An Unsuspecting Scrooge: Mr. Butler
Author: Ryleigh Bill
It is September 11. Evening has descended over the Maranatha campus. In Fine Arts Hall, a group of students await Mrs. Morris and a chance to audition for a part in the upcoming MBU production of A Christmas Carol.
Amid the would-be student actors, Mr. Ken Butler, director of Maranatha Baptist Bible Institute, seeks a small part that will not conflict with his demanding workload. As he completes the audition form, he does not hesitate to indicate the minor role he wants—“the charitable gentleman.” When called to the stage, he reads his lines with clarity and ease, not suspecting that his brief audition would lead to anything more than his desired part.
When the cast list is posted, however, the results leave him speechless. He was not selected as Ebenezer’s foil, but as the iconic lead character—Ebenezer Scrooge himself.
The Play
Though not cast as he had envisioned, Mr. Butler is well-equipped for his assigned role, having had experience in other productions. He played Don in Much Ado About Nothing and Bland in Seven Keys to Baldpate. His previous acting experience offers insight into the taxing work required by such a big part as Ebenezer Scrooge.
To Mr. Butler, this story holds more meaning than just a common holiday tale. Every Christmas season for more than a decade, he has dramatized A Christmas Carol with his children gathered around him. He created a unique voice for each character from the reclusive Scrooge to the snappy laundress. Daughter Hailee says “I cannot remember a Christmas in my entire childhood that he has not read the book to us.”
What Mr. Butler relishes most about this opportunity is that he will be the character that he has brought to life for his children for so many years. He says gleefully, “I will be him, right? Not just reading it. I will be in the costume. I’ll be on the set. I’ll be doing it as Scrooge.” To one who has invested so much into this classic story, this role is more than merely a part. It is a chance to use his time-crafted character’s voice as he physically lives the plot on stage.
Despite his intimate familiarity with A Christmas Carol which should make it easier to memorize his lines, the play is not verbatim from the book. Thus, Mr. Butler finds it difficult to memorize the exact lines. Likewise, since his character appears in every scene, he will need to stay in character throughout the entire play.
Expectations
Despite these difficulties, Mr. Butler is supported by his fellow castmates, students and staff. There is one person especially excited to see her dad in this role. Hailee, a junior Communication Arts major whom you will meet as the Charwoman in the play, says “I think he is going to make the best Scrooge … Because he loves this story so much … he understands the character more than most people.”
To the contrary, student Naomi Sterling thinks it might be too out of character for him to play the grumpy, miserly Scrooge, saying, “I feel like he’s too joyful for that, but maybe that is just my perspective. I haven’t seen him get very upset … and I see Scrooge as a kind of cranky person.” This challenge will make his final performance even more impressive.
His Busy Schedule
In the intervening weeks as he prepares to play Scrooge, Mr. Butler is going to have his hands full—not just as an actor, but also as he manages his duties in the Bible Institute, spends time with family, and ministers to students. Adding three to four multi-hour play practices a week is a sacrifice, but one his wife fully supports, deeming the opportunity too good to pass up. So, with the full support of his family, Mr. Butler took on this role and is preparing himself to be very busy for the next few months.
Mr. Butler holds himself to a strict morning schedule, rising at 4:45 a.m. for a three-mile walk. In addition to daily administrative duties, he currently teaches Old Testament Survey and Applications of Bible Preaching, occasionally substitute teaching for others. Hailee claims, “I have never seen a more hardworking man…with no complaints.” He strives for excellence and dedicates himself to personal discipline. And she adds, ”The hardest part [for him] is probably just being able to divide his time well and still feel like he’s spending enough time with his family.”
Mr. Butler’s Advice
Even with such a busy schedule, Mr. Butler is still prioritizing the things that are most important. And he has specific advice for students who are also facing rigorous schedules: “Plan it out. Don’t just get up in the morning and go, ‘Okay, what do I [do] now?’ Plan your wake-up time … Have that schedule mapped out and stick to it. Modify it if you realize that there’s something [you] need to adjust … Make sure you have prayer time and your Bible time.” This is wise counsel for students who feel that they can’t successfully juggle everything.
Mr. Butler loves what he is doing. His example should inspire students, demonstrating that, if you are open to unexpected opportunities, you may end up bringing your dreams to life.
Charles Dickens’ A Christmas Carol is being performed by Maranatha Baptist University on December 4, 5 and 6. For times and tickets, visit mbu.edu/play.
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