If you’re looking for some intellectual yet exciting entertainment, Northwestern is the place to be this upcoming weekend. Two highly esteemed men—one a Christian actor and storyteller, the other a poet, professor and literary editor—will be coming to campus.
Curt Cloninger will be performing some of his finest monologues and examples of solo theatre. A respected actor who has performed for audiences with as many as 40,000 people, Cloninger is remarkably humble and down-to-earth.
During an early morning conversation with him and his dogs, he enlightened me on a little taste of his life:
Heng: How did you get started doing this type of theatre and entertainment?
Cloninger: I was doing both ministry and acting, and the two sort of melted into one. It was very fortunate that they got to combine.
H: How do you feel God has used you in your work?
C: Wow. How has God used me…? Hopefully I’ve gotten to introduce people from all over the world to a deeper view of Jesus, stirred them up to thinking about him, because it really is about him. I’ve also heard from folks who were inspired to get into writing or theatre after seeing one of my shows.
H: What is your favorite part about visiting college campuses?
C: I love college audiences. You’re such a demanding audience. You’ve been exposed to so much media; you keep me on my toes, keep me young!
H: Can you tell me about one of your favorite characters that you play?
C: A couple of my favorite monologues involve a theologian character. At NW, I will be playing Jesus, and I love to play him, love to bring simplicity to it.
Cloninger is excited to return to NW after 15 years and see the changes around the campus and the community. He will perform during chapel on both Monday, Nov. 15, and Tuesday, Nov. 16.