Source Theatre grew out of the youth group at Mt. Albert Baptist in Auckland, New Zealand. The young people at that church were crying out for a more experiential style of learning to help grow their faith. It was not enough to know and believe God in their heads, they wanted heart and soul stuff too - which they achieved by becoming involved in dance, drama, singing and clowning. To be a part of a creative ministry among people their own age seemed to be the key and their Youth Pastor at the time, Wayne Wright, showed them how. In 1982 three married couples established Source Ministries to further develop the potential of creative ministries within the wider Christian Church.
In the 1980s Source Ministries travelled around New Zealand and Australia taking youth leadership workshops and giving live performances of dramas and musicals. In 1990 Source Ministries became Source Theatre to highlight the ministry's move away from leadership training and towards performance. One of the most popular productions performed since that time is the musical 'Edge of Tomorrow', based on the life of the famous missionary Hudson Taylor. This production has since been presented over 150 times to more than 50,000 people in New Zealand, Australia, Singapore and Canada. Another major musical has been 'Pilgrims Progress' which has toured New Zealand and Australia with 70 performances to more than 20,000 people.
Source Theatre has always had a strong association with Christian Missionary Societies. In 1985 Source helped celebrate the 100 year Anniversary of the Baptist Missionary Society with the musical 'For a Time like This' which was first performed in the Lower Hutt Town Hall and later in the North and South Islands of New Zealand. In 1990 it was the turn of the Overseas Missionary Fellowship with the musical 'Edge of Tomorrow' to help celebrate 125 years of ministry. In 1996 a musical was commissioned and performed to celebrate 100 years for the Brethren Missionary Society on the life of James Kirk, the first New Zealand Brethren Missionary to leave New Zealand. The latest product in Source Theatre's missionary heritage is 'Catch the Fire' which began life in 1997 to celebrate 75 years of training for The Bible College of New Zealand. During 1997 this production, with it's combined team of Bible College students and Source Theatre personnel, performed in Auckland and later toured the South Island of New Zealand. The Parachute Festival and other North Island performances are part of the Source Theatre programme for 1998.
Over many years Source Theatre has presented numerous Easter productions. Long before the organisation came into being, the founders of Source Theatre celebrated Easter with drama and music. In 1974 a musical called 'Jesus' began this long heritage. During the late 1970s and early 1980s productions such as, 'Who is this Man?' and 'Lonely Man' were regularly performed.
The latest Easter production is a musical called 'Time after Time', which was performed during April 1998 at the Baptist Tabernacle in Auckland. This 80 minute musical has 14 cast members, 10 musicians, and technical crew.
From the earliest beginnings short dramas and small drama teams have been an important part of Source Theatre. 'Third flock from the Son' is an example of this. With a focus mainly on young people, this current team first performed at the 1997 Baptist Easter Camp in Auckland. During 1998 they performed at the Parachute Festival and later in the year they will be part of the programme based at the Auckland Baptist Tabernacle on Sunday nights. Short, snappy drama is an important tool in communicating the Christian message.
For the last 20 years, Wayne Wright has written all the material for the major productions performed by Source Ministries and Source Theatre. His creative flair and insight, has given Source a continuous flow of drama and music. Sometimes straight to the point, other times hidden in an allegory, Wayne's God given gift to write and produce has sustained and grown the ministry over many years.
His CV of musicals and plays that he has produced includes the following:
1974 ... Jesus
1977 ... Who is this Man?
1981 ... The King is Coming Back!
1982 ... Jon's Incredible Jeans, The Toybox
1983 ... Lonely Man, The Gift, Sam, The Runaway, Mr. T Button
1984 ... Justice Honour and Yours, Silence in the Court, The Hostage, The Singer and the Song
1986 ... For a Time Like This
1988 ... Tomorrow
1989 ... Christmas Star
1990 ... Edge of Tomorrow
1992 ... Pilgrim's Progress
1993 ... Time after Time
1996 ... James Kirk
1997 ... Catch the Fire
From April through to September 1998, Source Theatre will be performing every Sunday night at 7pm at the Baptist Tabernacle in Queen Street, Auckland. Each production will run for three or four consecutive weeks beginning with 'Time after Time' on April 5. The season will include performances of 'Third flock from the Son', 'Mr. T Button' and 'Silence in the court',' For a time like this', 'Sam', 'Justice Honour and Yours', 'Catch the Fire', and 'Pilgrim's Progress'.
Source Theatre has commissioned Karl Payne to direct each production. Karl Payne is a professional actor, a graduate of the New Zealand Drama School and he also has a Performing Arts Degree in theatre from the Victoria University.
Source Theatre is a Charitable Non Profit Making Trust. Most of the money to fund the ministry comes from supporters and friends. Performers and Musicians also pay a donation each year to help fund the ministry.
Donations for 1998 are as follows:
Students $300
Workers $500
Married Couples $600
During 1998 Source Theatre will also be offering Drama Training Workshops.