John Miedema, the director of mail and print services, said he’s always had an interest in the arts. For about the past 10 to 15 years, Miedema has had an active role in drama and theater, acting in about 20 plays and directing two.

He started by getting involved in drama at his church. There, he said, he acted in little skits until he was asked to head up the drama team.

On one trip he took with a fellow church member to a drama convention, he met Priscilla McDonald, who is one of the founders of Master Arts Theatre.

Since his first encounter with Master Arts Theatre, Miedema has volunteered with the nonprofit community theater in every area.

“You name it, I’ve done it,” he said. “I’ve assisted with developing and marketing, fundraising, acting and directing. Pretty much anything you can volunteer for, I have.”

Miedema is currently chairman of the Master Arts Theatre Board where he volunteers on an almost weekly basis.

“What I like about Master Arts is that it operates from a Christian worldview,” he said.

Two of Miedema’s favorite roles to play have been Bob Crachit in “A Christmas Carol” and George Bailey in “It’s a Wonderful Life.”  

“There are certain things I like about directing, but I prefer acting,” he said. “You get to be other characters. You get to use parts of your personality in playing the characters.”

McDonald said Miedema brings a lot of energy to plays, and he is very committed.

“Several times in reviews he’s been called very animated, and it’s true,” she said. “Everyone enjoys him. He’s very enthusiastic and encouraging to people.”

Miedema also plays the part of Boolie in the play “Driving Miss Daisy.” This play is unique because it has been taken on the road. It was first done in 2004, and it’s been performed at least once or twice a year since. It is scheduled again in July.

“You have to review the lines again, but it’s easier. They come back to you,” said Miedema.

He said that the general rule is that for every minute you are onstage there are three hours of rehearsal time.

“That’s close to accurate,” he said. “That’s a whole lot of memorization for a part. It’s a big commitment.”

On one occasion, Miedema was rehearsing for both “Driving Miss Daisy” and “A Christmas Carol” and he caught himself accidently switching from southern to British accents.

What draws him to theater is the passion to show people biblical truths through the characters he plays.

“A play can emphasize a biblical truth that people can see,” he said. “My passion is to use that within the church so the church can see truths clearer and identify with that. Even with shows like ‘A Christmas Carol’ there is a story about redemption.”

Miedema has fun on the set, and that is apparent with others around him at Master Arts. Mimi Russell, who works at Master Arts expressed that others around him always get a laugh.

“He’s always complaining if he doesn’t have a chair,” Russell said. “I don’t know if it’s age or temperament that he thinks he needs to sit down, but he always seems to think a chair would help out in his scene.”

Russell said they like to tease Miedema on occasion.

“Most times we put makeup on the actors to age them for scenes,” she said. “But in John’s case, we have to do the opposite because he looks too old.”

The teasing is all in fun though, since both McDonald and Russell said Miedema is a joy to be around.

As for Miedema himself, he said theater is something he plans on staying involved in for a while.

“I enjoy it so I’ll keep on going,” he said.