Marquette University alumnus to present 'The Gospel of Mark in Performance' at Helfaer Theatre, Sept. 18-19

Sept. 12, 2025

MILWAUKEE - Marquette University alumnus Rev. George Drance, S.J., will present "The Gospel of Mark in Performance," a solo show telling the story of Mark's Gospel, with two performances at the Evan and Marion P. Helfaer Theatre, 1304 W. Clybourn St., Sept. 18-19. Each day's performance will be held at 4:30 p.m.

"The Gospel of Mark in Performance" seeks to reclaim the original power and urgency of this message, by telling the story as the early Christians might have told it - in underground meetings running from the empire's forces.

With music composed by Elizabeth Swados, the stories of the Gospel span time and space to bring a contemporary audience back into the spirit of this ancient text. Drance originally performed this in 2014 at the world famous La MaMa Experimental Theatre Club.

The performances are sponsored by the Marquette Jesuit community, free and open to the public.

• Drance spoke with Marquette Today about bringing "The Gospel of Mark in Performance," what to expect in the show and how his acting career works in tandem with his faith and service to the church.

Drance has performed and directed in over 25 countries on five continents, serving such companies as Teatro la fragua in Honduras and Kenya's Theatre YETU. He is the artistic director of the acclaimed Magis Theatre Company, praised by the New York Times for its artistic skill and daring, and serves as Artist-in-Residence at Fordham University.

Other acting credits include ETC, The Metropolitan Opera, The Public Theatre/New York Shakespeare Festival, American Repertory Theater and Ralph Lee's Mettawee River Company. He has been on the faculty of the Marist International Center in Nairobi, Kenya, and at Red Cloud High School on the land of the Oglala Lakota Nation. Television credits include "The Blacklist" and "The Daily Show with Trevor Noah."

About Marquette University

Marquette University is a Catholic, Jesuit university located near the heart of downtown Milwaukee that offers a comprehensive range of majors in 11 nationally and internationally recognized colleges and schools. Through the formation of hearts and minds, Marquette prepares our 11,100 undergraduate, graduate, doctoral and professional students to lead, excel and serve as agents of positive change. And, we deliver results. Ranked in the top 20% of national universities, Marquette is recognized for its undergraduate teaching, innovation and career preparation as the sixth-best university in the country for job placement. Our focus on student success and immersive, personalized learning experiences encourages students to think critically and engage with the world around them. When students graduate with a Marquette degree, they are truly prepared and called to Be The Difference.

About Kevin Conway

Kevin is the associate director for university communication in the Office of Marketing and Communication. Contact Kevin at (414) 288-4745 or [email protected].