PR 545 Preaching as Performative Art

Dispelling performance myths about the preaching arts and relieving performance fears (or helping you to preach through them), this workshop introduces a number of traditional acting techniques to help preachers effectively communicate their messages. Beginning with a discussion that defines the differences and similarities between acting and preaching, the course will help identify key areas in which preachers often habitually and unintentionally sabotage their own ability to communicate. Participants will be led through lectures and a series of hands-on exercises designed to help them understand how they can use their instrument (body, voice, mind, emotions) to reach their listeners. Learners should wear comfortable clothes that one can move in and bring along a short excerpt (2-3 minutes) of a sermon to share with the class.