As a middle school student, I joined our church youth group for fellowship, adventure, and fun. We always had crazy, zany sayings and happenings on our many outings and retreats. One of my favorite memories was heading to Sight & Sound Theater in Lancaster, PA. About 3.5 hrs away, the theater had live shows depicting various biblical stories. 

I remember seeing Noah, live on stage, complete with animals, characters, and the Word of God shining through. With its 30-year anniversary this year, Noah is now heading to the movie theater as a live show, going from the stage to the screen for the very first time!

I recently had the chance to learn more about Noah: Live and Sight & Sound Theater from the current Director of Brand Development and a member of the founding family, Katie Miller. 

Katie has grown up with the theatre in some aspect since the age of 4, and was a delight to talk with about all things Sight and Sound Theater. 

What is the Sight & Sound Theater?

The Sight and Sound Theater developed from a dairy farmer's dream to share God's word through live entertainment. Transformed by God's grace, Glenn and Shirley Eshelman went from sharing traveling slideshow productions, to creating the Living Waters Theatre, a permanent theatre space. 

This paved the way for Sight & Sound, as the first fully live theatre show opened in 1995. Noah was chosen as the first full length bible story to be shared with a live audience, complete with live animals too! For over 50 years, Sight & Sound has been finding ways to share God's love through the telling of biblical stories, impacting people across the country and world, now with two locations in Lancaster, PA and Branson, MO. 

Sight & Sound's founders are Katie Miller's grandparents, and she has loved watching how this ministry has grown over the years. While I've had the experience to watch Noah from the audience view point, Katie shares that one of her favorite memories has been experiencing shows from the backstage; as that is where the magic happens. While there is a whole show on stage, there is a carefully orchestrated show backstage, that is part of God's story just like the viewpoint the audience receives. 

What does Sight & Sound Offer?

Sight & Sound is more than just live action stage shows. With the 2020 closure due to Covid, Sight & Sound had to quickly revamp its ministry so that it could survive, as no in person shows were allowed.

The mission has always been to find ways to share God's love and God's story through the portrayal of bible stories with people across the world, but finding ways to do so beyond the stage was now a priority; not only to survive financially, but also to live into God's calling for the theater and family. 

Sight & Sound TV

Streaming past shows is now available for both families, groups, and even for churches! 

Feature Films

Further living into God's call, Sight & Sound really felt like they were being asked to share more with the world, and entered into the world of feature films. Feature films are full length features that share stories of historical figures who changed the world because Christ first changed them. They are currently working on their second film, The Great Awakening.

Stage Shows at the Movies:

Sight and Sound continues to dream and listen to God's call even further! With two live theaters available for people to visit, they really felt the call to share biblical stories with as many people as possible. 

The concept of Noah Live came from a deep desire to share Gods word, God's story, with as many people as possible, in their own "backyards" so to speak. Instead of having to travel to Branson or Lancaster, people can see Noah right in their own movie theatre.

How was Noah transformed from a stage show to the movie theatre?

To capture Noah Live is no easy task, either. As a live stage show filmed in front of an audience, many rehearsals were completed with both the camera crew and character cast. Around 12 cameras, 60 crew, complete with fly cameras for aerial shots were brought into capture Noah Live. 

Several rehearsals took place so that the correct angles and shots could be planned before the show was even taped. 

Then, the animals spent a whole day of integration so that they could get used to the cameras as well! In a live show, while there are cameras, they are in limited locations and not up close and personal like it takes to get a show captured for the big screen. 

After a week of rehearsals and production set up, the show was finally captured in front of a live audience. Then the content was digitized for the correct movie theater set up before being sent out for showing on the big screen. The filming was captured in such as way for the audience to feel like we are really there, seeing the show live from no matter where we are watching. 

Why should we go see Noah?

Noah tells the story of hope, love, and faithfulness. This particular story shows the humanity of Noah, as he struggles to be faithful to God's call despite the opposition he faced. Lack of support from the community, his family, and the difficulties building the ark didn't stop him. Noah's story is a reminder that when we are faithful to God's call, God is faithful to us. 

Everyone should see Noah to be reminded that God's promises are always fulfilled when we listen to God's call, no matter how hard life gets. 

I personally can't wait to see Noah and share it with you later this week!

Go see it!

Noah Live is available in select movie theaters from September 18–September 24.  

Find out more and a theatre closest to you! 

Follow Noah Live on Facebook