Richard W. Swanson, Project Director, has taught at Augustana College since 1990. His areas of interest include Gospel studies, literary theory, and interpretive theory. He is the author of Provoking the Gospel (Pilgrim Press, 2004) , a why-to how-to guide to biblical storytelling.

Michael T. Smith is a founding member of the Project, having been with it since 1997. He holds a Master's Degree in Religion and the Performing Arts from Union Theological Seminary in New York. Even from a distance, Michael remains an important member of the Project who helps us shape and develop our work.

Erika Lynn Iverson is a founding member of the Project as well. She has finished her graduate studies at the Candler School of Theology and now works with a refugee resettlement program in Atlanta.

Kira Christensen graduated from Augustana College with a major in Math and Secondary Education. She will be teaching in a middle school in Sioux Falls.

Jennie Graves is an Augustana student majoring in Government and Philosophy. She loves theatre, traveling, and anything related to the Kiwi: fruit, animal, people….

Jason Dybsetter is a Biology/Religion major from Yankton, SD. He is preparing for graduate work. He joined the Project in 2002 and played Jesus in "Rachel Weeping for Her Children."

Katie Fick is a graduate of Augustana College, who majored in Music. Her debut working with Dr. Swanson was playing God, so it’s all been downhill from there.

Sandra Looney is professor of English at Augustana College. She joined the Project to play Rachel in "Rachel Weeping for Her Children, our exploration of the gospel of Matthew and Bach's St. Matthew Passion.

Amanda Mitchell is a graduate of Augustana College. Her degree is in Theatre and she has been a member of the Provoking the Gospel Project since 2001. She is active in local theatre and does major development work with our actors. She played Pilate in "Rachel Weeping for Her Children."

Kerri Smith is a graduate of Augustana college and of a pub in London. She is (along with her husband, Michael) currently a resident of New York City, and glad to be there. She has also helped us with costume design.

Meghan Swanson is a graduate of Lincoln HIgh School in Sioux Falls, SD. She joined the Project in 2000. She has done major work in text development and also played Tamar/John the Baptist in "Rachel Weeping for Her Children."

Mandy Youngers graduated from Augustana College in Nursing. She joined the Project after an Interim course on Creation stories. She also designs costumes for our major productions.

Kristin Zingler is a student at Augustana College, majoring in Religion. She has been part of the Project since 2002. She played Bathsheba/Judas in "Rachel Weeping for Her Children."