Art and real life often hit head on.
Actors preparing for Samuel Williams’ play “The Other Side of Jordan” have felt this collision as they’ve prepared for the July 26 production.
“Nearly every cast member has encountered a ‘personal’ moment during our rehearsals where we have had to stop rehearsal and digress into a deep, cleansing, and healing dialogue. I would recommend that viewers not be misled by the term ‘play.’ This, as are many of my other works, is much greater than a play. It is ministry, counseling and healing beyond the pulpit, the walls of the church, or the therapists’ offices,” wrote Williams in an email.
About “a neglectful, atheistic, abusive father” who finds out he only has “days to live and must now seek the forgiveness and acceptance of his family and God before journeying to the other side of the Jordan,” the play will be staged at Augusta University’s Maxwell Theatre at 3 p.m. July 26. For tickets, go here.
“The Other Side of Jordan” comes from Williams’ own life experiences.
In addition to being a playwright and author of 16 books, Williams is a minister and former counselor who has encountered a lot of different people in his life. He’s witnessed the often devastating aftermath of their decisions
“I have experienced and observed a myriad of outcomes in life about which I remain convinced could have ended up otherwise if proper guidance and wisdom had been shared early on,” he wrote.
Williams knows this production might be difficult for some. It comes with trigger warnings for depictions of alcoholism and abuse. But he hopes those who do come, especially fathers, will receive something more than entertainment.
“Hopefully individuals will become intentionally more aware of and attentive to the application of the undeniable impacts of faith, fathers, families, and forgiveness in their lives. I hope they will take away the knowledge and value of time and the reality that time is a gift given to us during which we decided our fate once we’ve been recalled to the other side of Jordan,” he wrote.
Charmain Z. Brackett, the publisher of Augusta Good News and Inspiring: Women of Augusta, has covered Augusta’s news for more than 35 years. She’s won multiple Georgia Press Association awards and is the recipient of the 2018 Greater Augusta Arts Council’s media award. Reach her at charmain@augustagoodnews.com. Sign up for the newsletter here.
