Auditons for Full-Length Play, "Masks

Royal Oak Missionary Church is holding open auditions for the casting of a new, full-length play, “Masks,” that will tackle issues few other Evangelical churches have addressed: compassion towards the gay community, infidelity, religious faith’s destructive power, and, ultimately, the value of redemption.

Written by lead pastor and local playwright Bill Barnwell, the play’s central theme is that secrecy breeds dysfunction in any relationship. Two major plots intertwine throughout the script: One in which a closeted homosexual youth pastor is driven to despair after years of torment; the other focuses on a prominent married couple struggling with marital faithfulness.

While ROMC is considered a “conservative” church by most standards, the show takes a stand against the harsh mistreatment of those in the gay community. A major portion of the profits of the show will be donated the “The Trevor Project,” the leading national organization dedicated to crisis suicide intervention amongst LBGT Youth.

“We consider it an obligation to help save lives. If a church really proclaims that it is ‘pro-life’, then this should include the lives of tortured young gay teenagers. That so few churches ever consider these issues is a black eye against the Christian faith and contrary to the teachings of Jesus,” says Barnwell. “Statistically, LGBT youth are at a much higher risk for suicide. Few Evangelical churches have made any concerted outreach to LGBT related groups and little attention has been paid in the Christian community to the high rate of LGBT teenage suicide.”

The church plans that 80% of its profits between ticket sales and advertising will go towards suicide prevention for at risk youth.

Perhaps just as controversially, Barnwell's play addresses the difficulties of relational monogamy. “Monogamy is not easy or natural for many people. Not many people like to admit this. Shining some light on this issue is something that needs to happen if we want to prevent divorces and help couples have stronger marriages. This is an issue our culture is very afraid to confront.”

Auditions are scheduled at 6 p.m., Wednesday, March 14 and Thursday March 15. Actors of all ages needed.  Performances are planned for 7 p.m., Friday, June 1, Saturday, June 2 and Sunday, June 3.