Step into the Story of Scripture

“My old pastor used to say, ‘Most people don’t put flesh-and-blood on the Bible.’ We sometimes read Scripture as a collection of dry, dusty stories, but those stories are about real, living people being spoken to by a real, living God.

That’s the beauty of Living Letters. The plays bring us more deeply into seeing the context of Scripture rather than skimming on the surface of the text, and that contextual experience gives a burst of revelation about what Paul is saying to us today. I find Stephen Trafton’s approach to be highly artistic and very moving. Above all, it is true to the Word of God.”

“Juliette’s presentation of Ruth beautifully draws out the vulnerability and humanity found in the biblical account. She cleverly and succinctly grounds the viewer in the historical context and then seamlessly sweeps you into the story. It created an excitement and desire in our community to dive into the word of God in a new way.”

“Stephen Trafton earned effusive praise from a hard-to-please audience by living up to the Living Letters name. With exquisite theatrical craft and evidently reverent ardor, God’s ancient yet living and life-giving Word was skillfully and lovingly rendered to engage our hearts and stir our imaginations in a fresh and memorable way.

As Cleopas and his companion remarked concerning their first-day encounter with the risen Christ, we might echo in our sentiments, “Were not our hearts burning within us while he ... opened the Scriptures to us?” (Lk. 24:32)

“Encountering Philippians is one of the most powerful experiences with the Word I’ve ever had in a worship setting. This is how it was meant to be: heard aloud, aptly expressed, with conviction.”

“When Stephen first told me about the show, I admit I was skeptical. I thought it sounded a little Sunday-schoolish. But boy was I wrong. Hearing and seeing Paul’s letter delivered (in a way very like it might have been to the first-century Philippians) moved me in the best ways; it shifted my perspective on the text enough to let me see in it new colors, new angles, new life. I think it’s kind of like poetry—it’s one thing on the page, read silently in your head, but often quite another when it’s made vocal and visual, enacted bodily. It makes for great theater, as well as great Bible study."

“What a privilege to experience the Living Letters through the incredible gifts of Stephen Trafton. His engaging, and flawless presentations of both Colossians and Philippians are mesmerizing encounters with Scripture. Northland Church is extremely grateful for his unique delivery of God’s Word.”

“Stephen Trafton is a gifted theatre artist and deeply committed Christian. These twin qualities are rarely combined and are on vivid display in his Living Letters. What an entertaining way to receive Paul’s letters! Living Letters will engage the imagination and draw you in. You will ‘see’ these letters with fresh eyes and have a new appreciation for Paul’s depth and passion.”

“In this live version of the book of Ruth in its entirety, Juliette Trafton shows just how active and alive God’s Word is. She ushers her audience into the world of the original writers, taking our hearts on Ruth’s journey and boosting our faith in the process. This one performance has had a profound impact on my faith. After all, faith comes from hearing (the living and active) Word of God.”

“I’m so delighted that you pushed us to have Stephen Trafton at White Station. What a great presentation and performance! His interpretive framework from Act 16 was really helpful. The whole interpretive performance [of Philippians] was just outstanding. Thank you for arranging and setting this up!! WS was truly blessed.”