Summer 11 Prentice

The purpose of this film is an attempt to describe an event through the emic perspective. When people hear 'mission trip' they automatically assume the trip will be taking food, medicine, and other supplies to a 3rd world country. 1. There are needs right here in our own backyard 2. Not all mission trips have to be international 3. People need love and 4. Love comes in different packages. Tour is worth describing because there is nothing like it; it is more than just a musical, and it is more than just a 'Jesus camp.' It is a way for students to combine their love for theatre and their desire to give back to society. Students grow closer to each other, themselves and God, through themed journals, nightly worship and small group discussions.

Tour is a one-of-a-kind mission trip that involves middle and high school students from the Michiana area. The students audition for a children's show at the end of March and start rehearsing at least 10 hours/week right after Spring Break. They pay over $300 to barely sleep on air mattresses in sometimes air-conditioned churches, perform at YMCA's, Boys & Girl's Clubs, Children's Hospital's etc. They also get down and dirty with hands-on mission work in cities such as Pittsburg and Bethlehem, PA and Queens, NY. At the end of the week they have a group workshop with Broadway professionals and see a matinée show. In addition to our performing students we have a team of interns and parent chaperones who join us for the weeklong journey. Tour is a culture that cannot be fully understood without actual experience. The program is sponsored through Clay Church and Firehouse Ministries.

I was unable to film tour in action because all of our cast members are under 18 so I had interns describe the event. I asked the interns and founder to describe tour: their definition of tour, what it means to them, and what we do. Past shows have included: Into the Woods, Godspell, Children of Eden, Honk, Seussical, Beauty and the Beast, Wonderland, and this year's There's a Monster in My Closet.

Interviews were conducted during rehearsal at Clay Church.

Special thanks to: Sara, Jill, Lindsey, Sarah, Cambrae, Johnny and Kara.

Song Credit: "Count on Me" --Bruno Mars

Category:

Entertainment

Tags:

• Anthropology
• Project