Enunciate, Articulate, Exaggerate – Fourth Presbyterian Church Rolls out Its Winter Programming

Fourth Presbyterian Church is a South Boston institution. If you grew up here, you might have participated in their Soul Possibilities programming. From musical theatre and dance lessons to magic tricks, movie making, and the recent rollout of a sewing class, the church offers a dynamic array of afterschool activities for kids and teens.

Co-Pastor Burns Stanfield has operated the church since 1991. In 1997, he took up the secondary title of director for a musical production of “The Jungle Book.” Since then, the congregation hall has seen renditions of “Annie,” “Newsies,” and “The Lion King” alongside a litany of other classics.

While the programming is open to all, it is rooted in the church’s mission to help the community in any way it can. “Love thy neighbor,” said Stanfield.

At first, Fourth just offered music lessons. Later, with the help of musical theatre students from Emerson College and the community’s support, the church’s Main Stage Theatre came into full swing.

In 2022, Stanfield was joined by his Co-Pastor, Tim Hughes, and the Director of Children’s and Youth Ministries, Janine Warrington. Hughes, who had returned to Fourth after a decade of running two churches in Baltimore, described their collaboration as “a band where multiple people play multiple instruments.”

“We are two people sharing one full-time job. So, in some ways, you would think that doesn’t add up to more than one, but it’s awesome that we can be in two places at the same time,” he said, recognizing the differences between Fourth and other Presbyterian churches.

“I feel like, although the principles of the Presbyterian Church are here, they are held in a loose and sometimes improvisational way. There is an openness here that is maybe not what Presbyterians are known for.”

“I think of Fourth as an unusual church, it’s also an unusual theater program, but in, like, very beautiful ways” added Warrington. “I don’t know. It’s just a lot of fun.”

Warrington is responsible for the Fourth sewing lesson. Though she has mostly supported participants with personal projects so far, this upcoming season, she will be working with a cohort of seven-year-olds. Additionally, she supports the Mainstage production and runs Crafternoon, a weekly arts and crafts hour that will create the props for the upcoming productions.

Fourth will also dabble this year in an all-ages production of “Our Town,” directed by Lauren Basler. “It’s really about community theater as a way to build community,” said Burns. “There are not enough low-stakes ways for grown-ups to get involved in performing,” added Warrington.

The Mainstage Theatre will present Shrek: The Musical for children five and older in the upcoming season. The teen theatre will produce Mean Girls Jr., with auditions on January 23. Several dance classes are offered, including a Zumbini class for small children and parents. Private piano, sewing, and voice lessons are also provided. Payment plans and financial aid are available on request. Register here.

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