1 of 2
Badlands Passion Play
2 of 2
SIEG KOSLOWSKI
By Vance Neudorf Photos Courtesy Badlands Passion Play
Deep in the heart of the Canadian Badlands, a location famous for its prehistoric attractions lies a hidden valley that holds the events of a not so distant past. A natural amphitheatre, surrounded by consecutive rings of soil, bears silent witness to the passing of time. But each summer for the past 20 years that silence has been broken as “The Greatest Story Ever Told” has come to life within these clay walls. The voice of the nation of Israel echoes through the valley, and those who gather to listen are moved to laughter and tears while angels walk above them on secret trails. Here ancient Israel is reborn as a dramatic portrayal of the life of Jesus Christ is performed.
Produced each summer by a non-denominational society and many hundreds of volunteers, the Canadian Badlands Passion play has garnered the attention of people from around the world. Recently the play was named one of ‘North America’s Top 100 Events for 2014’ by the American Bus Association and was also the winner of a top tourism award from the province of Alberta. Executive Director, Vance Neudorf says, “The Badlands Passion Play is like the cacti that live in our hills. Most of the year they lie dormant but when the spring rains arrive they burst out in a profusion of color. In the same way our 200 volunteer actors are trained and supported by a cadre of 40 theatre professionals for eight weeks and then in July all that that enthusiasm and energy is released on our stage over nine performances.”
This year the volunteer actors will arrive in Drumheller on the May long weekend to begin weekend rehearsals. For our actors this is truly a labor of love and they return, many with their entire family, each year. They spend the weekends in our riverside campground where they renew old friendships and make new ones. It is a wonderful artistic community that welcomes any with a desire to be part of the story. 200 other volunteers join in on the performance weekends to help with parking cars, concessions, ushering and many other tasks. They welcome our guests and are an important part of the event (check our website to volunteer for acting or performance days).
Guests come from all over Canada and from around the world. For many this annual event is a pilgrimage, a special place to make intimate contact with the story of Jesus. Increasingly, they are coming to check out the story for the first time, to see what really happened some 2000 years ago. They leave the Passion Play declaring both setting and story to be an inspiration. The current script is taken directly from the gospel of John and the actors use all of the 6-acre stage, the largest acting stage in North America. The action eventually spills out into the audience who find themselves surrounded by an angry mob yelling, “crucify him!” at the top of their lungs. You feel a powerful urge to stand to your feet and defend the man who is scourged and thrown to the ground before Pilate.
Whatever your background and your reasons for coming to the Canadian Badlands Passion Play this summer, one thing is certain; open your eyes and your heart, and you will see angels.
The Canadian Badlands Passion Play - Celebrating its 21st season in 2014
Since its first performance in 1994, The Canadian Badlands Passion Play has gained provincial, national and international reputation as one of North America’s top ‘must see’ cultural and tourism events. Located near Drumheller, Alberta approximately 90 miles northeast of Calgary, the annual ‘Theatre in the Badlands’ attraction provides its audiences with a dramatic retelling of the life of Jesus Christ. The 200+ performer play, supported by 400 volunteers, is presented in a 30-acre natural badlands canyon bowl whose stark and dramatic geographical surroundings mirror those of ancient Israel. In 2014, The Canadian Badlands Passion Play performances will take place July 10-27. www.canadianpassionplay.com
1-888-823-2001.