John-Daniel (J.D.) Steele is one of five young people writing Roots Among the Rocks, a play about faith that they will perform in Anglican churches across Canada this summer. “We’re bringing things up to the surface that have been pushed under the carpet,” said J.D. “We’re telling the truth.”

J.D. and the Roots troupe spend a sunny May afternoon writing and practising at their home base—Huron University College in London, Ont. J.D. jotted down this poem.

Each cast member interviewed at least four people about their faith before arriving. Karyn Guenther heard many stories of people “falling down and not really being picked up.” Her interviewees ranged from 11 to 73 years old.

The cast compared notes from their interviews and pasted emerging themes on this wall. Jenny Salisbury, Roots co-director, has a look.

Behind Jenny, three performers practise a movement piece inspired by Augustine’s Confessions. Karyn, the creator, struggles beneath the fabric while Melissa Glover (left) and Carolyn Pugh (right) anchor her.

In an adjacent room, Magdalena Jennings and co-director Peter Reinhardt practise a jazz song they wrote together.

Using a process called “collective creation,” Jenny and Peter will help shape these separate elements—music, acting, and dance—into a cohesive play. Roots Among the Rocks will launch June 8 at General Synod in Halifax.

For part of May, the Roots cast learn about theology and ethics alongside Ask & Imagine (A&I), the Anglican-Lutheran leadership development program. Roots was envisioned as an A&I alumni project. Here Peter and A&I participant Alex Starr hear new angles on old parables.

At Huron, the Roots cast lives in community. This summer they will travel together by van, ferry, and plane to at least 14 Canadian cities. L-R: Karyn Guenther (Abbotsford, B.C.), Magdalena Jennings (Vankleek Hill, Ont.), Carolyn Pugh (Guelph, Ont.), Melissa Glover (Prince George, B.C.), J.D. Steele (Victoria, B.C.).