Choose to Change

Pastor Joyce Swingle opened the MasterWorks Festival speaking on Psalm 62:5-8 (read by Rich Swingle) and Matthew 3:1-12 (read by Barbara Kavanaugh). Opening and prayer by Festival Artistic Director Dr. Patrick Kavanaugh. Testimony, song and prayer by Arturo Osorio. Violin solo by Gert Kumi: Allemande by Johann Sebastian Bach.



This service is available for download free on iTunes, where you can also subscribe to our podcast. Search for "Westchester Chapel" on the iTunes Store.

Unrecorded because of timing and/or copyright restraints: Daniel Paul Horn and Lori Rhoden.


Grooveshark is a third party source. If you listen on their website you will encounter advertisements, none of which are vetted or endorsed by Westchester Chapel. If there are ads that you find offensive we encourage you to click the "Report Ad" link below the ad. Photo courtesy of NicolettiPhoto.com.

Trevor the Treasure Seekers in Colorado

Trevor talks about his performance as the American John Gray in the film In His Steps. Other actors and crew talk about searching for the Greatest Treasure ever.


Children 5-10 can join us live this Sunday at 11am in White Plains, NY. Details and more webisodes can be found at www.WestchesterChapel.org/TreasureSeekers.

Announcing the cast of Twelve Angry Jurors

We've cast Twelve Angry Jurors for performances at the MasterWorks Festival, in Bethel Park, PA, and NYC (www.RichDrama.com/Schedule):

FOREMAN: Sam Carr
JUROR TWO: Robyn Haley
JUROR THREE: Esh Ryans
JUROR FOUR: Seth Garrett Antes
JUROR FIVE: Cody Arn
JUROR SIX: Christina Doerr
JUROR SEVEN: Lluvia Ilusion Almanza
JUROR EIGHT: Christy Vest
JUROR NINE: Tiffany Rott
JUROR TEN: Josh Knox
JUROR ELEVEN: Rachel Marley
JUROR TWELVE: Caryn Rehm

Stage Manager: Rebekah Cook
Technical Director: Erin Mills

See Not Today... today

On our way out of the theatre on Times Square we heard two different groups at separate ticket kiosks ask, "Has anyone heard of Not Today?" I was thrilled to tell them, "We just saw it, and it's AMAZING!"

It's the latest film cast by Beverly Holloway, who has been a MasterClass instructor at MasterWorks several times, and in this film, one of her choices will break your heart! Persis Karen plays seven-year-old Annika, a little girl who's single father is struggling to provide for her on the streets of Hyderabad. They are in the Dalit caste, also known as Outcastes or Untouchables. Though the caste system is now illegal in India, it is still perpetuated by India's culture and Hinduism, the source of the system. When someone offers to take Annika to a wonderful place where she'll be well fed and happy the father jumps at the chance. Little does he know he is delivering her into a brothel. The fact that Persis is a Dalit herself makes the impact of this film that much more powerful.

Their world is impacted by Caden Welles (played by Cody Longo), a spoiled young man who has been struggling with his faith since his parents' divorce. He and his friends fly 26 hours to become inebriated. Caden verbally abuses the man and his daughter when they approach him for help. The father says she hasn't eaten for three days. Caden doesn't believe him, but after turning them away he can't sleep. When he does, his dreams tell him something is terribly wrong. He awakes to a discovery that shakes him out of the lethargy his circumstances had allowed, and he risks his life to make things right.

This is the kind of film we've been praying into theatres for years. See if it's playing in your area, and if it's not, do what you can to get it there.


Watch Joyce and I play the parents of nine...

Breath of God

Our friend and MasterWorks Festival roomie, Paula Kasica has a fabulous album out: https://itunes.apple.com/us/album/breath-of-god/id545038495

Breath of God by David Hadden & Paula Kasica

itunes.apple.com

Preview and download Breath of God on iTunes. See ratings and read customer reviews.

Like ·  · Share · Promote · 2 seconds ago near New York · 

Watch Joyce and I play the parents of nine...

Waiting for Forever

What a well-told story worth telling! It's a powerful look at the affects of trauma and love on a child, how both follow him into adulthood... and how he follows love. More like this, please. Studios, take some notes.

Waiting for Forever (2010)

www.imdb.com

Directed by James Keach. With Rachel Bilson, Tom Sturridge, Richard Jenkins, Blythe Danner. A Hollywood-set romantic tale of a guy who is content to live his life without a job yet with the love of his life, a young actress.

Like ·  · Promote · Share

Watch Joyce and I play the parents of nine...

Retaliation or Love

Pastor Joyce Swingle preached on Matthew 5:43-48. Though not recorded, she was followed by John Forbes, a talented performing artist who has worked on Broadway, produced and performed Off-Broadway and around the world. He invites you to connect with him through Facebook. Also not recorded, Rich Swingle performed his one-man one-act play "The Fall", based on part of Victor Hugo's Les Misérables.



This service is available for download free on iTunes, where you can also subscribe to our podcast. Search for "Joyce Swingle" on the iTunes Store.

Grooveshark is a third party source. If you listen on their website you will encounter advertisements, none of which are vetted or endorsed by Westchester Chapel. If there are ads that you find offensive we encourage you to click the "Report Ad" link below the ad.

Photo courtesy of NicolettiPhoto.com.

Watch Joyce and I play the parents of nine...

Wedding Word: Joyce Swingle preaches on John 13

Joyce preached on John 13:1-11 at the wedding of our friends.



Watch Joyce and I play the parents of nine...

Divided or Faithful

Pastor Joyce Swingle preaches on Matthew 5:31-32, continuing our Choices Series from The Sermon on the Mount.  Comments by Bill and Liz H. Testimony about The Revelation by Vincent N. Pastoral prayer and announcements by Pastor Linda Warren.



This service is available for download free on iTunes, where you can also subscribe to our podcast. Search for "Westchester Chapel" on the iTunes Store.

The Mothers Day song that we sang today, "The Sweetest Gift", is included in the lineup below.


Grooveshark is a third party source. If you listen on their website you will encounter advertisements, none of which are vetted or endorsed by Westchester Chapel. If there are ads that you find offensive we encourage you to click the "Report Ad" link below the ad.

Join us for Indescribable, June 1, 7 pm: www.WestchesterChapel.org/Indescribable.

Photo courtesy of NicolettiPhoto.com.

Take Up Your Cross

Our guest preacher today at Westchester Chapel works in a region which is closed to the Gospel, so for the safety of all involved in that work we didn't record the message. It was based on Matthew 16:13-28, which I dramatized during the service. That performance is mixed with my performance of a similar sketch at Ceasarea Philippi in the following video:



Here are a few approved notes from the sermon:

The stories of people taking up their cross to follow Jesus was so inspiring! The speaker said that in the West these verses about death to self can be drowned out by the sound of the steam creating out lattes or the contractors renovating our kitchens or the growl of our sports cars or SUVs or the ones we wish we had. The people mentioned in the sermon have given up everything to follow Jesus. Though they have nothing in their society they have everything in the Lord. If Jesus were here right now, which He is, would there be something in your life He might point to and ask you to give it up so you could follow Him more closely? 

Here's our worship lineup:

Grooveshark is a third party source. If you listen on their website you will encounter advertisements, none of which are vetted or endorsed by Westchester Chapel. If there are ads that you find offensive we encourage you to click the "Report Ad" link below the ad.

Join us for Indescribable, June 1, 7 pm: www.WestchesterChapel.org/Indescribable.

Ruth

The producers of Ruth have expressed interest in casting me in the role of Reverend Benjamin Morris if they secure funding for the project. So pray for funding to be secured and like their Facebook page. They're hoping to have an $8M budget.

Here's the audition I created as an improv...

Living in Sin or Living The Life

Pastor Joyce Swingle preached on Matthew 5:27-30.  Opening and commentary on the Ten Commandments by Bill H. Communion by Pastor Randy Solomon. Prayer and announcements by Pastor Randy and Pastor Linda Warren.



This service is available for download free on iTunes, where you can also subscribe to our podcast. Search for "Westchester Chapel" on the iTunes Store.


Grooveshark is a third party source. If you listen on their website you will encounter advertisements, none of which are vetted or endorsed by Westchester Chapel. If there are ads that you find offensive we encourage you to click the "Report Ad" link below the ad. Photo courtesy of NicolettiPhoto.com.

The Revelation Worship Set

These are the songs that were interspersed within The Revelation, which was performed last night.


Grooveshark is a third party source. If you listen on their website you will encounter advertisements, none of which are vetted or endorsed by Westchester Chapel. If there are ads that you find offensive we encourage you to click the "Report Ad" link below the ad.

Photo courtesy of NicolettiPhoto.com. Design courtesy of WOHHDesign.com.

Interview with George Flores on Star 99.1

I was interviewed by George Flores on Star 99.1FM about next Saturday's performance of The Revelation, among a number of other things.



Here are links to more information on some of the things I mentioned during the interview:

www.RichDrama.com (click Feature-Length Plays for information on all of my plays that I mentioned)
www.WestchesterChapel.org
www.WestchesterChapel.org/Revelation
www.SamhillRoad.com (the band playing at The Revelation)
www.itinerary.richdrama.com (for information on the performances of Twelve Angry Jurors in July)
www.RichDrama.com/MWF (my report of last year's MasterWorksFestival theatre program)
www.RichDrama.com/Indescribable (The film in which Joyce and I play husband and wife)
www.RichDrama.com/Updates (to sign up for information on the troupe of performers we're organizing to bring to the Winter Olympics in Sochi, Russia.
www.RichDrama.com/Africa
www.RichDrama.com/BeyondTheChariots (my play about Olympic runner, Eric Liddell)
http://blog.richdrama.com/2008_08_01_archive.html (Our adventures in China, Hong Kong, Macau, and the Philippines during the 2008 Olympics.

The Revelation: a timely message of Hope

When we were setting the date of the 15th Anniversary performance of my one-man play The Revelation we were all thinking it would be in March, but one conflict after the other pushed it back to next Saturday. Little did we know that the timing would make it a comfort to us all as we mourn the tragedy of the Boston Marathon bombings. 

On September 14, 2001, I was slated to perform a different play at a venue near New York City. I called up the host and asked if his group would be open to me switching plays. I sensed The Revelation would be the better offering that week. 

The Revelation's message of hope in the midst of persecution is a perfect reflection on the Lord's goodness and great love for us, no matter what we read in the headlines.

I hope to see you there. Details follow.
Rich

Rich Swingle will perform The Revelation on April 27 at The Crowne Plaza of White Plains, NY, 7pm. FREE Admission. The Crowne Plaza is at 66 Hale Ave., White Plains, NY 10601. It is a $5 cab ride from the White Plains Metro-North Train Station or call Crowne Plaza for their free shuttle: 914.682.0050.

Rich has performed this play Off-Broadway, at national arts conferences in the US and Canada, in Sydney, Newcastle and Melbourne, Australia. He even filmed scenes from it in a cave overlooking Jerusalem. Don't miss the opportunity to see it near you.

This FREE one-person play is accompanied by illustrations by Jim Warren and musical worship interludes by Samhill Road. Refreshments will be served and a love offering taken, but this uplifting event is being offered FREE because we need to remember that God loves us and the world He created. Bring friends, relatives and those who are seeking God to this exciting, encouraging event. You can see excerpts from the play and an interview with Rich and Samhill Road and also download other promotional materials at www.WestchesterChapel.org/Revelation.

Photo by NicolettiPhoto.com.

42

Pray about seeing the film 42. It shows Jackie Robinson's experience as the first African American in US pro baseball. The film makes it clear that Branch Rickey, the man who opened the way for this to happen, was a Christian. On a side note, Branch was name the Old Testament prophets gave the coming Messiah. It is rated PG-13 because of the language and some moments of racial tension. Sadly, the Lord's Name is taken in vain: three uses of g-d. That would usually be a strikeout for me recommending something, but the Christian message in this film is so powerful Joyce and I felt like we could recommend it with caution.

Treasure Seekers at Kitty Hawk

We just got back from Kitty Hawk, NC, where the airplane was invented. I created this Treasure Seekers video for the children of our church, Westchester Chapel.



Treasure Seekers meet the third Sunday of every month: WestchesterChapel.org.

Salt and Light; Useful or Useless?

Pastor Jim Warren continues our Choices Series at Westchester Chapel, preaching on Matthew 5:13-14.  He talks about the details of all that happened in order for Joyce to become aware of the Lord's love for her.

Opening comments and prayer by Madelyn Badillo who led worship with Piero Gorriti, who plays guitar under some comments and prayers. Announcement and pastoral prayer by Joyce Swingle.



This service is available for download free on iTunes, where you can also subscribe to our podcast. Search for "Westchester Chapel" on the iTunes Store.


Grooveshark is a third party source. If you listen on their website you will encounter advertisements, none of which are vetted or endorsed by Westchester Chapel. If there are ads that you find offensive we encourage you to click the "Report Ad" link below the ad.

Resurrection!

This is how we started our service this Easter morning...

Pastor Joyce Swingle preaches on Matthew 14:44-46. Opening Resurrection Egg hunt led by Pastor Randy Solomon. Closing prayer by Pastor Linda Warren.



This service is available for download free on iTunes, where you can also subscribe to our podcast. Search for "Westchester Chapel" on the iTunes Store.

Here's another expression of the Easter story: Trevor the Treasure Seeker introduces Forrest the Forest Fire Fighter.



The stories are true, courtesy of my father, sister-and-law and Scripture.

Westchester Chapel's Treasure Seekers (ages 5-10) meet the third Sunday of every month. Join Trevor the Treasure Seeker and his friends as they seek the Greatest Treasure Ever!

The search takes place at Westchester Chapel, which meets at the Crowne Plaza, 66 Hale Ave., White Plains, NY 10601 at 11 a.m.


Grooveshark is a third party source. If you listen on their website you will encounter advertisements, none of which are vetted or endorsed by Westchester Chapel. If there are ads that you find offensive we encourage you to click the "Report Ad" link below the ad.

Photo courtesy of NicolettiPhoto.com.
 

Forty Lashes Minus One

Pastor Randy Solomon created an unforgettable Good Friday service. We started tasting olives to remember the Garden of Gethsemane (which means "olive press"), saw the fire where Peter denied that he knew the Lord, heard the rooster crow; we even smelled the vinegar when the sponge was put to Jesus' lips as He hung on the cross.

We won't have time to process the whole service before Good Friday ends, so I've uploaded the sound effect that moved me the most: It's the sound of the 39 lashes Jesus received during his flogging.

Romans gave 40 lashes for death by flogging, and one less if death was not intended. They used a cat-of-nine-tails, which had nine separate mini-whips, and on the end of each was tied a bit of bone or metal, which would dig flesh out of the person being flogged. Jack Kelly wrote, "It’s the opinion of the New England Journal of the American Medical Assn. that the flesh of our Lord’s back would have been almost completely torn off, leaving His rib cage exposed, and he would have been in deep shock following His interrogation."

As you listen consider that He took each lash for you, as a part of God's plan for our Salvation.

Sound effect purchased through www.PondFive.com.

The Revelation in White Plains, NY

Rich Swingle will perform The Revelation on April 27 at The Crowne Plaza of White Plains, NY, 7pm. FREE Admission. The Crowne Plaza is at 66 Hale Ave., White Plains, NY 10601.

Rich has performed this play Off-Broadway, at national arts conferences in the US and Canada, in Sydney, Newcastle and Melbourne, Australia. Don't miss the opportunity to see it near you.

This FREE one-person play is accompanied by illustrations by Jim Warren and musical worship interludes by Samhill Road. Refreshments will be served and a love offering taken, but this uplifting event is being offered FREE because we need to remember that God loves us and the world He created. Bring friends, relatives and those who are seeking God to this exciting, encouraging event. You may download other promotional materials at www.WestchesterChapel.org.

The Revelation coming to White Plains, NY

Help us get the word out!

Post a link to our Facebook Event Page on your wall.

Download the poster by Right-clicking on it and selecting "Save Image As..." If you're on a Mac you can do the same thing by hitting the Control button and then clicking on the image.

To download the poster as two half-page images click here. Your browser may start the download process automatically, but if it takes you to a page containing two fliers, follow the process above and select "Save As..."

Joyce is up for another movie

Joyce and I are auditioning for a film in which we'd love to play husband and wife again. Some of you may not know we did that the first time in the film Indescribable, which will be released on DVD April 6!

I'm building an acting website for Joyce, and I'd love to add some quotes about her acting.

If you have a moment, please submit a comment, followed by the way you'd like your name to appear. For instance:

"She's amazing!"

--Rich Swingle

Actor, Director, Acting Coach

New York City

The more areas of expertise the more it will help lend credibility to her work.

If you need a refresher, here's her performance of her one-woman one-act The Shepherd's Daughter performed in The Shepherd's Cave in Bethlehem: 

Please post your quote below...

Thanks so much for your help!

in Christ alone,

Rich

MWF Performances in an Off-Broadway Theatre

The MasterWorks Festival Theatre Program will be performing in an Off-Broadway theatre July 10-13. Mark your calendars and check RichDrama.com/MWFNYC for details.

Palm Sunday thoughts and prayers

There was a technical error that prevented today's sermon from being recorded, but we uploaded Bill H.'s opening comments about Palm Sunday and Pastor Joyce Swingle's prayer and announcements. Pastor Jim Warren also shares some news about the April 27 production of The Revelation.



This service is available for download free on iTunes, where you can also subscribe to our podcast. Search for "Westchester Chapel" on the iTunes Store.

Pastor Linda Warren preached a sermon titled "Worship the King" on Matthew 20:29-21:11, which precedes and covers the triumphal entry of Jesus into Jerusalem, the event now commemorated with Palm Sunday.

One sad result of the interrupted recording is that you can't hear Pastor Linda share how she felt led to sing Chris Tomlin's rendition of the hymn "Crown Him with Many Crowns" this morning. She had the idea so late in the week that she didn't want to impose it upon Bill and Liz H., who were leading worship today. As you can see in our worship lineup below, the Holy Spirit prompted them to introduce it to Westchester Chapel for the first time.

 Grooveshark is a third party source. If you listen on their website you will encounter advertisements, none of which are vetted or endorsed by Westchester Chapel. If there are ads that you find offensive we encourage you to click the "Report Ad" link below the ad.

 Photo courtesy of NicolettiPhoto.com.

Maundy Thursday and Good Friday

Journey to the Garden in Amman, Jordan.

I'm performing some of my play Journey to the Garden on Maundy Thursday and taking part in an experiential Good Friday service that is going to be unforgettable. 

All are welcome: WestchesterChapel.org.

Devoted to Each Other or to Self?

Pastor Joyce Swingle preaches on Acts 2:42-47 and Romans 12:1-2, starting with the question: "Are you a dog person or a cat person?" Chris Choi opens with prayer. Pastor Linda Warren tells the story of St. Patrick and prays over the sermon.



This service is available for download free on iTunes, where you can also subscribe to our podcast. Search for "Westchester Chapel" on the iTunes Store.

Our worship lineup...

Grooveshark is a third party source. If you listen on their website you will encounter advertisements, none of which are vetted or endorsed by Westchester Chapel. If there are ads that you find offensive we encourage you to click the "Report Ad" link below the ad. Photo courtesy of NicolettiPhoto.com.

Questions about acting

I just took part in a Google+ discussion about acting, and I thought I'd post my comments here:

I've been working professionally in the performing arts since 1995. Most of that work has been as a stage actor. I've written or developed a dozen one-man plays (RichDrama.com), and to my utter astonishment I've had opportunity to perform them and/or teach acting and public presentation skills in 36 states, five continents and 25 nations. I was cast in my first film in 2010, and since then I've performed in nine films, including two that were featured at SAICFF this year: Papa Lehman in Indescribable and the land speculator in Alone Yet Not Alone (IMDb.me/RichSwingle). 

I'd love for all of you between the ages of 16 and 30 to audition for The MasterWorks Festival Theatre Program. It's a one-month intensive in acting. We'll develop a play in Winona Lake, Indiana, and you'll sit under Christians with more than a combined century of experience as professional actors. We'll perform our play near Pittsburgh, and in an Off-Broadway theatre just off of Times Square, NY.  

We're taking Twelve Angry Men and (with the publisher's permission) casting it with men and women to make it Twelve Angry Jurors. We're also going to be approaching it as believers, mining the theme of being a lone voice of justice and mercy speaking into a world filled with hatred and vengeance.  

Here's my report from last year: RichDrama.com/MWF. There's a link at the bottom of that page for this year's program with details on how to audition. If you're interested LET ME KNOW TODAY! As soon as we fill two roles we'll begin the casting process.  

So here are my answers to the questions posted: 

1. What is the purpose of acting?
I believe this goes back to the purpose of life. We were created to be in relationship with the Lord. Being created in the Creator's image means that we all have creativity within us, and when we invite the Lord into the process it glorifies God. When we tell God's stories, I've found it to be a foretaste of heaven. I respond below about other messaging. 

2. How is it done?
Get trained! 

My masters thesis at Hunter College in NYC was focused on sociodrama, so I lean toward the use of improv. When my wife, Joyce, and I were performing in Indescribable there's a very moving scene where she needed to cry. She's not a trained actor, but we used structured improv to keep ourselves in the moment before the cameras rolled, so when the director yelled, "Action!" Joyce was sobbing, as were all our film children, down to the five-year-old. I've been exposed to a number of other techniques, and I pick and choose what works best for each project, so our approach at MasterWorks is to bring in faculty trained in a variety of techniques.  

Patricia Mauceri, who's been on our faculty since 2005 was in the second acting class at Juilliard and trained with Kevin Kline, Patti LuPone, Robin Williams and others.  She's gone on to perform on Broadway, in television and film with Johnny Depp, Christopher Plummer, Gene Hackman, James Earl Jones, and many others.

Susan Somerville Brown is from a musical theatre background, trained at Indiana Wesleyan. She's performed in over 40 productions in the Chicago market and on Broadway. 

Roger Nelson has performed his one-man plays in all 50 states, and in 32 nations. He earned his masters at Fairleigh Dickenson University. 

Muse Watson, who will be coaching via video conference, trained at Berea College and has performed in over 80 film and television projects. 

Our stage manager, Rebekah Cook, will perform with me in our sixth film together just before MasterWorks: In His Steps. She's often called upon to cast films, so working with her could open up doors down the road. 

3. What messages are we trying to send through what we do on the screen?
The actor is subservient to the scriptwriter and the director. That means that we have to be very careful, prayerful, and responsible about the messages we help the producers tell. Of course acting is so much more than the lines, but if you're telling a story that's different than what the director has in mind you probably won't work with him or her again. 

4. etc.
AUDITION FOR MastorWorks TODAY!!!

Treasure Seekers this Sunday

Westchester Chapel's Treasure Seekers (ages 5-10) meet the third Sunday of every month. Join Trevor the Treasure Seeker and his friends as they seek the Greatest Treasure Ever!

The search takes place at Westchester Chapel, which meets at the Crowne Plaza, 66 Hale Ave., White Plains, NY 10601 at 11 a.m.

Live Audtions

We'll be having live auditions for the MasterWorks Festival, including the theatre program this Saturday in New York City...


For my report on last year's festival, and a link to this year's program visit RichDrama.com/MWF. We'll be closing the month with performances in an Off-Broadway theatre.

Peacemakers or Turning People from God?

Rich Swingle preaches on Mattthew 5:9, "Blessed are the peacemakers, for they shall be called children of God." Closing prayer by Pastor Joyce Swingle. Announcements by Pastor Randy Solomon.



This service is available for download free on iTunes, where you can also subscribe to our podcast. Search for "Westchester Chapel" on the iTunes Store.

Here are some of the articles Rich mentioned:
Shooting in the Dark, New York Times
The Impact of Media Violence on Children and Adolescents, American Academy of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry
Teaching Kids to Kill, Christianity Today
Captivated: Finding Freedom in a Media Captive Culture, Philip Telfer
The Gospel Sandals of Peace, Rich Swingle

Here are the ads Rich played during the service:





Grooveshark is a third party source. If you listen on their website you will encounter advertisements, none of which are vetted or endorsed by Westchester Chapel. If there are ads that you find offensive we encourage you to click the "Report Ad" link below the ad. Photo courtesy of NicolettiPhoto.com.