Today we’d like to introduce you to Chuck King.
Managing Director-Chuck is a composer, actor, director and producer of stage and film. Having just completed 8 years of ministry as the Worship Arts Pastor at Heritage UMC in Van Buren, AR, he is honored to join the production staff of THE PROMISE.
Originally from Oklahoma City, he studied music and theatre at Oklahoma Baptist University. For 13 years, he was responsible for the music and artistic direction of the International Christian Embassy Jerusalem’s Feast of Tabernacles Celebration, Israel’s largest annual tourism event, drawing thousands from around the world. While in Israel, Chuck also served as the Worship Leader for King of Kings Assembly in Jerusalem, and during his tenure, he became a well-known personality in the English-speaking theatre world. He was the first non-Jew to direct for the Jerusalem English Speaking Theatre Co., a production of THE DIARY OF ANNE FRANK, which he still considers his best work. He also carried other leading roles in JEST as well as for the ENCORE! Educational Theatre Company in Jerusalem. Most notably, Chuck produced and performed in an epic stage musical called THE COVENANT, recalling Israel’s biblical heritage and restoration, which toured the world for six years in English, Hebrew, and Spanish.
As a concert and recording artist, he has performed on 5 continents, and his original music is featured on a number of worship recordings produced in the USA, Brazil, Finland, China, and beyond. He has released 5 independent solo recordings all distributed by HaTaklit Music in Israel. His worship songs in English and Hebrew continue to be sung and danced in messianic congregations throughout the world.
His artistic work spills over into film as well. He is the writer and producer of a docudrama series called STEP INTO: which highlights historical locations in Arkansas. The first episode earned him and director Devon Parks Regional Emmys in 2015, and has been aired along with other works from Mad Possum Pictures by the Arkansas Educational Television Network. He recently premiered his adaptation the children’s book THE CHRISTMAS MIRACLE OF JONATHAN TOOMEY, as a full-length musical at the historic King Opera House in Van Buren. He continues to reprise his leading role as Simon Peter in GOD WITH US, an original musical by Elizabeth and Robert Muren, and produced for stage and video by Andrew Wommack Ministries. Other stage and film credits include THE ROCKING HORSE WINNER, EMMA’S GOLD, BEST IN BLUE, THE FAIREST FLAME, NARNIA, SCROOGE, PETER PAN, OKLAHOMA! COX and BOX, and KORCZAK’S CHILDREN. Chuck and his wife Louann, have three grown children and two grandchildren, and are happy to now call Granbury home.
Overall, has it been relatively smooth? If not, what were some of the struggles along the way?
The Promise has a 29 year history here in Glen Rose. It is built on a strong tradition in the community. Naturally, in that length of time, there have been challenges to keep the production afloat financially, but each year The Promise beats the odds, and we are going strong towards the 30th anniversary in 2018. One of the big challenges facing us is the facility itself. The amphitheater is a magnificent structure, which unfortunately has fallen into some disrepair as production costs continue to rise. For example, we are still operating on the original antiquated lighting system installed 30 years ago. The energy costs to run it are enormous, and a new operating system would save us thousands of dollars, so our challenge is to find/raise the funding to bring us up to date with digital/LED lighting.
Another seeming challenge is our location-but somehow each season we draw many thousands to this beautiful spot. There is just something special about it. Having lived in Israel for 13 years, the terrain reminds me very much of the Golan Heights and the area around the Sea of Galilee. Also, because of the heat factor, we only run the show Sept/Oct when temperatures are more pleasant for an outdoor venue
Please tell us about The Promise in Glen Rose.
The Promise in Glen Rose produces annually a dramatic musical using contemporary music to retell the story of the life of Jesus Christ. It is true to the Gospel accounts of his birth, baptism, ministry in Jerusalem and the Galilee, his miracles and teachings, and the week of the Passion to the resurrection. It is not a traditional “Passion Play” as it encompasses the whole life of Christ, using the scriptures as the bulk of the dialogue. Our production is enhanced by a cast and crew of 150, live animals, special effects, pyro-technics, and original music composed specifically for the show.
The Promise is the only outdoor production with a moat: a 45,000 gallon waterway, running the length of the structure and separating the stage from the seating area. The Texas Amphitheater stage has 40 ft. walls and arches that tower above a 4,000 sq. ft. tri-level stage. It is also the only outdoor theater in the nation with a rain curtain.
We have plans to expand our season in 2018 by adding other events, concerts, and theatrical productions in addition to The Promise.
If you had to go back in time and start over, would you have done anything differently?
This is my first season with The Promise, so I am still on a learning curve. If I could have my do-overs, I would have worked towards relocating to the area much earlier to concentrate on our marketing strategy. Even though we still attract sizable crowds in October, The Promise in many ways is still a “best kept secret” here in Texas, and the Metroplex. I’m always surprised to learn that there are still people in very close proximity who have never heard of us.
Contact Info:
- Website: www.thepromiseglenrose.com
- Phone: 254-897-3926
- Email: info@thepromise.com
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/thepromiseglenrose/
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/thepromiseglenrose/
- Twitter: https://twitter.com/TPGR
Image Credit:
Jim Culver
Stacy Ericsen
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