Jason Hildebrand and Mike Janzen, Fire Exit Theatre
I believe in God. There, I said it. I’m out. I believe in God and I am not homophobic and I don’t picket abortion clinics. I believe in freedom of speech — even when I don’t like what I hear. I believe in taking care of our planet, that everyone has rights, that you shouldn’t judge a book by its cover, and that theatre can change the world.
I am the Artistic Director of Fire Exit Theatre, now finishing its 11th season performing at the EPCOR CENTRE for the Performing Arts in downtown Calgary. We have performed 27 shows including nine by local playwrights and four world premières. We have hosted guest performers from Toronto, Vancouver, Seattle, and Los Angeles. We have members and sponsors and even some sell out crowds. We pay our bills on time and give back to the community in any way we can.
Now here’s the rub.
We have been turned down by granting agencies, foundations and corporations alike. Why? Because we are “religious.” I’m not sure what that means. We’ve worked with Catholics, Baptists, Muslims, Evangelicals, Agnostics, Atheists, and people who aren’t quite sure. We try to foster an environment where anyone who wants to explore the idea of belief is welcome. Although I would define myself as a Christ-follower, I don’t do “Christian” theatre, mainly because I don’t know what that is any more than I know what Christian bread or Christian plumbing is. I simply create theatre only I like to talk about faith, beliefs, and yes, sometimes God. We work hard to create theatre about relevant issues and current events, reassuring people that there is hope without glossing over the real darkness in the world.
Fire Exit Theatre has been accused of having an agenda. We do. Like any theatre company, we have a mandate. Ours is hope-challenge-change. I want to challenge belief systems, everyone’s. I want people to leave my theatre different than when they came in and, yes, I want to offer a little hope in this often depressing world. Everyone starts a theatre company because they want to talk about something. We all have an agenda, a message we want to get out. So when did God become the final taboo that we are not allowed to discuss? A 2007 poll actually revealed that 60 percent of Canadians believe that God had a role in creation. 60 percent! We can dialogue through theatre about rape, incest, abuse, addictions, politics, money, discrimination, hate crime, and bestiality, but talking about God might be too offensive? Are you kidding me?!
So do I feel discriminated against? A little. Pre-judged? Absolutely.
I challenge you to come out and see one of our shows before you write us off as bible-thumping fundamentalists. We may offend you, but don’t take it personally—we’ve offended Christians and non-Christians alike. Before you judge us, come see us. Oh, and if you like what you see, consider a small donation…it’s hard to get funding when you’re talking about hope. Sigh.
I’m an Artistic Director and I believe in God.
The Savannah Disputation, Fire Exit Theatre
