Experiential Liturgy

[CGayle]

I saw a troupe called "storahtelling" (storahtelling.org) yesterday at a conservative synagogue here in Seattle.  They are a troupe coming out of New York City.  I found it odd, humorous and now more than inspirational that we have been doing their type of "new and radical" performance theatre in our alternative congregation for probably 20 years. The conservative congregation paid money for the troupe to come, when all they had to do is come next door (we meet literally in the building next door).  Yet people there have been so resistant to what we do...they have not thought or wanted to come next door.  Maybe it only counts if you pay for it and it comes out of New York City!?   

I started bringing in experiential (out of the chairs) bibliodrama 8 years ago.  We have two dancer/actress/performance artists who have created new pieces on the Torah readings every year for most of 20 years for High Holidays, often with a troupe from the congregation that they create and direct.  Singers, dancers and muscians have created liturgy as well, "performing" instead of usual prayers or Torah readings.  There has always been interactive psycho-spiritual exercises with the "audience" related to the intention of the service or scripture.  Although I have created new experiential liturgy (haven't repeated things), where there are often 25 people on the alter stage in services, or 60 people in the room in role, there were some other forms of experiential work going on before me.  

I have created other experiential rituals as well, eg, for a memorial service, and now I am asked to help facilitate a community visioning meeting. Although I was asked b/c of my new role with spiritual direction work, I am going to be using some sociometric warm up exercises as well for the community to see themselves some and build connections.

I am stunned in seeing a mirror of what we have been doing in this little corner of the world.  It has churned up a lot for me.  Although we have all greatly appreciated it, perhaps we took it for granted and certainly did not realize maybe the great uniqueness of what we have been doing.  

If a conservative congregation brought in the storahtelling troupe, perhaps "the times they are a changin".  Although, the worlds could have connected by simply walking across the street.  Going to the other end of the country to find what is right next door may speak more about where things are.

Cynthia Gayle
Seattle
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