The Fifth Avenue Theatre Fellowship allows members and friends to celebrate their creative spirit within a Christian fellowship. The group has done a number of popular productions, as well as cabarets, readings of scenes and poetry, and improvisation and audition workshops.

Membership and participation are open to all, from professional performers to those who just want to try it. Involvement can be for a few hours to help construct a set or do lighting, or a more extensive commitment as part of an actual performance.

“Participation in the Theatre Fellowship activities provide a joyful opportunity to bring my enjoyment of performing into a spiritually-centered
fellowship.”
– Jeanne Lehman

Contact: Janet Luhrs ( jaluhrs@aol.com) or Aileen Whiteside (awhiteside@nyc.rr.com)

A Spotlight on the Theatre Fellowship
By Betsy Ross

FAPC's Theatre Fellowship is a true fellowship! Many of our productions give FAPC members an opportunity to bond while using their talents and some of our productions include persons from all denominations.

For the Equity Showcase Production, "The Man Who Came to Dinner," we have members, friends of FAPC, others from different religious denominations and some not. We have professional actors and production people working side by side with the non-pros, all in harmony and all with the understanding that the "fellowship" aspect of the production is as important as the show.

The Equity Showcase productions give us a unique opportunity for outreach. As our former senior pastor, the Rev. Dr. Dr. Bryant Mays Kirkland, often mentioned, it's difficult to go it alone in NYC. This is especially if you're trying to break into the theatre.

We have so many young actors that come to our fellowship from all over the city and for a brief moment we have a chance to share God's hope and strength. Before every performance, the cast prays together thanking God for the opportunity he has given us and asking for his guidance as we try our best to entertain. This has moved quite a few and inspired us all.

This February, you will see on stage and behind the scenes some very active members of FAPC. Phyllis Cox is responsible for the clever art work on our program and is currently serving as a deacon on the worship committee. Betsy Ross, who once served on the board of deacons, is involved with the hospitality committee and is learning the ropes to help out in our Bicentennial Store. Elder Aileen Whiteside, also a former board of deacons member, has organized most of our productions back stage. Janet Luhrs has served as an elder and co-chairperson of our fundraising auction and dinner. Janice Hass, a new FAPC member, is the current stage manager for "The Man Who Came to Dinner." Janice also teaches in our "Speaking English" outreach program.

Maureen Daly is on the steering committee of the Theatre Fellowship and is an active usher and greeter. Johnny Culver, an active member of the creative writing class, takes on the role of a 1930's radio announcer. You have probably seen our producer, Linda Ferm, at many Sunday morning services with her husband, Ed Fagan, who plays the comic role of Dr. Bradley with perfection. We have countless members of FAPC who also help sell tickets, usher, and yes, even bake brownies to sell at intermission. We are indebted to them.

Hours and hours go into rehearsals, most often filled with encouragement for one another and offering support when needed. Isn't that what a fellowship is all about?

You will have the opportunity to meet some of the talented thespians on Sunday, February 10, at coffee hour following the 11:15 am service. Tickets are on sale now and we remind you that space is very limited and to buy your tickets soon as we may sell out.

Upcoming Performances of "The Man Who Came to Dinner" on
February 14, 15, 16, and 21, 22, and 23 at 7:00 pm and February 17 and 24 at 2:00 pm.

Buy Your Tickets Now: http://www.smarttix.com/show.aspx?showCode=MAN12

Join the Theatre Fellowship Team!
Volunteers needed as extras for the Theater Fellowship production of "The Man Who Came to Dinner". We are looking for 3 men for walk-on roles. We need people who are available for some rehearsals in Feb and also the week of 2/11. The production dates are 2/14 - 2/17 and then 2/21 - 2/24. Come join the fun and be on stage!! Please call or e-mail Janice Hass (212.486.8619 or Jchass410@yahoo.com). Also, anyone interested in helping backstage, please call/e-mail Janice Hass for more information.

The Theatre Fellowship Production "Stage Door", which ran in March of 2007, was recently featured in the Off Off Broadway Review. They wrote, "What does deserve merit is producing this play as an important episode in the history of 20th century American entertainment, and the Theatre Fellowship of the Fifth Avenue Presbyterian Church has done so as a successful tribute to theatre as art. Art might struggle in the face of adversity, but this theatre company makes it seem easy."

The full review may be found here.

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