Is God Fair?

Joyce reported on performing as my character's wife in The Unexpected Bar Mitzvah. She also led communion and shared our thoughts on God's Not Dead.

Pastor Linda Warren preaches on Romans 3:1-8. Opening comments by Liz and Bill H. Bill mentioned Tim Keller's book, Encounters with Jesus.



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God's Not Dead surprises box office

God's Not Dead was number five at the box office for it's opening weekend. That's impressive even without the fact that it was only in 780 theatres and all the films that came in ahead of it were in more than 3,000. It's per theatre take was number one.

Joyce and I loved this film. Even Huffington Post admitted that, "The dramatic context of the script and the talent of the cast could make it entertaining for anyone."

I performed in Memoirs of a Prodigal Son, in which Kevin Sorbo (a lead character in God's Not Dead) played the father of the prodigal, so I'm hoping the success of God's Not Dead will help raise awareness of our film, directed by my former student, Nathan Clarkson.

There is definitely an audience for films with an unashamedly Christian message. Someone commented on the Huffington Post article that messages should be sent by FedEx, not by movies. All movies have messages. This one just happens to have a great one: God's Not Dead.

The Christian Actor Prepares

Here's a link to my handout for my workshop at the Christian Worldview Guild: The Christian Actor Gets in Character.

Now taking applications for the MasterWorks Festival theatre program: www.RichDrama.com/MWFTheatre. Training and performances in IN, PA and NYC, including an Off-Broadway theatre!

Sochi Report

We put together photos, stories and footage from our time in Sochi for the Olympics: www.RichDrama.com/Sochi.

Robert Fresco

Writer, pilot, Academy Award-winning filmmaker, and our dear friend died at 9:15 AM on Valentine's Day. Oh, and he was also a poet.

My first encounter with Robert was after my first New York performances of Five Bells for 9/11, 9/11/02. I got to my office at the Helen Hayes Theatre, and there was a note slipped under my door: "Five Bells. That was lovely. Robert." I asked around and someone said it must have been from the gentleman in the office around the corner. "He won an Oscar." It was from Robert, and we struck up a friendship that lasted almost a dozen years. We'd stop by each other's offices and chat. Seemed like 10-15 minutes, but we'd look at our clocks and see it had been 60-90 minutes. Since my dad is a pilot we talked a lot about flight. His youngest son, Dylan, performs his own one-man plays, so we talked a lot about the struggles and joys of this crazy career. Of course we talked about writing. And we talked a whole lot about God.

We trudged through the snow on Thursday to see him. We talked about waiting until the weather cleared up, but we're so glad we didn't. He wasn't talking by the time we got there, but we believe he heard us. He was still able to communicate with his unforgettable eyebrows, which he refused to trim.

Robert won the Oscar in 1970 for a documentary he did on Czechoslovakia, which you can watch below. Fred Astaire and Bob Hope handed him his golden statue, and you can watch Astaire's only dance at the Oscars leading up to the award below:



He was also the first person to get cameras into courtrooms. But when we got home from our visit we watched "Look to the Stars," an episode of Bonanza that he wrote.

Ralph Waite, the father on The Waltons died the day before Robert. The New York Times cited a 2004 TV Guide Poll that rated Mr. Walton as the number three TV dad behind Bill Cosby's Cliff Huxtable, number one, and Lorne Greene's Ben Cartwright, number two. So Robert filled the mouth of the second best dad that's ever been on TV. Robert seemed like a pretty great dad in real life, too. In all the countless hours we spent in the Helen Hayes hallway many of them were spent talking about our families. He never said a negative word about either of his sons or his wife, all of whom he loved very much along with the grandkids.

Here are the tributes printed in the The New York Times (Robert M. Fresco, Oscar-Winning Documentary Filmmaker, Dies at 83) and in Variety (Robert M. Fresco, Documentarian and Horror Pic Writer, Dies at 83).

Here's an interview I did with him on Friendship for a sermon series at our church:

Robert Fresco on Friendship from Rich Swingle on Vimeo.

I was honored that they included a clip from that at his funeral, along with clips from his work on television, film and his documentaries.

His Academy Award-winning "Czechoslovakia 1968" is now online:



Here are Robert's program notes on Czechoslovakia 1968.

Not Ashamed of the Gospel

Joyce preached on Romans 1:16-17. Bill H. opened and closed. Additional comments by Liz H. Pastor Randy Solomon tells about his creations for space and creation from space. Tamara W. shares how she calmed someone's fears about her travel, and she read Matthew 28:1-6.



This service is available for download free on iTunes, where you can also subscribe to our podcast. Search for "Westchester Chapel" on the iTunes Store.

Photo courtesy of NicolettiPhoto.com.

 

Heading for Sochi / Actor Deadlines

As the Opening Ceremonies sweep across the time zones we’re making final plans to be in Sochi during the last week of the Olympics. We appreciate your prayers for us while we're there!

We’re in the process of having translations done for the people we meet from around the world. So far we’ve only completed Spanish, though Portuguese, German, Korean and Simplified Chinese are in the works. If you can contribute to any of those translations or if you’re interested in having an impact on people who speak your language shoot us a note.

We won't be posting from Russia, but watch your inboxes for a report when we return. 

February 15, the eve of our departure, happens to be the deadline for two events at which I’ll be directing and teaching later in the year:

The Rocky Mountain Christian Filmmakers Camp is adding an acting component. I'm thrilled to inaugurate this program as the sole instructor! Many of you know me from my stage work, but I've been in 15 films since 2010: www.RichDrama.com/Films. I’ll be teaching classes and directing the students in a film we’ll shoot in the glorious Colorado Rockies.

I learned much of what I know about screen acting from the fabulous faculty that we've had at the MasterWorks Festival over the years. We're bringing in some more performing arts veterans this year as well. 

I wrote about Torry Martin in a recent blog post that went out to those who receive our more frequent posts. Now I’m pleased to announce that we’ll have a second Adventures in Odyssey cast member, Katie Leigh. Katie will coach our students reading sides from… a show for which she’s been a cast member. Sign up for her MasterClass will be based on date of application, so act now. She got her start in Improv, so on July 2, she will join Torry Martin and our students to perform Improv! That night has the potential of being the funniest in the history of MasterWorks!

Our tickled funny bones will propel us into performances of William Shakespeare's Much Ado About Nothing in Winona Lake, Bethel Park, PA, and in an Off-Broadway theatre!

Again, the early bird deadline for MasterWorks and the The Rocky Mountain Christian Filmmakers Acting Camp is February 15. So get the application process rolling now, or send this to young actors who might be interested. 

I play a quirky clerk in Christmas Grace.

Another place I’ll be teaching and performing is the inaugural Christian Worldview Film Festival and Guild. Five of the films in which I’ve performed will be featured there in full or represented by a short piece. The Guild will be March 11 and 12, and the Festival will be March 13-15 in beautiful San Antonio, TX. Though there’s no early bird special, you can get 25% off all tickets to the Festival or Guild using the code RICHSWINGLE.

Check out my touring schedule at www.RichDrama.com/Schedule and see if I’ll be in your area. I always love to add performances and workshops whenever I’m outside the NYC area.

I'm really hoping to set up performances in San Antonio, TX, Colorado, Tuscon, AZ, and Oregon. Hope to see you somewhere in the world this year!

Be Mutually Encouraged by Each Other's Faith

Joyce preached on Romans 1:8-15. Bill H. opened with prayer and scripture. Pastor Linda Warren prayed for the sermon and brought the announcements.



This service is available for download free on iTunes, where you can also subscribe to our podcast. Search for "Westchester Chapel" on the iTunes Store.


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Photo courtesy of NicolettiPhoto.com.

Now taking applications for the MasterWorks Festival theatre program: www.RichDrama.com/MWFTheatre. Training and performances in IN, PA and NYC, including an Off-Broadway theatre!
 

Five films to be screened at the Christian Worldview Film Festival

Three films in which I perform have been selected for screening at the Christian Worldview Film Festival in March: Christmas Grace, Creed of Gold and In His Steps.

Two others were selected in the Promotional category: Princess Cut and Polycarp: Destroyer of Gods. 

Cry, the Beloved Country

I just saw one of the most wonderful films I've every seen: Cry, the Beloved Country. It is a story of grace, peace and reconciliation powerfully, tastefully, beautifully, and poetically told.

Now taking applications for the MasterWorks Festival theatre program: www.RichDrama.com/MWFTheatre. Training and performances in IN, PA and NYC, including an Off-Broadway theatre!

NYC MasterWorks Auditions

If you're in the NYC click here for a hi-rez version of the poster, and then print it and post it where potential MasterWorks students may see it.

Thanks!

Now taking applications for the MasterWorks Festival theatre program: www.RichDrama.com/MWFTheatre. Training and performances in IN, PA and NYC, including an Off-Broadway theatre!

Dr. Wayne Roberts' Memorial

When my grandmother died in 1988 I mentioned to Dr. Wayne Roberts that Grandma prayed for me every day. Dr. Wayne said, "Well, Rich, Bertie and I pray for you every day." It had such a huge impact on me at that point in my life. He was never a teacher of mine in any official capacity, but he and Bertie were some of my greatest mentors. He died in August, and I'm glad to have just found his memorial service. If you have the time to listen you'll see why he had such an impact on me and so many others.

Joyce preaches on Simeon

Joyce preached on Luke 2:25-35 this morning at our church, Westchester Chapel. Opening prayer and announcements by Pastor Linda Warren. Closing prayer by Liz J.



"Go Tell It on the Mountain" sung by the congregation. Words: John W. Work, Jr., Folk Songs of the Amer­i­can Ne­gro (Nash­ville, Tenn­es­see: 1907).
Music: Af­ri­can-Amer­i­can spir­it­u­al

This service is available for download free on iTunes, where you can also subscribe to our podcast. Search for "Westchester Chapel" on the iTunes Store.

Photo courtesy of NicolettiPhoto.com.

Now taking applications for the MasterWorks Festival theatre program: www.RichDrama.com/MWFTheatre. Training and performances in IN, PA and NYC, including an Off-Broadway theatre!

Torry Martin will make MasterWorks laugh

I first met Torry at a conference where we were both performing probably twelve years ago now, and I'm still laughing at the stories he told! He's a writer, actor, stand-up comic, and he's going to be a MasterWorks MasterClass instructor this year!



He's going to perform improv with our students, and then roll into some of his own humor in teaching and testimony: "Discovering Your Calling/Finding Your Gift". He'll also do some stand up for a faculty recital. You seriously don't want to miss it!

Now taking applications for the MasterWorks Festival theatre program: www.RichDrama.com/MWFTheatre. Training and performances in IN, PA and NYC, including an Off-Broadway theatre!

Roger Nelson Recommends the MasterWorks Festival

Roger Nelson performed most of his one-man play The Confession of St. Patrick for a Sunday morning service, an excerpt from his one-man play The Man from Aldersgate at a faculty recital, and coached honors recital winners at The MasterWorks Festival. In his Journal he made the following observations:

I highly recommend the MasterWorks Festival to any young person who is serious about developing his/her talent in music, dance, or theatre. A professional and friendly atmosphere pervades the campus. Most of the students are enrolled in the music program, but the dance and theater programs are just as strong. The faculty are all professional Christian artists, who bring much experience as well as knowledge to the table. Students and faculty take their meals together in the cafeteria. Halfway through the lunch hour a 15-minute devotional is shared by a ... faculty member. In addition to that, Bible study attendance is required three nights a week with faculty members leading the studies. Almost every evening a concert or recital can be heard, giving students and faculty alike the opportunity to perform with the ultimate goal of bringing the love of God and the message of Jesus Christ to the classical performing arts world. 

Roger teamed with me in April of 2006 to rent the same Off-Broadway theatre (Theatre 315) in which The MasterWorks Festival Theatre Program will perform again this July.

You can read more about Roger's worldwide adventures, including his performance at our home church, Westchester Chapel and his reflections on my career, which was inspired by his, in his latest Journal at A1ManPlay.com.

Now taking applications for the MasterWorks Festival theatre program: www.RichDrama.com/MWFTheatre. Training and performances in IN, PA and NYC, including an Off-Broadway theatre!

The Prophetess Anna

Yesterday Joyce performed "The Consecrated Prophetess", a monologue in which she portrayed the Prophetess Anna, who saw the Christ Child, when He was being presented at the Temple.

Pastor Linda Warren did the biblical research and wrote the piece, and she preached on Luke 2:22-38. Sandy R. opened with prayer, and I prayed over the children as they left the main service, and read the scripture. I also directed the drama and helped Joyce fine-tune the script.





This service is available for download free on iTunes, where you can also subscribe to our podcast. Search for "Westchester Chapel" on the iTunes Store.


Grooveshark is a third party source. If you listen on their website you will encounter advertisements, none of which are vetted or endorsed by Westchester Chapel. We encourage you to click Settings, then Preferences, then check the box for "Only show me family-friendly themes." If there are still ads that you find offensive we encourage you to click the "Report Ad" link below the ad.

Now taking applications for the MasterWorks Festival theatre program: www.RichDrama.com/MWFTheatre. Training and performances in IN, PA and NYC, including an Off-Broadway theatre!

New Birth Portrait Series: Ellie Ellsworth

I got to know Ellie Ellsworth on a drive from NYC to Toronto for a Christians in Theatre Arts conference in 1999. Playwright Patti Souder was also on that trip, and the three of us talked about the Lord and using theatre to awaken people's awareness of their need for Him all the way up and all the way back... when we weren't praying. I'm so delighted to stumble across Ellie's testimony:



Now taking applications for the MasterWorks Festival theatre program: www.RichDrama.com/MWFTheatre. Training and performances in IN, PA and NYC, including an Off-Broadway theatre!

Have a scientific Epiphany!

Some scientists have created software that recreates the night sky at any point in history (or in the future), based on what is known about the movement of planets, stars, etc. We just watched a DVD about a fellow who recreated what the magi saw at the conception of Jesus and at their arrival in Bethlahem. Fascinating: The Star of Bethlahem.

A list of Christians involved in the film making industry was published on IMDb.com, the Internet Movie Database. Several of my colleagues from the films in which I've performed and several of our MasterWorks faculty, including myself, are on the list:

Christians involved in movies

Now taking applications for the MasterWorks Festival theatre program: www.RichDrama.com/MWFTheatre. Training and performances in IN, PA and NYC, including an Off-Broadway theatre!

The Unexpected Bar Mitzvah

We just watched Donald James Parker's The Unexpected Bar Mitzvah, in which Joyce and I play husband and wife.

It was shown on Daystar Television Network, but you can order the DVD now.

The Dove Foundation gave it a great review: Dove Family-Approved. The review said, "This one has earned five Doves, our best rating."

We're so pleased to be a part of this film that boldly speaks Truth.

I wrote that last sentence months before The Unexpected Bar Mitzvah was nominated for seven Truth Awards: Best Film, Best Director (Chip Rosetti),  Best Original Screenplay (Donald James Parker won), Best Inspirational Story (won), Best Supporting Actor (Jeff Rose won), Best Supporting Actress (Donna Botts), and Best Actor (Rich Swingle). It also won Best Evangelistic Film at the GloryReelz Christian Film Festival.

Joyce mentioned our experience with the project:



That is from a sermon, which you can hear in its entirety here.

Like the film on Facebook.

Screenwriter and producer Donald James Parker interviewed me on his show, Wielding the Sword of the Spirit, which has been my most visited blog post.