New Creation Productions - Kansas City Christian Theater New Creation Productions

Our Story

New Creation Productions is a Christian community theatre based in Johnson County, Kansas. The group was founded by Zion and Raleigh Lang, who co-direct each production. NCP produces a mix of original and traditional plays and musicals.

NCP puts on one camp-style show every summer, in July or early August. This means that the show comes together in just a week! The cast rehearses all day Monday through Thursday, then performs on Friday and Saturday.

NCP is primarily focused on original musicals. With each show, Zion and Raleigh write the book and lyrics together, and Raleigh composes the music.

There have been many skilled Christian artists throughout history, but in recent decades, Christian entertainment has developed a reputation of being cheesy and poorly-made. Unfortunately, that reputation is often deserved. The Langs are passionate about crafting Christian art that is entertaining, moving, and held to high standards. The Langs believe that God deserves our best work, and that means creating truly excellent stories. Creating art is an act of worship in imitation of our Creator.

As a community theatre, NCP shows have no production fees! NCP shows tend to have small casts of 10-20 people. This gives each actor a chance to shine on stage and allows the cast and crew to connect with each other in a special way—everyone knows everyone, and everyone is seen, heard, and valued. Many cast members return summer after summer, and they’re always eager to welcome new cast members as well!

NCP is proud to put on shows that address complex, deep topics while still remaining clean and family-friendly. All rehearsals begin with worship and prayer, and the focus of the shows is always directed back towards God. Christians and non-Christians alike are welcome in our casts and are able to have fun in our shows!

Cast members describe NCP as a truly special community theatre: a warm and welcoming space to have fun, grow as actors, and take part in showcasing original, fantastic stories. The cast is always excited to dive into a brand-new musical. Show week at NCP is a highlight of the year!

Timeline

Fall 2019

Zion and Raleigh meet in a production of Aladdin Jr through their local Christian Youth Theater. Over the next several years, they are in several shows together and take acting workshops and an improv class together.

They bond over their shared love of reading and writing, as well as their passion for excellence in Christian art. Zion gives Raleigh feedback on her first musical, Extravaganza!

Raleigh and Zion performing in Les Mis Raleigh as “Inn Guest” and Zion as “The Bishop” in Les Mis
Summer 2022

Zion and Raleigh co-direct their first major creative project together, a 40-minute psychological thriller called Doors, inspired by The Twilight Zone.

After Doors, Zion and Raleigh decide to do something more lighthearted for their next project. As fans of Agatha Christie, they settle on doing a comedic murder mystery. At the suggestion of Zion’s brother, they decide to do it as an on-stage musical rather than a short film.

Having both completed classes in community college, Zion and Raleigh leave for colleges on the east coast, Zion to pursue a degree in English and Raleigh to pursue degrees in American Sign Language and music. Throughout the year, they continue to meet up and work on their musical, which they title Nothing Could Go Wrong. They write the book and lyrics together, and Raleigh composes the music.

Zion and Raleigh in Doors production Zion as “Les” and Raleigh as “Norma” in Doors
Summer 2023

Home in KC for the summer, Zion and Raleigh co-direct Nothing Could Go Wrong.

They rent out the auditorium of The Light KC for the show. The cast rehearses over the course of one week and then puts on one performance that Friday.

The audience and the cast both have a great time! As soon as the show is done, Zion and Raleigh start talking about what show to write for next summer.

Over the next year at college, they write another comedy, this one a fantasy called Pages.

Cast of Nothing Could Go Wrong Raleigh (fourth from right) and Zion (third from right) with the cast of NCGW.
Summer 2024

Zion and Raleigh co-direct Pages.

Like last year, they rent The Light KC and rehearse all day Monday through Thursday. However, this year, the production has expanded. Most of the cast of NCGW returns, and several new people join; the cast has 14 people. Pages has multiple performances.

Again, the cast and audience love the show; they agree it’s even better than NCGW!

On the final day of performances, Zion and Raleigh get engaged.

Since they’ve written two comedies, they decide to write a drama next. They are heading back to their senior year of college; they decide to take two years to write their next show and apply for the rights to produce a pre-written show next summer.

Full cast of Pages production Raleigh (far right) and Zion (next to Raleigh) with the cast of Pages.
Summer 2025

Zion and Raleigh direct Agatha Christie’s Witness for the Prosecution. The cast has grown even larger, and news about the group has started to spread. This is the first show produced under the community theater’s new name: New Creation Productions. Zion and Raleigh choose this name to reflect their focus on original shows and their Christian roots.

Meanwhile, Zion and Raleigh graduate and get married! Zion accepts a job as an English and fine arts teacher at a local Christian school, and Raleigh begins work as an ASL interpreter. They continue to work on their next musical, which developed into a metatheatrical work about choice, regret, and relationships.

Cast of Witness for the Prosecution Zion (top row, fourth from right) and Raleigh (top row, third from right) with the cast of Witness for the Prosecution.
Summer 2026

Zion and Raleigh prepare to direct their third original musical and their fourth production overall: Two-Part Tragedy. This time, NCP has rented the Olathe Civic Theatre Association’s building for rehearsals and performances. Word about NCP has continued to spread; the cast is made up of actors from all of their previous shows as well as performers new to the company.

Zion, Raleigh, and the cast are excited for show week!

NCP continues to grow each year and plans to continue producing both original and traditional shows.

The Langs are abundantly grateful to God, to every astounding member of their casts for the hard work and time they put into shows, and to their family and friends for their support and volunteer work.