God's Smuggler - 2021 by The Christian Academy

PLAYBILL G

D'S

S M U GGL E R SHOWTIMES April 16 at 7:30 PM April 17 at 2 PM & 7:30 PM April 22 at 7:30 PM (Also Streamed Live on TCA Website) April 23 at 7:30 PM

PRESENTED BY THE CHRISTIAN ACADEMY DRAMA DEPARTMENT

DIRECTED BY RUTH BRITTAIN

FOR THE AUDIENCE Disclaimer: This show contains loud noises, haze, fog and flashing lights. Welcome to the production of God’s Smuggler here at The Christian Academy! We’re so glad you’re here. Our Volunteers do everything possible to make your experience enjoyable. Thank you for remaining seated throughout the production. Please silence personal devices and avoid using flash photography or any form of video recording in accordance with our copyright agreement. Concessions and beverages are available under our large porch outside our main entrance (including chocolate cake baked fresh by our Food Services Department!). T-Shirts and Fanograms for sale to support our Drama Department. Write a free message to your favorite Cast & Crew members in the Lobby! Please do not bring opened food or drink into the auditorium. Please do laugh, cheer, applaud, and shout an “Amen”or two when the occasion calls. Our students will feed off of the positive energy you bring as they transport you behind our Blue Curtain. To God be the Glory. Enjoy the Show!

Copyright © 1967 2002 “God’s Smuggler” by Brother Andrew and John and Elizabeth Sherrill. Produced by arrangement with Open Doors International and Chosen Books LLC. This dramatization © Saltmine Trust, 2005. No part of this material may be performed or recorded without permission from the author, from Open Doors and from Saltmine Trust.

SYNOPSIS OF THE ACTS

ACT I

Following a brief ensemble piece which sets our stage, our Company will take you to Andy’s childhood home in Witte, Holland (present day Netherlands), where he was born on 11 May 1928. We follow his journey that brings him through adolescence to becoming a soldier on the battle front in the East Indies, experiencing disappointment and loss, struggling to fill the void and ultimately to his giving his life to Christ and seeking to serve Him wholeheartedly. He is challenged early on in his newly found faith to give his life to mission work. Through employment at a factory he eventually decides he wants to pursue missionary training school with Worldwide Evangelization Crusade (WEC) and leaves for Glasgow, Scotland. His faith matures as his relationship with Christ grows and he and other fellow trainees witness God’s provision in incredible ways.

ACT II

It is now the 1950’s and Andy has completed his missionary training. All of post WW2 Europe is thrown in turmoil with the communist regimes that have swept in. Europe is now divided between “Eastern Bloc” and “Western Bloc” nations. Capitalist “Western Bloc” nations are still sympathetic to Christianity and Communist “Eastern Bloc” nations are staunchly atheistic and have adopted closely monitored State run churches. The figurative border between these two sides of Europe was referred to as the “Iron Curtain” alluding to physical barriers and fences constructed to separate the two. The growing reality of the oppression of the Cold War is settling in. Having graduated from WEC, Andy travels behind the Iron Curtain. He navigates many types of governments, churches, languages and listens to many stories. He witnesses both hope and despair and also God’s amazing provision. He travels back home with a renewed desire to provide Eastern Bloc churches with what they need: Bibles. He struggles with feeling alone and finds encouragement through a variety of means. He recognizes any personal risk he takes is nothing compared to the suffering Christ’s disciples live with behind the Iron Curtain ultimately leading him to establish the life work he is known for serving persecuted believers internationally.

LIST OF CHARACTERS In Order of Appearance STORYTELLERS--Our four Storytellers “read” us Brother Andrew’s Story. They are a timeless representation of his voice guiding us through the events of his earthly life but also providing insights from an eternal perspective. They are the “ordinary” saints who guide us through depictions of real events MOTHER--An invalid who had not much physical strength but was a prayer warrior. Her prayers do not return void. ANDY--Andrew van der Bilj, affectionately known as “Brother Andrew” our Protagonist who became a Smuggler for God’s Kingdom. Born in Witte, Holland in 1928, we first see Andy as an adolescent pre WW2. He then grows to become a soldier himself in post WW2 conflicts and eventually commits his life to Christ as a young man in his 20s. MS. WHESTRA--A Company decision made to combine the roles of a dear couple who were Andy’s neighbors growing up, and became crucial mentors as his faith develops. The Whestras were a kindly, wise, and generous couple who supported Andy through his losses and victories and were his biggest cheerleaders. SISTER PATRICE AND THE NUNS--Nurses at the Field Hospital in the East Indies who are concerned not only with his physical wellbeing, but his spiritual condition as well THILE--A woman from home and peer that writes Andy letters. Andy hopes to marry her. She has clear standards and is a woman who knows what she wants. KEES--One of Andy’s best friends also ending up in Missionary training ARNE DONKER--A Dutch evangelist who publicly declares God’s call upon Andy’s life in no uncertain terms. MR. RINGERS--The owner of Ringer’s Chocolate Factory in Alkmaar, Holland and Andy’s Employer

LIST OF CHARACTERS (Cont.) In Order of Appearance GREETJE -- The ringleader of the female coworkers that Andy has shifts with at Ringer’s Chocolate Factory. She is outspoken, crass, and provides Andy with a realistic view of missionary life. She also has a heart that is hungry for the truth of the good news. CORRY -- Born Cornelia van Dam she is only 16 when she first meets Andy; her heart for Christ is evident as she seeks to win hearts inviting returning soldiers at the veteren’s hospital to meetings, and witnessing to the tough and even crass coworkers at Ringer’s Chocolate Factory in nearby Alkmaar. She eventually becomes a nurse. UNCLE HOPPY -- The Scottish director of WEC’s 2 year missionary training program who together with his wife becomes a friend and supporter of Andy’s. Nikola--A company decision to combine roles with another translator, Antonin, both of whom were men in the true life story. Translates for Andy on his trips to the Eastern Bloc nations of Poland, Czechoslovakia, Yugoslavia, Romania, Bulgaria, Russia. PETROFF -- A Russian believer who is Andy’s contact for the Underground Church EASTERN BLOC PASTORS AND THEIR CONGREGATIONS -- True heroes of the faith, Andy met many and many more remain unnamed. Oftentimes not having access to Bibles or any christian literature, these courageous disciples risked all to fellowship and worship together despite oppressive regimes. They faced imprisonment and even execution in addition to rejection and isolation by their communities as they pursued unpopular beliefs. Andy’s willingness to listen and learn from their stories resulted in his attitude of deep respect for what they were going through and the choices they made. His was a posture of humility toward them. Not coming in as an expert, but rather as once who sought a ministry of encouragement and sought to provide what he could: Bibles they did not have. He formed bonds with them and became beloved by many as a result of his mission to provide a bridge between Eastern and Western congregations and build the body of Christ. Ensemble roles include medics, church congregants, factory workers, WEC students, Postal worker, bus driver, many pastors, Romanian guard, Socialist authorities, Old man, Bookshop Keeper, Hotel Clerk

THE COMPANY Rather than auditioning for specific roles, this year we asked our students to audition as a Company member. As such, we split out roles and divided responsibilities both onstage and backstage according to our strengths.

Kaylee Bose Nate Doorly Evelyn Brittain Tala Garibay Darsie Foreman Joanna Gbemiye-etta Caleb Walton

Ms. Whestra & Ensemble Roles Andy Storyteller, Corry, Ensemble Storyteller, Mother, Postal Worker, Bus Driver, Nikola, Ensemble Greetje, German bus passenger, Russian Pastor, Ensemble Storyteller, Thile, Sister Patrice, Ensemble Arne Donker, Mr. Ringers, Uncle Hoppy, WEC student, Polish Pastors Bookshop Keeper, Old man, Macedonian Pastor, Petroff Bulgarian, Romanian Guard, Hotel Clerk, Hungarian Pastor

The Company thanks 7th Grader Daniel Brittain for his cameo as Kees.

CREDITS FACULTY & STAFF

Ruth Brittain Sarah Gerlach Nathan Gioconda Sarah Gerlach & Becca Pritchard Matthew Dunn Ryan Davis Diana Howard Netanya Brittain

DIRECTOR & PRODUCER CREATIVE DESIGN & COSTUMING SOUND, LIGHT DESIGN, MUSIC & CHOREOGRAPHY HAIR & MAKE-UP TICKET SALES & PROMO SOCIAL MEDIA & PLAYBILL PRAISE DANCE CHOREOGRAPHY GRAPHIC DESIGN STUDENTS

STAGE MANAGER STAGE CREW TECHNICAL DIRECTOR LIGHTS SET PIECE DESIGN SET PIECE CONSTRUCTION SCRIPT REFORMATTING CONCESSIONS HAIR & MAKE-UP

Naomi Walton Katy Foreman, Kelsey Barton, Mina Rodriguez & Emilie Montalvo Christian Williams Wayne Browne Katy Foreman, Naomi Walton, Mina Rodriguez, Emilie Montalvo Josh Shank Evelyn Brittain Cierra Major & Lea Sareyka Priscilla Brittain

The Company & Crew thank 7th Graders Daniel Brittain and Cole Williams for Tech Assistance.

FROM THE DIRECTOR Like Andy we in the Drama Department have had our own adventure of faith. Our hard working Cast and Crew wholeheartedly dove into bringing this story to life. It is no small feat to construct a tree, design a car, props, a moveable set piece that takes us on cross-continental journeys using many modes of transportation. Not to mention the feat of committing to memory the many storytelling lines, dialogue, and the ensemble work it takes to create so many different scenes and characters--during a pandemic that is chock full of its own challenges. I mean, full props to these young men and women for zooming, and masking, facing disappointment, and pouring their hearts into a production where we had no guarantees of success let alone a live audience. They’ve divided up the roles, adapted the script, read the entire book, stepped up to the physical demands of hauling and carrying and rotating our structure and committed to innovative stagecraft that’s seen for the first time on our stage. Not to mention kept secret some surprises we have in store! While our goal is to honor the real life people and scenes in this story of faith we miss the point altogether if we don’t consider it’s relevance today. Incorporating ordinary objects like crates and pvc pipes and tennis balls and sneakers and jeans is essential to telling Brother Andrew’s story well. This was a man who risked almost certain imprisonment for disobeying the laws of men while fearing the law of God. He recognized the truth that “the Bible is full of ordinary people who went to impossible places and did wondrous things simply because they decided to follow Jesus.” Living this truth is what allowed him to go on an adventure with Jesus, learn many languages and cultures different from his own (he had a horrible time picking up English!), compassionately listen to the needs of others and selflessly act upon it. Incorporating that truth not only with character portrayals but also into every aspect of our Production has been the goal. It’s beautiful celebrating ordinary, simple, everyday things and accomplishing our mission to portray spiritual truth in both historical and relevant contexts. I’m thrilled with the elegance and functionality our stagecraft executes portraying not only the visible tale but communicating potent eternal truth as well. I can’t think of a production I’ve been involved with that had stronger teamwork dynamics. What we lacked in experience, finances or talent we made up for in camaraderie. Valuing every aspect of production, and every role, and working together through quarantines, virtual days, and schedules truly has brought delight to my heart. I’m honored with each contribution that has brought the vision the Lord supplied to reality and while there are many productions out there with royalties that have advantages, I’m thankful for the dedication and creativity that has brought this story to a national debut on our stage here at The Christian Academy. I’m grateful for the opportunity our students have to stage a live production in 2021. May God’s Smuggler honor Him as an act of Worship. Soli Deo Gloria. RPB 4.16.21

A ZILLION THANKS.... None of this would be possible without Teamwork. We have a zillion shoutouts.... ...First, to our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ who truly is the one that breaks the chains of oppression to set the captives free and overcomes darkness as the Light of the World. Even the darkness is not dark to you; the night is bright as the day, for darkness is as light with you. Ps. 139:12 ...Special thanks to Sarah Gerlach for generously offering her time and talents but also countless times her ear in caring for our team. She is an absolute wizard backstage and her humor keeps up our spirits. ...For Nathan Giocanda for listening to every aspect of the show and finding ways to support us throughout. His talents are many and yet he gives selflessly to nurture the talents of others. Incorporating music, choreography, sound effects, projection and lighting unscripted is no easy feat and his expertise supported our students well. ...For all our families who shared us and supported us throughout this labor of love ...For Cast & Crew families who supported us through many rehearsal commitments adjusting schedules and sacrifice to make this production possible ...For David Reyne who volunteered his time on Zoom as our Dialect Coach providing us with tips and entertainment from a seasoned performer ...For Melissa Goodman who answered a zillion questions and provided many insights to keep our Department running as smoothly as possible during her sabbatical year ...For our observers Melissa Goodman, Matt Foreman, Karen Walton, Leah Ann Garibay, Gina Olkowski, Netanya Brittain, Mickey Pilson, Paul & Prudence Humber, Lisa Contino, & Ryan Davis who gave of their time to invest in a show that did not yet have all the pieces together so that we could benefit from their quality feedback ...Suubi Magoola who followed God’s call to leave our Company mid season as she moved out of state and transferred to another school but who remained in our hearts...we love you! ...Josh, Earl & Pop Pop Shank and family who constructed and secured our PVC structure along with structures for all our set pieces ...Tyler and Kim Rodkey for the loan of their Projection Screen and also for emergency tree stabilizing expert advice ...The Gerlach Family, The Brittain Family, Melissa Goodman, and Grandma & Grandpa Humber for props and costume pieces ...Lynn Zettlemoyer for offering her Seamstress Skills, providing costume pieces and keeping our instruments tuned ...Ms. Zettlemoyer and Mrs. Graefe for sharing their rooms for our Cast and Crew ...Becky Hoffman and our Food Services Department for feeding us, providing concessions and home baked chocolate cake….and CRATES ...Michelle Griffith for generously providing nutritious fuel for our Production team ...Nurse Madi for all her support and expertise

A ZILLION THANKS....(Cont.) ...The Athletic Department and Rod Haseltine for scheduling and adapting for our student athletes and Cheri Andrews for providing props ...Phillip Ewaka for generously procuring blanks and maintaining our starter pistol ...Charlie Pope and Ben Carnall and our Facilities team for sanitizing, moving pianos and cafeteria tables, rearranging curtains and hanging our Projection Screen. Not to mention that explaining that an actual car might not be the safest thing on stage or the easiest equipment to manage. You were right. We had enough on our hands moving 8x8 foot structures, Iron Curtains, and rolling platforms. ...Bob Park for going above and beyond with addressing tech needs, addressing network issues, and providing expert advice to keep us running smoothly ...Ryan Davis for overseeing sound board maintenance and for his streaming services ...The Worship Team for sharing stage space with us ...Our Praise Dance Team for supporting us in song and dance ...Sean Chuplis for his expert assistance with our light board ...For Tracy Doorly, Ryan Howard, Tiffany Krauss, Jean Ryle & Matthew Dunn who support us administratively making orders, selling tix, taking phone calls, and many other tasks! ...Our Administrators Dr. Tracey Pritchard, Mr. Scott Bose, Mrs. Debbie Dutton for all their support throughout the logistics and scheduling details of this production ...The Fifth Grade class and our Morning Show Hosts for featuring us ...For our many Student, Parent and Staff Volunteers who usher, and collect tickets, and maintain our sales ...For all of you who support us through ticket purchases, prayers, sales and words of encouragement. Thanks for being there! May we all go out from here inspired to live well.

SPECIAL THANKS TO OUR PRAISE DANCE TEAM

Jordan Laws, Kiyah Green, Tala Garibay, Jordyn McFadden, Aralyn Hunter and Aniyah Ayers Thank you so much for your amazing gifts and your dedication to the show. This year's performance of God's Smuggler would not be a success without all of you! Sponsored by

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