Since time immemorial, theatre has been an integral part of human existence. From stories by the fireside to musicals depicting folklore, mankind has always had a love for theatrical arts. Theatre will always be with us, telling stories from our imagination, or historic tales. And what better way to tell one of the oldest stories than through one of the oldest mediums.
This is exactly what the Sight and Sound Theatre is doing. Telling the story of the Bible through theatre.
The Sight and Sound Theatre – Over 40 Years of Epic Storytelling
Just like many Biblical stories, the history of the Sight and Sound Theatre is nothing short of a miracle. One thing its founder, Glenn Eshelman, never imagined was to one day run 2 theatres, let alone one. Inspired by the beauty of the world around him, Glenn started painting the beautiful landscapes he saw. Upon acquiring a camera, he started taking photos to guide his artwork. Little did he know that the camera would take over his love for paint and brushes. Photography became his main passion.
After marrying his wife, Shirley, Glenn started selling his artwork out of the trunk of his car in order to supplement his income and put food on the table. The side hustle did so well it became his main source of income. One day, he decided to present his scenic photography at a local church using slide projector for the pictures and a turntable for background music, while narrating using a microphone. The audience responded in a way he hadn’t even anticipated – they loved it. And that was the first Sight and Sound Theatre performance. The rest, as they say, is history.
Glenn and Shirley took their show on the road and everywhere they went the response was the same. This prompted them to look for a permanent place where they could do their presentations, and that place was in Lancaster County, Pennsylvania. That was the beginning of Living Waters Theatre, which would later become Sight and Sound Theatre.
As time went on, live theatrical performances we gradually added to the lineup of programs until in 1986, Sight & Sound Theatre produced its first full-length Biblical production – Behold the Lamb. The journey was not entirely easy for Sight and Sound Theatre, but their greatest challenge came in 1997 when a fire gutted the theatre, razing it to the ground. To the naked eye, it seemed this disaster was the end of the Sight and Sound Theatre, but it seems it was a rebirthing moment.
Sight and Sound Theatre was quickly rebuilt and the first performance in the “new wineskin” was Noah – their signature performance. Audiences were spellbound as they were immersed in an unforgettable ark full of animals that surrounded them on three sides. The hunger for this unique kind of theatrical performance had grown and one theatre couldn’t satisfy the demand. A new vision was born in Glenn and Shirley’s hearts, a vision of growth and expansion. This led to a second location being opened in the beautiful Ozark Mountains of Branson, Missouri in 2008. Sight and Sound Theatre became Sight and Sound Theatres.
Sight and Sound Theatre Jobs – Vocation, Mission, and Passion All Rolled into One
Today, Sight and Sound Theatres is the biggest professional Christian company that attracts close to a million guests every year. Sight and sound jobs are available for professional performers and the work environment has received rave reviews from past and current employees. For Christians in the performing arts, this is the perfect opportunity to kill 2 birds with one stone as a job at Sight and Sound Theatres not only provides an income but gives you an opportunity to be part of a bigger mission – a mission that is in line with your faith. Nothing can beat that.
Biblical Productions? Are They Any Good?
Don’t be deceived by the fact that Sight and Sound Theatres produces Biblical entertainment. The productions will certainly keep you on the edge of your seat. The advanced technology used to produce both live and recorded performances makes a visit to this theatre more than just entertainment – it’s an experience. The auditorium is set up in such a way that the audience is surrounded by the set on 3 sides, putting them right in the middle of the action. Imagine watching the story of Noah in such a setting – with real live animals. If that is not the definition of immersive entertainment, I don’t know what is.
If you’ve never had a chance to live this biblical experience, you best get yourself a ticket quick, because the seats fill up very fast.
