Battered and Bright: Celebrating the Saints

An Original Production

November 2018

Elements Theatre Company and Paraclete Press presented Battered and Bright, an ecumenical celebration of those we call Saints, portrayed through the lens of theatre.

The stage was set as a live large storybook. Elements Theatre Company actors brought to life the characters of the Saints Paul, Priscilla & Aquila, Francis, Patrick, Peter, and Catherine of Siena, telling each of their stories before the audience on stage in the Church of the Transfiguration.

Selected artistic projections and live music provided background for each story. Artistic Director, Danielle Dwyer, CJ, and James Jordan, organist at the Church of the Transfiguration, chose music that underscored the points in the script for each story. There was both pre-existing music of medieval times and some original composition.

Conversation and education are at the heart of Elements’ mission as a Theatre Company. To that end, in 2013 the company launched a panel discussion series, called Arts in Conversation. There were great discussions after each performance of this production also, with a panel including Artistic Director Danielle Dwyer, CJ, Dramaturg Brad Lussier, and moderated by Jon Sweeney, Paraclete Press Editor-in-Chief. Guests participants in the discussions were St. Peter’s Lutheran Church pastor Christian Holleck, Paraclete Press authors Bert Ghezzi, Susan L. Miller, and Donna-Marie Cooper O’Boyle.

Batter my heart, three-person’d God; for, you
As yet but knock, breathe, shine, and seek to mend;
That I may rise, and stand, o’erthrow me, and bend
Your force, to break, blow, burn, and make me new.
—John Donne