The Bill Booth Theater Company (BBTC) takes its name from the creative side of Salvation Army founder William Booth.
“William Booth had a creative, innovative spirit in his ministry,” said Joe Caddy, territorial fine arts ministry director and the theater company’s artistic director. “He made people stop and listen and think in a different way. I think the ‘Bill’ in our name is also a way to say this theater company is not so serious and highbrow, but still committed to the mission and ministry of The Salvation Army.”
Joe, an original member of the company that was formed in 2002, became its artistic director a year later and has served in that capacity ever since.
Currently, the group has four onstage performers and a media technician, Matt Erickson, who has been with BBTC since 2006, working behind the scenes and helping with sound and lighting.
While their performances are primarily in the Central Territory, their itinerary has taken them coast to coast from California to Florida, and on rare occasion overseas, like their trip to London for the Boundless Congress in 2015 and to Chile in the South America West Territory in 2019.
The company performs at large events like commissioning weekend. And one weekend each month, they head out to perform at a corps, a conference or other event, like youth councils.
“When it comes to corps and community, we love that. We want to do that,” Joe said. “We look for how we can partner with them.”
Rehearsals are on Monday evenings at Central Territorial Headquarters, September through June. The troupe has devotions or a Bible study together before rehearsals. Sometimes games are played to facilitate acting technique exercises.
Cast members express faith in various methods onstage.
“We like to use humor, irreverence. We tell a story by becoming a story. We embody it. God is not just something to be understood, but a relationship to be experienced,” Joe explained. “You can express His love and grace—things that are indescribable with words—with actions. If we are doing it right, it points beyond our talents. Someone sees it and sees that God is in us and is amongst us.”
Angel Quirin is in her second season with BBTC.
“I grew up in the Army, and I struggled figuring out what my talents were. I dabbled in a lot of things,” Angel said.” “Now I have found something I am passionate about, and it can move people. Thank you, Lord, for that.”
Along with acting, Angel has done a bit of writing for the group.
“Last year was the first time Joe had asked me if I would be interested in helping to write. I was nervous. Joe and I cowrote a skit called ‘Power Suit.’ It was a comedy touching on putting on the armor of God,” Angel said.
As with many of their shows, “Power Suit” used comedy to get a message of faith across to the audience.
“Sometimes if we can laugh at something, we can bring down our guard… and think about how it connects with you,” Joe said.
“We want to reach through that ‘fourth wall’ in theater terms, so the audience can take something with them. Theater and church intersect.”
Pierce Cruz is in his fourth year with BBTC. Pierce, who attends services at the Chicago, Ill., Ray and Joan Kroc Corps Community Center, teaches art at the Chicago Midwest, Ill., Corps. He has used his artistic skills onstage, creating a painting during one BBTC performance.
“I need an outlet for the dramatic vibe I have,” Pierce said. “It [BBTC] lets me get out of myself for a moment.”
Pierce has particularly enjoyed when BBTC has traveled.
“It’s been a great experience to travel and perform in places like California or St. Louis, seeing so many new things,” he said.
Many people have approached Pierce after shows to comment on the actors and their stories of faith.
“They have told me that shows are ‘amazing’ and ‘inspirational,’ and that they understand our message,” Pierce said.
In 2025, the company will produce a new musical—an adaptation of a British musical. Joe recently traveled to London to work on the script with the creative team of playwrights and songwriters. Auditions begin later this year and will be open to Salvationists who are actors or aspiring actors in the Central Territory. The show is scheduled to debut during the General’s Congress in June 2025.
Brie Simmons, a university student who goes to the Ray and Joan Kroc Corps Community Center in South Bend, Ind., is also in her second season with BBTC.
“I really appreciate the friendship,” Brie said. “We are a really tight-knit group.”
Living in Indiana, Brie drives a long distance for the Monday evening rehearsals at THQ, but she doesn’t mind.
“I have a passion for this group and for what we are doing,” she said.
Audience members have spoken with Brie, sharing their thoughts on the stories told onstage.
“We performed at youth councils in the Indiana Division last spring,” Brie recalled. “I am still hearing from people about how much they appreciated it.”
Angel said she is thrilled to be part of a group where she can use both her faith in God and her talents.
“I feel blessed, to put it plainly,” she said. “I feel like I am right where I am supposed to be.”
Follow the BBTC on Facebook and Instagram. To invite them to perform at your corps or event, email [email protected].
