Interview With Carol Anderson:
Acts of Renewal

For over a decade as the company Acts of Renewal, Carol has performed solo or with her husband, Jim Shores, at national conferences, colleges and universities, and church events of all denominations, speaking close to the bone about real issues that people deal with and offering a perspective of hope. Carol and Jim’s film projects have also reflected this philosophy, offering a winning combination of comedy and drama that speaks to the heart.

Carol Anderson: We want to create and produce excellent theatre and film that glorifies God - leading audiences toward hope, toward goodness, toward a hunger for God in Christ. Sometimes that goal is simply woven into the fabric of a really good story and it's kind of subtle. Sometimes it's more overt. But always, our call is to create great stories that resonate with audiences and provide great entertainment that speaks to the heart.

"We discovered that when people are
laughing, they're a lot more open
to receive the deeper stuff."

Christian-Movie.com: What led to the genesis of this ministry?

Anderson: I had a serious eating disorder. I got well. Not an easy journey. I wrote a one-woman show about the subject, "A Size 7 Forever," playing 7 different characters. I had gotten well enough to have a sense of humor about the journey, and the show reflected that. There was hope in it, and time and again I was asked to tell my story, after performances of how I got well. I saw that people responded to my brokenness and my story of the grace of God that I experienced in the process of healing.

The response was such that Jim and I began writing plays that addressed hard issues. We both have a style that finds the funny in ordinary things. We discovered that when people are laughing, they're a lot more open to receive the deeper stuff. Audiences responded to our plays with standing ovations and requests to talk with us about how our plays touched them, moved them to get help, or inspired them to continue the journey in dealing with their stuff.

For instance, we learned in our work at marriage events with FamilyLife, where audiences were up to 18,000 people, that our piece on forgiveness after a marital affair affected a lot of people, cracking walls of resentment and bitterness as we presented for many what was their own story. We've been humbled by how God has used our efforts to connect with audiences in ways we never would have imagined.

Christian-Movie.com: You and Jim perform for diverse audiences at colleges, conferences, churches, and workshops, addressing an extensive list of topics. For which of these groups do you most like to perform and what topic are you most passionate about?

Anderson: We're passionate about a lot of things, but I'd definitely say that students are at the top of the list. Our material connects to them as we look at everything from addictions, sexual brokenness, and fractured families, to stress, Sabbath, and more. We love hanging out with them after shows and talking one on one. Because Jim and I have both had our journeys of brokenness and healing, we are real and don't take ourselves too seriously. Students get that. We've found that students hunger to hear that they can make it through all the challenges and that life can be good.

"Because Jim and I have both had our journeys of brokenness and healing, we are real and don't take ourselves too seriously. Students get that."

Christian-Movie.com: All of Acts of Renewal's performances are written by you and Jim, and your ministry also offers completed scripts for purchase. Do you have any writing projects in the works right now?

Anderson: Yes, Jim just finished the Act One Screenwriting Program in Hollywood. He has a completed screenplay called "Hunks" – very, very funny - that he's been talking to some producers who also think the concept is pretty funny. The premise is "Two of the ugliest teenagers in Southern California find a car that turns them into the two hottest guys in Southern California - but only when they're in the car." It's sort of Napoleon Dynamite meets Thelma and Louise.

He's written two other screenplays (an action-adventure and a romantic comedy) and is now working on one called "Second Chance Charlie," about an older guy counseling his younger self on how to get ahead, but in doing so he must grapple with what "getting ahead" really means.

I'm continuing to write some new theatre material, looking at women's issues. For two summers, I hosted a right-brained Bible study that took a lecto divina approach to studying women of the Bible. Out of that enormously rich time, I created a theatre presentation called "Timeless Truths from Women of the Bible - Good Things to Know When the Ground is Shifting Under Your Feet." I play Lot’s wife fleeing Sodom in a black cocktail dress and heels, or Sarah talking Abraham into a simple plan to solve their problems of infertility.

I also bring contemporary pieces, like one that looks at visiting women in prison, that I wrote to perform before Sister Helen Prejan (author of Dead Man Walking) when she spoke at an international conference on social justice. I play both the terrified church lady about to visit the women’s prison, and Tina the former prostitute who the church lady engages with at the facility. I take these theatre pieces and more to perform and speak at women’s events across the country.

I'm also working on a screenplay story based in the small North Carolina town we live in, about a museum curator who discovers the ability to transport into the past through an old photo album. In attempting to give a bitter old woman a second chance at love, the curator changes both of their lives in unexpected ways.

Finally, Jim and I realize we need to write a book about our ministry travels, telling hilarious stories in an Ann Lamotte vein. We think we'll call it Minister Til You Puke: Avoiding Burn Out in Baggage Claim. Just funny stories about God meeting us in the absurd, awful, and then grace-filled moments of travel ministry, and the lessons learned.

Anderson: In terms of when our live stuff is filmed, there really isn't a way to prepare any differently for a live performance knowing it's going to be filmed. You just go out there and do your best. Thankfully, our stuff is pretty funny and we work off the energy of an audience. When they think we're funny, we get funnier.

What's out of our control are the camera angles and the editing. That's unfortunate with live performances. Something might have been hilarious live, but the camera shot chosen of the three or four cameras was on the wrong person. However, multiple performances with the same conference are very helpful when it comes to editing for DVD.

In addition to our live performances being filmed, we've also done five or six film projects, where we've created scenes to go along with teaching materials. Though nothing can replace the incredible intimacy between audience and actors during live theatre, film opens up other equally amazing possibilities - not the least of which is simply reaching a much wider audience. So we are creating short film projects and are actively branching out in that direction, creating relationships with local producers to get the material filmed and distributed. We definitely feel called in this direction.

Christian-Movie.com: What other interesting, media-related accomplishments can be found in your resume?

Anderson: We've written and acted in film projects for FamilyLife, a fabulous organization helping marriages across the world. We have written and performed radio plays for syndicated radio shows like FamilyLife Today and Rhyme and Reason. I've been a guest artist on a couple of episodes of Adventures in Odyssey.

In another direction, I have a wonderful one-woman show on the life of Hildegarde of Bingen, a 12th century Christian mystic, called "A Feather on the Breath of God," which I performed this summer at the Spoleto Festival in Charleston for a very diverse audience. They loved it...thank God!

Finally, I teach acting at conferences, and workshops at colleges and universities, across the country.

Christian-Movie.com: What is the greatest challenge that comes from working with your husband? What is the greatest benefit?

Anderson: The greatest challenge is that it's tough at times to make directing a piece just about the acting. "Honey, this note I’m giving you isn't about your character, integrity, or worth as a human being, I just need you to say the line faster."

The greatest benefit is that he's a really good actor and the joy of seeing him transform and connect with audiences, and then getting to process the whole experience with him afterwards, is pretty sweet.

Christian-Movie.com: How do you and Jim have time to tour, teach (Jim teaches Communication and Environmental Science at Montreat College?!) and raise children? What is the secret to your time management?

Anderson: I wouldn't call it a secret. I think we try to have good parenting by spending a ton of time with our kids. They travel with us if we're gone longer than two nights. And I make tough decisions - like I quit teaching on a college level, and recently turned down directing Dancing at Lughnasa for Regent University’s MFA program because it demanded too much time away from my children. My youngest asked me not to go. I'd be a fool not to listen to that. I'm sure they'll have counseling about something one day, but it won't be about us not being there for them. That's for sure.

"As for time management, I’d say the biggest lesson we’ve learned is to honor the Sabbath
and keep it holy."

As for time management, I’d say the biggest lesson we’ve learned is to honor the Sabbath and keep it holy. The blessings that come from taking a day of rest, even if sometimes it has to break up into two half-day Sabbaths, has changed our lives. It is the way to avoid ministering out of burn-out, and to be able to refuel. It also makes me a nicer person.

Christian-Movie.com: What's next for Acts of Renewal?

Anderson: Jim is planning to produce a reality series about taking 16 college students across the country to visit 20 national parks, on what is called The National Eco-Systems Trip. In this challenging environment you will see what happens with each student as they engage with nature, community, and their own strengths and weaknesses.

The footage is beautiful. The living situation is difficult, gritty, and grace-filled. And the transformations are genuine. The goal would be to ask the question, "What difference does encountering God's creation make in an individual's life?" Jim has been on 3 of these trips, and the difference it makes is huge.

As for Acts of Renewal, we have a calendar that is thankfully pretty full during this economic time, with performances at all kinds of venues. Jim and I both feel things are on the cusp of change, as we focus more on film projects. I want to branch out in addition to what we do as Acts of Renewal, and start auditioning for other film work. I really think Jim is moving more into screenwriting. His writing is really good. But "what’s next?" in the bigger picture is a question we frequently put before the Lord and seek his leading. He’s certainly guided us through some amazing doors thus far.

Christian-Movie.com: How can others get involved in your ministry?

Anderson: Prayer, prayer, prayer!!! We have a prayer support network, and if people would like to be on that team, let us know!

There are also times when we need actors for certain productions or filming projects. Actors can send their resumes and website links to us through our website (click on Contact Us).

Christian-Movie.com: How may your Acts of Renewal DVDs be purchased?

Anderson: Through our website. We have 3 compilation DVDs of live theatre performances:

• Acts of Renewal Live - a compilation of some of our classic pieces, including "Prodigal" and "Woman at the Well."
• I Laughed, I Cried, I Pulled a Muscle - a collection of pieces about relationships and marriage, with "Mary and Martha" thrown in because we like it.
• Never A Dull Moment - A Fresh Look at the Journey of Marriage - includes some pretty funny stuff and the piece on forgiveness mentioned earlier in this interview.

We also have an online script list of about 60 scripts that churches, colleges, and organizations are welcome to order.

Anderson: We need to continue to join forces with filmmakers, to work together to create good stories that will reach non-Christians and Christians alike with redemptive messages. As stated earlier, some of those stories can be overtly Christian - but it's likely you'll be preaching to the choir. We also need great stories that reach non-Christian audiences, but don't bludgeon them to death with Christian messages - we have to be wise about this. How do we get good stories in front of people that lead them toward hope, that lead them toward goodness, that make them hungry for God?

"We also need great stories that reach non-Christian audiences but don't bludgeon them to death with Christian messages..."

There are some great films out there in this vein: much of Frank Capra's work, the film On the Waterfront, Babette's Feast, the gospel story scene in Amistad. Some of the greatest art in history is Christian in origin. Jim and I feel like God is raising up a generation of Christian filmmakers who are going to create great work. We'd like to contribute what we can to that.

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