The Heart of the Cross by Olivia Woodford
The Daily News
New England's & Press Association's 2017 Newspaper of the Year
Feb 21, 2015
AMESBURY — “The Heart of the Cross,” a one-woman Passion play created by Olivia Woodford, will be presented on Monday, March 2, at Holy Family Parish.
The events of Jesus’ death and resurrection come to life through a beautiful script and masterful performance. Through the vehicle of this Passion play, Woodford transports audiences to the foot of the cross to experience Jesus’ death and resurrection through the point of view of five gospel women.
The Lenten season takes on added meaning and fresh perspective through this moving presentation that explores the love, faith and triumph of the gospel women as they witness the last hours of Jesus’ life.
The play begins with women coming together to clean the house and prepare the food for the Passover feast, which will become the Last Supper. After hearing the news of Jesus’ arrest, Veronica stands in the crowd to watch Jesus carry the cross; and the repentant prostitute woman bears witness to Him on the cross. His Mother, Mary, prepares her son for burial followed by Mary Magdalene at the tomb for the Resurrection. The presentation ends with Martha, at Pentecost, as she experiences the mission being defined for the disciples to carry on Jesus’ ministry in the world.
Woodford developed five Women of the Bible plays to draw out the women in scripture. Details about the daily life of women as well as the role they played in Jesus’ ministry are integral to the plays. Through her interpretive portrayals of the gospel women, Woodford provides a fresh perspective to the story of Jesus that re-inspires and deepens the connection audience members have with his life and teachings.
“The plays were written from my desire to know what it was like to have been there, to have known Jesus and to have been present at his death. Being a woman myself, it seemed natural to do this from the women’s point of view,” said Woodford.
“Through writing and of performing these plays, my own faith and connection to Jesus has deepened. My understanding of his teachings has been strengthened through learning about the cultural realities of Israel at that time, and in coming to know the women who loved and stood by Jesus in his final hours,” she said.
Woodford is an actress/director, founder of Healing Theatre and a member of the Network of Storytellers, Int’l. She has a bachelor’s degree in theater from Boston University and has performed in regional and off-Broadway theaters. She has taught theater in public and private schools, to special needs groups and to people of all ages. She has presented her four Women of the Bible plays to churches of all denominations throughout the country and internationally. She lives in Durham, N.C.
The performance runs 75 minutes. For more information about Woodford, her ministry and the CDS she offers of her performances, visit www.biblewomen.com or her Facebook page: Women of the Bible Speak