The Living Word Outdoor Drama ... It all started with Jesus

A Brief History of

The Living Word Outdoor Drama

In 1957, Frank Roughton Harvey re-dedicated his life to Christ in response to what he felt to be a challenge from God to establish The Living Word Outdoor Drama .

He left the world of professional theater, in which he was currently engaged, with the dream of building and outdoor theater for an annual presentation of Jesus' life and ministry. This production was to be presented by a cast of Christian performers. He returned home and married Hazel Creasy, who loved Jesus and shared his dream.

While enrolled in seminary at Emory University in Atlanta, Georgia, he was able to study Biblical archaeology under eminent scholars both at Emory and in the Holy Land. He earned his way through seminary and graduate school by presenting Biblical monodramas for thousands of churches and groups throughout the United States and other countries. His most famous presenting, The Sermon on the Mount, has been performed over 4,000. While in seminary, he developed the script for an outdoor drama. His thesis project for his Master of Fine Arts degree was to design and build a scale modal complete with scenery for an outdoor theater. This became the model for The Living Word.

While teaching Bible and Drama at Andrew College, Georgia, he made an indoor presentation of The Living Word. In 1968, Frank produced his play again, this time in the Atlanta Stadium, sponsored by Council of Churches of the metropolitan area, under the title, “Behold the Man. ” It was an interracial festival of faith, and all races participated in cooperation with most major Christian communions. Dr. William Holmes Borders, the eminent pastor of Wheat Street Baptist Church , was picked to play the role of Christ for this event. It was attended by over 50,000 people in a single night. Newspapers and magazines heralded it as “The Miracle that saved Atlanta."

Soon after moving to a farm in Cambridge, Ohio, “so that our children might know some of the joys of growing up on a farm,” God revealed in a vision to Hazel what He had in mind for the farm and where the amphitheatre should be located. In 1975, Frank, Hazel and Grace Harvey, Dick, Neva and Pam Vessels, Tom Flowers, Bishop Fred Montgomery, the Dave Blackwoods, and a crew from NCR, led by Ron Lindy, labored long with other volunteers to prepare the site with temporary scenery left from the stadium productions. The experimental venture that first year was an outstanding success.

With that, The Living Word Outdoor Drama was born.

In 1977, the Citizens Committee was formed into a non-profit corporation, and the Harveys gave the production to this group.

1978 brought with it the first publishing of a souvenir program, the first annual fundraising banquet, and Doris Snyder was elected the first president of the Board of Trustees. Mr. Ted Hissom of Zanesville was Artistic Director and Hazel Harvey acted as General Manager. The Living Word script was changed from the King James version to a modern English version.

In 1984, the Board of Trustees purchased the Living Word property and script from Frank and Hazel Harvey. Cal and Joyce Rice of Lake Wales, Florida, were employed as Associate Director and General Manager, respectively. Also during this summer, gates at both ends of the set were installed as a gift from Frank and Hazel in honor of his parents.

1985 was a milestone year in which The Living Word welcomed its one hundredth thousandth visitor to witness the production.

During 1986, Bernard Coffindaffer of Craigsville, West Virginia, donated, erected, and consecrated the three crosses on The Living Word grounds.

1994 saw a revamping of the script by Mark Pedro, who directed the drama until 1996. 1999-2004, the Rev. Reginald Martin directed production, and during this time, three new actors were introduced into the role of Christ: Rick Kessler, Pete Hanson, and George Clark.

2005 saw another reworking of the script, this time under the direction of Samantha Servais, along with the guidance of Frank Harvey.

2006, on January 1 st, Frank Harvey went to be with the Lord after a long battle with cancer. But he left a wonderful legacy in the drama, which continues as always because of the dedication of the volunteers who keep the dream alive.

2008, Frank's wife, Hazel Harvey was diagnosed with inoperable stage 4 cancer in the fall of 2007 and not given much time to live. On Friday, January 11, 2008 she passed away while on vacation with her two daughters, Grace and Esther. Hazel never failed to be encouraging, positive, and inspirational. Her southern graciousness and sparkling smile inspired all who came in contact with her. Few realize that Hazel was the driving force behind Frank. Thank you, Hazel, for your vision. You will be dearly missed.

We thank God for His continual blessing and guidance in past years and in the future.