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Visionary Builders
Interviews with creators, directors, producers and others who are building beloved community through musical theatre.


Simon of Cyrene: The Musical
Simon of Cyrene: The Musical was to reach Black people and help them see themselves in the story of Jesus’ suffering, crucifixion and resurrection. Its writer wanted “to demonstrate to other Black boys and men how God works miracles to turn circumstances and situations into God-honoring destinies.” But just the trailer choked me up and helped me connect with the story in a way that deepens my understanding and grief about racial relations
Rebecca Burnham
Apr 249 min read
16 views
2 comments


Collaborative Theatre for the Courageous
Mind the Gap participants enact an ideological tug-of-war Collaboration across all sorts of divides is one of Summit Stages’ core...
Rebecca Burnham
Apr 166 min read
6 views
0 comments


The Schwartz Recipe for Fostering Beloved Community
A Voice for Good's 2018 choir and orchestra, that was focused on building people, not highlighting stars. Paul Schwartz stands 4th from...
Rebecca Burnham
Dec 12, 20249 min read
59 views
4 comments


People are the Point
Paul Schwart (L) and family members on the set of Savior of the World. For Paul Schwartz, putting on a professional-quality production is...
Rebecca Burnham
Dec 4, 20246 min read
130 views
2 comments


A Solution That Sings
On the night of August 23, 2020, the streets of Kenosha Wisconsin filled with an angry mob. Earlier that day, Jacob Blake, an African...
Rebecca Burnham
Nov 14, 20246 min read
7 views
0 comments


Using Music, Dance and Drama to Combat Gangs and Criminality
Jerry (J.J) First Charger Jr. In recent weeks I’ve brought you inspiring stories from the Haudenosaunee Confederacy and a visionary...
Rebecca Burnham
Sep 5, 202410 min read
38 views
0 comments


Choosing Love, Connection and the Stage
Zach Kautter launched PK productions to heal divides by helping people understand each other and connect with their common humanity.
Rebecca Burnham
Aug 22, 20246 min read
46 views
0 comments


He Found His Own Voice Giving A Voice to Others
Charles St. Clair was alienated and on a fast track to nowhere until theatre changed his life and many others.
Rebecca Burnham
Aug 15, 20249 min read
49 views
0 comments


Muslims on a Mission of Peace Through Theatre
Luqman Ali's Khayyal Theatre has been transforming the way Britons see Muslims and the way Muslims see the arts for 1/4 century.
Rebecca Burnham
Aug 1, 20247 min read
17 views
0 comments


How Two Rookies Created A World-Class Musical Without Worrying About Whether Or Not They Were Qualified
Despite no formal training in musical theatre, Burton and van de Graaff have a world-class show: vibrant, entertaining and touching.
Rebecca Burnham
Jul 26, 20246 min read
10 views
0 comments
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