GCA Theatre Arts program commended by ACSI

Grace Christian Academy’s theatre group, Grace-to-Grace Theatre Guild is going places and getting there even without joining the ‘bandwagon.’

At the onset, the group laid clear cut goals. No compromises. No wishy-washy rickety agenda. No hocus focus rigamarole. It was not to be a glitz and glamour; “focus-the-klieg-lights-on-us” vision. Grace-to-Grace Theatre Guild is set on serving the community through theatre arts.

It was envisioned to be an educational theatre group that will not only uplift the artistic consciousness of the community by providing excellent productions but it has always opted to be a vehicle for presenting value-laden presentations. It was to be an “alternative medium” that will cater to the primary need of man -G-0-D.

The group upholds the hard core truth that a society ruled by God is a society ruled by love. And what is the most lethal weapon or the worst social malady that could still wreak the most ravaging havoc if God’s LOVE reigns in the hearts and lives of men? None.

For more than four years now, the group has kept this vision alive. It has served as the voice of the battered wife, the alcoholic, the rape victim, the juvenile, the filthy rich, the prisoner, the sick, the student, the employer, the high achiever, the outcast, the lost, the self-sufficient — the people.

In its first year, it produced the stellar musical “Joseph, the Dreamer.” That same year, it took an active role in the Islands of Beauty’s US tour/goodwill trip performing in 14 cities promoting the culture and history of the Northern Marianas. In its third year, it staged the unforgettable musical, “First Name”. This year, it came up with a well-applauded Valentine concert, I LOVE YOU 3X A DAY, which showcased professionalism from its student performers. Right now, the group is on its final phase of producing its major play this year which has a Chamorro feel – “AI ADAI.” The play is scheduled to be staged on April 28 and 29. The play was adapted from American dramatist, Neil Simon’s “God’s Favorite”, which is a modern Job story. Simon is the most successful playwright in the 1960’s. Besides being an adaptation, AI ADAI will feature GCA’s High School Choir and JH/HS Drama classes who will be performing a wide array of songs and dances from Reggae to Jamaican to pop to revival, etc.

Because of its track record in producing plays, the group was chartered by the International Thespian Society and is now a member of this prestigious international organization. In fact, its key representatives will be attending this year’s ITS Theatre Festival in Lincoln, Nebraska. The group was also invited by different organizations to do outreach performances in Los Angeles, San Jose, and San Francisco, California, summer of this year.

Just recently, a visiting team from ACSI (Accredited Christian Schools International) came to GCA for its accreditation. ACSI visiting committee chair, James Thiessen, commended GCA for an excellent Theatre Arts program. With international organizations giving their thumbs-up signs to the group, it has indeed gone so far- from grace to grace, that is.