Texas Lutheran University produced Salvation Road March 4-6. Director David Legore shares his thoughts on that production:
“TLU Dramatic Media was honored to produce SALVATION ROAD. Our students were engaged by the subject matter and a story they found to be both compelling and relatable. As a director of university theatre, I find the piece to be a great fit for college artists and a campus community. Interestingly, the play also resonated strongly with a generation of attendees who were familiar with instances of cult activity from the past. I appreciate the story on many levels, including the approach of the playwright, D.W. Gregory—an approach which acknowledged the complexity of the subject. Though the potential risks of a cultish church are clearly exposed, they are done so with an awareness that it is often difficult to distinguish between good and nefarious intentions. The need for humans to find belonging is a broader theme, and the play presents a nuanced exploration of this need. We seek validation, companionship and meaning through membership in a group—whether it be a church, fraternity, corporate organization, or family—all of which are defined by their own “culture.” More than a thematic exercise, however, SALVATION ROAD includes strong characters, relationships, and story— all within a text that provides a healthy balance of drama and comedy. Both artist and audience alike become immersed in a dramatic conflict that feels real and relevant. Finally, it is a highly producible piece, which embraces the strengths of theatre practice, while serving a modern audience accustomed to a cinematic pace and aesthetic. As an early adopter, I look forward to seeing evidence of future productions. —David Legore, Chair, Department of Dramatic Media, Texas Lutheran University.”
“TLU Dramatic Media was honored to produce SALVATION ROAD. Our students were engaged by the subject matter and a story they found to be both compelling and relatable. As a director of university theatre, I find the piece to be a great fit for college artists and a campus community. Interestingly, the play also resonated strongly with a generation of attendees who were familiar with instances of cult activity from the past. I appreciate the story on many levels, including the approach of the playwright, D.W. Gregory—an approach which acknowledged the complexity of the subject. Though the potential risks of a cultish church are clearly exposed, they are done so with an awareness that it is often difficult to distinguish between good and nefarious intentions. The need for humans to find belonging is a broader theme, and the play presents a nuanced exploration of this need. We seek validation, companionship and meaning through membership in a group—whether it be a church, fraternity, corporate organization, or family—all of which are defined by their own “culture.” More than a thematic exercise, however, SALVATION ROAD includes strong characters, relationships, and story— all within a text that provides a healthy balance of drama and comedy. Both artist and audience alike become immersed in a dramatic conflict that feels real and relevant. Finally, it is a highly producible piece, which embraces the strengths of theatre practice, while serving a modern audience accustomed to a cinematic pace and aesthetic. As an early adopter, I look forward to seeing evidence of future productions. —David Legore, Chair, Department of Dramatic Media, Texas Lutheran University.”
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