ACU Students Engage C.S. Lewis on Stage in Downtown Phoenix
On February 5, more than 50 Arizona Christian University students and faculty stepped into the world of C.S. Lewis at the Herberger Theater in downtown Phoenix.
They attended The Screwtape Letters, presented by Fellowship for Performing Arts as part of its national tour. The performance was compelling on its own, but the evening did not end when the curtain closed.
Following the performance, FPA made time for a live Q&A with Max McLean, Founder and Artistic Director of Fellowship for Performing Arts. ACU students asked thoughtful questions about Lewis’s work, the creative process behind the production, and how storytelling shapes conviction and character. Senior Caleb Bohling asked one of the final questions of the evening, engaging directly with McLean during the discussion. Two additional LIA students, Alice Samuels and Dameon Baker, also participated in audience interviews after the show.
Lewis’ sharp wit and spiritual insight challenged the audience to think carefully about temptation, pride, distraction, and the subtle nature of evil. The theatrical format added emotional weight and urgency. Students did not just analyze the ideas, they felt them.
Assistant Professor of Biblical Studies and Theology Kathleen Mason reflected on the impact: “My students were reminded of how much the lies of the enemy are still the same throughout the generations. One of my favorite quotes is this: ‘It is funny how mortals always picture us as putting things into their minds; in reality our best work is done by keeping things out.’”
The pointed humor throughout the performance kept the audience engaged while delivering serious personal challenge. It was memorable, thought-provoking, and deeply relevant. Through drama and satire, The Screwtape Letters exposed spiritual realities in a way that was accessible and confronting. It reinforced what students study in class while pushing them to examine their own hearts.
Instructor Jennifer Kohner expressed gratitude for the generous donor who made the evening possible, noting that it was a perfect field trip opportunity for Liberal Arts Initiative students, who all read Mere Christianity.
It was not simply a night at the theater. It was an opportunity to think deeply, laugh honestly, and reflect seriously on the realities Lewis so powerfully portrayed.
