Vivian Prince
MM: What is your most memorable theater moment?
Vivian: Playing a pirate in the Mountain Home, Idaho community theater production of Pirates of Penzance due to the lack of tenors.
MM: What is your favourite passage of scripture?
Vivian: It's kind of an odd one. Hosea 2 speaks of Israel in terms of a whore. She like so many of us has grown sinful in spite of knowing better. God next takes away all of her pleasures and comforts and exposes her sins for the world to see. He condemns her for forgetting Him. Then when things look the darkest, He does something amazing. In verses 14 - 23 He declares His love for her. Here it is paraphrased. Come with Me and I'll lead you into the desert where there are no distractions. I'll comfort you, and give back your productivity. I'll transform your Valley of Trouble into a Door of Hope. Maybe there, you'll respond to Me. We'll sing joyously over your newfound freedom and our unending Love. Then, at last, you'll call Me My Love instead of simply Master. You'll forget the name of the False One and lie safely in peace, unafraid because I Am protecting you.
MM: What is the tackiest thing you own?
Vivian: A pair of kabuki masks.
MM: What is/was your favourite subject in school?
Vivian: History, Literature and Philosophy.
MM: What would we find in your refrigerator?
Vivian: Nothing exciting. Lots of fresh fruit and herbs, milk, eggs, and condiments. There may be a fruitcake from 1987 tucked somewhere in back, but I'm too lazy to mount an expedition an find out for sure. Let sleeping cakes lie!
MM: Do you have any pre-show traditions?
Vivian: If it's a musical I sing the entire score then pray, otherwise I soak in the tub and run my lines in my head. Do you think that's why my performances are dripping with emotion?
MM: What are some differences between regular, & ministry theatre?
Vivian: In all theater there is no I. I am not what is important. In regular theater the play is the thing. It lives for the audience only because of the ensembles combined efforts. In Christian Theater the message is the thing. It can only have meaning to an audience if Christ has control of both the stage and hearts of the performers.
MM: What are you currently reading?
Vivian: Zephaniah in the Bible, and Tutankhamun and the Golden Age of the Pharaohs.
MM: When you're not at Masquer, what would we find you doing?
Vivian: I draw a lot and I'm writing another book. I run a laughter class and a movie night for our seniors at my apartment complex. I also take Tai Chi and do water exercises. There's also a Bible study and a discussion group I participate in that tries to bring the week into focus for those who need to talk.
MM: What's your favourite Masquer memory?
Vivian: During Godspell I was the voice of the devil. When not performing I was backstage praying. Snapping from one to the other was a little distracting to say the least. On the opening night, our pastor came back stage to anoint each of us with oil. He blessed and prayed for each of us individually. I confessed the problem I was having and he nodded sympathetically. Touching my forehead with the sweet smelling oil he prayed "May you be evil to do God's good." I struggled not to laugh out loud, but you know... It worked. I didn't have any further problems.
MM: What has been the most challenging aspect of this ministry?
Vivian: The Spiritual War! It has not failed once. When you do something right for God the Devil attacks. Mentally. Physically. Emotionally. He pulls out all the stops, but he can never win... SHMUCK!
MM: How is it working with such a diverse group of people?
Vivian: I love it. Dad was a traveling evangelist and I grew up in the back seat of a Nash Rambler. Because of this I have never met a stranger. I am the ultimate people person. Diversity and change is just the things I naturally crave.
MM: Who is the toughest audience?
Vivian: The ones that stay home because they've seen it all before.
MM: Who would you choose to play you in the production of your life?
Vivian: In my early adulthood, a young Carole Channing. Today, a bleached blonde Kathy Bates.
MM: What must you have with you in rehearsal?
Vivian: My water, a pencil, blank paper, oh and a script is usually a good thing.
MM: What is your favorite quote?
Vivian: Life is a banquet, and a lot of people are starving to death.
MM: What is the 1st question you ask yourself before approaching a role?
Vivian: Who am I and What am I doing here?
MM: What is your greatest indulgence?
Vivian: I go on a honeymoon cruise every year.
MM: Who is on the guest list of your perfect dinner party?
Vivian: Akhenaten, Teddy Roosevelt, David and Jonathan, Heron of Alexandria, and Buster Keaton. Not Available? My children, grandchildren and Billy Graham.
MM: What do you want us to know about you?
Vivian: Don't judge a book by it's cover. Doctors are forever telling me what I can never do. God tells me what I can. My hands are a bit twisted, but I can still draw. Steroids has made me large, but I'm still pretty active. I'm not pretty, but I'm cute and people like me. What can be better than that?