One man dramatic performance of Gospel of Mark coming to Wake Forest theater

An accomplished seminary professor, minister, and actor will perform a theatrical reading of the Gospel of Mark in its entirety at a Wake Forest theater later this month.

Chris Coppolo , of Florida, will hold three one-man shows at the Firebox Theater Company in downtown Wake Forest at the end of June.

Coppolo, who is an ordained Presbyterian minister, has conducted similar performances around the southeastern part of the country for several years. He accumulated decades of experience on the stage and as a biblical scholar and teacher before he was inspired to meld both passions several years ago.

His religious teachings and love of the performing arts extend to the penal system as well. He has performed the Gospel of Mark before audiences of inmates at prisons in Florida, Tennessee, and Georgia.

“The inmates are my favorite audience,” Coppolo said. “They are so engaged and I feel like my way of sharing the gospel, sharing Jesus with people, is through the arts.”

Coppolo, 62, is a professor at the Miami International Theological Seminary. Through the seminary, he teaches classes to inmates at Dade Correctional Institution and Everglades Correctional Institution in South Florida.

But he says he was “bit by the acting bug” in sixth grade and has honed his talent on the stage ever since.

“I’ve always just had a love of storytelling, of being on stage, and of connecting with people in that way,” he said.

He says that performing the gospel in a theatrical context serves as an open invitation to those who might otherwise not be so inclined to attend a religious event. In offering performances to the public, those who accept his invitation to participate leave with a newfound appreciation of the gospel, and a deeper understanding of its message.

“It’s a communal experience in a very intimate theater,” he said. “And being a one-man show, I get the opportunity to share a really personal moment and message with those in the audience.”

The performances will take place June 28 at 7:30 p.m., and June 29 at 2 p.m. and 7:30 p.m. The Firebox Theater Company is located in Wake Forest at 306 S. White Street.

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