Church Beyond the Fourth Wall: Incorporating the Audience as Guest in Interactive Ecclesial Theater

This article explores interactive theatre as a model for reimagining Christian mission as interactive performances among an unbelieving audience. After an introductory section on the role of metaphors and models in theology and ethics, the article explains how interactive theatre mediates between traditional and experimental forms of theatre, thus providing a model for interactive church as a mediating position between traditional and experimental forms of church. Next, the article demonstrates the mission, means, method, mise en scène, and meaning of interactive ecclesial performances. Finally, the article concludes by observing that improvising hospitality is one primary way to enact the mission of inviting strangers to participate as guests in the theodrama.