By Misty Shultz/Staff Writer
Southwestern Adventist University will present its second annual Resurrection Pageant on Saturday in Keene. The 2 1/2-hour walk-through production will present scenes depicting the final events of Jesus’ life, which take place at various locations at SWAU’s campus.
A cast of about 230 actors and actresses will perform in several scenes, the first of which begins in the church sanctuary. The final scene ends in the 550-seat auditorium at Evans Hall. Scenes will include Jesus’ triumphal entry, the Lord’s Supper, the Garden of Gethsemane, Pilate’s trial, the Via Dolorosa, the Crucifixion and the Resurrection.
Alfredo Fuentes of Keene, an SWAU student who played Jesus in the 2006 pageant, said no one feels worthy to play Christ’s role.
“It’s an experience of a lifetime to portray the role of the person who came to save all of humanity,” Fuentes said.
Fuentes will play the role in two English and two Spanish performances. SWAU student Jerrod Songy of Burleson will play Jesus in three English performances.
“This is the greatest honor I’ve ever had,” Songy said.
About 450 volunteers will be involved with the production, including actors, extras, directors, costume designers and behind-the-scenes workers. In addition, donkeys, pigs, goats and chickens will be provided by Animal Refuge Kingdom in Egan.
The Resurrection Pageant is directed by Dr. Renard Doneskey, an English professor at SWAU.
“I was a skeptic and didn’t think we could pull this off the first year,” Doneskey said. “But everything came together at the last minute, and I knew that God had it under control. When they asked me to direct 10 performances this year, including two in Spanish, I was on board.”
The first of 10 performances begins at 9 a.m. Performances continue every hour on the hour, with the last performance beginning at 6 p.m.
Spanish performances will be held at 3 p.m. and 6 p.m. Those who attend are encouraged to wear comfortable shoes because they will be walking around the SWAU campus.
Anyone may attend. Last year, an estimated 2,800 people attended five performances. More than 5,000 people are expected to attend this year.
The pageant is free, but tickets are required because of limited seating at the final venue.
Tickets are available in Cleburne at the Jim Moreno Agency, Southwest Golf & Sport and Members Credit Union. In Keene, tickets are available at General Insurance, ABC Food Center, ABC Book Store and First State Bank Texas. In Burleson, tickets are available at the Burleson Area Chamber of Commerce office, John Barroso’s dental office and Burleson Adventist Church.
Misty Shultz can be reached at
817-645-6441, ext. 2336,
or reporter2@trcle.com.
