation Chronicles,” “Live at Jacob’s Ladder” and “DoveTale” (with Ingrid De Sanctis).

“Our student leaders in campus ministries are excited about the way Ted will hold laughter and lament together before us,” said Brian Martin Burkholder, EMU campus pastor. “We’re anticipating an invitation to be real with one another about the joys and challenges of faithful living as followers of Jesus,” he added.

All activities of spiritual life week are open to the public.

Contributors

Contributors

Have a guest column, letter to the editor, story idea or a news tip? Email editor Chris Graham at [email protected]. Subscribe to AFP podcasts on Apple PodcastsSpotifyPandora and YouTube.

Latest News

How to Bet On the Daytona 500 in California
Sports

How to Bet On the Daytona 500 in California

ron sanchez uva basketball vt
Basketball, Sports

The tweak UVA Basketball coach Ron Sanchez would need if he were to get the job full time

One lesson Ron Sanchez could take with him into next year, if he, indeed, ends up getting the UVA Basketball job on a full-time basis after the season, would be, succession planning.

george mason
Basketball, Sports

George Mason rallies, beats Saint Joseph’s, to stay atop A-10 standings

George Mason took the lead for good on a Brayden O’Connor bucket with 1:18 to go, then got a couple of stops on defense to complete the 58-57 win over Saint Joseph’s, to maintain the lead in the A-10.

isaac mckneely uva basketball
Basketball, Sports

Five Observations: UVA Basketball gets more good offense in road win

Daytona 500 Odds, Picks, & How To Bet
NASCAR

Daytona 500 Odds, Picks, & How To Bet

uva basketball
Basketball, Sports

Live Coverage: UVA Basketball grits out 73-70 win at Virginia Tech

How To Bet On The Daytona 500 in Florida
Sports News

How To Bet On The Daytona 500 in Florida