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Theater members take show to prisoners
Published March 29, 2006
SOCIAL CIRCLE — “Remember those in prison as if they were your fellow prisoners.”
Those words, taken from Hebrews 13:3, can be found prominently on the Web site of HeartBound Ministries.
HeartBound was founded in response to the state’s efforts to eliminate chaplains from the prison system due to budget restraints a few years ago.
Thankfully, according to founder Andrea Shelton, such a measure never came to fruition.
“The state still funds part-time chaplains, and due to our advocacy efforts, nine chaplains are being re-instated full time,” Shelton said. “Our goal is to see the restoration of full-time chaplains in all 37 state prisons. We provide chaplains with the funds and tools they need to minister effectively to Georgia’s 54,000 inmates.”
Aiding in HeartBound’s cause is the Social Circle Theater.
For the second year in a row, members of the Social Circle Theater — mainly director Joey Fargar, founder Hal Wells and members of the Smothered and Covered Bluegrass Band — will be presenting three shows of “Cotton Patch Gospel” in two of the state prisons, with an additional show in Ringgold, before returning home to offer three showings in Social Circle.
“So many hearts and lives have been touched by this production,” said Eva Young, of the Social Circle Theater. “Andrea is still receiving donations from last year’s performance. Between the theater and HeartBound, they have raised more than $15,000.”
“Cotton Patch Gospel” is the stories of Jesus, but with a twist. Jesus is born in Gainesville and grows up in Valdosta. In the play, Jesus is born in a camper and wrapped in a comforter and placed in a peach crate. Following some of the stories told in the Bible, again with a twist, Jesus feeds 5,000 people with catfish and hushpuppies during one part of the production but, unlike the Biblical renderings, Jesus is lynched instead of crucified. All of this and other stories of the New Testament are told by two actors accompanied by a bluegrass band.
The wheels were set in motion soon after a presentation of “Cotton Patch” at the Christ Presbyterian Church in Buckhead three years ago. Unbeknownst at the time, a board member of HeartBound was in the audience and thought the production would be a good show for the prisons. Representatives contacted Beth Wells, co-founder of the Social Circle Theater, and the planning began.
Last year, the show performed at two prisons in Milledgeville and also performed one show at Oglethorpe University. While performing in front of a crowd frightens many, Hal Wells had other concerns on his mind at the time as well.
“As a performer, I was full of trepidation going into the prison,” he said. “This included the fact that my wife would be in a room full of inmates. I had no idea what to expect.
“But this was a very touching experience that changed my perception of prison life.”
Wells said part of the reason for doing the show again was the positive and overwhelming response they received from the inmates.
Wells said it seemed like each and every man wanted to thank him personally with a handshake or a hug for the performance.
And both Wells feel blessed to be a part of the effort again.
Local shows will be at 7:30 p.m. on April 7 and at 3 p.m. and 7:30 p.m. on April 8. Tickets are $15 for adults and $10 for seniors and students and can be purchased by calling 770-464-2269 or by e-mail at boxoffice(at)socialcircletheater.com.
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