Playing for the Master: Recent Episodes
Jon Wilson & Timothy Van Bruggen
Open talk about Theatre, Faith, Culture and other Shenanigans. The (possibly, maybe, sort of) official podcast of Master Arts Theatre
Tim talks to Christine Hall about the newly formed Alive Theatre in Lansing and their first show, These Shining Lives.
For every Tuesday in December 2023, we're sharing stories and testimonies from the people behind the scenes at Master Arts. Today we're hearing from Luke Bouma, a business owner and current member of our Board of Directors, sharing his testimony from the Legacy Banquet in 2022 honoring our late beloved founder and artistic director, Pris McDonald.
Guest Walt Williams shares his love for Master Arts, and shares stories of his beginnings, being a right-hand to Pris McDonald, and his love for directing the youth theatre camp for almost 20 years.
On this #GivingTuesday, we are so grateful for the volunteers and supporters of Master Arts that allow us to keep telling great stories. Please prayerfully consider giving towards the ministry of Master Arts with your end of year giving.
We talk with the set designer and painter of our 2023 Christmas Show SEEKING THE CHILD - their inspirations, their methods, and their thoughts about the story.
Tim talks to Jon Wilson, Susie Finkbeiner, Tyler Suttner and Becky Suttner about their involvement in SEEKING THE CHILD: A TALE OF ANOTHER WISE MAN, the 2023 Christmas Show at Master Arts Theatre.
Director (and co-host) Jon Wilson and cast members Sam Wilson, John Miedem and Cathy Van Lopik from OVER THE RIVER & THROUGH THE WOODS talk with Tim Van Bruggen about the Master Arts production, touching on themes of nurtured identity, family, mutual respect and understanding and sharing your bed with fruits and vegetables.
Tim and Jon talk with the director and cast from Master Arts Theatre's production of THE HUNCHBACK OF NOTRE DAME. Along the way they explore themes from Victor Hugo's work and the Disney musical, compare it to another Hugo story, Les Miserables, and debate the goodness of Durian fruit.
Hosts: Tim Van Bruggen & Jon Wilson
Guests: Cathy Van Lopik, Molly VanderWest, Tyler Suttner, Xander Griffin
Tim speaks with the director of GUESS WHO'S COMING TO DINNER, Lorna Torres, and Christian counselor and diversity consultant Dr. Zawdie "Doc" Abiade about the relevance of this show for our current cultural climate, what does Christian love and unity look like, and the importance of doing culturally relevant stories at our Christian theatre.
Jon and Tim speak with the cast of LIFE DERAILED, premiering at Master Arts Theatre in September of 2021. Director Lorna Torres and actors Kelli Burns and Jason Vandy Bogurt share their experiences with the show, what it's like to return to live theatre after a pandemic, and the unique challenges of performing in a premiere show with a local author.
Host Jon Wilson talks with his friends John & Megan Taylor about their involvement in art, a comparison of theatre and church communities, and a discussion on the nature of worship in this second exploration of theology and theatre.
In a special Christmas episode, Master Arts Theatre's executive director Tim Van Bruggen performs The Nativity Story, read simply from scripture with background music by Tim Van Bruggen and Richard Cerchia. Merry Christmas to all our listeners!
Tim talks with Cathy Van Lopik about her history and involvement at Master Arts Theatre, the challenges of producing theatre during a global pandemic, and A Vintage Christmas, the online show current available at www.masterarts.org for the holidays.
Special Thanksgiving Episode . . . Jon and Tim talk about giving thanks and finding joy in the darkest of circumstances, looking to scripture as a guide and sharing a poetic prayer of Thanksgiving and Intercession by J. Philip Newell.
Tim talks with retired pastor Craig Apel about Theology and Theatre, delving into some of the impactful roles Craig has played at Master Arts and the crossroads between being a pastor and being a performer. With a little coffee and apple pie thrown in!
Jon and Tim speak with Dionna Gustafson about her passion for the art of mime, how her art has affected her walk of faith, and the upcoming Mime for Actors virtual class at Master Arts. Then our hosts reflect on their own faith journeys and how their creativity has impacted them.
Jon and Tim talk with Walter Williams and Angela Schwartz about the modified Virtual Youth Acting Class at Master Arts Theatre. They discuss their challenges and hopes for the online to in-person altered class, the magic and power of The Velveteen Rabbit, the story the students will be performing and of course some shenanigans.
Founder and Artistic Director Pris McDonald speaks with Jon and Tim about the history and legacy of Master Arts Theatre and the importance of drama and art in connecting community.
Jon and Tim examine God's creativity that is displayed in the first three chapters of Genesis, how we as people have creativity instilled within us and how that enters into our relationship with God. Lastly, Tim and Jon give an update on the future of Master Arts and Unmuted
Jon and Tim talk about their history with music and it's influence on their lives, plus a special interview with emerging Christian music artist Emma Coad. You can find her songs on Spotify, Apple Music and the iTunes music store.
Jon & Tim chat about how they and their churches celebrated Holy Week during a pandemic lock down, what Master Arts and UnMuted are doing to stay active and favorite movies & movie genres that affect them and their faith walk.
Jon and Tim start the podcast talking about why they wanted to do it, their most recent theatre experience, their favorite roles and how their arts organizations are dealing with the COVID-19 pandemic.