Crew Members Prepare for Marion’s Easter Pageant

An estimated 150 crew members are preparing for Marion’s 2024 Easter Pageant coming up March 25 and 26.

The pageant will be held at the Grant County YMCA and begins at 7 p.m.

“When you come and see this play, you’ll realize how much Christ has given you peace and comfort if you just dissolve into his love,” Pat Travis, head coordinator, said.

Travis said they already have roughly 2300 tickets reserved for both nights of this year’s performance and past years have had 3000. She said people come from all over to participate in and watch the performance.

Photo by Glen Devitt

“We have graduated students coming in from Illinois, Ohio, and Texas,” Travis said.

The pageant has changed over the years, and Davy Chinn, Indiana Wesleyan University’s music division head chair, said 2012 was the first year the pageant returned with live music.

IWU students and faculty are greatly involved with the pageant and Travis said without their participation the show wouldn’t be possible.

“From the time the pageant was renewed, the division of music has been very actively involved as the musical element,” Chinn said.

Chinn said IWU’s orchestra, wind ensemble, cantate, chorale, and campus choir are all directly involved.

“It’s really cool to see so many groups coming together and people from the community just putting on this really big show” Gaby Gonzalez, IWU wind ensemble senior, said.

Gonzalez said this is her second year involved in the show and loves seeing multiple music ensembles get the chance to perform together.

“It is truly a passionate play because it’s the last week of Christ,” Travis said.

Doors open for the show at 6:15 p.m. on March 25 and 26. Admission is free, but tickets are still required and are available at the YMCA.