Today we’d like to introduce you to Catherine Zardus.
Hi Catherine, thanks for sharing your story with us. To start, maybe you can tell our readers some of your backstory.
In 1991 I was asked to put a show together for the Michigan Reading Association Conference at the Grand Hotel in Mackinac Island. When 500 teachers saw the show and wanted it for their school, I had a new career! As a professional actor, I was ready for a lifestyle that would coordinate better with family life and by using theatre to promote literacy, bringing stories to life. In an oral Interp style, I was able to use my talents and do meaningful work on one very small stage at a time…primarily performing in school gyms in the MetroDetroit area.
Now that we are in our 35th season, we have performed for thousands of people in numerous states from Alaska to Florida! In 2008, we became a nonprofit, and as I’d like to say, made it official! Often we solicit grants for our nonprofit in order to reach children in urban and rural settings, especially throughout the state of Michigan. It is a thrill to bring quality literature to life and inspire children to use their imaginations,. We offer two super creative performances which require imagination by the performers and the audience in order to engage children in the literature. Our “Magic Carpet Show” promotes reading and “The Bridge” performance promotes writing.. After the shows, we offer Reading and Writing Workshops to further help children tap into their imaginations, inspiring them to become better readers and writers..
Also in 2008, we added a Drama Ministry. I never dreamt that I would begin a ministry, but after a huge conversion, and a constant prompting in my spirit to perform scripture, Magic Carpet Theatre added the Drama Ministry to joyfully proclaim the gospel message through drama, humor, and audience participation, We offer four different original shows in the ministry including , “The Parable Project,” “The Parable Project: Take Two!,” “At His Feet,” and our new original musical, “Surrender”.
Theatre is a powerful way to share the good news because people have an experience of the Living Word through their senses.
Alright, so let’s dig a little deeper into the story – has it been an easy path overall and if not, what were the challenges you’ve had to overcome?
When you run a Non-Profit, you wear a lot of hats. While I have an MFA in Acting, I never had a business course or computer class. I had to learn all kinds of skills regarding managing a business, marketing, social media,, bookkeeping., ect. The creative side is more exciting for me. I love to write, direct produce and perform. The constant selling the product is probably the hardest thing for me. One time I had to do a bunch of cold calling because someone donated a place for us to stay in Northern Michigan. I set up 10 shows up north. It was at that time that I realized if I can call cold call in Michigan I can cold call anywhere. So I set up shows in Florida! Occasionally I’ll do an E-blast to spread the word about our work, but often don’t get any responses. When I push send, sometimes I think, “this is just going to sit in somebody’s inbox and will never be opened.” However, this was a lesson in persistence, because that was how we got the work in Alaska. Someone from Michigan moved there and receive the E blast & invited us to come. When I got an email from the Holy Spirit Center in Anchorage asking if we’d come, at first I thought it was a joke! But we went and it was an experience of a lifetime. We even went dogsledding, which was gifted to us after performing in a Women’s Shelter.
Another really difficult thing is the constant fundraising and grant writing. Last summer, my computer was missing the letters “g” and “h” but I wrote several grants and got most of them. This year I’m going to buy a new computer! I do love building a community of volunteers and we have a lot of support. Our volunteers have worked Tiger Game concessions (slinging, hotdogs & pouring beer), held Euchre tournaments, sold football squares and garden gift cards. Now our primary fundraiser is an event called., True Story, where we go to a local brewery and people get up and tell their personal stories inspired by themes like, “Whoopsie” or “Wild Things”. It’s a blast! But there have been lots of times where there has been no money in the bank. We truly have to rely on the generosity of others to continue to work. And it has been a privilege to employ artists and provide work for them, most of whom have been women. We have an incredibly talented team! The work itself is a joy for all of us.
Probably the biggest low is when we have performed for really small audiences. It can be discouraging, like preparing a wonderful gift and not being able to give it. I believe everyone needs theatre, as it is an incredible way to foster understanding. So when we do have a very small audience, we put our whole hearts into it and consider that maybe those few people really need to see what we’re doing.
Appreciate you sharing that. What else should we know about what you do?
Once I was performing “The Giving Tree” for a group of preschoolers in the basement of a church on the world‘s smallest stage. It was a moment where I felt in my spirit that God was saying, “This is the pinnacle of your career..” I’m OK with that. I have been blessed to do my craft for all these years. I think this sets us apart…..The humble spaces where we bring live theatre & touch hearts.
I have tried to go through one door at a time, not really knowing where it’s going. I have tried to follow the prompting of the Holy Spirit. This has led to incredible things…..lyrics to songs being written during sunrise walks, actors, who love the Lord, coming to us in most incredible ways, images that turn into written scenes that are now brought to life on stage making people laugh and cry. It is incredible to see ones writing come to life through the talents of professional actors. As a writer, it’s humbling and satisfying. As a performer, it is tangible that the Holy Spirit is working as we feel the audience with us, being moved as we are moved. I guess that also sets us apart. I don’t really know any other theatre troop that is on mission to proclaim the gospel. And we are of different faith backgrounds, which is really cool that we are an ecumenical group.
I’m also really proud of the collaborative efforts of our incredibly talented team from actors, designers, vocalist and composers.
The other thing that sets us apart is a minimalistic form of theatre that engages the imaginations of the audience.. We are known for our extremely creative style with the imagination being the key to all we do whether it’s promoting literacy or inspiring a spiritual experience of scripture.
What quality or characteristic do you feel is most important to your success?
Joy, collaboration, persistence, desire,
Pricing:
- Magic Carpet Show- $650
- Bridge Show- $650
- Parable Project 1 & 2- $650
- At His Feet- $1000
- Surrender- $1250
Contact Info:
- Website: Magiccarpettheatre.org and mctdramaministry.org
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/MagicCarpetTheatre25
- Youtube: https://youtube.com/@magiccarpettheatre3916
