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By Allison Alfonso
Press Tempo Writer
aalfonso@johnsoncitypress.com
MILLIGAN COLLEGE — Zoey Phelps will be spending next year in South Africa as part of the prestigious C-Kruis, an interdenominational South African performing arts and educational training company founded in 1995.
She is one of 10 international students, one of only two Americans, and 80 South Africans who will travel the country as entertainers and missionaries.
The members of C-Kruis will spend a week in each town and sing, perform drama, experimental theater and musical productions for children and teens. Sometimes, Phelps said, they will perform outside in the dirt.
The audition process was exhausting. Phelps had to prove her singing, dancing, acting, painting, drawing and technical stage talents and then was interviewed by five South African judges of C-Kruis for more than an hour. She had to respond to questions about her performing experience, her spiritual growth and her ability to get along with others.
“You have to be well rounded,” Phelps said.
She is a psychology major because she feels that is a good base that will help her throughout her life. Originally from Nashville , Ind. , she began dancing at age 3, later tried acting and has performed throughout the country.
Phelps started singing at age 9 and has tried her skills in district and state vocal competitions. Her acting skill was put to the test in Milligan College ‘s productions of “Footloose” and “ Oklahoma !,” and she has served as a choreographer for children’s workshop productions of “Fishtales,” “One Act-Gershwin Revue” and several Science Hill High School productions.
Performing with C-Kruis is an opportunity for her to combine her love of the arts with her love of Christ. The message of God’s love, she said, is at the root of all C-Kruis performances.
“Our performance is our ministry,” Phelps said.
From January through April, C-Kruis members will be stationed in Pretoria , South Africa , and will undergo extensive training with professional artists. From May through November, they will be taking their acts on the road.
She thinks she might miss her family, friends and boyfriend because it’s a long time to be away from home.
“This is my first time overseas,” Phelps said.
She doesn’t know what God plans for her in the future and if she will continue performing. “I ultimately want to do missions,” Phelps said.
Phelps has raised approximately $7,600 of the $10,000 needed to finance her stay. It’s good practice to be raising money, she said, because that’s what missionaries have to do. Still, she welcomes support from the community.
For more information, visit www.c-kruis.com or e-mail Phelps at ZLPhelps@milligan.-edu.