20th Annual Student Research Conference
Fine Arts
Renewed Milieu: A Call for an Expanding Inclusion of Contemporary Theatrical Expression in Religious Context
Marissa K. LaRose
Dr. Todd Coulter, Faculty Mentor
With our modern artistic community continuing both to flourish and to clash over religious ideals and secular exigencies, both sides are increasingly demanding a transformation. The philosophy of Pope John Paul II considers the arts and artistic creativity as a fundamental prospect in providing such a cultural transformation. In his 1999 Letter to Artists, he asserts that the Church hopes for "renewed epiphanies of beauty" in our time. Using Pope John Paul II's vision for the arts as my baseline, I will offer a close examination of the expanding view of catholic theatre through the ideas of organizations and individuals such as the Blackfriars Guild and "show biz priest" Fr. Gilbert Hartke. I call for a broader inclusion of theatrical expression within Christian doctrine in our contemporary culture.
Keywords: catholic theatre, religious ideals, modern culture, Pope John Paul II, Blackfriars Guild, Fr. Gilbert Hartke
Topic(s):Theatre
Presentation Type: Oral Paper
Session: 3-3
Location: OP 2210
Time: 8:45 am