A VOLUNTEER driving the return of Bendigo's Way of the Cross has urged budding actors to get in touch about roles including Jesus, disciples and Romans. David Wright is leading efforts to bring back the Good Friday Passion play after a 19 year hiatus and says it is the perfect opportunity to gain experience in front of a crowd expected to number in the thousands. The prolific volunteer sat down with the Bendigo Advertiser this week ahead of Shrove Tuesday and discussed Way of the Cross preparations and the importance of giving back to the community. Mr Wright is chair of the organising committee. "It's a very emotional event. You will find some people in tears. They see Jesus being whipped and put on the Cross," he said. "It's a story that everyone basically knows about but when it's acted out they rediscover what Easter is all about." Way of the Cross events ran in Bendigo for 15 years before petering out following a change in venue and a feeling the performance was getting a little stale, Mr Wright said. But it is one of a myriad of events returning for the 150th anniversary of the Bendigo Easter Festival and volunteers have been preparing for it for nearly a year. The free event is expected to attract thousands of people and is expected to cost $20,000 to stage, with money raised through donations and funding from the Bendigo Easter Festival. It will take place in View Street and use the Capital Theatre steps to evoke a sense of ancient grandeur. The front of the Bendigo Art Gallery will be the setting of the Crucifixion, director Wendy Collishaw said. "It's just going to look so impressive," she said. "There's so much in place. I've never seen a play so well-panned." The street will be closed, sound and audio systems will be used and sets will be brought in, Mrs Collishaw said. Yet one thing has remained elusive. "We just need actors," Mrs Collishaw said. "We have 10 roles filled so far. but we need men of all ages to do things like be Roman soldiers carrying flaming torches. "What we need is people who can be out on the street, in non-speaking roles dressed in costumes and reacting to events." Mrs Collishaw said Easter was a tricky time for people to make themselves available but committing would be worth it. "You are talking about a live performance attended by what could be one of the biggest audiences you will ever act in front of," she said. "It's going to be a blast." Mr Wright says he will likely play a member of the baying crowd, but has decided not to reclaim the role as Pontius Pilate, which he occupied in past years. He wanted other acting enthusiasts to share in the moment. "Actors will find the atmosphere electric, there's no question about that. There's a great personal satisfaction in it," he said. "But also it's a personal demonstration of faith." More news: The Way of the Cross can a unique experience for people, Mrs Collishaw said, as many are far more familiar with Christmas nativity plays. That is partly because of the violent subject matter of Crucifixion and also because some have warped its meaning to vilify Jewish people, she said. "And yet, as Christians, it (the Crucifixion) is way more crucial to us than Christmas. If we had to get rid of one celebration it would be Christmas because Easter is the crux of our faith," Mrs Collishaw said. "So for those of us already involved it is a heartfelt contribution we are giving. None of us are being paid. We are doing this because we are passionate about the story." While Mrs Collishaw disagrees with the idea that Christians need to "reclaim" Easter, she is looking forward to new and respectful discussions about the meaning of the Holy period. Even if people are not interested in volunteering for the Way of the Cross, Mr Wright urged them to give some time for other community causes. "I used to work in local government and ... you see only too well how the community can't exist without volunteers," he said. "It's not as evident in Bendigo - it certainly is in smaller communities - but the volunteer work people do really is the glue that binds society together." Mr Wright has devoted much of his life to helping community groups flourish through roles with local councils and in financial management. His many voluntary roles have included as a justice of the peace, a chairman of the Eaglehawk Community House, a reference committee member for Bendigo Health's volunteers and with the Easter Fair Society. Mr Wright is not sure if he would have volunteered so prolifically if not for his time with councils. "That's where I've seen first-hand how important it is and I've carried that through the rest of my municipal career," he said. The Bendigo Easter Festival takes place from Friday 10 to Tuesday 14 April. It will include the way of the Cross on Good Friday and the Bendigo Advertiser Gala Parade the following Monday. To find out more about Way of the Cross acting opportunities call Mrs Collishaw on 0418 325 874. To learn more about other roles you could play in the community contact the Bendigo Volunteer Resource Centre on 5441 1404.
CELEBRATION OF FAITH: Volunteer David Wright is urging people to put their names forward to be part of the Way of the Cross when it returns this Easter. Picture: DARREN HOWE
A VOLUNTEER driving the return of Bendigo's Way of the Cross has urged budding actors to get in touch about roles including Jesus, disciples and Romans.
David Wright is leading efforts to bring back the Good Friday Passion play after a 19 year hiatus and says it is the perfect opportunity to gain experience in front of a crowd expected to number in the thousands.
The prolific volunteer sat down with the Bendigo Advertiser this week ahead of Shrove Tuesday and discussed Way of the Cross preparations and the importance of giving back to the community.
Mr Wright is chair of the organising committee.
"It's a very emotional event. You will find some people in tears. They see Jesus being whipped and put on the Cross," he said.
"It's a story that everyone basically knows about but when it's acted out they rediscover what Easter is all about."
Way of the Cross events ran in Bendigo for 15 years before petering out following a change in venue and a feeling the performance was getting a little stale, Mr Wright said.
But it is one of a myriad of events returning for the 150th anniversary of the Bendigo Easter Festival and volunteers have been preparing for it for nearly a year.
A statue of Jesus Christ.
The free event is expected to attract thousands of people and is expected to cost $20,000 to stage, with money raised through donations and funding from the Bendigo Easter Festival.
It will take place in View Street and use the Capital Theatre steps to evoke a sense of ancient grandeur.
The front of the Bendigo Art Gallery will be the setting of the Crucifixion, director Wendy Collishaw said.
"It's just going to look so impressive," she said.
"There's so much in place. I've never seen a play so well-panned."
The street will be closed, sound and audio systems will be used and sets will be brought in, Mrs Collishaw said.
Yet one thing has remained elusive.
"We just need actors," Mrs Collishaw said.
"We have 10 roles filled so far. but we need men of all ages to do things like be Roman soldiers carrying flaming torches.
"What we need is people who can be out on the street, in non-speaking roles dressed in costumes and reacting to events."
Mrs Collishaw said Easter was a tricky time for people to make themselves available but committing would be worth it.
"You are talking about a live performance attended by what could be one of the biggest audiences you will ever act in front of," she said.
"It's going to be a blast."
Mr Wright says he will likely play a member of the baying crowd, but has decided not to reclaim the role as Pontius Pilate, which he occupied in past years.
He wanted other acting enthusiasts to share in the moment.
"Actors will find the atmosphere electric, there's no question about that. There's a great personal satisfaction in it," he said.
"But also it's a personal demonstration of faith."
The Way of the Cross can a unique experience for people, Mrs Collishaw said, as many are far more familiar with Christmas nativity plays.
That is partly because of the violent subject matter of Crucifixion and also because some have warped its meaning to vilify Jewish people, she said.
"And yet, as Christians, it (the Crucifixion) is way more crucial to us than Christmas. If we had to get rid of one celebration it would be Christmas because Easter is the crux of our faith," Mrs Collishaw said.
"So for those of us already involved it is a heartfelt contribution we are giving. None of us are being paid. We are doing this because we are passionate about the story."
While Mrs Collishaw disagrees with the idea that Christians need to "reclaim" Easter, she is looking forward to new and respectful discussions about the meaning of the Holy period.
David Wright. Picture: DARREN HOWE
Even if people are not interested in volunteering for the Way of the Cross, Mr Wright urged them to give some time for other community causes.
"I used to work in local government and ... you see only too well how the community can't exist without volunteers," he said.
"It's not as evident in Bendigo - it certainly is in smaller communities - but the volunteer work people do really is the glue that binds society together."
Mr Wright has devoted much of his life to helping community groups flourish through roles with local councils and in financial management.
His many voluntary roles have included as a justice of the peace, a chairman of the Eaglehawk Community House, a reference committee member for Bendigo Health's volunteers and with the Easter Fair Society.
Mr Wright is not sure if he would have volunteered so prolifically if not for his time with councils.
"That's where I've seen first-hand how important it is and I've carried that through the rest of my municipal career," he said.
The Bendigo Easter Festival takes place from Friday 10 to Tuesday 14 April. It will include the way of the Cross on Good Friday and the Bendigo Advertiser Gala Parade the following Monday.
To find out more about Way of the Cross acting opportunities call Mrs Collishaw on 0418 325 874.
To learn more about other roles you could play in the community contact the Bendigo Volunteer Resource Centre on 5441 1404.
