Blog by Rich

I know I've posted pictures of the view from where I grew up, but it blows me away every time I visit. Can't believe I took it for granted as a kid.

I got to speak to the youth group where I grew up 20 years ago. I felt like I was encouraging myself as a teen.

I got group hugged by the acting students of the Salvation Army's Southern Territorial Music Institute. For the first time in 49 states and 23 countries I missed my flight! I was overjoyed. I don't have a performance until Thursday, so I was glad to experience solo night and sit in on one more class...

During our 10 hours of improv training from Mark Oppenlander at MasterWorks Omar kept reminding us of the importance of "Yes, and..." That's taking what comes and adding to it.  Last night while performing  Beyond the Chariots in Welling, Oklahoma, (the end of the Trail of Tears)...

I'm performing and teaching at the Salvation Army's Southeast Territorial Music Institute, where their drama contingent has grown to 25. No theatrics at this midweek concert. Pictured directing is Scot, James Anderson.

We're not far from the Illinois River, which flows into the Mississippi, which flows past New Orleans. So we're being blessed with some Dixeyland jazz. This tune is, not surprising, "Down by the River Side."

Colonel Dick Krommenhoek, from The Netherlands, directs this choir. His wife, from Denmark, directed us all in Jewish dancing last night.

They're an amazing couple. They challenged me to think even more globally.

...and in the airport en route I ran into Dan Putnam. No joke.

This was my first stop in Oklahoma. It's called Echota House, and it really is just a house, but the food is amazing. I had samplings of quail, buffalo steak and trout. Oh, and a berry cobbler that I finished before taking my next breath.

We shared some leftover fireworks with the students who left late. Our wonderful hosts Bill & Judy got permission from the police department to shoot them out over Winona Lake.

Our students are now exploding into the world with freshly honed skills and dynamic inspiration.

Illuminate your campus...

What an incredible culmination of a month's hard work. I couldn't be more proud of this amazing cast! I saw each of them grow so much artistically and in their relationships with the Lord. Their hard work really paid off. We had four solid performances, and people were thanking us for things in the ...

...though on the night of the unGong Show some of our actors (and writer Christi Mahan) brought some much-needed levity to such a heavy play by spoofing it with "Crucicle the Musical: A Funny Thing Happened on the Way to the Salem Witch Trials."

Edwina (Law & Order, The Wire, One Life to Live) worked with our students on their monologues and character work. She gave her all until past the last minute and texted me with the following: "I just boarded the plane with a record 4 minutes til takeoff!!"

They have quite a variety here.