The LIving Christ 2024

Cast & Crew
Volunteers

Information

Check out the “Cast List” below to see what role you will be playing in “The Living Christ” event!

Do the following:

  • View the “Rehearsal & Show Schedule”
  • Read “Letter to the Cast”
  • Read “Costume, Makeup & Hair” information
  • Check out the fun “Scriptural Guide for Cast Members”
2024 Cast & Crew List

Make sure to look through this list well in case you are placed in two different roles on different nights.

SATURDAY 23rd SUNDAY 24th
ENTRANCE
Street Disciple Logan Stiles Logan Stiles
Gate Roman Soldier Jarrett Ellena Jarrett Ellena
SCENE 1 – Trimphal Entry
Thurs 3/21 Rehearsal 7pm
Hospitality Crew Jackie Struve Jackie Struve
Hospitality Crew Cindy Roberts Cindy Roberts
Hospitality Crew Gena Ellena Gena Ellena
Hospitality Crew Bethany Woltjen Bethany Woltjen
Hospitality Crew Marlo Claiborne Nancy Heffner
Lead Roman Soldier Isaac Smith Isaac Smith
Jesus Joseph Taylor Joseph Taylor
Roman Soldier 1 Cast Sean Jensen Sean Jensen
Roman Soldier 2 Cast Raymond Lopez Scott Smith
Palm Dancer 1 Tara Bias Tara Bias
Palm Dancer 2 Julia Bias Julia Bias
Palm Dancer 3 Shelby Bias Shelby Bias
Palm Dancer 4 Ella Andersen Ella Andersen
Palm Dancer 5 Naya Bangayan Naya Bangayan
Palm Dancer 6 Briella Robbins Briella Robbins
Palm Dancer 7 McCovey Osborn McCovey Osborn
Palm Dancer 8 Lauren Carlton Miah Duerksen
Townsperson 1 Kennya Jarvis Jordan Heffner
Townsperson 2 Hayden Klinock Caleb Heffner
Townsperson 3 Elizabeth Nielsen Elizabeth Nielsen
Townsperson 4 Ashley Duerksen Ashley Duerksen
Townsperson 5 Jack Dodge Jack Dodge
Townsperson 6 Rhonda Babb Rhonda Babb
Townsperson 7 Kimberly Jensen Kimberly Jensen
Townsperson 8 Sofia Jensen Sofia Jensen
Townsperson 9 Caitlin Petersen Caitlin Petersen
Townsperson 10 Brody Lopez Londyn Smith
Townsperson 11 Ashley Lopez Jennifer Smith
Townsperson 12 Brenden Menard Brenden Menard
Townsperson 13 Gabriel Menard Gabriel Menard
Townsperson 14 Jacob Nielsen Jacob Nielsen
Kid Townsperson 15 Eliana Jarvis Elsie Andersen
Kid Townsperson 16 Elijah Jarvis Annalee Hubbard
Kid Townsperson 17 Caleb Stiles Emmaline Hubbard
Kid Townsperson 18 Sienna Lopez Matthew Smith
Kid Townsperson 19 Emma Stiles Noah Duerksen
SCENE 2 – The Last Supper
Wed 3/20 Rehearsal 7pm
Hospitality Crew Jackie Struve Jackie Struve
Hospitality Crew Shannon Miller
Hospitality Crew Gini Shirley Gini Shirley
Hospitality Crew Kim Jensen Kim Jensen
Hospitality Crew Amy Wilson Amy Wilson
Lead Roman Soldier Ryan Jensen Ryan Jensen
Jesus Stephen Miller Stephen Miller
Apostle 1 – Judas Joseph Dodge Brad Jarvis
Apostle 2 Devin Duerksen Josh Duerksen
Apostle 3 Greg Babb Greg Babb
Apostle 4 Brad Jarvis Joseph Dodge
Apostle 5 Luke Petersen Luke Petersen
Apostle 6 Kelly Fink Kelly Fink
Apostle 7 Donald Scarpa Donald Scarpa
Apostle 8 Christopher Caines Christopher Caines
Apostle 9 Elder Robison Elder Robison
Apostle 10 Elder Anderson Elder Anderson
Apostle 11 Larry Wolfe Larry Wolfe
Apostle 12 Wes Reeves Wes Reeves
Fri 3/22 Rehearsal
SCENE 3-4 | 7pm
SCENE 5-6 | 8pm
Hospitality Crew Jackie Struve Jackie Struve
Hospitality Crew Christine Duerksen Christine Duerksen
Hospitality Crew Jan DeMers Jan DeMers
SCENE 3 – Gethsemane
Lead Roman Soldier Jordan Moulten Jordan Moulten
Jesus Ricky Petersen Ricky Petersen
Angel Dan DeMers Dan DeMers
SCENE 4 – Bearing the Cross
Lead Roman Soldier Derek Huskey Derek Huskey
Jesus Tim Andersen Tim Andersen
Cross Crew Member Mike Hernandez Patrick Mattingly
SCENE 5 – Golgotha
Roman Soldier 1 Cast Justin Ellena Justin Ellena
Mary Magdalene (Red) Christena Petersen Christena Petersen
Mother Mary (Blue) Jaquelle Dodge Kimberly Macovichuk
SCENE 6 – The Tomb
Lead Roman Soldier Josh Duerksen Ed Lively
Jesus BJ Hubbard BJ Hubbard
Mary Magdalene (Red) Kristina Stiles Rebecca Hubbard
EXIT
Missionary 1 Elder Zobell Elder Zobell
Missionary 2 Elder McCain Elder McCain

 

Rehearsal & Show Schedule

REHEARSAL SCHEDULE – 

*Please try to make your scheduled rehearsal a priority. But, if you are not able to make your scheduled rehearsal, send a message to the Blocking Director, Rebecca Hubbard (801)243-3689. She will schedule a seaprate time for you to meet.

  • Wednesday, March 20th | Scene 2 – The Last Supper
    • 7-8pm | All Scene Cast & Crew
  • Thursday, March 21st | Scene 1 – The Triumphal Entry
    • 6-8pm | Palm Dancers
    • 7-8pm | All Scene Cast & Crew
  • Friday, March 22nd | Scene 3-6 – Gethsemane, Bearing the Cross, Golgotha, The Tomb
    • 7-8pm | Scene 3 & 4 All Cast & Crew
    • 8-9pm | Scene 5 & 6 All Cast & Crew

SHOW NIGHT SCHEDULE – 

  • Saturday, March 23rd | 8-10pm
    • 7:00pm | All Cast & Crew arrive
    • 6:30pm | Men portraying Jesus arrive
  • Sunday, March 24th | 8-10pm
    • 7:00pm | All Cast & Crew arrive
    • 6:30pm | Men portraying Jesus arrive

*Please park across the street at the Diamond View Parking Lot and walk over when you arrive.

 

Letter to the Cast

Dear Participants, 

 Thank you for your desire and willingness to participate in The Living Christ production. We hope this experience will strengthen your faith and center your Easter season on the loving atonement of the Savior Jesus Christ.  

 Your participation will help bring the life, teachings, and atonement of Jesus Christ to the members of our communities. Additionally, participation in this live production can be a great personal blessing.  

 This production, and its presentation, are focused on the Savior Jesus Christ. Participating in The Living Christ is a unique privilege. Your participation helps direct attention to events in His life that have meaningful spiritual significance for all people. Everything you do as a participant should assist in directing recognition to Jesus Christ as the central figure. For this reason, no one in the production is credited for their individual role. Participation is not for personal recognition or attention. We encourage participants to receive and participate in their role with quiet dignity and reverence. Approaching participation in this way helps to support the overall mission of the presentation – to invite everyone to come to Jesus Christ and learn of Him.  

 As participants in the production of The Living Christ, you are encouraged to engage in three specific invitations. First, we invite you to study the scriptural accounts of the scene you will be helping to portray. Second, we invite you to join the production team and full cast in daily prayer for our community. We pray that the spirit of the Lord will be with and strengthen the members of our communities, and that the loving message and mission of Jesus Christ will draw individuals and families to greater hope, faith, and trust in Him. Finally, we invite you to expect miracles. We encourage you to fully participate in these specific invitations.  

 We conclude with the deep gratitude we feel. We express solemn gratitude for the ministry, miracles, and mission of our loving Savior. We also express our gratitude for your personal faith and willingness to share the message behind your faith.  

 With love and gratitude,  
The Production Team 

 

Cast Costume, Makeup & Hair

ALL WOMEN & GIRLS

  • COSTUME – All costumes will allow you to wear very warm layers underneath. Whatever you wear will not show. This will be late at night, so cool or cold weather is to be expected. Please dress warm, you can always remove layers if you get too warm. Wear brown, black or grey boots. No gloves. If you have a fabric piece or accessory that you love and feel might work with your costume and the time period, feel free to bring it with you to rehearsal and we will check it out and see if it will fit into the scene.
  • HAIR – You will be wearing a head veil or wrap. You can wear you hair down and straight or natural waves. NO curling iron curls or hot tools waves. The other option is to have your hair back in a very low bun. Some pieces can be falling out. You might want to bring bobby pins or clips to help hold on your head veil fabric pieces.
  • MAKEUP – You can wear makeup. Natural tones and colors only. The lights are very bright, so makeup will help you not look too washed out.
  • *PALM DANCERS – Your dress will not allow for bulky layers such as coats and jackets. You will be able to wear several thermal layers underneath your dress though. Information about shoes will be added soon. 

MEN TOWNSPEOPLE, APOSTLES & STREET DISCIPLE

  • COSTUME – All costumes will allow you to wear very warm layers underneath. Whatever you wear will not show. This will be late at night, so cool or cold weather is to be expected. Please dress warm, you can always remove layers if you get too warm. Wear brown, black or grey boots. No gloves.
  • HAIR – Some of you may wear something on your head, but most will not. So natural combed hair is good. Beards are encouraged.

MEN ROMAN SOLDIERS

  • COSTUME – Your outermost layer will show, so wear all black. Your costume will cover up part, but not all of your body and it will be cold. Black boots or shoes and black gloves are allowed.
  • HAIR – You will have a rubber helmet, if you would like to bring a dark beanie to try wearing under the helmet that is allowed.

CROSS CREW MEMBER

  • COSTUME – You will not be in a costume. We need you to dress in all black warm clothing, you will be hidden as much as possible. You will be outside during the event. You will be a support for Jesus at Scene 4 in resetting the cross. We will work out the details at the rehearsal.

ANGEL

  • COSTUME – It is best if your outermost layer can be white, but not required. Wear warm layers since it will be cold, this late at night. White shoes, socks, pants would be best. Try to make sure anything showing outside of the tunic is white.  
  • HAIR – You will have a white head veil. Facial hair is optional and up to your personal preference. 

JESUS

*You will be contacted individually to meet and discuss your costumes, beards & hair.

Casting Signup Form

If you are not in the cast, but have been asked to fill out the form or would be willing to be placed on an on-call list, please fill out the “Casting Signup” by clicking HERE

Scriptural Guide for Cast Members

Below you will find a video and study guide to help you understand the history, story and role you will be portraying in “The Living Christ” event. 

    SCENE 1: The Triumphal Entry of Jesus Christ

    Key Scripture References to Study:  

    • Matthew 21:1-11 | Mark 11:1-11 | Luke 19:29-40 | John 12:12-18 |  

    BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE SCRIPTURAL EVENT DEPICTED IN THE SCENE:  

    As Jesus neared Jerusalem, He came to the Mount of Olives. There, two of His disciples brought Him a young donkey. The disciples took off their coats and laid them across the donkey’s back. Then Jesus rode the young donkey down the hill towards the city of Jerusalem.  

    When the people in the city heard that Jesus was coming into Jerusalem, many of them went to greet Him. As Jesus rode into the city, the people celebrated. They placed palm branches and their own coats on the street to create a special walkway for Jesus and the donkey to walk on. This was a special greeting to honor Jesus – the same honor they would show a King who had triumphed over an enemy. Many of the people recognized that Jesus was special and hoped that He would be their promised King.  

    As Jesus rode into Jerusalem, the people cheered with gladness, saying, “Hosanna! Blessed is the King who comes in the name of the Lord to save us now”.  

    Today, followers of Jesus Christ remember this event as the Lord’s Triumphal Entry into Jerusalem. Each year, one week before celebrating His resurrection, on a day traditionally called Palm Sunday, modern disciples remember and recognize Jesus Christ as the Savior of the world and the King of salvation. 

     

    IMAGINING AND PONDERING THE SCENE: People of the City 

    Imagine that you were present on this day of the Savior’s ministry. Imagine that you have come to the holy city of Jerusalem to commemorate Passover (reverence Exodus 12). The city is crowded and busy with fellow Jews from all over Judea and Galilee who have also come for the Passover celebrations. There is a feeling of busy preparation and excited anticipation. You are right in the middle of it. Perhaps you are at the market; or in the process of finding accommodations for you to stay; or visiting with family and friends that you’ve reunited with after a year apart.  

    While you are surrounded by fellow Jews, you also see the evidence of being ruled by a foreign power. Roman soldiers patrol the streets; tax stations have been erected and Rome demands a great deal from those they rule over. There is a sense of external oppression that hangs like a shadow over the city.  

    As you take in both the celebration and the imposing Roman rule, you experience a grim irony. You’re about to celebrate the great deliverance of your ancestors from Egyptian captivity – a time when God sent someone to intervene and throw off the yoke of bondage. Yet here you are, captives in a conquered country, celebrating a deliverance in the past, while praying for deliverance in the present.  

    Amid your musings, you notice something. Far down the narrow street, there is movement. Excited movement. It slowly moves through the street like a gentle wave, gaining momentum. Soon you begin to hear the repeated exclamations running through the crowd ahead of you. JESUS. JESUS is coming into the Holy City.  

    This is not the first time you’ve heard this name spoken over the last 3-years. Jesus of Nazareth has been growing in popularity and in conversation. While some seem to dislike this wandering Rabbi, others declare that he is the promised Messiah, the one who will overthrow Roman rule, their present Deliverer.  

    You have heard his teachings. Perhaps you’ve seen his miracles. And now, He has come to Jerusalem.  

    The excitement that had slowly washed down the street envelops you, and you join the bustle of the crowd moving to the gate of the city. Along the way, you see others that you know, and you join the call of the crowd, beckoning them to join you, and shouting the news. “HE is coming! JESUS is coming!” 

    As you near the gate, the movement of the crowd begins to slow, and you hear a new and growing chant rising like a chorus. “Hosanna! Hosanna! Blessed is the King who comes in the name of the Lord! Hosanna! Hosanna! Blessed is the King who comes in the name of the Lord!” 

    Palm fronds wave along the street. Hands rise in joyous greeting. Then, emerging through the gate, and just over the heads of the awaiting crowd, Jesus of Nazareth enters through the city gates riding a young donkey.  

    “Hosanna! Hosanna! Blessed is the King who comes in the name of the Lord!” 

    A feeling of hope fills your soul. Perhaps this is Him, the promised King who has come to deliver us.  

    And so, befitting a King, those around you begin laying down their palm leaves, and even their own cloaks as an honored carpeting as he passes in front of you, along the path of His triumphal entry.  

     

    QUESTIONS TO PONDER 

    How might you have felt as a part of the crowd who greeted Jesus as he entered the city? 

    SCENE 2: Jesus Christ & the Last Supper

    Key Scripture References to Study: 

    • Matthew 26:14-30 | Mark 14:10-26 | Luke 22:1-39 | John 13-17 |  

     

    BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE SCRIPTURAL EVENT DEPICTED IN THE SCENE: 

    On the evening before His death, Jesus asked the Apostles to join him for the traditional Passover meal. This special meal was prepared once a year to remember how God had delivered their Hebrew ancestors from death and slavery in Egypt.  

    While they ate, the Apostle Judas left to betray Jesus – to help the Jewish leaders find and arrest Him. Jesus knew what Judas would do. Still, Jesus loved him and allowed Judas to leave. 

    As Jesus and the Apostles ate together, Jesus taught them many things. He told them to love one another as He had loved them. He taught them that they needed to serve each other. Then, He demonstrated loving service by washing the feet of each of the Apostles one by one. Then, Jesus prayed for them. 

    Jesus also introduced the sacrament. He took bread, blessed it, and broke it into pieces for each of them to eat. Then, He took a cup of wine, blessed the wine, and passed it to each of them to drink. He told them that the bread was to help them remember His body and the wine was to help them remember His blood. The sacrament was to help them remember Him, and His promises, after His death. 

    This event is known as the Last Supper because it was the last meal Jesus had before His suffering and death.  

    Today, followers of Jesus Christ strive to learn and live these teachings. Many also participate in regular sacrament or communion. This includes partaking of the symbols of His body and blood. Eating and drinking these symbols continues to help modern disciples of Jesus Christ remember His physical and spiritual suffering, death, resurrection, and His promise of eternal life. It’s also a formal way of committing to live in harmony with His example and teachings. 

    SCENE 3: Jesus Christ in the Garden of Gethsemane

    Key Scripture References to Study: 

    • Matthew 26:36-57 | Mark 14:32-53 | Luke 22:39-54 | John 18:1-13  

    BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE SCRIPTURAL EVENT DEPICTED IN THE SCENE: 

    After Jesus and the Apostles finished the last supper, they walked to Gethsemane – a garden of olive trees just outside the city of Jerusalem. It was night and they were alone in the garden. Jesus asked them to pray and wait for him.  

    Jesus went further into the Garden to be alone and pray. He prayed that He would be able to accomplish everything that God, His father, wanted Him to do. During this time, Jesus felt great sorrow and suffering. While His great agony continued, He continued to pray. As Jesus experienced unbearable anguish, an angel from heaven came to strengthen Him.   

    When Jesus concluded His prayer, He returned to the Apostles. Before they left the Garden, a group of Jewish leaders and armed guards entered the Garden. Judas was with them and lead them to Jesus. They arrested Jesus and led Him back into Jerusalem.  

    Throughout His suffering, Jesus Christ willingly took upon Himself the sins of all people. Sin separates us from God. His suffering allows each of us to repent, be forgiven, receive divine strength, and return to a harmonious relationship with God. 

    SCENE 4: Jesus Christ Bearing the Cross

    Key Scripture References to Study: 

    • Matthew 26:57 – 27:32 | Mark 14:53 – 15:21 | Luke 22:54 – 23:32 | John 18:12 – 19:17  

    BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE SCRIPTURAL EVENT DEPICTED IN THE SCENE: 

    After being arrested, Jesus was judged by Jewish and Roman leaders. The Jewish leaders told Pilate, the Roman governor, that Jesus claimed to be King of the Jews. They accused Him of blasphemy and of being a traitor to Caesar. They demanded that Jesus be crucified.  

    Pilate denied them, but allowed Jesus to be scourged – stripped of clothing and whipped as a punishment. After brutally beating Jesus, the soldiers dressed Him in a purple robe and placed a crown of thorns on His head. They put a reed in His right hand and mockingly bowed as they hailed Him King of the Jews. Then they spit on Him.  

    After the scourging, the soldiers returned Jesus to Pilate. Still, the Jewish leaders were not satisfied. Again, they demanded that Jesus be crucified. Pilate gave in and released Jesus to the crowd to be crucified.  

    After hours of intense suffering, Jesus’s mortal body was exhausted, and He struggled to lift and carry the heavy weight of the cross. 

    SCENE 5: Jesus Christ and the Cross of Golgotha

    Key Scripture References to Study: 

    • Matthew 27:33-56 | Mark 15:22-41 | Luke 23:32-49 | John 19:17-37 Topics and Questions: Easter Bible Dictionary: Crucifixion  

    BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE SCRIPTURAL EVENT DEPICTED IN THE SCENE: 

    The Roman soldiers led Jesus out of Jerusalem and up a hill called Golgotha – a place where they crucified criminals. They placed Jesus on a wooden cross by driving large nails through His hands and feet. Pilate ordered the soldiers to place a sign on the cross that read, JESUS OF NAZARETH THE KING OF THE JEWS.  

    Jesus hung on the cross for several hours. Some of the people who watched and passed by made fun of Him and laughed at Him. There were also disciples who stayed with Jesus. They knew He was the Son of God, and as they watched they felt deep sorrow.  

    In the afternoon, when Jesus knew that his suffering had been enough, he cried out, “Father, I’ve completed the loving sacrifice you asked me to do for all mankind, my spirit is ready to return to you”. Jesus then bowed His head and died.  

    That evening Joseph, a disciple of Christ, was allowed to lower Jesus’s body from the cross. Joseph lovingly wrapped the Lords body in clean linen cloth. Then Joseph placed His body in a tomb – a stone burial chamber in a hillside. A large heavy stone was rolled across the entryway to seal the tomb closed. 

    SCENE 6: The Living Christ & the Empty Tomb

    Key Scripture References to Study: 

    • Matthew 27:57 – 28:20 | Mark 15:42 – 16:20 | Luke 23:50 – 24:53 | John 19:38 – 21:14  

    BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE SCRIPTURAL EVENT DEPICTED IN THE SCENE: 

    Early Sunday morning, Mary Magdalene and other women went to the tomb to prepare Jesus’s body for burial. When they arrived, they found the tomb open and empty. Jesus’s body was not in the tomb. They were surprised and grieved. Two angels appeared and told them that Jesus had risen. They ran to tell the other disciples. Two of the Apostles, Peter and John, didn’t believe the women and ran to the tomb. They also saw that the tomb was empty.   

    Mary Magdalene had loved Jesus very much. After everyone else had left the tomb, Mary stayed. She was very sad and crying. While she cried, Jesus appeared. Mary was confused, but when He called her by name, she knew it was Jesus. After she recognized Him, Mary was filled with joy. Jesus asked her to go and tell the Apostles that He had risen from the dead and would visit them soon.  

    Jesus Christ was resurrected. At death, His physical body and His spirit had separated for a time. Now His spirit was reunited with a perfected body that would never die again. This is called resurrection. Because of the resurrection of Jesus Christ, one day, everyone who has died will also be resurrected. 

    Other Volunteer Opportunities

    Check the dates and times below to see if you can help with the other aspects of “The Living Christ” event.

      3/16 Set Construction Schedule - Help Needed

      Saturday, March 16, 2024 – 10:00am

      • The Triumphal Entry & The Last Supper
      • Any and all men are invited to help, the sets are very large and heavy
      • Text Tim Andersen if you can attend 208.519.0928
        3/16 Costume & Equipment Setup - Help Needed

        Saturday, March 16, 2024 – 10:00am

        • Any and all men, women or teens are invited to help take up costumes, racks, props, lighting, signs, equipment and prep for the event.
            3/25 Clean Up Day - Help Needed

            Monday, March 25, 2024 – Starting at 9:00am

            • Anyone is invited to help us with cleanup, show up at anytime throughout the day to work with us taking down, storing and cleaning up the event.