John Wesley, the founder of Methodism, described his encounter with God as he walked along London’s Aldersgate Street: “I felt my heart strangely warmed.” The Strangely Warmed Players hope that through the venue of drama, audiences will experience warmed hearts.
The Strangely Warmed Players combine Christian ministry and offbeat comedy to create an entertaining and enlightening duo. Reflecting the Wesleyan tradition of bringing Christ’s teachings to the masses, the Players bring an engaging collection of modern parables to a media generation.
Youth between the ages of 15–19 comprise the current cast. 2007-8 will mark the thirteenth troupe of Strangely Warmed Players under the direction of founder, Beth Miller. The Players are a nonprofit organization, funneling proceeds directly back into ministry and mission work.
In addition to our repertoire, we offer drama workshops. Fifteen sketches from our repertoire are published in “Worship Feast: Dramas” by Beth Miller, 2003 Abingdon Press, available through Cokesbury Publishing.
To book The Strangely Warmed Players, contact Beth Miller, Director of Youth Ministries (beth@fumc-a2.org)
International Performances
The year 2001 marked the fourth troupe to tour England where they performed for the World Methodist Conference in Brighton. In the summer of 2002, seven cast members traveled to Ireland to perform for the International Christian Youth Conference on Evangelism at the University of Belfast. In 2003, the Players performed for the Detroit Annual Conference and Youth ’03, the global gathering of 9,000 Methodist youth at the University of Tennessee. That year, honorariums from performances provided for three youth from Meru, Kenya and their pastor to spend the summer with us in Ann Arbor and attend Youth ’03.
In July 2004, the troupe headed to Kenya, Africa, at the invitation of Bishop Lawi Imathiu to perform for various schools and churches. For two weeks, a troupe of fifteen youth, including some college alumni, traveled around the Meru District performing contemporary parables in various primary and high schools. Visit our online photo album.
The Strangely Warmed Players traveled in July 2005 to Brazil to perform for the International Christian Youth Conference sponsored by World Methodist Evangelism. This conference was a global gathering of young people ages 17-30. The Players performed sketches written specifically for the conference theme. Along with performances at the conference, the troupe assisted Beth Miller leading drama workshops. The following week we boarded the World Methodist “Evangemed Boat” for a week on the Amazon. The youth led Vacation Bible School in the village of Manaquri each day. The troupe also performed for worship services. The Rev. Grace Imathiu traveled with the troupe and was the featured evangelist. On Sunday, July 31 the players performed for a city-wide rally in Manaus with Rev. Grace preaching. Visit our online photo album.
Summer of 2006 found the troupe headed to Bulgaria. For the past four years, youth at FUMC Ann Arbor have sponsored a feeding program for disadvantaged youth through the Yambol Methodist Church congregation. High school juniors and seniors went to Bulgaria for two weeks primarily to visit Yambol and work with the children. Strangely Warmed Players held an evening performance at a local Yambol theatre. They also performed for the Vileko Turnovo Methodist Church and a new church in Sofia, the nation’s capital. The group worked in two orphanages in addition to the school in Yambol. The youth were inspired to raise $40,000 this year to build a Methodist Church in Yambol. Check out the web link to the Build a Church in Bulgaria for more information. Visit our online photo album.
In February, 2007 members of the troupe returned to Meru, Kenya with Beth. Bishop Imathiu requested their return to help with the formation of a local youth drama troupe. They assisted writing local stories into scripts and trained actors at the new Thiiri (Peace) Center for performing arts. Visit our online photo album with pictures of the Bishop during his November visit and the high school building in progress.
SWP Repertoire
Most of our repertoire is written by the director and cast members. Our dramas were published by Abingdon Press, June, 2003 as part of their “Worship Feast” series of resources for youth ministries. The title is Worship Feast: Dramas by Beth Miller. In addition to the scripts, Beth has written chapters on how to do drama ministry.
“MacJesus To Go” by Jon Stroud and Beth Miller
Faith and culture intertwine to present a powerful statement of belief. A fun twist on ordering fast food, this sketch challenges audiences to ask: “Do you choose to follow Jesus or would you rather CHOOSE the Jesus you will follow?” Performance time: 5 minutes.
“Crossing to the Other Side” by Beth Miller
Captain Safety cautions his crew about the dangers of following the wind. How to go “Higher, Further, Deeper?” Written to introduce the theme of the Youth ’03 conference and challenge listeners to follow the wind and move into deeper waters.
“In Those Days...Who Knew" by Beth Miller, Dale Dobson and David Schwaninger Narrated by Elizabeth, "In Those Days..." is based on the first chapter of Luke's account of the announcement of the birth of John the Baptist. Ever wonder what happened in the temple between Zechariah and the angel Gabriel? This story offers rich insight for growing in faith. Performance time is 14 minutes.
"Shackles and Shekels" by Beth Miller, Dale Dobson and David Schwaninger In the eighth chapter of Luke, Jesus cast demons out of Legion into a nearby herd of pigs. Why, following the miracle did the people beg Jesus to leave? Are we so uncomfortable with change that we would rather see people and systems bound in shackles? Is transformation okay as long as it doesn't affect our “shekels”? Performance time 10 minutes.
“Teach Me to Pray” by Beth Miller
Jesus’ disciples ask him to teach them to pray. Jesus gave us the Lord’s Prayer as a model. Perhaps we, too, need to learn how to pray. This spoof gives a fun look at awkward attempts at prayer. Performance time: 10 minutes.
“Wendel’s Wonderful Weddings” by Beth Miller
Based on the wedding at Cana of Galilee, this contemporary version is a “backstage” look at what might have been going on behind the scenes of the account of Jesus’ first miracle. Humorous and earthy, this version reveals the plot through the eyes of Mary the mother of Jesus. Performance time: 15 minutes.
“Witness Protection Program” by Beth Miller
Didn’t know God had a ‘Witness Protection Program?” It is transforming! You’re given a new identity if you are willing. Performance time: 4 minutes.
"Survivor” by Megan Crumm
Based on the popular T.V. series, our version refuses to vote anyone off the island; it’s an issue of grace! Performance time: 5 minutes.
“Wake Up Adam” by Megan Crumm
A unique retelling of the temptation story with Adam’s mother urging him to organize his world.
“Seek and Find” by Beth Miller
Two strangers meet on a park bench. One offers to share food, the other desires food for the soul. A seeker is offered the way in this two-minute sketch. Performance time: 3 minutes.
“Faith Prints Anonymous” by Beth Miller
A support group for Christians whose lives show evidence of their faith, “Faith Prints Anonymous” challenges viewers to think about how life and faith connect. As we leave finger prints and foot prints, are we leaving faith prints on the world around us? Performance time: 6 minutes.
“Voices” by Beth Miller
This serious look at the lives of American teenagers effectively portrays Christ’s offering of healing for all our wounds. Powerful, realistic, and thought-provoking, Each youth portrays a composite issue facing
