Campus Live Productions and Film Screenings Leap into the New Year
Since its launch in 2018, Fellowship for Performing Arts’ Campus Initiative has produced C.S. Lewis On Stage: The Most Reluctant Convert at dozens of major universities from coast to coast and engaged thousands of college students with Lewis’ amazing journey from atheism to faith.
“The Lewis journey to belief was one of examination, discussion, reason, repentance and faith,” said FPA Founder and Artistic Director Max McLean, who plays Lewis on stage and film. “It’s a serious journey laced through with his wit and wisdom. And it is proving to be an engaging encouragement for young people to similarly consider their worldview.”
Now, the play and The Most Reluctant Convert film inspired by it are doing double duty as the film allows us to reach smaller campuses or schools without a large performing arts center that can accommodate the live production.
Max conducts a Q&A and student visits after each performance and often Zooms in for a Q&A following a film premiere on-campus.
And special for 2022-23, Max is performing our newest production, C.S. Lewis On Stage: Further Up & Further In, following Lewis’ life as his faith deepens, his fame spreads and he deals with the challenges that brings.
“We started the year on Feb. 23 with a sold-out, 1,000-seat Lexington Opera House in Kentucky. It was an all-student audience,” said Courtney Menking, University Tour Manager. “And on Feb. 24, another 200 students joined members of the community to enjoy the show.”
Baylor University is up next on March 30 at Waco Hall where more than 1,000 students are expected.
Three schools already have shown the film in January and February, and Courtney and University Coordinator Erin Reed are working with nine more for the spring and fall. More requests are coming in every day.
The Campus Initiative has taken Christian worldview theatre and film to campuses such as Princeton University, Brown University, University of California-Berkeley, Michigan, The Ohio State University, University of Florida and many more.
All of this happens because of the visionary generosity of donors committed to putting FPA’s work before college students at the very time they are exploring what they believe. And because of that support, we are able to offer very low-cost tickets for students, faculty and staff.
To learn more about the Campus Initiative, contact Erin Reed at [email protected].
FPA’s Campus Initiative takes live and film productions of its dramatic works from a Christian worldview to colleges and universities across the nation. Past campuses include Princeton University, UC-Berkeley, University of Michigan and many more. Each is followed by a live or Zoom Q&A with Max McLean. Coming next — Baylor University.
