Thursday, July 26, 2007
Passion Play defaced
Organizers of “The Passion Play in the Smokies” were shocked by a seemingly random act of vandalism that left drug-themed, spray-painted messages all over the production’s grounds in Townsend Tuesday night.
According to Ed Cooper, technical director for the Passion Play, he and his wife, Teresa, came to the remote amphitheater around 9 p.m. Tuesday to get equipment when they noticed the main sign leading into the property had been spray painted. It was not the first time someone had tagged the sign, but when they got to the amphitheater the spray paint continued. And that was a first.
Vandalism of the main sign started on June 29, and looking back Ed wished he had taken it more seriously when it first happened.“Maybe we should have called the authorities then, but we didn’t,” he said, adding that the spray paint on the buildings now has been exceptionally difficult to remove. “We’ve already tried to clean it off, but it’s on there.”
This is the third season of this Passion Play in Townsend, and they’ve never had this kind of problem, said Teresa Cooper, who is also the stage/production manager of the Passion Play. Messages like “Dope mobile,” “meth lab,” “weed 4 sale” and “weed” were emblazoned across the fixed buildings on the site, as well as a pair of trailers, a mobile chapel and even a truck.
While there was no damage to the set or props in the amphitheater, Ed is worried that it may just be a matter of time before the vandals strike again and do more lasting damage.
“If they’re getting this brave and brazen to come up here, then what’s their next step?” he asked.
Regardless of the damage, organizers plan for the doors to be open at 8 p.m. this Friday for the show, which is part of Crown of Thorns Ministries which operates it in cooperation with Chilhowee Baptist Association. They are hoping for volunteers to help with the cleanup effort.
“It’s not going to stop us,” he said. “It’ll be a hindrance, but not a stop.”
Ed Cooper estimates that about 2,500 people come to see the Passion Play — which dramatically tells the story of Jesus’ birth, death and resurrection — every year.
Teresa doesn’t think the Passion Play was targeted by vandals because of the production’s message.
More likely, she said, it is because the amphitheater is in a remote area that does not see a lot of traffic. Ed said he thinks it was just some kids with spray paint, “that need supervision and a good tail busting.”
“I don’t think it’s at all (about) us being a Christian organization,” Teresa said.
According to Blount County Sheriff’s Office Public Information Officer Marian O’Briant, the damage done was estimated at $650. The Sheriff’s Office is investigating, but does not have any suspects, she said. She added that none of the other properties in the area were vandalized and the damage done at the Passion Play site seems to be an isolated incident.
According to Ed Cooper, technical director for the Passion Play, he and his wife, Teresa, came to the remote amphitheater around 9 p.m. Tuesday to get equipment when they noticed the main sign leading into the property had been spray painted. It was not the first time someone had tagged the sign, but when they got to the amphitheater the spray paint continued. And that was a first.
Vandalism of the main sign started on June 29, and looking back Ed wished he had taken it more seriously when it first happened.“Maybe we should have called the authorities then, but we didn’t,” he said, adding that the spray paint on the buildings now has been exceptionally difficult to remove. “We’ve already tried to clean it off, but it’s on there.”
This is the third season of this Passion Play in Townsend, and they’ve never had this kind of problem, said Teresa Cooper, who is also the stage/production manager of the Passion Play. Messages like “Dope mobile,” “meth lab,” “weed 4 sale” and “weed” were emblazoned across the fixed buildings on the site, as well as a pair of trailers, a mobile chapel and even a truck.
While there was no damage to the set or props in the amphitheater, Ed is worried that it may just be a matter of time before the vandals strike again and do more lasting damage.
“If they’re getting this brave and brazen to come up here, then what’s their next step?” he asked.
Regardless of the damage, organizers plan for the doors to be open at 8 p.m. this Friday for the show, which is part of Crown of Thorns Ministries which operates it in cooperation with Chilhowee Baptist Association. They are hoping for volunteers to help with the cleanup effort.
“It’s not going to stop us,” he said. “It’ll be a hindrance, but not a stop.”
Ed Cooper estimates that about 2,500 people come to see the Passion Play — which dramatically tells the story of Jesus’ birth, death and resurrection — every year.
Teresa doesn’t think the Passion Play was targeted by vandals because of the production’s message.
More likely, she said, it is because the amphitheater is in a remote area that does not see a lot of traffic. Ed said he thinks it was just some kids with spray paint, “that need supervision and a good tail busting.”
“I don’t think it’s at all (about) us being a Christian organization,” Teresa said.
According to Blount County Sheriff’s Office Public Information Officer Marian O’Briant, the damage done was estimated at $650. The Sheriff’s Office is investigating, but does not have any suspects, she said. She added that none of the other properties in the area were vandalized and the damage done at the Passion Play site seems to be an isolated incident.
