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Curt Cloninger Returns to Perform at CHIC2K3
KNOXVILLE, TN (August 1, 2003) - Curt Cloninger's moniker on his work website is
"Theater with a Lasting Impression" and those who saw him perform at CHIC2K
in 2000 can attest to that. Cloninger's memorable portrayal of the Roman
prisoner Barabbas was part of a worship service with an evangelistic
message by Miles McPherson that sparked hundreds of conversions and
rededications to Jesus Christ.
Cloninger has returned to be a part of CHIC2K3: Reaction beginning tonight.
Cloninger and Chicago actress Emily Kaufman will pair up for four different
original pieces of work.
Cloninger is thankful for the opportunity to be in Knoxville again. "That's
one of the things that makes it (performing) a kick to do; when you see
that happen," said Cloninger in recalling the 2000 CHIC service. "I saw
Miles (McPherson) at a Youth Specialties conference and he said, 'That was
a pretty unusual night.' But I really do love what I'm doing. I love the
Lord. I love theater. To get to combine the two, even if I didn't make a
living, would be a privilege. To make a living doing the two is just icing
on the cake."
Cloninger serves as an artist-in-residence for Perimeter Church, a
Presbyterian Church of America congregation located in Atlanta. He has
worked full-time in theater for two decades. Curt and his wife, Tish, have
two children.
"I was a theater major in college and really didn't dream that I would make
a living doing theater," said Cloninger. "At the same time I was in
college, however, I was deepening in my faith. Eventually, the two started
meshing. I realized this solo stuff was what I supposed to be doing,
although I didn't know anybody who was doing this."
For a time, Cloninger traveled with five others in a theater troupe that
traveled around the U.S. and made many connections on the West Coast. Over
the course of nearly two years, he began compiling enough material to go
out on his own. He said that he started full-time work in 1983 after
marrying Tish. He is thankful to his family and to songwriting
sister-in-law Claire Cloninger for encouraging him to follow his dreams.
Cloninger travels mostly on weekends, performing 80-minute "People Who Knew
Jesus" monologues as his primary dramatic format. "I probably sleep in a
hotel bed six to 12 days per month. It's very much coast to coast, but I'm
not like a band that goes out for days and weeks at a time." In May, he
spent two days with Creekside Evangelical Covenant Church in Redmond,
Washington.
At CHIC, Cloninger's performance mode will differ; he'll work in
10-to-20-minute slots during worship services. Cloninger expressed great
pleasure that he'll get to work again with Emily Kaufman, whom he describes
as a very talented actress. Kaufman recently performed with a local theater
group in Chicago. She currently works full-time serving the Evangelical
Covenant Church and its Department of Christian Formation. "Working solo
all the time is fun, but working with another actor, especially one as
talented as Emily, is a real treat," Cloninger said.
Although he has worked at other denominational and church-related events,
CHIC holds a special place in his heart. And given the improvements CHIC
has made in recent years, he is excited about this year's edition too.
"CHIC has been one of those events that's a staple because it's done so
well," Cloninger stated. "I do a whole bunch of regional and national
conferences and there's not a better youth conference than CHIC. There's a
real team feel to it; there's not a lot of ego among the people I work with
on the main platform. That's not always the case. And the youth ministry in
general is fairly amazing - they have one of the top national youth
ministries in the country."
For more information about Cloninger or to view his current schedule, check
www.curtcloninger.com. He can be contacted by phone at 770-622 0334 or via
email at Curtcloninger@mindspring.com.
Copyright © 2008 The Evangelical Covenant Church. |
