Visiting Artist | Jason Hildebrand
Augustine College's 2001-2002 visiting artist was Jason Hildebrand. He is an actor and writer and has performed in theatre, film and television. He completed one year at Canadian Bible College before receiving an Honours B.F.A. in acting from York University in Toronto, Canada.
Jason came to talk to students about his mission in the performing arts twice this year. Each time there was a public performance. In the Fall he presented he presented the life of David and this Spring he presented Job Alive.
In November 2001 he performed life of DAVID, which is a solo performance. The text is taken almost entirely from a modern translation of the Old Testament. Each of the 23 characters portrayed in the performance is brought to life through various dialects, mannerisms and emotions. Combined with scripture these elements work together to form a dramatic and dynamic story which searches out the heart of David. The performance travels the span of David’s life: from his anointing by Samuel the Prophet, through the wilderness, to his throne room, and then on to his final words and death.
He returned on March 22nd to perform Jõb Alive. It is also a solo performance, and similar to life of DAVID. The text is taken from a modern translation of the Old Testament wisdom book, Job. Where the two performances differ is the style of writing. Job is a profound book filled with beautiful language and heightened debate. It is not a text chock full of action the way his other solo performance life of DAVID is. Rather the text is simply about connection or failed connection, to God, and to community and the resulting implications.
Jõb Alive is the kind of performance, when entered into, that can give voice to our deepest experiences and compel a response from the recesses of our soul. The mystery of suffering and God's response to it in Jõb Alive is most relevant to our modern world.
last updated: 07-Feb-2005
