MARIETTA—Embarking on a new ministry, Allen Austin and JohnPaul Schutz are using their talents and passion for theater to bring others closer to Christ.

It started with a dream. Core members with the Life Teen program at the Church of St. Ann, both men hold bachelor’s degrees in theater. For some time, Austin had had a nagging thought to create a drama program that was Christ-centered.

“I felt called from God about a year and a half ago to do something, but I wasn’t sure what,” he said. “About six months later, I had this idea of doing some sort of drama-type ministry.”

Austin discerned for about six months. In mid-May, Schutz joined Core, the group of young adults who serve as leaders for teens in the Life Teen program. Schutz later approached Austin with an idea to start teaching private acting lessons. Austin, in turn, shared his idea.

“We had the same thing going on in our heads, but it took both of us together to make it happen,” Schutz said. “It exploded from there.”

The Genesius Project was formed. A nonprofit corporation dedicated to theater as an evangelization tool, the goal of The Genesius Project is to be a “fully functioning, performing and teaching theater, whose focus is to bring a Christian message into a secular world.”

The name is derived from St. Genesius, the patron saint of actors and Austin’s confirmation saint. An early Christian martyr, St. Genesius was an actor in the third century put to death under Emperor Diocletian for professing his faith in Jesus Christ. During a play mocking Christianity, Genesius played a catechumen being baptized. During the ceremony he was converted to Christianity. When presented to the emperor, he declared his conversion and enraged Diocletian, who had him tortured in an effort to force him to bow to pagan gods. When Genesius persisted in his faith, he was beheaded.

Austin has chosen not to return to the corporate world, but to turn his full attention to The Genesius Project.

“We want to do plays that show what regular middle—class America struggles and deals with—adultery, divorce and the lust for money and power—but put a Christian spin on it and bring Christ’s message of faith, hope and love,” he said. “We want to put on shows that affect people, so when they leave the theater, they will think, ‘Wow, I’m possibly living my life the wrong way.’”

The first production is a play entitled “A Work in Progress” by Paul McCusker. The play is a light comedy about Christian identity and evangelization, and “tackles the issue of being lukewarm in your faith,” Schutz said. “It helps you to realize that you are God’s work in progress.”

Schutz, who is directing, said that he enjoys the challenge that the theater presents. He admits that in college the productions he was involved with were not always Christ-centered, but he knew that God wanted him to glorify Him with his talents.

“I always figured that I would go off and learn how to use the gifts I had and when He was ready, He’d bring me back to use my gifts for Him,” he said.

The aim of The Genesius Project is to reach out to young people in the community. Members will perform sketches and skits for audiences in the community and in parishes and, through workshops and weekend retreats, will also teach youth group leaders how to evangelize using short sketches and dramas.

Schutz and Austin would like to see the project grow.

“I want to make this grow archdiocesan-wide, not just shows in Cobb County,” Schutz said. “With the support of the archdiocese and parishes we can do that.”

“A Work in Progress” will play Jan. 5 and Jan. 12 at 8 p.m. at The Art Place Mountain View, 3330 Sandy Plains Road, Marietta. It will also be performed every Sunday at 2 p.m. from Jan. 21-Feb. 4 at the Little General Playhouse, located at 2060 Lower Roswell Road, Suite 300, Marietta. Twelve cast members from various parishes, including St. Ann’s, the Cathedral of Christ the King, Atlanta, St. Jude the Apostle Church, Atlanta, and St. Thomas the Apostle Church, Smyrna, will be featured.

Tickets are $6 in advance or $8 at the door and are available at Sweet Spirit Christian bookstore in Marietta (770-565-7722) and at All Saints Catholic Religious Shop in Roswell (770-641-7770).

Austin said that because The Genesius Project is in a “building phase,” they are seeking anyone who has skills in set design and construction, dramatic writing, directing or acting. They are also soliciting office equipment and financial contributions.

To make a donation, send a check payable to The Genesius Project to 4299 Revere Circle, Marietta 30062. For more information, call The Genesius Project at (770) 594-8688 or visit their web site at www.thegenesiusproject.org. Send e-mail to Austin at allen@thegenesiusproject.org.