Learning to Rap

- Jenny Salisbury


There is so much to say about the creation process of Roots Among the Rocks.  I could tell you about our improvisation sessions, the guest artists and theologians who have come and spent time with us, the big discussions around who is God and what is the kingdom, and what can the church be.  But I want to tell you about one moment. It happened yesterday.

Peter Reinhardt, my co-director, is an extraordinary rap artist.  He can make me, a bookish girl with a love for Shakespeare, ballet and guitars get REALLY EXCITED about rap.  He has lead the company to write a rap where each member of the cast has a verse of their own, speaking to their own faith story and their dream for the church.  I don’t want to give too much away, but it is a great piece, and one of the highlights of our show. Some of my favourite lines include:

‘Stop trying to spread the word simply through skits,
with no questions, inspirations, or space to struggle with it’

‘Grounded in tradition and rhythm of prayer so we can be
hearts and hands working for the good of all humanity’

‘There ain’t no stupid church club for winners of the lottery,
Jesus said ‘Everybody come and get a piece of me’.

‘Doesn’t matter where it happens, or if it’s in a designated spot,
It’s right here, right now, ‘cause church is what we’ve got!’

The best thing about this piece is that it’s one of the few moments when the whole company is together doing the same thing, and rocking it!  We blocked and rehearsed it yesterday, and the company just lights up with energy and passion.

We did a run yesterday, and it was 22 minutes over our time limit, so today I’m editing.  I don’t want to cut a thing – but trimming is healthy for the tree, right?  (There’s a roots joke to be made, if you can figure it out, send it my way).