Knowing through Becoming - Exercises in Documentary Theater:
Reflections on "Red Books: Our Search for Ellen White"

A. Gregory Schneider, Pacific Union College, Anwin, California
Mei Ann Teo, Artist-in-Residence, Pacific Union College

Dear PCR Colleague:

Perhaps you heard me last year at PCR’s “Works in Progress” session talk about my year-long involvement as an actor in an original piece of documentary theater about the Seventh-day Adventist church and its prophet, Ellen G. White.  A year spent with my head up my own peculiar sectarian alley.  Well, I’ve been invited to make the play the basis for PCR’s experiential session at our Friday pre-session in Chicago this November.  Writer/Actor/Director Mei Ann Teo will join me to help make it a livelier experience.

I’m hoping the Introduction and Scene Synopsis will pique your curiosity about the play, “Red Books: Our Search for Ellen White.”  Indeed, I am hoping you are curious enough to buy a copy of the DVD and watch it before you come to Chicago.  Mei Ann and I agree we will be able to provide a more engaging experience for those who have seen the whole play.

PCR Newsletter editor, Kelly Bulkeley, has viewed the DVD and said to me, “I don't see how you can only show people part of it at the PCR presession! I know the time limitations are such that you have no choice, but it's hard to imagine depriving people of the full experience.”  I’m hoping you don’t deprive yourself of the full experience. 

If my hopes are fulfilled in your case, here’s the link the online store: www.atoday.com/catalog/72/atoday_online_store.  “Red Books" will be at the lower right of the first page of “products.”  It’s $19.95 plus shipping. 

On the other hand, I know that hopes are sometimes disappointed.  (I’m an Adventist, after all.)  So, here’s another option: email me at gschneid@puc.edu asking for a copy to borrow, and I will send one with a prepaid envelope for you to send it back to me ASAP after you have viewed it.  I’m willing to go through the hassle to have as many people as possible see the play.

If neither of these options work for you, read at least the Introduction and Scene Synopsis here, and come to the experiential part of the presession anyway.  I am confident it will be enjoyable for all.

If your curiosity and patience hold out after viewing the DVD and/or reading the first two documents, the longest document is the text of an invited lecture I delivered last April with my perspectives on the play and its subjects.  It is heavily autobiographical, so be warned and, if you will, make allowances.  You might also follow the links I list below.

Warm Regards, Greg Schneider

Some links to additional resources about “Red Books: Our Search for Ellen White”:

• Review by a journalist for KQED, San Francisco’s leading PBS/NPR affiliate
• Background on how the play came to be