The Last Days of Judas Iscariot

Directors Note:

Like many of you watching this play today, I grew up Christian – very very Christian. I practically lived at my church. Its where I learned to play the piano, sing, and even read. I made a community there and a family and it wasn’t until my late-20’s that I decided to step away from my childhood teachings. What ensued was a painful process of ripping myself from my family, my friends, and the community that had built my entire identity up until that point in my life. Religion is powerful. I would imagine many of us can trace crucial decisions, experiences, and events in our lives to our religious beliefs. For so many, religion offers a road map to happiness and a purpose in this life as well as a community and a foundational knowledge to live. I truly believe the weight we give these doctrines and teachings is the sole reason Judas Iscariot has gone down in history as perhaps the most hated man of all time.

This is my favorite play. Woof! I said it! I read it at a time in my life when I was already asking questions and although it did nothing to answer them, it gave me an alternative perspective to a story that had defined my life. The text is irreverent, difficult, and often offensive. Its also witty, intelligent, and interweaves truth and belief from scene to scene. Stephen Adley Gurguis is not asking us to change our beliefs but to accept the possibility of complexity. At its core, the play asks us to be better – smarter. Are we ready as a society to own the harm that the Jesus narrative has caused throughout history, or are we content to continue perpetuating a flawed reality where God’s infinite love and justice can somehow operate in the same world?

On behalf of the cast, crew, creative team, and myself, we thank you so much for supporting local, educational, and live theatre. This is my third full show at Metro State and my fourth year teaching here in Denver. Half of the cast and crew will be graduating in just over 2 weeks and getting to watch their growth from a monologue in Acting I to acting, directing, and stage managing such a rich and complex text has been the most fulfilling experience of my life as a teacher. The individuals that you see performing tonight have been asked to be better, to be smarter, and to challenge the truths around them. After they leave Metro, they will be taking more questions than answers into our world and I consider that a great accomplishment as their teacher and mentor. Tonight, I invite you to follow in their example by allowing yourself to really listen. As part of our Jury, we want you to laugh, cry, and connect, but at the end of the day, we have left the judgement in your hands alone.