BWW Interviews: Grace InFused Theatre Seeking Works With a Gospel Focus

Jack Gilbert would have definitely been honored and perhaps a trifle embarrassed that the first-place trophy for the inaugural Grace InFused Theatre Festival bears his name.

The festival, which will showcase new plays, one-acts, skits and productions from across the country that promote the Gospel, will be July 10-11 at the Vern Riffe Center (77 South High Street) in downtown Columbus.

"He was a strong proponent for the use of story to convey the Gospel message, the larger story of our meaning and purpose (into entertainment)," says Jason Fullen, the program director of the GIFT contest. "This would be something that he would be in support of and excited about. We thought this would be a great way to honor him and have him be a part of this in some way."

Gilbert, who died of complications from pneumonia March 26, 2012 in Los Angeles, left Columbus for Hollywood in the 1980s and influenced a generation of TV and film screenwriters.

Gilbert headed a script writing training program for Warner Brothers and was a driving force behind Act One, a program started by David Schall that mentored scriptwriters who wanted to make a Christian impact with their work. Clare Sera (Curious George, The Princess Diaries), Ben Lobato, (The Unit, Justified), Lee and Janet Scott Batchler (Batman Forever) and Carl Rogers (The Blind Side, The Book of Eli) are among the writers affected by Gilbert.

"Jack went out to California to become a screenwriter but he never got a nibble for anything he wrote," said Russ Nagy, the president of the non-profit organization Tetelestai Inc. that is organizing the festival. "He discovered he was a great coach for others who wrote. If he had a mission, it was to be the support and the encourager to (aspiring writers). He had a gift for weeding through sitcoms and screenplays (to find a good one)."

The festival, according to Fullen, is a way of carrying on Gilbert's mission.

"We want to present the Gospel in a more meaningful, accessible way for a secular audience," Fullen says. "There are people out there who are trying to use drama and theater and plays to promote the Gospel message. This is an opportunity to bring (writers) from different parts of the country and, potentially, the world together and shine a more focused light on what they are doing."

The two-day event was originally focused on plays, but is open to everything from Christian comedians and improv groups to 10-minute skits and one act plays to full theatrical productions.

Participants will be able to take advantage of performing in a "full, state-of-the-art theater with AV, sound and light equipment," according to Fullen, but must bring their own props, costumes and performers to Columbus.

"We believe the investment of those who want to participate is definitely going to be worth it. They will benefit from some added exposure and the experience of performing in this type of environment," Fullen said.

One fan of the event is John David Ware, the founder of 168 Film project, a worldwide film and screenplay ministry.

"The Grace InFused Theatre Festival gives playwrights, drama troupes, and performers from across the country an opportunity to showcase their talent and their faith together, a rare opportunity," Ware says.

To submit entries for the Grace InFused Theatre festival, visit www.graceinfusedtheatre.org/apply. Deadline for submissions is March 1.