The Akron Civic Theater (Akron, Ohio) hosted “The Bible Live” Saturday, January 26. Conceived, adapted, and produced by Minister Tyron Hoisten, a troupe of twenty-six local Christians read fourteen well-known passages from the Bible. Music and sound effects created a dramatic backdrop as various groupings of the reciters presented stories such as “The Creation of Man,” “Ruth,” “Daniel in the Lion’s Den,” and others leading up to and concluding with Jesus’ words from Matthew 28:20, “And surely I am with you always, to the very end of the age.” (NIV) The ending brought rousing applause from the audience.
I started thinking about the people from the Bible. Now, they are real-life superheroes who did it all by the power of God. ~Tyron Hoisten
A graduate of the University of Akron, Tyron Hoisten is a playwright, artist, and storyteller who has appeared numerous times on TCT network and on Home and Family (Hallmark Channel). In addition to the Civic, Tyron has presented in the venues of TEDx Akron, Upward Bound, and Ohio Black Women’s Leadership Caucus, among others. With everything he has accomplished, his focus has been on his call to serve.
A fan of action movies, Tyron saw the movie, The Avengers in June 2018. “I love superhero movies,” said Tyron. “They always are doing amazing, impossible things. I started thinking about the people from the Bible. Now, they are real-life superheroes who did it all by the power of God.” He then spoke of Jesus. “I love the way Jesus preached, how He used stories to illustrate and illuminate life.”
When asked why he chose the stories he did for “The Bible Live,” Tyron said, “I like action, excitement, and love.
He started thinking about how he could present Bible stories in a dramatic fashion. Thinking led to planning, and he presented the idea to Howard Parr, executive director of the Akron Civic Theater. The idea