Faith Performances 2013

This summer, Rochester will be home to the nation’s first Catholic theatre conference, hosted by Faith Performances. The conference, entitled Performing our Faith: The Gift of Catholic Theatre, will be a fantastic resource for students and teachers, performers and producers, playwrights and enthusiasts—basically, the entire broad spectrum of the faithful theatrical community. If you have an interest in theatre, or a desire to learn more, we highly encourage you to check this conference out. See the press release below for more information:

Rochester, New York, March 13, 2013. Faith Performances, a new organization based in Rochester, NY is promoting theatre as a way of proclaiming and teaching the Gospel.  The group has announced an upcoming conference, Performing Our Faith: The Gift of Catholic Theatre July 5-7, 2013 at Notre Dame Retreat House in Canandaigua, New York. The conference will bring together playwrights, directors, actors, producers and others involved in theatre at all levels to network, share best practices, and plan a Festival of Catholic Theatre in 2014. Plenary sessions and breakouts at this event will cover a variety of theatre topics including theatre and evangelization, producing Christian theatre, and theatre and children.

“The Year of Faith is the perfect time to look at theatre as a way of evangelizing,” stated Fr. Mike Mayer, a diocesan priest who is the founder and driving force behind Faith Performances.  “We’re hearing from theatre groups and performers around the country who use theatre as a way of proclaiming the Gospel and are interested in sharing information on their work. ” Founder and director of Theater of the Word Incorporated Kevin O’Brien stated, “There is no more effective way of spreading the Faith in the current culture than through the dramatic arts.  This is why the Performing Our Faith Conference is so timely, especially in this, the Year of Faith. I predict this will be a gathering of great joy, which will bear much fruit in the Spirit.  It will also be a lot of fun!”

As part of the conference a one-act play will be chosen from submissions as part of the FIAT LUX Play Competition and given a staged reading on Saturday, July 6, at 7:00 p.m. at St. Mary’s Church in Canandaigua. The winning playwright will receive a $500 award. To date, over thirty scripts have been submitted.

Prior to the conference, July 3-5, a retreat for conference participants will be offered at Notre Dame Retreat House, providing time for prayerful reflection on theatre ministry.

For additional information and for registration materials go to www.faithperformances.com or call 585-820-4873.