Renovating an Amphitheatre

An abandoned, dilapidated amphitheatre became home to NarroWay Productions in the fall of 1996. The amphitheatre was once part of Jim Bakker's thriving PTL ministry at Heritage USA. Although Heritage USA  had been the third largest attraction in the United States in the mid-1980's, the property had since been sold and the amphitheatre had been deserted for ten years when Martin and Clark negotiated a lease on the property.

Rebecca and Birdie set out to renovate the amphitheatre and assembled a team of volunteers who helped do the

work. The amphitheatre was lovingly named, "King's Arena," in honor of the King of Kings - whose story would be told there - and John and Marie King, whose generosity and love for the Lord financially enabled NarroWay to do the work.

In a mere eight months, King's Arena was renovated, a cast of 100 assimilated, equipment purchased and a show cast and rehearsed. The doors to King's Arena opened on May 22, 1997 - less than one year after Martin and Clark had first seen the amphitheatre.

 The cast of NarroWay performed outdoors from March through December for nine years. During that time, NarroWay secured permission to clean and patch up the old PTL television studio and it was used to add indoor shows during the coldest winter months. 

Throughout the tenure at King's Arena, NarroWay performed ten different original productions. The professionally trained, volunteer cast grew to over 300 people. And NarroWay became known as one of the Charlotte area's most unique attractions.

All the time, however, Rebecca and Birdie knew that NarroWay needed a permanent home - not simply leased property - if the vision was to continue.