Ekklesia Theatre P(l)ays It Forward

As Vancouver’s cultural arts renaissance continues to unfold, a new faith-based theater organization aims to produce high quality entertainment, and to make it affordable for everyone to enjoy. Ekklesia Theatre was founded by a group headed by Chris Murphy of Vancouver, who dreamed for years, he says, about creating “a space where faith and storytelling can intersect in meaningful ways.” He recalls that at the very first meeting he held at a coffee shop to gauge interest in the idea, “I wasn’t sure if anyone would even show up, but about a dozen people came, all excited to be part of something where art and faith could interact locally. It lit a fire in me, because it finally gave me confirmation that this vision of mine wasn’t completely ridiculous (although, it feels like it sometimes). Others believed in it too.”

The organization’s name, “Ekklesia,” Murphy says, comes from the Greek word for “gathering,” typically in a religious context. “It felt right to reflect both the community and faith aspects of our mission in the name.” On top of their aim to put on shows with meaningful messages, the group is committed to removing financial barriers for audience members. This is accomplished by a special pay-it-forward pricing model. “For every ticket sold,” says Murphy, “we reserve a corresponding ticket for someone in need. Half of our seats for each show are set aside as free tickets, and anyone can request them by emailing us—no questions asked. This model also extends to our classes, ensuring that financial barriers don’t prevent anyone from participating. All tickets are available at will-call, guaranteeing privacy—whether you’ve purchased a ticket or received a free one, no other patrons will know the difference.”

The theater troupe’s debut production will be “Ebenezer Scrooge’s Big Vancouver Christmas Show!” playing December 13-22 at The Coffee Church in Vancouver. Murphy says he and the Ekklesia board chose this quirky version of “A Christmas Carol” because “it’s hilarious, family-friendly, and has a message that resonates with the Christmas spirit. Plus, it’s a flexible production that can be tailored to our city [through local Vancouver references inserted into the script].” 

Murphy and the rest of the Ekklesia Theatre board plan to put on a spring 2025 production, along with monthly events like spoken word performances, clean comedy shows and music nights. “The vision for Ekklesia is to create a frequent cadence of shows and events that the community can rely on and look forward to,” says Murphy. “We want to be more than just a theatre company. We want to be a true gathering place, like our namesake, where families and individuals can connect and experience the arts together regularly.”

Interested in becoming involved with Ekklesia? Murphy says there is a place for everyone. “Driven by our faith, we are passionate about using storytelling to connect people, regardless of their background or beliefs. Everyone is welcome at Ekklesia, and we’re here to serve our community through the arts in a way that fosters understanding and builds relationships . . . Our leadership is made up of faith-based artists and leaders, but our volunteers, cast members and community participants come from all walks of life. We believe in creating a space where everyone can gather, share stories and be part of something bigger.”

Learn more about Ekklesia Theatre, and purchase tickets to “Ebenezer Scrooge’s Big Vancouver Christmas Show!” at ekklesiatheatre.com.

Indoor Play Time Opens at Play Street Museum

After two years of planning and building, Play Street Museum opened in Salmon Creek in October, welcoming families to come inside and play. The space is owned by Sara Mixer, a former special education teacher who was inspired by her now-8-year-old son to open a Play Street Museum franchise after she and her son drove frequently to the Play Street location in Beaverton for educational, indoor play time. “I really enjoyed the environment and the learning aspect of PSM,” says Mixer. “Once I learned it was a franchise, I realized that it would be a dream business and job for me as it encompasses working with children, being part of a larger community and focuses on learning through play.” Mixer and her team worked from March through October 2024 to create an “On the Go”-themed space with a pretend plane, a bed and breakfast, a pet boarding featuring a live bearded dragon, a gas station, an ice cream truck and other stations. The theme came naturally to Mixer. “Choosing the ‘On the Go’ theme was a no brainer for our family. Our backyard serves as an airplane taxiway, my husband operates trains for a living and my parents have owned an automotive business my whole life. So this theme made sense for us.”

Play Street Museum’s 1.5-hour play times are by reservation every weekday from 8:30 am-6 pm, and cost $16 per child, per session. Play sessions are set at 8:30-10 am, 10:30 am-12 pm, 12:30-2 pm, 2:30-4 pm and 4:30-6 pm. “We love this play by reservation model,” says Mizer, “because kids come in all at the same time and almost become a cohort and a group in their 1.5 hours of play. Then everyone leaves and gets their snack at the same time, making the transition to leave much easier for the little ones. [The staff then] has 30 minutes to put all the toys back and clean surfaces before the next group comes, giving each group the same experience.” Walk-ins are always welcome as space allows, but reservations are recommended to ensure a spot. In addition to open play time, Play Street Museum hosts birthday parties and field trips, plus special events throughout the year. Mixer looks forward to families making memories in the new space. “I love the idea of getting to know the local families and creating events for people to get together and give their kids a truly joyful experience,” she says.

Play Street Museum is located at 14109 NE 10th Ave, Suite 713 in Vancouver.

Come Serve With Me Volunteer Fair Matches Helpers with Good Causes

Last month, over 250 people, including families, filled the gym at Seton Catholic High School to meet and greet with over 35 different nonprofit organizations. The event was the Come Serve With Me Volunteer Fair, the second annual event aimed at matching good causes in Southwest Washington with volunteers who are looking to make a difference in their community. Organizations set up booths throughout the Seton gym showcasing their work, and prospective volunteers had the opportunity to ask questions, and learn about upcoming projects, physical and age recommendations and other important considerations. Other fun activities such as a raffle, face painting and balloon art also made for a fun atmosphere where connections were made all around. The event was sponsored by JustServe, a free, community service initiative that connects people with opportunities to help those in need. Individuals in communities across the world, including Clark County, can visit JustServe.org to search for volunteer opportunities near them. The event was co-sponsored by Good Works Clark County, a new Facebook page highlighting good things happening around Southwest Washington.

Read the full December 2024 issue here: