“Institute for Research, Development, and Training in Theatrical Art and Christian Spirituality”
VISION
Theodrama Institute
The newly established Theodrama Institute at ACTS University is a research-development-training institute which is based on the incarnational-theatrical paradigm called “theodrama” and committed to the vision of enhancing the Christian art and culture movement. The institute hopes to introduce the theodrama vision to the churches in Korea and around the world through various means (seminar/workshop, training camp, training camp, production/performance, itinerant mission).
Theodrama Production
Since 2014, ACTS University has produced and performed 6 theodramas. Each theodrama production is essentially a “theology on stage,” expressing biblical-theological and missional drama through a variety of movement and theatrical means such as music, dance, mime, acting, improvisation, design, and media. It is a joint project under the direction/choreography of Professor Daniel Kim, with the amateur performers consisting of the international students and Korean undergraduate students, and those who are serving in the areas of administration and technical support.
Theodrama Training
As an initial preparation for the Lausanne performance, we are focusing on training in the areas of movement and theatrics. The students are learning the following disciplines: THEORY – theodrama paradigm, artistic/aesthetic expressions, performance theory, imagination, improvisation, simulation. PRACTICE – Calisthenics, stretching, core exercise, mobility exercise, footwork, posture/gesture, mime, dynamic movement, dance movement, physical theater, improvisation.
OBJECTIVES
- To contribute to the spiritual revival of Korean churches and the spiritual formation of Christian leaders through research, training, and seminars on Christian spirituality.
- To operate programs for artistic/aesthetic training, targeting students and church members.
- To experiment with and develop creative training methods in the areas of spiritual gifts, speech, theater/mime, movement, and media, among others.
- To produce/choreograph/perform a new theodrama every year, and perform on school stage as well as off-campus stages.
- To provide support domestically through theodrama training camp and abroad via theodrama traveling mission trips
- To network with Korean churches and churches around the world to contribute to the Christian spiritual -movement and art-culture movement.
PROSPECTS
The theodrama production/performance as experimented at ACTS University can serve as a way of bridging the biblical and contemporary theodramas. It can be understood as a way of simulation training for the biblically-based real life theodramas on the world stage. Thus, the theodrama paradigm can help supplement and enhance the holistic vision of the missional church. It can make the following contributions:
Community Revitalization
The Christian communities (churches, schools, agencies) can be more creatively/aesthetically revitalized through theatrical productions and art-culture movements. The participants can learn how to rely on God and each other as they work together and coordinate with each other through theatrical art rehearsals and performances.
Theological Education
The participants can receive inspiration and challenge in their theological education through bodily movements and theatrical expressions. Through such “physical” education, the participating students can discover the Word as “seen” and “felt,” in addition to the Word as “read” and “heard.”
Life Simulation
The theodrama production/performance can serve as a simulation training for the real life play. For the participants, the means/method of training/rehearsal and stage performance can serve as a bridge between the biblical theodrama and the modern-day theodrama.
Holistic Ministry
The theodrama expressions can serve as the means of manifold ministry: to God (worshiping and glorifying God), to self (activating one’s true self and creativity in Christ), to the church (teaching and inspiring people), and to the world (witnessing the gospel to the unbelievers).
Missional Strategy
The theatrical arts (along with other art forms) can serve as the missional bridge between the “word”-oriented modern generation and the “after-word” post-modern generation.
Prophetic Critique
The artistic expressions, especially the theatrical arts, can serve the purpose of moral and social critique, confronting and challenging both the church and the society.