Sat in a Boat is a thought-provoking, stimulating, and emotional multimedia modern dance performance investigating faith and reason through an intersection of movement, spoken word, originally composed music, animation, singing, a script and more. In a world filled with despair and tragedy, we often feel stuck in a sea of confusion, thrashing and clawing our way to a light at the end of the tunnel. Yet amid the darkness, we are still driven by passion, evidence, hope and an innate knowledge that we are built for more, that salvation may yet be attainable. That God is still trustworthy and close when all we can see are the storms of life. Our many waters can be calmed.

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Sat in a Boat was first inspired by a seemingly mundale event recorded in the Book of Mark from the New Testament, the second division of the Christian biblical canon. The opening of chapter 4 reads: "A very large crowd gathered about him [Jesus], so that he got into a boat and sat in it on the sea, and the whole crowd was beside the sea on the land. And he was teaching them many things..." (Mark 4:1-2).

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The Christian faith believes that the historical Jesus, in whom all deity dwells, has reconciled humanity to the "God who dwells in unapproachable light whom no one has ever seen or can see" (1 Timothy 6:16). In other words, the higher power or God that we once regarded as unknowable, distant and aloof actually stepped down from heaven to be near to His creation - even engaging in such a pedestrian and mundane activity like sitting in a boat as described in Mark. Picture the God of ages sitting in a boat and speaking with regular people - unbelievable proximity, intimacy and humility! This dance contemplates the juxtaposition between the belief of an unreachable and apathetic higher power versus the belief that God came to be with us in accordance with the Gospel message.

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Rooted in research and apologetics, Sat in a Boat explores challenging questions about Christianity performed by dancers Sarah Baker, Sarah Freeman, Rebecca Diane Huang, Elijah Richardson, Marceia L. Scruggs and spoken word artists LDJ and CM2Live. The work also features exquisite singing, music, writing and animation by Donavahn Frierson, Emmanuel Lifschultz, Christa J. Sangster Monroe, and Aly Raden. Audiences were invited to experience an innovative performance that vulnerably, boldly, honestly and intelligently shares a glimpse of a journey of faith. Special panel discussions were hosted immediately after the productions for Q&As.

Sat in a Boat is the first work directed, produced and created by Rebecca Diane Huang to receive support and funding from an Individual Artists Program (IAP) grant by City of Chicago’s Department of Cultural Affairs and Special Events (DCASE). Sat in a Boat enjoyed two sold-out shows at Athenaeum Center for Thought and Culture and was presented a third time by Creative Encounter at Hope Church Pilsen, serving more than 200 audience members in intimate and powerful settings.

This incredible project is deeply collaborative and would not be possible without the contribution, skill and artistry from each partner. In 1 Chronicles chapter 29, a time of great generosity is described in detail. Starting with King David providing resources of gold, silver, bronze, iron, wood, onyx, turquoise, fine stones of various colors–all of these in large quantities, then his personal treasures. Then the community gave willingly thousands of talents of silver, bronze and iron, darics of gold and precious stones. It records that “the people rejoiced…for they had given freely and wholeheartedly to the LORD” towards the building of the temple, for God’s glory! Sat in a Boat was powerful because each friend gave their all to the project, to thrill and bless the hearts of many. We built a production where the glory and truth of God could be proclaimed, experienced and cherished.