The Apostle Paul

Saul, as he was first named, was born to a Jewish father in a Roman university city around the same time as Jesus’ birth. Throughout his childhood, Saul devoutly studied Law. His advanced work led him to Jerusalem as a teenager.

After the death of Jesus, Christianity was becoming widespread. Although he never met Jesus, Saul became passionately involved in leading the persecution of the followers of Christ. Among those whose deaths Saul oversaw was Stephen, an outspoken Christian leader.

While on his way to stop Christianity from reaching the commercial port of Damascus, Saul was struck blind by a bright light. Jesus appeared to him and called him to spread his teachings to Jews and Gentiles, kings and common people alike.

Paul regained most of his sight, met with Jesus’ disciples to express his sincerity, and began passionately testifying that salvation comes through faith in Jesus, not by obedience to the law. This aroused great controversy, specifically from his former circles.

With help from his sisters and brothers in faith, Paul fostered groups of believers throughout the Mediterranean world, as far away as Italy. With his diverse background in Jewish law, Roman tradition, and Greek culture, Paul was adept at reaching a wide range of people. He traveled by land and sea, shepherding his dear friends with frequent visits and letters.

All the while Paul was intensely persecuted, frequently imprisoned, beaten, and often left for dead for his beliefs. With plans to reach Spain (or after a possible visit), Paul was captured one last time and beheaded near Rome circa 67 A.D.

Project Paulis an artistic reaction to the life and writings

of the Apostle Paul as told in the Bible. The artists explored the book of Acts and Paul’s letters in the New Testament and formed a creative response to the events and passages they felt were most inspiring. The result is equal parts narrative, collage, and personal reaction.

The text for Project Paul is Paul’s writings. The artists have rearranged, recombined, and created original material but all with respect for the historical text. The hope is that the audience will better appreciate Paul’s writings and be inspired to react in their own unique way.

Credits

Concept, audio, text editing, performance: Jonathon Roberts

Video: Scott Baye

Original Text: Christy Bagasao

Audio Actors: Jacob Allen, Marissa Bagasao, Paris Brown, Charlie Christenson, Anneliese DeDiemar, Fred Gaines, Randall McNeill, Brendan Marshall-Rashid, Maryl McNally, Marie Mikels, Aram Monisoff, Emma Sweet, Emily Zempel

Saxophone Quartet: Chris Clouthier, Allison Davis, Mark

Determan, Kim Reece

Acting Coach: Emily Zempel

Master Carpenter and Electrician: John Roberts

Poster Design: Justine Reimnitz

Graphics Design and Brochure: Scott Baye, Christy Bagasao

Website support: Corey Baye

Nutritional Support Staff: Karen Baye

Project Paul is 65 minutes long and performed without intermission.

Please turn-off all electronic devices.

920-202-4029

Jonathon MT Roberts

Jonathon graduated in June from Lawrence University with a B.Mus. in music composition and a B.A. in Theatre Arts. He has been exploring new ways to combine Biblical text and experimental music for ten years. Other current projects include a more portable theatre and music collaboration with the lovely and talented Emily Zempel that can travel overseas and on-going performances with the band icelu. Hear more about his work and learn about his line of comic merchandise at

Scott Baye

Scott lives in Green Bay, WI with his wife, Karen, and sons,

Dominic and Cameron (and another expected this year). He works at Appleton Coated in Combined Locks, WI as a Senior Software Engineer specializing in e-commerce and Web development. He received a Bachelor of Science degree in Computer and Information Science from University of Wisconsin-Green Bay. Scott has done freelance videography for local churches, the State of Wisconsin, and family. Visit

Christy Bagasao

Christy and herhusbandStephen live in rural Nevada where they operate a home business and homeschool their four (soon-to-be five)children, Hannah, Marissa, Elisabeth and Emily.Christy is active at church as director ofthe Children's Choir and leader of the Moms' Club. She writes and does desktop publishing for variousorganizations and is currently working on her first non-fiction book. Christyearnedher B.A. in English,Communicative Arts and Communication from Wisconsin Lutheran College.

“For we are to God,

The aroma of Christ,

Among the blind

and the brilliantly blinded

To the one

we are the smell of death

To the one

the fragrance of life.”

Audio Samples

The following people’s voices appear within audio samples:

Timothy Troy, Terry Rew-Gottfried, Hans Ternes, Chorthip Peeraphatdit, Nora Hertel, Choyning Dorji, Ki-yong Min, Tasneem Mirza, Won Joon Kim, Bao Ha, Phyllis Odoom, Sandra Obeng, Tariq Engineer, Olia Shapel, Jill Beck, Fred Sturm, Larry Darling, Ellen Mitala, Reid Stratton, Kami Jo Radsek, Meg Ozaki, nightlife of Santa Barbara, Governor Jim Doyle, and Senator John Kerry.

The following ensembles are featured within audio samples:

Women’s Choir of Lawrence University (LU), LU Jazz Ensemble, LU Symphony Orchestra, LU Wind Ensemble, Sambistas.

All samples were recorded by jmtr with the following exceptions:

Lawrence large ensemble recordings and raw sax quartet by Larry Darling

Two short environmental excerpts by Peter Cusack (middle of city scene)

“Young Girl” recording by Stephen Bagasao

John Kerry samples by Peter Gillette

All sampled music composed by jmtr with the following exceptions:

“Open Arms” by Journey (live band in city scene)

Sarabanda by Jesus Alfonso (end beat in city scene)

Some environmental music in city scene

Special Thanks: Matt Turner, Tim Troy, Venture Theatre-De Pere, Martin Vire (of Full Compass), LU Department of Theatre, David Owens, Corey Baye, Paula Roberts, Dominic and Cameron Baye, Stephen and Elisabeth Bagasao, Nancy Osterberg, Kathy Privatt, Joanne Bozeman, Steve Jordheim, Joanne Metcalf, Lawrence International, my patient roommates, Barbara Wolf and Julie Bargholtz of Thrivent

I can only begin to express how much I appreciate the dedication and excitement so many people have brought to this project. You are all my heroes! You are the seal on my heart….Thanks

so much! –jmtr

“Thanks be to God for his indescribable gift.”

Audio Samples

The following people’s voices appear within audio samples:

The following ensembles are featured within audio samples:

Women’s Choir of Lawrence University (LU), LU Jazz Ensemble, LU Symphony Orchestra, LU Wind Ensemble, Sambistas.

All samples were recorded by jmtr with the following exceptions:

Lawrence large ensemble recordings and raw sax quartet by Larry Darling

Two short environmental excerpts by Peter Cusack (middle of city scene)

“Young Girl” recording by Stephen Bagasao

John Kerry samples by Peter Gillette

All sampled music composed by jmtr with the following exceptions:

“Open Arms” by Journey (live band in city scene)

Sarabanda by Jesus Alfonso (end beat in city scene)

Some environmental music in city scene

I can only begin to express how much I appreciate the dedication and excitement so many people have brought to this project. You are all my heroes! You are the seal on my heart….Thanks

so much! –jmtr

“Thanks be to God for his indescribable gift.”

National Tour

I am currently booking shows for Project Paul’s National tour. If you know of a venue on my route that would be interested in a show please let me know.

Tour Route

January 13-14 ……………………………………Reno/Carson City

January 15-29 …………………………San Francisco Bay Area

January 30-Feb. 12 ……Central and Southern California February13-19 ……………………………………………………Arizona

February 21-23 …………………………Albuquerque/Santa Fe February 27-March 2 ………………………………………Memphis

March 3- March 10 …………………………………………Nashville

March 12-April 9 ……………………………………Upper Midwest

April 13-June 10 ………………New York City Area, Boston July ……………………………………………………………………… TBD

Contact Info

Jonathon Roberts
920-202-4029

visit

There you can download music and video of the show, order CDs and DVDs, follow the tour blog, or simply keep in touch!

“Christ’s love compels us”