Crown of Success

I play Mr. Alphabet in this delightful children's story, The Crown of Success, an audio drama produced by Lamplighter Theatre. 

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I released “Pentecost: Beyond the Imagination,” a scene from my one-man play, The Acts, at www.RichDrama.com/Pentecost.

Here's a film in your language!

To my friends who visited www.RichDrama.com/YourLanguage, click here for the link to the film I mentioned that you can play in your language. You can watch it in English, or you can scroll down and search for your language. It's the most translated film in history, so yours should be among the 2000 languages there. 

I played the brother of the lead actor in an audio drama we recorded in London, The Dragon and the Raven.

I really hope you enjoy the film! 

Visit www.RichDrama.com/MyPassion for more information about its message. 

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I play a lead in Providence, which you can bring to your area or watch online. 

The Adventum, Volume 4

I was able to return to The Adventum, on Volume 4, reprising my role of Camsis, the advisor to Pharoah. You'll have to hear Volume 3 to understand why Camsis makes a return visit. 

Camsis was the husband of a character played by Melissa Disney, the voice of Ginger in As Told by Ginger on Nickelodeon. What a joy to work with her again!

It's available now.

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See the rest of Olympic champion Eric Liddell's Chariots of Fire story in Beyond the Chariots. Watch it online and book a live performance.

Freedom: William Bradford and the American Pilgrims

A blessed Thanksgiving, everyone! 

Brinkman Adventures has made both volumes of their audio drama, Freedom: William Bradford and the American Pilgrims available. 

We love that they show how clearly the Pilgrims were motivated by the desire to worship the Lord according to Scripture and not the dictates of men, how they dedicated America to the spreading of the Gospel, and how they address the concerns of those trying to tear down our history, showing how flawed people did the best they could under extraordinary circumstances. 

I asked the director, Ian Bultman, to explain how he got the idea for the project, and he wrote:

We started this after meeting some Christians who run the Jenny Interpretive Center while visiting Plymouth. They planted the idea to do an episode as 2020 was the 400th anniversary. Because Jenny was a ministry, I saw them as missionaries to American and felt they fit our format perfectly.  Soon I realized this wasn't about the Jenny, it was about Bradford and the Pilgrims. The story hits on so many things we are dealing with today in America. Freedom of conscience and freedom to practice our faith unhindered by government; race relations; how to deal with a society that treats us unjustly; suffering for/with Christ; loving our enemies; a pandemic. In hindsight I really see God's hand leading us to this project three years ago before everything that's happened in the US.  I see this as a reminder to America of it's roots and heritage. A warning to those who wish to go back to tyranny. And a reminder to the church how to live in troubling times.  Freedom was going to be two or three episodes. As I studied and wrote, it kept growing. At one point I was stressing over the length and sensed the Lord say 'tell the story and don't worry about how many episodes it will take. So at that point I did just that. There was only one 3 minute portion I wasn't able to tell due to space (we'll be including it on CD as an easter egg bonus track).  

Here's his prayer:

Lord, as the intercessors across this country listen, encourage their hearts and faith through the faith and actions of these Pilgrim Fathers who now stand among the cloud of witnesses.   May each listening be reminded that they too are pilgrims, strangers in a foreign land, serving as ambassadors for You with the Good News that each may be reconciled to you through the blood of Jesus.  Help us find ways to get this story circulated across the country this year and may it ultimately be pleasing to you and bring glory to Your name. In your Son's name, amen

In Part 1 I play the roles of Charles Deane (introduced at 8:27 in Disc 1, track 1) and Richard Clyfton (introduced at 2:01 in Disc 1, track 2).

In Part 2 I play Samoset and an unnamed Native American.

Click here to download the audio drama or order the CDs.

I wrote about this and two other Pilgrim projects I've worked on for www.HeadlinePrayer.org: "Pilgrims Past, Future… and Present."

  

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In Mayflower II we play a couple in the not-so-distant future who host an illegal Bible study that uses Scripture that's been deleted from the government-approved version. Rich's character is an engineer working on the Mayflower II, a spacecraft built to take believers to Mars, the only place left for religious freedom... or is it?

The Invisible Man

One of G.K. Chesterton's Father Brown mysteries is being adapted into an audio drama by Saint Benedict Radio Theatre. 

I play James Welkin, and Brian Kirk, who I met on the set of The Unlikely Wise Man plays Mr. Hope.

To hear the trailer, click the button below, or if you're getting this via email, visit www.RichDrama.com/TheInvisibleMan.
 

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See the rest of Olympic champion Eric Liddell's Chariots of Fire story in Beyond the Chariots. Watch it online and book a live performance. 

The Unlikely Wise Man

Also, this year our church will be performing it as a readers theatre piece on Christmas Eve at 7 p.m.: 

Westchester Chapel Church of the Nazarene
at The Sonesta Hotel
 66 Hale Ave
White Plains, NY 10601
(A $9 cab ride from the White Plains Metro North Station)

Here's how I first got involved with this delightful production...

One of the students from the Lamplighter Guild, Angelina SantaLucia (to the right of me, with Rachel Marley), wrote to me several weeks ago letting me know that she got a role in a radio show for a studio audience being produced by Lamplighter Theatre. I was thrilled for her!

I put it on my calendar and looked forward to hearing it. I also said a prayer that someday I'd get to perform in one of Lamplighter's live productions.

A few days later I was asked to audition for the same project! Woo hoo!

I was cast as a Scrooge-like character in this new radio show, adapted by Molly Mayo and Lamplighter president, Mark Hamby, from Bells Across the Snow by Fannie Eden. 

I play Robert Redfern, who is successful in business, but when it comes to family he says, "Love leads to loss and loneliness, and unless you’re strong enough to overcome it, it will ruin you...bankrupt you!" He develops this philosophy when his wife dies, and he blames God. He refuses invitations from his brother (played by David Sanborn, pictured here). He pushes his daughter away because she wants to marry someone who is "unable to give you the life that money can buy!"

But the Lord reaches Robert through a little girl, a lamb, a clever butler and some letters.

For the radio show, we performed it the way they did back in the '30s. We were dressed in period costumes and had minimal blocking around four mics. Foley artists created the sounds before the audience's eyes!

One of the foley artists, Oscar Corral (pictured here, adjusting the mic for his bride of three months in the booth where they met on Escape from the Eagle's Nest), also played a couple of roles, so when he "entered the house," I ran over to the foley corner and created his footsteps! It was SO MUCH FUN!!!

As we got closer to doing the radio show as a live production, the decision was made to record it as an audio drama in the sound booth to go out to radio stations around the world! This meant we skipped a rehearsal for the live version and spent time in the booth to get a studio quality sound. It was a very tight turn-around for sound designer Allen Hurley (Adventures in Audio and other Lamplighter Theatre projects) and composer John Campbell (Adventures in Audio and other Lamplighter Theatre projects). 

They finished Monday, and more than 400 radio stations have signed up to air it so far! 

Here's a preview featuring the voice of John Fornof, who has 
directed me in a number of audio dramas.

See the highlights of our year, which was actually quite full, at www.RichDrama.com/Christmas2020.

Jonathan Park: The Defining Moment

I had a blast playing two cab drivers, Bobby and Alfred in Jonathan Park, Series 15.  The heros, including one played by Rocky Mountain Christian Filmmakers Camp alumna, Rachel Marley, jumped in Bobby's cab. They realized they were being pursued, so they jumped out and into Alfred's cab! So much fun! Bobby had a Cockney accent, and Alfred had a posh Received Pronunciation British accent. 

We're really blessed by how Rachel carries this story as the lead. 

I'm particularly fond of this project because it explores the virtual reality world Meta (formerly known as Facebook) is creating, but uses it to expose the story of Charles Darwin and the shaky foundation of evolution. When I started college, it was as a biology major. I wanted to be a science teacher and undermine evolution in a public school. The Lord changed my course, but I've always had a passion for telling these kinds of stories. 

This was the fifth time John Fornof directed me in an audio drama, and that made it even more delightful!

It's now available!

Here's an encouraging review on Audio Theatre Central: ATC144: Review of Jonathan Park #15: The Defining Moment.

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I released “Pentecost: Beyond the Imagination,” a scene from my one-man play, The Acts, at www.RichDrama.com/Pentecost.

The Story of Christ's Passion

We put together a dramatic reading of the story of Christ's Passion taken from all four Gospels. It is illustrated with works of classic artists over a music bed by John Fornof. This was conceived and performed live for the Good Friday service at Westchester Chapel Church of the Nazarene, April 10, 2020.

Click the arrow below, or if you're reading this in an email you can click this link, to play the service:

We're revising it and will repost it later.

Artwork used by permission of The Metropolitan Museum of Art, Open Access.

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Rich will teach voice acting for The Lamplighter Guild for Creative Disciplines this summer: www.LamplighterGuild.com.

Prayers for Redemption and Rest

Joyce and I have occasionally had restless nights during this pandemic, and we know others are having the same issue. A former student of mine sent me a link to some recorded prayers over music, and I was moved... and inspired! We have friends who are musicians!

So we recorded these prayers and put them over a bed of music created by our friend Paula Kasica and her musical colleague, David Hadden. The piece is entitled, "Rest." We hope it blesses you at eventide. I asked Joyce if I should mention that it put me to sleep twice while we were editing it, but she said I should share full disclosure: Falling asleep is one of my spiritual gifts! Well, hopefully I've imparted something of that gift through these prayers:

Hit the arrow to play, or if you're getting this in an email you can hear them and future prayers we're hoping to post at www.RichDrama.com/Prayers.



Paula and David's album, "Breath of God," is available on iTunes, Amazon and Spotify.

Scripture quotations are from the ESV® Bible (The Holy Bible, English Standard Version®), copyright © 2001 by Crossway Bibles, a publishing ministry of Good News Publishers. Used by permission. All rights reserved.

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See the rest of Olympic champion Eric Liddell's Chariots of Fire story in Beyond the Chariots. Watch it online and book a live performance.

The Mountain Contest

I'm so pleased with the final edit of "The Mountain Contest!" It's the latest episode on Airship Genesis, and I got to reprise my role as Elijah! 

For about 20 years I've been doing a short play about Elijah called "Prophet of Fear" (www.RichDrama.com/ShortPieces). In 2005 I got to perform it on Mt. Carmel, where the Airship Genesis story also takes place. 

You can hear it now for free by clicking here.

Stay tuned for information on the release of their upcoming mobile game in which I'll reprise another role, John the Baptist: www.RichDrama.com/AirshipGenesis.

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I Dreamed I Was Free tells the story of Quaker abolitionist John Woolman, who spoke against slavery a century before our Civil War.

Rocky Mountain Christian Filmmakers Camp Early Bird Deadline and Post Camp Production

With three of our alumni,
Joyce Swingle,
Gwendelynn Martindale, and
Morgan Willer.

Due to some logistics issues we were not able to get the word out in a timely manner about our early bird special to some of our potential acting camp students at the Rocky Mountain Christian Filmmakers Camp. In order to be fair with all who are interested in attending either of our camps we have decided to extend the $150 early bird discount a few more weeks.

The registration website has already been updated to the full price since the early bird discount expired on January 15th. However, we have created a special discount coupon code that you can use to get the same discount. Here’s how it works. Register for either the 2018 Rocky Mountain Christian Acting camp or the Filmmakers camp from our regular camp registration page and enter the following coupon code on the payment screen to receive the discount.

Coupon Code: EB2018
Acting Camp Registration SiteFilmmaking Camp Registration Site

The discount coupon is only good through January 31st and only while we still have space available. Once the camp is full registration will be closed so register now to assure your spot and to take advantage of this extended discount.

If you choose the 3 payment option the $150 discount will be applied to your initial payment. So the first payment will only be $150, the second and third payments will be $300 each.

As of this moment there are only 4 acting camp spots left and only 3 filmmaking camp spots left. So register now to reserve your spot at the 2018 Rocky Mountain Christian Filmmakers and Acting Camp.

I just got to perform the lead role and coach the other actors (including one of our alumna, Rebekah Stought) in "There" a short film by two of our alumni, William and Morgan Willer. In all we had six alumni from our program involved in the production, and the Willers managed to pull together over a dozen professionals in all!

Two other alumni, Rebekah Stought 
and William Willer.

Before we left they showed us a rough cut, and it's going to look extraordinary! I'm so proud of the Willers and our amazing team!

While we were on set, one of the six alumni of the Rocky Mountain Christian Filmmakers Camp, McKenzie Harris, was cast as the lead in Lamplighter Theatre's next production! We also know Rachel Marley, was cast as the friend of the lead. Rachel has been my student several times at two different performing arts training intensives, and she was on our performance team in Sochi during the 2014 Olympics.

Rebekah Stought performed with me in the last two Lamplighter Theatre productions.

McKenzie Harris
Photo by Ivy Schexnayder

I'll be teaching and directing at the Lamplighter Guild this summer, and their early bird discount (also a savings of $150) deadline will be at the end of January.

You can hear my interview with Mark Hamby, the executive director of Lamplighter Ministries here. Click below or if you're reading this in an email you can click this link, to play it.



I was happy to volunteer my time to the Willer's project, but they agreed to let me perform my one-man play Views of the Manger in their barn on Epiphany, and offer an acting workshop after we wrapped the film.

After Views of the Manger we gathered to praise the Lord for what He accomplished through the piece, and a five-year-old prayed the most beautiful prayers! I asked if I could interview her about the play, and here's what she had to say. Click the arrow below, or if you're reading this in an email you can click this link, to play it.

I shared it as a part of the opening to this morning's service at Westchester Chapel. You can hear my introduction to the interview below...

Dr. Linda Warren preaches on Genesis 3 and the source of all fear. Rachel Taylor opens with prayer.  Jim Warren prays over the sermon and shares about the awesome nature of God expressed in Job 38.

Click the arrow below, or if you're reading this in an email you can click this link, to play the service:



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.

If you want to more about starting a relationship with Jesus Christ visit www.WestchesterChapel.org/Salvation.

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Remember, registration is now open for the 2018 Lamplighter's Guild and Rocky Mountain Christian Filmmakers Camp.

Miracle Story

I wrote this story up at www.RichDrama.com/LamplighterTheatre, but here is how Mark Hamby, executive director of Lamplighter Live tells it:



If you're getting this via email click here to watch.

Join us at the Lamplighter Guild this summer!

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See the rest of Olympic champion Eric Liddell's Chariots of Fire story in Beyond the Chariots. Watch it online and book a live performance.

Lamplighter Theatre

Crystal Van Artsdalen, Rebekah Stought,
Rachel Marley and Morgan Fairbanks
have been my students at MasterWorks
 and The Rocky Mountain Christian
Filmmakers Camp.

I played several roles and served as Afghan accent coach in the audio dramas Escape from the Eagle's Nest and The Giant Killer for Lamplighter Theatre, part of Lamplighter Ministries (www.Lamplighter.net).

Both shows were broadcast on over 1600 radio stations in 30 nations.

The Giant Killer is now available, and on that page you can hear my voice in the Behind the Scenes Recordings at 19 seconds and 1:23.

Escape from the Eagle's Nest is also available. You can see and hear my contributions in the video below...

Both stories are based on books by A.L.O.E., which stands for A Lady of England. It was the pseudonym she used to get those and many other books published in the 1800s.

In the booth with Israel Oyelumade,
Rachel Marley and David Sanborn.

After I was cast as a cook (to perform the role, not to actually prepare food), I was asked to recommend someone who could play an Afghan who grows from a little girl into a married woman. I recommended some of my students, and they chose Rachel Marley. Besides being my student numerous times she was on our performing arts team in Sochi during the 2014 Olympics. What a delight to work with her and have several scenes together.

A few weeks after they cast Rachel, producer John Fornof told me there were visa issues. They used to record in London, so that's where all their contacts are. John’s US contacts are union actors. He asked if I could get the word out to my nonunion contacts in case the visas did not come through since just about everyone besides Rachel and I were coming from the UK. This was the first time they invited people to watch the process, so dozens of observers were signed up, coming to Mt. Morris, NY, from as far as North Dakota.

Nathan "Nato" Jacobson and I have
been a part of four films together.

I sent out about 350 emails to students and colleagues who turned in 189 auditions. John and executive producer Mark Hamby said they had perfect peace about the situation and were sure the visas would come through but if not, God would provide. When the final word came that the visas were denied John and team went through all the auditions in two days, normally a two-week process! The casts were announced on Friday and Saturday and we began recording on Monday!

Garry Nation and I (who share three
film credits) got to play giant brothers:
He was Sloth, and I was Selfishness.

The only one from the UK was Israel Oyelumade, who volunteered his time to bypass the need for a visa! Before I performed Beyond the Chariots for the community he shared how the Lord had led him to play Jesus in a massive Passion play. It was done outdoors with 300 actors.

I was delighted that Lamplighter Theatre cast four of my students, and that I got to perform with colleagues from numerous films. My friend David Sanborn was cast in twelve of the 17 roles for which he auditioned, and then he picked up others along the way.

Working with so many great friends in and of itself made it one of my favorite weeks, but the highlight came through a new friend, Akmal. Patrick Powell the director of Escape from the Eagle's Nest found him on an internet search. Akmal lived his first twelve years in Southern Afghanistan, where the story takes place! He translated passages from The Sermon on the Mount, Revelation and Isaiah into Pashto, and then he came up with a tune inspired by music from his homeland and recorded himself singing the Scripture while he played keyboards underneath it.

John Fornof and I in London where
he directed me in The Dragon and
the Raven.

Our director for Escape from
the Eagle's Nest, Patrick Powell,

is one of a very small number

of actors who have performed

St. John in Exile by Dean Jones.

David Sanborn sang the Scriptures with our friend's tune, then he led the rest of the cast humming the tune. We were portraying the Afghanis who began by shouting down the foreigner. Then, as they were hearing words of life in their heart language, sung with a familiar tune they quieted down, and slowly started to join, humming the tune. I got to direct small groups who joined as the Scripture moved along. Once all of them had joined in, something extraordinary occurred. As had happened when he was singing the Pashto translation, David became overwhelmed with what was happening. We were all touched at a very deep level, so much so that everyone observing, including the director, were weeping. Executive Producer Mark Hamby compared it to the tongues of fire that fell on the disciples at Pentecost (Acts 2)!

I'm so thrilled with how it turned out!

Throughout production there were Lamplighter Live students observing the process and jumping into the group scenes!

Here's the story of how it all came together:

Below you can hear my voice at :02, 1:03, where I'm performing with two former students, and see my "sword fight" at 1:05.


Below you can hear me at :25.

Under Drake's Flag

With John Fornof, director of
Under Drake's Flag, in the same studio
when we recorded The Dragon and
the Raven.

While on a tour of the Pacific Northwest (Instagram and Facebook: #NWTour15) I recorded myself reviewing Under Drake's Flag, an audio movie which preceded The Dragon and the Raven in which I got to play four roles and numerous Danish and Saxon warriors. 



I was going to record myself reciting the prayer of Sir Francis Drake, but producer Bill Heid's grandson doing is just too charming:





Here's Heirloom Audio's vision for using the G.A. Henty Books:

Ever wonder why we chose G.A. Henty's novels to adapt into our audio adventures? Watch this video and find out! #UnderDrakesFlag #GAHenty #BehindTheScenes #Audies2015
Posted by The Extraordinary Adventures of G.A. Henty on Monday, April 6, 2015

Hear my review of another Heirloom Audio: www.RichDrama.com/InFreedomsCause.

Sign Up to get the announcement when registration opens for the 2016 Rocky Mountain Christian Filmmakers Camp.

Also, we're now taking sign-ups for Rio Ready.