04/20/2026
Look what Sylvia Roberts came across! “Beginnings of the Easter Passion Play—20th Anniversary,” written by Marian Dixon for the March 19, 2014, edition of The Berrien Press………
In the late 1980’s, our preacher’s wife at the Methodist Church, Linda Philpot, invited me to attend an Easter program at Tifton First Baptist. She introduced me to the musical, “I Am,” and I have been enamored with Easter music ever since.
I actually listen to Easter music mostly all year in my car and whoever rides with me listens to Easter music. Well, some do. Not my family though. Ask Joan Drawdy who will listen and cry - in my car, sitting in the middle of the gym floor during practice.
Anyway, at that program in Tifton with Linda, I was carried away with the music, drama, props, costumes, the characters, the story and the impact it had on my heart. It was so overwhelming to me, but while watching and listening to everything, I would think over and over, “We can do that.” I paid great attention to every detail with lots of plans in my mind.
The first thing I did was order a series of cassettes that told how to do everything, and the next thing was get Tharon Sutton. He immediately began building stages, the cross, lights, whatever I asked for.
But let me back up. I ordered the musical, “I Am,” for our church and we began practicing, making costumes, and Henry Newson built props that we still use at the gym. Lee Whidden played the part of Jesus and did a very good job. Debra Dixon and Misty Stovall were the makeup artists and how they enjoyed making up Lee. It was a very hard musical for our little choir but we did it! And it was very good.
When I started thinking about a community-wide program, I knew the first thing I had to do was find someone to play Jesus. It took a while, but one Sunday night I went to a program at Alapaha Church of God, and when Paul Brown - walked down the aisle - with a sheet on his head - I had chills! I knew that was God’s answer. Paul was very willing and gave stunning performances many, many times.
Years later, Ken Harper said he knew a guy who would like to be a part of the program, and we gladly said for Ken to bring him. So on a Sunday afternoon at the beginning of practice, Norma and I looked up at the sun light in the door of the gym, and Jeremy Hyers stepped in.
We looked at his Jesus hair and knew what was going to happen. That year he played a disciple, but after that he would be Jesus. Paul Brown knew it, too! We thank Paul so much for his dedication over so many years. He might not know it, but he was really the beginning of the program.
Then I called a meeting for anyone in the community who would be interested in presenting a Passion Play for the community, and people came from everywhere!
We watched a video of the Tifton program, and I began asking who could do sound, lights, who would be a disciple – and it seemed we had everything we needed right there. We gathered a choir, began practicing, and I thought I could direct the choir and the drama plus do everything else.
My mother-in-law, Jean Dixon, kept telling me that the Baptist Church was getting a new preacher who was very musical and his wife sang in the opera in Atlanta.
Well, that was God’s plan because I certainly didn’t know what I was doing. They took over the choir, Mark Dixon directed the drama, John Dixon created a beautiful background for the stage, Gayle Tucker made costumes, Phillip Hoffman set up sound, and everything just “worked together for good” as God’s word says. Now back to Tharon.
When I told him the measurements of the cross that the cassette said, he tried his best to convince me it was too big. I would not even answer him. We still use that cross today.
We would walk over to the lunchroom and get their big cans and he made can lights on stands of PVC pipe that we still use today. He even made a dimmer board for the lights. I asked a professional choir director to come to the gym one time and give me advice. He started saying that we really needed to buy some lighting equipment and I said, “You don’t understand. We made those lights out of pork ‘n bean cans!” I was proud of our stuff.
Another professional came to help out one day and said that we could hang old parachutes from the ceiling to absorb sound. John said, “Joel, let’s get outta here, Mama’s talking about hanging parachutes”. So much for professionals. I really appreciate the work Tharon did, he got us off to a great start.
At some point we decided we needed choir risers. I made an appointment with Johnny Browning, who I really didn’t know at that time.
When I went into his office, he was so intimidated and nervous. I just drew off what I wanted, and soon we had choir risers. The cast grew so much in number that we needed larger steps to the stage.
I called Mark Davis and he said, “Yes, ma’am, Ms. Marian, you want them 4 ft.?” I said no. He said 8 ft.? “No-o-o, I want them 12 ft.” I know I heard his phone drop, but we got the steps!
Over the years we have bought lots of equipment that we really needed. For several years I rented stuff, like the follow spot, but we could use it for only one night and it had to be picked up and returned.
It is much easier to have our own things. We bought enough sound board to cover the back wall of the gym, pole lights with dimmer board, a follow spot, most all of the equipment we need.
Most years we buy choir books, listening CDs and a performance CD (which is quite expensive). We use money donated by individuals and churches and from the Celebration fund.
My husband, Joe, is the mainstream of this program – honestly! I don’t even know how to explain all he does – things that have to be done at the gym before anything else can take place.
But Joe's biggest job is taking care of me – and dealing with the way I have pushed myself physically – and emotionally, which is a very big task. He knows how passionate I am about the program and the people involved.
So many people share my passion and I have made many new friends and enjoy working with everyone. I never knew God would give me an opportunity to do something like this – which actually I don’t do, but the people involved do. God gave me the idea, the love for music, and the ability to organize and administrate.
Many talented people deserve praise for the jobs they do and the hours they spend to present the program.
And on that night! God comes down with his power and enables the characters to perform, sends angels to sing with the choir, and puts final touches on the sound and lighting.
Our goal is not to entertain but to touch hearts with the story of Jesus, his death on the cross, and his resurrection.
