Further reading about Passion Plays - The Passion Trust

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Further reading about Passion Plays

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Further reading about Passion Plays

PT Admin

May 13, 2023

Jesus in a white robe stands with the whole cast and crew of Brighton Passion Play after the free performance on Good Friday.

Here are two book recommendations if you are thinking of putting on a free Passion Play or taking part in one near you in the future. Easter plays are the perfect way to experience live theatre and to engage with your local community through free performance.

The Passion Play: Living the Story of Christ’s Last Days, by Rob Fuquay follows the biblical story of the Passion and how it has been experienced through the centuries against the backdrop of the Oberammergau Passion Play.

The Mystery and the Passion: Creating Holy Theatre by Richard Hasnip is a recommended read from Director Rachael Orrel, CEO of Saltmine Theatre. Explore the relationship between the theatre and the church and the explosion of new Pasison Plays today.

Many people recommend seeing (or reading) Two Planks and A Passion by Anthony Minghella. The play is set in York in 1392 and features a performance of the Mystery Plays during a royal visit from Richard II and his queen.

Their performance takes place during the Corpus Christi festival and Richard II and the Passion becomes a competition among the townspeople

Minghella’s play captures their rivalry and devotion and the Daily Mail described it as “…a play full of bustle, life, satire and at times a most moving account of simple faith.”

If you can’t find a performance or a recording, you can always read the book! You can also find out more about the history of Mystery Plays on our website here.

Tags: Bible Cross Crucifixion Easter Free Performance Good Friday Jesus Christ live theatre Passion passion play

Is fundraising like online dating?

Online dating is trying to find the right match among many differnet people. Fundraising for Passion Plays is similar to online dating in one respect: trying to find the right match for your Play among different trusts and funding charities. Finding this perfect match is the key to raising funds to tell the Easter story!

Once you find trusts and funders who are of a similar mindset and value the things you value, you are well on the way to a perfect match.

How do we find potential funders?

The Charity Commission’s Register of Charities allows you to search for free by using filters to narrow your search. (Remember, Scotland and Northern Ireland have separate registers.)

Funding Central is another register that is free to access.

For a more expensive option, you can try the Directory of Social Change’s Funds Online website which is regularly updated.

Since Passion Plays bring many churches of all denominations together, your diocese can be a good source of information and signposting. For example, see the Diocese of Bristol and their list of funders here. www.bristol.anglican.org/documents/diocesan-funding-guide/

The Christian Funders’ Forum is also a useful source.

How do we let funders know our project is a good match for them?

Now is the time to do some research and really think about compatibility with the funders you are researching.

You can research their online content, websites, and also Further information will be inread through their annual reports published on the Charity Commissions website (click ‘Documents’ tab). These annual reports will give useful imformation about projects they have previously funded.

A quick phone call can also be helpful in establishing contact and goodwill as you will be able to find out more about them and let them know what you do.

Remember here that one of the key elements is timing! Some funders have a set application process that requires you to apply before a deadline. Other funders have trustees’ meetings at set times during the year and those times are good to work with.

The timing of your project also matters. Some funders like to fund projects in the early stage of development, while others like to give funding when they see other funders have already contributed.

There is a lot to think about with fundraising! But Passion Plays are such unique projects that it can also be an enjoyable process. Many funders like to hear about large community arts events that tell the Easter story in fresh and inspiring ways. Not only do Passion Plays have large outdoor audiences across the UK each Easter, they are also unique spaces of community, skill-sharing, mentoring and investing in the lives of volunteers across all sections of society. They are more than a one-off performance and the impact spreads across the whole community for many months.

Where can I find more help with fundraising?

If you want more help with fundraising, we have plenty more tips and advice on our website here.

We have recorded sessions from previous Passion Trust Conferences including sessions looking at Finance & Fundraising, Administration and Practical Considerations, and Q&A sessions. You can see more information and watch short helpful videos on our website here.

You can also find lots of helpful tips and advice at The Benefact Trust here or click on the image below.

Is fundraising like online dating?

Online dating is trying to find the right match among many differnet people. Fundraising for Passion Plays is similar to online dating in one respect: trying to find the right match for your Play among different trusts and funding charities. Finding this perfect match is the key to raising funds to tell the Easter story!

Once you find trusts and funders who are of a similar mindset and value the things you value, you are well on the way to a perfect match.

How do we find potential funders?

The Charity Commission’s Register of Charities allows you to search for free by using filters to narrow your search. (Remember, Scotland and Northern Ireland have separate registers.)

Funding Central is another register that is free to access.

For a more expensive option, you can try the Directory of Social Change’s Funds Online website which is regularly updated.

Since Passion Plays bring many churches of all denominations together, your diocese can be a good source of information and signposting. For example, see the Diocese of Bristol and their list of funders here. www.bristol.anglican.org/documents/diocesan-funding-guide/

The Christian Funders’ Forum is also a useful source.

How do we let funders know our project is a good match for them?

Now is the time to do some research and really think about compatibility with the funders you are researching.

You can research their online content, websites, and also Further information will be inread through their annual reports published on the Charity Commissions website (click ‘Documents’ tab). These annual reports will give useful imformation about projects they have previously funded.

A quick phone call can also be helpful in establishing contact and goodwill as you will be able to find out more about them and let them know what you do.

Remember here that one of the key elements is timing! Some funders have a set application process that requires you to apply before a deadline. Other funders have trustees’ meetings at set times during the year and those times are good to work with.

The timing of your project also matters. Some funders like to fund projects in the early stage of development, while others like to give funding when they see other funders have already contributed.

There is a lot to think about with fundraising! But Passion Plays are such unique projects that it can also be an enjoyable process. Many funders like to hear about large community arts events that tell the Easter story in fresh and inspiring ways. Not only do Passion Plays have large outdoor audiences across the UK each Easter, they are also unique spaces of community, skill-sharing, mentoring and investing in the lives of volunteers across all sections of society. They are more than a one-off performance and the impact spreads across the whole community for many months.

Where can I find more help with fundraising?

If you want more help with fundraising, we have plenty more tips and advice on our website here.

We have recorded sessions from previous Passion Trust Conferences including sessions looking at Finance & Fundraising, Administration and Practical Considerations, and Q&A sessions. You can see more information and watch short helpful videos on our website here.

You can also find lots of helpful tips and advice at The Benefact Trust here or click on the image below.

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