Hi, lovely readers! Kristin here. As some of you might know, I am originally from Kansas City, MO. Growing up, I was involved in a Christian dance company called Dramatic Truth School of Ballet. I do not think I can truly express the impact that Dramatic Truth has had in my life as a dancer, but more importantly as a Christian. I can honestly say that I do not think I would be able to understand what worship truly means without my time there. If anyone is interested in learning more about Dramatic Truth School of the Arts, click here!

While I was recently in Kansas City, I had the great privilege of photographing the dress rehearsal of their most recent show “Firstborn from the Dead”, which tells the story of the life of Jesus Christ. I had seen the show two years before and before the first dance was over I was crying in my seat. I didn’t know how I would make it through photographing it without bawling my eyes out, but I did…by the grace of God (there were a few tears though).

“Firstborn from the Dead” tells the story of the deity, birth, ministry, death and resurrection of Christ, and the continued work of The Church. Although there are added fun parts in the performance not contained necessarily in the Biblical account, I loved how they brought the compassion of Christ to the stage. I have done by best to tell the story below with the photographs from the show along with a few descriptions.

If you were in or saw the show, please leave a comment at the bottom of this blog post and tell me what you think. I would love the feedback! Also, all the photos I took may be viewed here. Please, note that all photos are property of Smetona Photo and can not be used without permission and credit to Smetona Photo. (Yes, that includes Facebook. Just ask if you want to use a photo.)

Enjoy!

The show begins with a vision of the throne of God. The faces of the 4 creatures around the throne in Ezekiel 1.
“As for the likeness of their faces, each had a human face. The four had the face of a lion on the right side, the four had the face of an ox on the left side, and the four had the face of an eagle.”- Ez. 1:10 Elders cast their crowns before God the Father, Son and Holy Spirit. The Holy Spirit dances as Mary is told that she “will call his name Jesus”. Christ is born. Mary dances. Angels tell of Christ’s birth. “And Jesus increased in wisdom and in stature and in favor with God and man.”-Luke 2:52 John the Baptist baptizes Christ in the Jordan River. Christ is tempted by Satan. The twelve disciples are called. Jesus preaches to the multitudes.
Jesus feeds 5,000. “Then children were brought to him that he might lay his hands on them and pray. The disciples rebuked the people, but Jesus said, “Let the little children come to me and do not hinder them, for to such belongs the kingdom of heaven.”-Matthew 19:13-14Jesus heals the blinds, lame and deaf.
Jesus raises a little girl from the dead.
“And a woman who had a hemorrhage for twelve years, and could not be healed by anyone, came up behind Him and touched the fringe of His cloak, and immediately her hemorrhage stopped. And Jesus said, “Who is the one who touched Me?” And while they were all denying it, Peter said, “Master, the people are crowding and pressing in on You.” But Jesus said, “Someone did touch Me, for I was aware that power had gone out of Me.” When the woman saw that she had not escaped notice, she came trembling and fell down before Him, and declared in the presence of all the people the reason why she had touched Him, and how she had been immediately healed. And He said to her, “Daughter, your faith has made you well; go in peace.”-Luke 8:43-48 The disciples are tossed in a storm at sea. Jesus quiets the storm. The triumphal entry. Satan possesses Judas. Judas betrays Christ.Mimes foretell the death of Christ
Women hear of Christ’s arrest.
“But he was wounded for our transgressions; he was crushed for our iniquities; upon him was the chastisement that brought us peace, and with his stripes we are healed.”- Isaiah 53:5 The Holy Spirit raises the dead. Christ is buried. Satan’s defeat. The Holy Spirit raises Christ.Jesus talks with disciples on the road to Emmaus. They don’t recognize Him.
A little girl does though.
The disciples figure it out after he vanishes. “And their eyes were opened, and they recognized him. And he vanished from their sight. They said to each other, “Did not our hearts burn within us while he talked to us on the road, while he opened to us the Scriptures?” – Luke 24: 31 & 32 Christ appears to the disciples. Thomas doubts.One of the disciples is upset at Christ having left them.
Chris explains everything to them. “Then Jesus came to them and said, “All authority in heaven and on earth has been given to me. ¹⁹ Therefore go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, ²⁰ and teaching them to obey everything I have commanded you. And surely I am with you always, to the very end of the age.”- Matthew 28: 18-20Christ ascends into the clouds.
The work of the church begins. “I see the young girl huddled on the brothel floor
I see the man with a passion come and kicking down the door”
-”When the Saints” by Sara Groves
“And when the Saints go marching in
I want to be one of them”
-”When the Saints” by Sara Groves