The “Agape Joe” Christian theater group was the first time I participated in a collective creative endeavor where I felt seen and appreciated. Only today do I realize what an impact it had on me as a young adult.
Based out of UCLA in the early 90s, “Agape Joe” was formed out the non-denominational college club the University Christian Fellowship. We did short skits and dance pieces to spread the message of Christ to non-believers both on campus and off…. which thankfully were never recorded on video.
If I can be honest, I wasn’t in it for the performances or the proselytizing. I was there because I was starved for community and an outlet for my creativity. I just wanted to be part of a group of kind, accepting, fun people who were interested in making weird stuff together. Rehearsals were all about improv exercises, brainstorming ideas, and prototyping group pieces. Performing in the actual finished productions were just what I had to do to stay in the group.
The folks in “Agape Joe” made me feel comfortable being the weird, awkward person that I was at that time. Decades later, I’m still weird, maybe a little less awkward. And I’m so grateful.