The Passion and The Cross

Local actor part of large-scale Sioux Falls production

By Carleen Wild
Moody County Enterprise

If it’s been a while since you’ve caught a local theatre performance, you might be surprised by just how much talent is right here at home.
From actors to stagehands, sound technicians and instrumentalists, the Moody County area is home to a deep pool of artists who regularly take the stage in Colman, Flandreau, Pipestone, Brookings, Lake Benton and Sioux Falls, among others.
These are your neighbors — people who give their time and talent to put on a show, but who also help build stronger community connections through long hours of rehearsal and performance.
Among them is Jeff Arneson, who once again this year auditioned for and earned a role in “The Passion and the Cross,” performed this past weekend at the Orpheum Theater in Sioux Falls.
“The Passion and the Cross” is a two-act, 2-hour, 7-minute musical featuring a cast of more than 130 adults and children — the largest cast to appear on the Orpheum stage, according to its website.
“This musical is an enchanting journey back to the first century when Jesus walked the earth and unlike anything you’ve seen before,” founder and Artistic Director Brent Grosvenor stated on his company, Lights Up, webpage.
Arneson said the level of detail and commitment required by Grosvenor — who writes everything from the script to the music — is part of what keeps him coming back. The cast held 24 rehearsals leading up to last week’s performance.
He said he enjoyed every moment of it.
“I’m a Christian, so anything I can do to glorify God and bring others to know the salvation of Jesus, I’m going to do it if I can possibly do it. Do I really have time? No, but I devote the time, I’m committed, and once I decide I’m gonna do it, I never missed one rehearsal for the Christmas show or for the Easter show. It’s a lot of driving and a lot of time away from work. But I’m self-employed, so I can decide whether I’m going to miss work or not.”
Arneson said the decision to keep showing up comes down to purpose.
“I’m 65 years old, and I’ve just decided the Lord’s work is more important than my work, and I would rather share my talents.”
Arneson is excited to return for this year’s Christmas show, “Prince of Peace,” if he survives the audition.
“You have to audition for every show, no matter what you’ve done before. It’s the fair thing to do is to have everyone audition for a part.”
For more on upcoming productions, visit the Lights Up webpage or email [email protected] for ways to get involved.