Redemption in the Spotlight: The Transforming Arts Ministry of Imago Stage Company
Tess McKinley has performed in 50+ productions from NYC stages to regional theaters. For 14 years she has taught English and theater to middle and high school students
“Lord, how do you want me to use this new energy in my life?” prayed Tess McKinley, as a long season of Lyme disease came to an end. At first, the experienced actress, director, and teacher was afraid to even acknowledge the answer. She reflected, “do you ever have a desire so deep and precious you dare not speak it?” For Tess, that desire was to create a redemptive theater company that would produce classic works that share the Gospel story without preaching it; a welcoming theater where both the churched and unchurched could encounter redemption through the arts. For some time, she held that unspoken desire until she began actively praying into it during the season of Advent. “In so many ways,” Tess shared, “I really sensed the Lord was saying, ‘This is what I want you to do. This is what stirs you. This is your passion, and I want you to follow it.’”
The first production performed was a musical adaptation of A Tale of Two Cities, which featured a number of musically skilled members of Christ the Redeemer Anglican Church and Tess’s husband Daniel, who is CTR’s Minister of Music. Because the goal is to both highlight the themes of redemption and engage the arts with excellence, Tess is very selective of the theatrical adaptation the company performs, and for a while, she wondered if her dream would ever get off the ground. For a while, she couldn’t find a version that seemed to fit. Then she was missing an actor for an essential male role of Dr. Manette, but the Lord’s call was confirmed when he provided everything needed - a perfect script and a phenomenal actor - to produce the show. It was more than a success; of course, it was well-done, but those who attended the show actually understood her vision and wanted to join it. With a bigger team, a musical adaptation of Jane Eyre followed, again successful.
When Covid-19 caused most theater companies to lie dormant, Imago Stage Co. decided to produce a “radio-style” version of The Count of Monte Cristo. While it didn’t have the same excitement as performing before a live audience, it gave the group an opportunity to develop their skills and grow as a team: “It stretched everyone in the ensemble in ways we never would have grown otherwise.”
This fall, Imago Stage Co. is moving beyond just performance and is offering classes to anyone in the community on various aspects of theater: acting, dance, and singing for both children and adults, as well as improvisation, costuming, and stagecraft. “I especially want to raise up teens and children so they have some interest in theater, as well as skills and ability,” Tess shared. She also has vision for both children’s and family theater, and wants to bring staged readings to senior citizens and those in nursing homes. In March of 2022, they will perform a musical adaptation of Pride & Prejudice.
Above: producing The Count of Monte Cristo, with Rev. Joshua Eipper editing and Daniel McKinley directing.
\When asked about the choice of name, Tess explained, the imago stage is the developmental point at which an organism reaches full maturity after a time of deep restructuring. For example, when an adult butterfly emerges in its final form after the process of metamorphosis ends, or, in psychology when an external figure has had an impact on someone’s transformation into full maturity of personhood. In that sense, the company’s name reflects its purpose: to use the power of stories to encourage renewal, redemption, and transformation in both an audience and in those who act.
Imago Stage Co. is an arts ministry of Christ the Redeemer Anglican Church in Danvers, MA but you will not find them producing a “Christian play” or ending the show with an altar call. You will, however, encounter powerful art that tells the stories of redemption the world so desperately wants to experience. Tess explains, “for all the people that worship on Sunday morning, probably double that watch Netflix, go to the movies, etc. on Sundays. We all want story. We can see things through story that are otherwise too perplexing for us. Every good story is the story of redemption, and we are so drawn to stories because the desire for redemption, healing, renewal, and rebirth is deep in the heart of every person.” Imago Stage Co. sees their work as to present the stories, and they trust the work of the Holy Spirit to bring the transformation.
Lastly, it isn’t all just about the time between curtain up and the finale. If you peek backstage or show up to a rehearsal, you will see actors praying beforehand that their skills and talents would bring glory to God. You will also see new unchurched actors begin testing the waters for what it looks like to belong in a faith-based community that pursues excellence in work. In short, the goal of transformation is not just for the audience, it is for all involved.
So far, there are about 20 actors and 6-10 people involved in backstage or front-of-house work, but Tess assures there is plenty of room for more, especially those skilled in administration and marketing to take the group to the next level. If you would like to learn more about joining the company, taking a class, or attending a future production please visit: https://imagostage.org