Handling Rejection with Grace: Lessons from 1 Peter for Theatre Artists

Rejection is something everyone involved in theatre—whether an actor, designer, stagehand, or director—will face at some point. Whether it’s not landing a part, not being selected for a specific role behind the scenes, or receiving critical feedback after a performance or production, rejection can feel personal and discouraging. It may even cause you to question your skills or passion. However, just as in life, rejection in theatre is a natural part of the creative process and growth. When approached with faith, we can learn to handle rejection with grace, using it as an opportunity for reflection and perseverance.

In ​1 Peter 2:7-8 (NASB), we read, “This precious value, then, is for you who believe; but for those who disbelieve, ‘The stone which the builders rejected, this became the very cornerstone,’ and, ‘A stone of stumbling and a rock of offense.’” This passage reminds us that even Jesus was rejected by man, yet chosen by God for a greater purpose. The rejection He faced did not diminish His worth. Instead, it became the foundation upon which everything else was built.  

As theatre artists, it’s easy to feel disheartened when we face rejection. Not getting a part or receiving less-than-stellar feedback can sting. But just like Jesus, our value isn’t defined by others’ opinions. We may not always get the role we hoped for, but that doesn’t mean we’re not talented​ or worthy. In fact, sometimes rejection is simply a stepping stone to something better. 

​Rejection Doesn’t Define Your Worth 

The first lesson we can take from 1 Peter is that rejection does not define who we are. Jesus, though rejected by many, was still chosen by God. ​As a believer, you are chosen by God!

Within the theatre world, like life, is full of subjective decisions. Casting directors and producers are often looking for something very specific, and sometimes the perfect fit is about more than just talent—it could be about timing, appearance, or chemistry with the rest of the cast.

When you experience rejection, remember that it’s not the end of your journey. It’s just one part of a much larger story. Stay focused on the bigger picture and trust that there’s a role, performance, or opportunity out there that’s meant for you. 

​Rejection as a Path to Growth 

The second lesson is that rejection can lead to growth. In 1 Peter 1:6-7 (NASB), we are told, “In this you greatly rejoice, even though now for a little while, if necessary, you have been distressed by various trials, so that the proof of your faith, being more precious than gold which perishes though tested by fire, may be found to result in praise, glory, and honor at the revelation of Jesus Christ.” Rejection, while difficult, can be a refining process. It helps us build resilience and humility. When we learn to accept rejection gracefully, we develop the strength to persevere through future challenges, both onstage and off.

As a theatre artist, use rejection as an opportunity to reflect, improve, and come back stronger. Take feedback as a tool for growth rather than a measure of failure. Each audition, performance, or critique is an opportunity to learn and refine your craft. Trust that God is shaping you through these experiences. 

​Trust the Bigger Picture 

Finally, handling rejection with grace involves trusting that there is a bigger picture. 1 Peter 2:9 (NASB) reminds us, “But you are a chosen race, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, a people for God’s own possession.” You are chosen for a purpose far greater than any single role or production. Trust that God has a plan for your journey in theatre, and each step—whether success or setback—is part of that plan.

When you face rejection, lean into your faith. Remember that God’s approval is far more important than anyone else’s. Rejection may be difficult, but with faith and perseverance, you’ll find that it can lead you to unexpected opportunities and growth. So, keep your head high, trust in your ​God-given abilities, and know that you are chosen, just like the cornerstone rejected by man but precious in the eyes of God.

Celebrating God's Gift of Creativity Through Theatre

Let the word of Christ dwell richly among you, in all wisdom, teaching and admonishing one another through psalms, hymns, and spiritual songs, singing to God with gratitude in your hearts.  As so beautifully written in Colossians 3:16, we are thrilled to delve into a new year with the remarkable gift bestowed upon us by the Creator of all things - the gift of creativity expressed through the world of theater. The profound resonance of Colossians 3:16 intertwines beautifully with the art of storytelling.

Just as every masterpiece requires an artist, we recognize that we are masterpieces of the Ultimate Artist Himself. Are you aware of the incredible artists of The Crew working behind the scenes of each production? From the intricacies of color palettes, textures, and shapes in our set design to our propmakers creating those finer details, we hold fast to glorifying God in all that we do! 

Colossians 3:16 resonates deeply with our mission, urging us to fill our lives with the richness of Christ's message. As we continue to measure twice-cut once, build, and paint, we find an unparalleled medium to teach, counsel, edify, and inspire each other with the Godly wisdom. 

The Theatre's Endless Canvas: Set Design

We know God has given us an unusual opportunity to see the stage as a canvas - upon which stories come alive, reflecting the themes and emotions of our productions.  Whether it's a whimsical wonderland, a heartwarming home, or a mystical realm, each set is thoughtfully designed to evoke a sense of wonder and connection with the story.

As we rejoice in God's precious gift of creativity, our set design emerges as a vital component of the storytelling process, captivating the audience and enveloping them in the unfolding narrative. With every brushstroke, we bring life into our stories, drawing from the infinite well of imagination that God graciously provides.

Enchanting Narratives: Props that Speak Volumes

Ah, props!  The smallest details can make the grandest impact. At House Theatre, we recognize the strength of the intricate details of props to enliven the story and bring depth to our characters.  These seemingly ordinary objects transform into vessels of significance, imbued with meaning and purpose. Seeing our Crew students review the script, the director’s notes, and learn from the professional instruction of our Crew teachers is a delight. The students are able to create these tangible elements to connect the audience with the characters' emotions and experiences.  

Where Creativity Meets Thankfulness

As we celebrate God's gift of creativity through theater, we stand humbled by the talents and opportunities bestowed upon us.  At House Theatre, we believe that creativity thrives in an atmosphere of gratitude.  With every standing ovation, we offer thanks for the God’s inspiration that guides our creative endeavors.

Our productions become stages of thankfulness, where every actor, crew, director, and audience member acknowledges the One who breathed life into the human spirit, endowing us with the power to create.  Together, we weave tales that echo the profound message of Colossians 3:16, resonating with richness, wisdom, and gratitude.

As we design captivating sets and select meaningful props, we honor the essence of the stories we tell, knowing that every detail reflects the boundless creativity bestowed upon us. Our theater becomes a place where thankfulness blends with creativity to craft performances that leave an indelible mark on hearts and souls.

Ultimately, giving all the glory to God is where our hearts rest for each and every show  completed and upcoming! We firmly believe that through theater, we are not mere spectators, but humble vessels, expressing His boundless inspiration to create stories that reflect His truth and love.   With open arms and hearts overflowing with gratitude, let us celebrate God's gift of creativity, acknowledging that every breath of talent and every stroke of artistry are reflections of His divine brilliance.  May the stage be a space where His glory shines, and may our performances be a testament to His grace and boundless creativity.  For it is He who empowers us to craft tales that touch hearts, uplift souls, and illuminate the beauty of His creation.  All honor and praise be to our Heavenly Father, the Ultimate Artist, as we journey together on this remarkable artistic pilgrimage. This 2024, we recognize how He makes all things new and we are looking forward to glorifying Him in all we do this year and years to come.

Where Art Meets Faith

In a world filled with distractions and conflicting voices, it can be easy to lose sight of our walk with God. However, at House Theatre, we believe that faith serves as an anchor, helping us stay focused and avoid stumbling amidst life's chaos. A significant facet of our homeschool year is to provide young individuals with a remarkable opportunity to explore the creative world of the stage, all while equipping them with the wisdom and knowledge necessary to navigate life's difficulties with confidence and grace. By seamlessly integrating faith and theatre, we offer a unique platform for youth to not only grow spiritually but also develop their talents and overcome challenges within a nurturing and supportive environment.

Theatre can serve as a powerful tool to nurture and deepen faith in young individuals. Thoughtfully selected productions give us a chance to seek biblical themes and messages as we progress in our rehearsals and learning. Young performers and audiences engage with profound spiritual concepts in a tangible and relatable way. Theatre provides a safe space for exploration, encouraging youth to ask questions, express doubts, and discover the depth of their own faith.

Additionally, theatre offers numerous opportunities for personal growth by helping young performers develop character and confidence. Acting requires individuals to step into the shoes of different characters, cultivating empathy and understanding. As young actors tackle various roles, they have the chance to learn invaluable life lessons about resilience, compassion, and integrity through the story arcs of each script.

It’s also worth noting that successful performances depend on effective teamwork and collaboration. Being involved in theatre, especially in a Christ-centered company, students will swiftly learn the importance of working together towards a common goal, fostering a spirit of unity and cooperation. Through rehearsals, set design, and backstage work, students discover the power of collective effort, mirroring the body of Christ. This collaborative environment encourages them to support one another, build strong relationships, and grow in their faith as a community.

Much like life, theatre presents its fair share of challenges, including stage fright, memorization, and handling criticism. These hurdles offer opportunities for youth to develop resilience and perseverance. Through the guidance and support of their Christian theatre community, young individuals learn to rely on their faith, trusting that God will provide strength and guidance to overcome obstacles. The experience of overcoming challenges underscores how God sees us through difficulties with faith and determination.

A Christ-centered theatre experience can play a vital role in building our youth to keep God as their ultimate focus. In Mark 16:15-16, we find that we are to go into all the world and proclaim the gospel! What an honor! We have such a special opportunity to proclaim God’s word. By having such a nurturing environment to grow spiritually, develop talents, and face life's obstacles head-on, it’s awe-inspiring to see God work in each student and volunteer’s lives! The stage becomes a platform where faith and art converge, empowering youth to shine brightly as beacons of light in a challenging world.

The Source of a Servant

I love spring - well, on the two days out of the week when it does feel like the season. I love the crisp air - you know, the yellow air that lingers in your nostrils. Oh, and we cannot forget about tax season (it’s the most wonderful time of the year!). All jokes aside, spring is beautiful. For many, it is the perfect time for reflection and growth. This may look different for each person, but if you are reading this, you probably know that this season is the root of a celebration which stems from the death and resurrection of Jesus Christ, who is the epitome of a servant’s heart.

What is a servant’s heart? Look in the mirror. When you were created, God knew you were destined for greatness because He made you in His great image. As we mentioned before, Christ is the exact definition of what a servant’s heart should be. If you are a Christ follower, you have the potential of a servant’s heart within you and that is joyous news to hear! However, it does not stop there. For something to blossom and become what it was meant to be, you must nurture it with the truth. 1 John 3:18 states: “Dear children, let us not love with words or speech but with actions and in truth.” Like the saying goes, actions speak louder than words. We can speak but what does that do if there is not a trained heart acting upon our words? Jesus never just spoke words. He acted on those words. With this continual practice, people began to realize that He is THE heart of a servant. He healed the sick, taught all who sought wisdom, guided those who were troubled, and gave the ultimate sacrifice for all mankind. Because of His selfless act, He rose from the grave and we were made whole again and now live for Him. He spoke the truth, He acted on His truth, and He saved us so that we could glorify Him by following His example. 1 John 3:16: “This is how we know what love is: Jesus Christ laid down his life for us. And we ought to lay down our lives for our brothers and sisters.”

God created you in His image and through His Spirit, He has given you all the tools needed to contribute to His work in the world. So how can you and I build our hearts to better serve the Lord and others?

•  Pray. It is so simple, yet one of the most rewarding practices.

•  Read the Bible and nurture your heart with fruitful wisdom. 

• Act. Take your friend out for the coffee you said you would. Text those you haven’t touched base with for a while. Nurture and care for their hearts. God has you in their lives for a reason. 

• Point others back to the Lord just as Christ’s example of servanthood continually fostered a stronger relationship with the Father.

You are loved, and you are destined for His greatness. 1 John 3:1, “See what great love the Father has lavished on us, that we should be called children of God!”

The Feared Rejection

He is for you.

“When facing a season of rejection, fix your eyes on Jesus and hold close to the Father.”

Let’s talk rejection; the dreaded, uncomfortable, “elephant in the room” sort of rejection.  At our very core, most individuals do not like this painful sting.  Onlookers may discard the collateral damaged emotions as pride.  However, the hurt we feel is not often a heart offense as much as a heart desire. People simply want to be loved.  We are relational and built to desire being wanted, needed, and mattering.  Let us take a brief step back and gain some perspective through a Biblical lens.  There are three lessons that we can pull from a season of rejection: obedience, value, and desire.

If you have been on the stage for more than a moment, you will quickly learn that every person does not land the lead (sometimes never), most performers struggle with confidence, and sometimes we accept challenges that leave our self-esteem well… a little shaken.  We work tirelessly behind the scenes and bravely risk failure, hoping someone out there will discover our unique potential.  Despite the hurt, we love the craft, so we brush our knees off only to scrape them all over again.  It’s a myth that performance is all fun and games.  It’s hard work. 

Did you know that there is a completely Kingdom-minded gem hidden in our pursuits?  Obedience.  What if we viewed each opportunity to succeed AND each opportunity for rejection, as redirection to follow God’s purpose for our lives (Proverbs 3:5-6; Romans 12:1-8)?  Serving passionately and wholeheartedly with the tools we have been offered becomes a willing choice, rather than a painful endurance.  What if we prayed more about God’s provision in the outcome and fully trusted that redirection was for our good and His glory?  Redirection may lead to an area where He has specifically called us to serve for a unique, appointed time.  What if instead of scoffing, we took pleasure in the work and trusted that He is for us (Romans 8:28)?  With our eyes completely tethered to Christ, Kingdom success triumphs over personal success.

Furthermore, our value lies in Christ alone because of His ultimate sacrifice on the cross and resurrection into eternity (John 3:16).  When the Father looks at His children, He no longer sees our stains.  He sees the protective covering of the blood of the Lamb.  Once we fully learn to find our complete value in what He has already accomplished, the importance of our hurts, struggles, and, yes, rejections become so small.  Christ alone is worthy (Revelation 5:12).

So, what about desire?  There is indeed a built-in relational desire.  Desire is a good gift from the Father (James 1:17).  The struggle arises when our heart’s desires do not line up with God’s desire for us (Psalm 37:4).  When rightly postured, the desire to be wanted, the desire to matter, and the desire to be loved are fulfilled wholly in the God who loves us so much that He was willing to lay down His life that we might live (Proverbs 18:24).  The relationship we seek after is answered in companionship with Christ.  Any other attempt to fill the Christ-shaped void will be found wanting and will most certainly leave us hurt.  We were never meant to find our importance in the things of this world, rather we were meant to use the things of this world to shine importance on He Who is Worthy. 

When you are facing a season of rejection, fix your eyes on Jesus and hold close to the Father.  He is for you.   

Gratitude

A Heart of Gratitude

Perspective matters…

Morning fog. A cool breeze brushing at your back. The changing leaves. Cold hands holding steaming mugs. Scarfs and sweaters. The smell of pumpkin pie baking in the oven. All these things remind us that fall is approaching and with it a multitude of holidays, events, and overall busyness. 

As Thanksgiving approaches, we rush into this season with calendars full, minds running a thousand miles per hour and a clock that just won’t stop.  Yet through everything we do–even in the midst of the hurricane of life–we should take time to stop, breathe and praise the One who made us. Thanksgiving is a holiday many of us push to the side, as Christmas takes our time and attention. However, Thanksgiving should be a reminder of how to live our lives with gratitude as our focus!

 1 Thessalonians 5:18 states, “In everything give thanks; for this is God’s will for you in Christ Jesus.” In everything. Even when you don’t get the lead in the play, or your car breaks down, or when the calendar is so full that rest seems like a distant dream? How can we give thanks in everything? 

The Bible gives us many examples: We can praise and thank God for His goodness (Psalm 107:1), His promise that He will always be with us (Matthew 28:20), the fact that He created us (Psalm 139:14), for the day He made (Psalm 118:24), and for His gift of salvation (2 Cor 9:15). When we intentionally start our day with thanksgiving, it fills us with joy and peace to conquer the day, come what may. Starting our day with the Lord and intentionally thanking Him for what He has given will always steer us towards the right direction in all we do, whether in school, or home, work, or on stage. 

This is especially important on stage; if we don’t start with a heart of gratitude, a spirit of bitterness can easily take over. When we start with gratitude then we can use our gifts to glorify the Lord. Suddenly the part we play doesn’t seem to matter as much. Whether lead role, ensemble, or crew, we all work together, using our talents to the best of our ability, so that the Lord will be glorified and His gospel will be preached. We begin to approach life with gratitude for the opportunities we have been given to serve rather than begrudging the fleeting things we thought we deserved, fully trusting that all good gifts come from the Father.

As we go through this wonderful and crazy holiday season, be encouraged to thank the Lord for what He has given you on this day and watch as your attitude towards everything else change.

“Bless the Lord, oh my soul: and all that is within me, bless His holy name!” (Psalm 103:1)

In the Limelight

The lights. The acoustics. The music. The laughter. The audience. It’s the draw of the stage. The moment that curtain opens, the room comes alive with a story to tell! All of these moments swell into this exciting crescendo for an actor as they give a piece of their heart to a given role. The giving of such an intimate piece of one’s self through this form of entertainment can place a person in a spiritually vulnerable position, if unprepared. The innate desire to feed the flesh with worldly glory can be enticing. Humans generally appreciate a pat on the back and - to an extent - being praised. This can develop into an insatiable appetite for more glory, an unhealthy competitive desire, and a focus on self. As a believer, it is imperative to remain mindful that our identity is in Christ and Christ alone (Galatians 2:20). How can we manage a balance of our testimony while giving our best on the stage?

First and foremost, before we get into balance, what is your testimony? This is the most sincere, most powerful, most fragile moment you’ve had with God. This is where He revealed His will for your life and you realized it. Your testimony is where God’s glory is honored, where His power is demonstrated, and where His unconditional love and grace is realized. It’s extremely personal and what’s more; it’s yours!

So, what about that balance? The following may sound like a trite reminder but READ God’s love letter to us! His Word keeps us on track and reminds of the significance of our testimony…His testimony. Regularly reading the Bible presents so many growth opportunities and chances for God to speak to you, exactly where you are on this journey. Staying in the Bible is a direct line to God’s will and how we share it with others. When we walk away from His Word, we can feel a bit scattered, uncertain, and empty. It places us in a position where the world’s influences and appeal could garner our attention. It’s no secret that the entertainment industry has a wide net of belief systems, worldviews, and alluring opportunities. All at what cost? Let us allow God’s Word to fuel our motives, conversations, and interactions. Being consistent with our Bibles helps us find a balance by daily seeking God’s will for our lives.

Additionally, we need to stay connected. No one is an island, and relationships are an incredible gift from God to strengthen our testimonies. Collectively, believers are the salt of the earth, so the chance to be a light within our theatre community is unlike any other opportunity. Salt seasons, enhances, and preserves. Likewise, our unity can season, enhance, and preserve our versatile testimonies. The opportunity to minister to one another as we rehearse, plan, design, and create helps us build a connection that will translate with each performance. Do we see theatre as a chance to showcase our talents or an opportunity for God to work through the relationships where we can magnify His name? 

Serving in theatre presents a unique obligation to the Christian and their testimony. The believer that shares their artistry and talents, unabashedly, is opening so many unique doors and conversations for this ministry. We’re excited to see how God will use the innumerable talents He has brought our way. It is our responsibility to remain diligent and mindful that the glory goes to God in all that we do. Colossians 3:23 is a wonderfully concise reminder that whatever we do, we must do it heartily, as for the Lord!