The Gospel of Luke Project
At the beginning of the Covid 19 pandemic, I set out on an exploration of new career paths. I had been an audiobook narrator for over twenty years, and had become too isolated.
Audiobook narration is done alone, in a small sound-isolated room, with a book and a microphone. It is a great arrangement for an introverted bibliophile. But when the narration contract pays per finished minute, there is every financial incentive to maximize one’s time in the booth.
The enforced isolations of the pandemic, and the solitary nature of audiobook narration, combined to worry me about disappearing into solitude completely.
I left the profession entirely, to cast about and find a new path. There was the French bakery with its hundreds of baguettes and loaves each night, the dementia care with its joys and tragedies, computer repair within a remarkably hostile workplace, public radio broadcasting, and more.
For family reasons, I needed to come to Idaho, and once here, the opportunity arose to return to college and finally get a college degree.
I had spent a couple of years in college decades ago, but left to move to New York City. In returning to college, there were a couple of strategic options. I could take the quickest route to a bachelor’s degree by continuing the Theatre studies begun so long ago, or make a fresh start and seek a degree that might lead to something more lucrative.
I chose the faster route, and enrolled as a student of Theatre Arts at Boise State University. The first full year of courses is completed this week, with one full year to go.
It has been a year of peculiar challenges. Some classmates are mystified at the presence of a silver-haired gentleman, without an affect of ostentatious theatricality, participating in this program.
And this semester, my English 102 (a university requirement) research paper was on career outcomes for Theatre Arts graduates in Idaho. This research was not encouraging, and clarified my chosen path of speed over substance.
But as this unusual year progressed, I settled upon a plan for a performance, to be pursued through and beyond graduation. It was proposed as my senior project, accepted by the faculty.
The plan is to perform the Gospel of Luke as a one-man show, in whatever venues can be arranged in and around Boise, Idaho. The idea is to develop it here at school, and travel with it after graduation if possible.
The story of this plan and its development is the subject of this Substack. I mean to document the twists and turns that have already taken place, and that are sure to come, the events and circumstances that led to its being undertaken, and its continuing growth and development.
The outcome is uncertain. There are many potential pitfalls. The Gospel of Luke project might not be a good idea. But it is underway, and its story might reveal things about our time and our culture. I can only hope that this Substack documents an endeavor that may someday be considered a success.