Mother to a Family of Actors

We are lucky enough to have many amazing families in The Canadian Badlands Passion Play and had Caitlin Bauer interview just one of them for a feature story to share with you. Being that Mothers Day is just around the corner this seems like the perfect time to tell it.-

     In 2004 Shauna Lammiman was looking for something meaningful that her family could participate in together. “I came across the Canadian Badlands Passion Play and discovered that volunteer actors of all ages were involved and that other families were participating in the cast. I knew it was a perfect fit for us and that summer we found ourselves in Drumheller to begin one of the great adventures of our lives.”

Families like the Lammimans experience the Canadian Badlands Passion Play in a special way, from the long hours rehearsing together on a huge outdoor set to the evenings in the campground where the cast gathers every night. The Canadian Badlands Passion Play, and the people who are part of it, become a second family; uncles, aunts, brothers, sisters, and cousins not by blood but by an incredible experience.

The Passion Play family became even more important when the Lammiman family adopted two more children. “Our extended family at the Passion play helped us build a foundation for children  who were just starting to learn what being part of a family really meant. The other volunteer actors aren’t just sharing the story – they’re living it out. It’s an intensely positive experience. Love, attention, faith . . . these have been great gifts that have been shared with our family as a whole.”

The play can bond a family together in ways they never imagined. What started as a free family activity turned into additional season somewhere between spring and summer for the Lammimans, their love of acting has grown incrementally. When they’re not rehearsing for the Passion Play the family now runs a film-making business that recently produced a feature length film partly on the grounds of the Passion Play site– all because a mother was willing to step out and find a place for her family to grow together.

Shauna and Greg Lammiman and their children Dallas, Dustin, Travis, Shalayne, Lisa and Adam have all acted in the play.

                              

Shauna and Greg Lammiman and their children Dallas, Dustin, Travis, Shalayne, Lisa and Adam have all acted in the Play

Sharing is Caring-

If you click on the links below you will see a video promo for the upcoming play.

Please pass these links along to family and friends so they can see the exciting changes taking place at the Passion Play this year. 

Passion Play Promo Video

The Trees of the Passion Play

Last year we planted 5 Schubert chokecherry trees out in front of the  Jerusalem wall. The trees were sponsored by individuals to honour a friend or family member.

This year we are adding a number of new trees to the set area (as seen in a closeup of the set rendering below).

1 Russian Olive - a thorny tree representative of the crown of thorns Jesus wore. 

2 Spire Ash - These trees turn a beautiful red colour each fall before the leaves fall to the ground and die. The colour brings to mind the blood Jesus shed for mankind.

1 Buckeye -  This tree produces a fruit that was crushed by native americans to make a nutritious meal they called "Hetuck".  The tree speaks to the words of Jesus, "this is my body that was broken for you." 

1 Larch - This tree reminds us of the resurrection for it has the appearance of an evergreen tree but it looses its needles each fall. Many think the tree has died and find it incredible how it comes back to life each spring. 

5 Swedish Aspen - These tall columnar trees reach toward the sky pointing us to both the ascension of Christ and also the hope of his return.

1 Bur Oak - A slow growing tree that can live up to 300 years. the Bur Oak symbolizes the everlasting life Jesus promised us.

Making CENTS- Things to do in Drumheller that wont cost a penny!

We hope you will all be making it to the Canadian Badlands Passion Play this year, but just incase you decide to spend all your money on tickets to the show, I've gone undercover to find you some FREE FUN in Drumheller, Alberta.

                                          1. Rotary Splash Park

2. Drumheller Fountain (Behind the fountain by the bridge is an underpass where you can walk down and watch the river. (the kids always love walking "under the big bridge and coming out on the other side)     

3. Rosedale Suspension Bridge (also called the swinging bridge by locals) 4. Hoodoos
5. The views from Horsethief Canyon are priceless, (Most visitors visit Horseshoe Canyon, another wonder just outside Drumheller as well)
6. Midland Coal- There are 2 spots seperated by a gravel road when you turn right off of Dinosaur Trail on your way out to the museum. Be sure to stop in and check out the building to the right but there is also a walking tour and artifacts from the old coal mine that once sat there.
7. The Little Church-  The "Biggest Little Church in the World" seats thousands. . . six at a time. It is located on North Dinosaur Trail just past the museum.

8. Find all the downtown Dinosaur statues
9. Picnic at McMullen Island or Newcastle Beach (overgrown beach here, still usable if you bring some towels to sit on and shallow enough for the kids to walk around and play in the river)
10. Drive the 11 bridges to Wayne
11. The Bleriot Ferry-Named after famous French pilot and balloonist Louis Bleriot, this is one of the last remaining cable-operated ferries in Alberta.
12. Hill Climb- many a childs summer are spent in these hills if you are a local from Drumheller.

13. The Nature Trail- There is a walking path that spreads through all parts of Drumheller, but our favorite section is walking from in behind the splash park along riverside drive. Halfway through it connects to a beautiful treed path along the Red Deer River. (Great for pictures too).
14. Tennis courts near the pool
15. Farmers Market every Saturday

16. Volunteer- The Canadian Badlands Passion Play is a great way to camp for free, meet a community of friends, all while volunteering for 1 or 7 days during the summer performances.

Who is this prophet?

Chicken Soup for the Passion Play soul!

Sent out a request last month asking for our cast to send out stories of their experiences throughout the years at The Canadian Badlands Passion Play. Little did we know......here's an experience from John, whom we thank dearly for sharing, and feel free to share with whomever you so choose!

JOHNS STORY

Our daughter, Holly, gave my wife and I tickets to the play last June for my 59th birthday. We had never been to the play before, but she thought I'd enjoy it, as I had written and acted in numerous plays at our church over the years.

We instantly were enthralled with the production. After the play, we mingled with some of the cast and other volunteers, and ran into our friend Victoria Krawcruk, the costume designer. She had helped us with costumes for a play we did some years ago. She encouraged me to become part of the cast for 2011.
So I put my name in for an audition. As time went on, though, I started to have second thoughts. I just didn't wish to give up all my weekends for two warm months and use all my vacation time being involved with something to which I could bring little if any real artistic talent. I made up my mind to withdraw my application for an audition.

 Then on Dec 30, Holly gave birth to her third daughter, Elianna Felicity, up in Bonnyville with her husband Mike at her side. But it went horribly wrong. Severe haemorrhaging prompted the medical team to immediately call for a STARS helicopter to fly the 200 km from Edmonton to take her to the Royal Alexandra hospital. She was given 13 units of blood in Bonnyville and another six in the helicopter. She spent 3 hours in the OR in Edmonton, where she went into cardiac arrest. Her lungs collapsed, and her condition was grave.

 The anaesthetist told us later that during her 30 second cardiac arrest and with no measurable blood pressure…..he could hear her singing softly.

 My wife, Lynn, and I arrived at the hospital early afternoon. Mike, his parents, and our three granddaughters arrived from Bonnyville soon after (brand new healthy baby included). Holly was unrecognizable, with tubes and monitors everywhere, and bloated to almost twice her normal size. But she was alive. Prayers for her flowed like tap water from all over the country and the world. They gave her coagulants in a desperate move to stop the bleeding. The next 48 hours she improved miraculously.

We were staying with relatives in Edmonton. As we were driving there with our granddaughters Teagan and Kaelyn after spending the day with Holly, she called us in tears, learning that the chest pains she'd been having were the result massive clots in her lungs.

That night was my lowest of all. I didn't know if I should curse God or thank Him. I know what one is SUPPOSED to do at such times. I just sat in a chair, trying to just blank it all out. Then I saw a little glimpse of a really momentous thing. Holly was walking, pushing a baby carriage, with Teagan and Kaelyn by her side. She was walking with hundreds of other women who have overcome. And the walk was on Mother's Day, 2011. I wept. And at that moment I thought of my PP audition and knew  I owed God nothing for saving Holly. His grace is more than sufficient. But I also knew that I needed to thank Him in a powerful way. So I auditioned.

Holly and baby are doing well now. The epilogue to this story is the fact that the first performance of the season, and the 100th performance overall, is also Holly's 32 birthday.

Thank you all so much-

John Moerschbacher

Undiscovered talent in Three Hills

Community Theatre is one of my favourite parts of the drama world. You get to enjoy some
amazing undiscovered talent, watch unbounded enthusiasm and see the occasional
extremely funny blooper. It is guaranteed great entertainment value. 

Guys and Dolls, a wonderful musical with many great songs like "I love you a
Bushel and a Peck" and "Sit Down You're Rockin the Boat" opens
tonight in Three Hill at the curling rink. Tickets are only $15 and can be
purchased over the phone by calling the Three Hills IGA 403-443-5022 Ext. 5.
There are only 10 shows so reserve early. Its a great show, lots of laughs.