Drama troupe explores issues of faith for gay Christians

[Ian David]

February 28, 2007


On a bitterly cold day, half a dozen young people are in an empty apartment that doubles as a drama studio, singing about miracles, talking about their relationship with God. But this is not standard gospel.

Dreams of Hope is a drama troupe for gay, lesbian, bisexual, transgendered and "questioning" youth -- and their straight friends. The 4-year-old troupe devotes each season to a different theme, such as school or family. This year it is "Gay Youth in Good Faith" -- an examination of relationships with God.

Faith was a natural topic for this crop of six performers, ages 14 to 21, because several come from clergy families, said Susan Haugh, the founder and artistic director.

"One of the biggest themes is the personal issue of sin, of how something that is so natural and doesn't seem like a bad thing, can be seen as horrible and people reject them for it. That is a big issue that most of them are dealing with," said Ms. Haugh, who previously founded the Renaissance City Women's Choir.

"The kids come up with the themes. They create the shows themselves," she said of the poetry, monologues, songs and sketches they write.

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