EDMOND—The bright lights illuminate the stage; a projection of a medieval library filled with books and scrolls fills the space from floor to ceiling. A young man in street clothes stands on stage and his baritone voice sings with conviction to the almost-empty auditorium: “The Word of God must be found in every corner/ renowned and read by all/ so every man can understand when God our Father calls.”
For Imperial Academy senior Gianni Welsh (pictured second from the left), this is all part of a unique opportunity to walk in some fascinating footsteps. He is rehearsing his role as Stephen, a 12th-century translator, for Morning Star—The Acts of Waldo the Apostle. The new musical by Philadelphia Church of God music director Ryan Malone focuses on the life of Peter Waldo, an apostle during the Thyatira era of the Church of God.
Welsh’s experience gives a behind-the-scenes look at how Imperial students have prepared through auditions, solo practices and group rehearsals for the school’s first musical. For more than 30 Imperial students, plus three students and a graduate from Herbert W. Armstrong College, the last five months have been about preparing for the Morning Star debut.
This isn’t Welsh’s first time taking the Armstrong Auditorium stage for a musical, but Morning Star marks his first role as a lead. He is also the understudy for the part of Peter Waldo.
“Basically, we are the ones responsible for translating the Bible to Waldo, which allows him to understand it,” Welsh said of his character and of his counterpart Bernard, played by hwac freshman Jordan Ellis. “I was really excited to be able to get a lead role, and not only that but be able to learn the main character’s parts as well. … [It’s] definitely an amazing blessing.”
Welsh’s journey to the Morning Star stage began with Junior Ambassadors auditions on January 15, when Imperial students sang the musical’s self-titled finale. Mr. Malone assigned parts and gave the students their rehearsal music in early February.
Since then, Welsh has worked on his own time to learn his parts. He says repetition is key. Preparing for group rehearsals, Welsh would sit down, plug in his headphones and listen to his songs on repeat, while reading the sheet music.
“I listened to the cd a lot to really get the harmonies down,” Welsh said. “It was kind of a challenge at first and still is sometimes because some of the songs have the same lyrics but they might be in a different key, or it’s a different note.”
In addition to learning his lines as one of the 11 leads, Welsh is also learning the role of Waldo, which is played by Imperial freshman Zechariah Henderson.
“As far as in the actual learning of the music it’s not that different, but when preparing as the understudy, you have to know the character,” Welsh said. “My character is a translator; Peter Waldo is an old, wealthy man. Obviously, you can’t act like the same guy for both. So that’s why knowing the character is important.”
Welsh performed in two other pcg musicals: Jeremiah—A Musical and Step-Dancing Extravaganza and David—The Endless Throne Begins. He sang his first solo as the off-stage “voice of God” in the abridged production of David for Philadelphia Youth Camp last summer. He said that experience helped him become more comfortable with performing.
“It got me out of my comfort zone and helped to learn how to sing out more,” Welsh said. “It also helped me see more things that I can add while I sing.”
Summer rehearsals began on May 27 for the 37 cast members, including four Imperial online students from Illinois, Canada and England.
The rehearsals start with a prayer and vocal warm-ups. As students sing their songs, the music faculty of Mr. Malone; his wife, Paula; and Mark Jenkins gives feedback—which is often “more diction!” Welsh says. As showtime approaches, rehearsals have evolved into run-throughs of the entire show on the Armstrong Auditorium stage.
“I love practicing with the group because you get to hear how all of the parts blend together and create an amazing sound,” Welsh said, adding that he is learning to match the Malones’ choreography with the lyrics.
Welsh said he was looking forward to dress rehearsals, which started yesterday and continue tomorrow and the morning before the performance. “It’s easier to act when you’re in costume,” he said. “When you have it on, you know what you will look like, and it helps you understand your character better.”
During rehearsal, blue lights shine onto Welsh and the other students as they sit on the auditorium stage with a fireplace prop flickering behind them as they listen to the Malones’ instructions on positioning.
“Our rehearsals are quite funny at times,” Welsh said. “The funniest thing to me so far was going through the choreography. There a lot of things that can go wrong, and when someone does the wrong move at the improper time, it is quite funny.”
Welsh’s main song is a duet with his fellow translator titled “The Word Is Not Bound.”
“God’s Word can’t be contained by anyone,” Welsh said. “The Word wasn’t bound then; it’s gotten stronger now, and it will continue into the World Tomorrow.”
“The musical applies directly to everything we’re doing in the Work today,” Ellis said, talking about the theme of persecution and resistance in the musical. “[T]here’s almost advice emerging from the past saying, ‘Hang in there.’”
“I am moved again and again as I see the story unfold in rehearsals,” Mr. Malone said. “[S]o many things surrounding Waldo’s calling and work relate to us today. Songs about the key moments in his calling and ministry so naturally could be interpreted as songs that we would sing today about our work.”
Welsh said he is more excited than nervous for the upcoming performance, adding, “Mr. Malone and the rest of the music faculty have really done a great job with working with all of us on this incredible journey.”
Welsh and his fellow cast members take the Armstrong Auditorium stage to debut Morning Star on June 22. (For the latest behind-the-scenes news and photos, search #MorningStar on Twitter, or follow us @PCG_News).