Oh Constantine!
Los Angeles, California | Theatre
History, Satire
Scheming bishops, clashing egos, and one emperor trying to keep the whole mess together. Welcome to the wildest council meeting in history! Oh Constantine! is a fast, furious, and hilarious deep dive into power, faith, and absurdity. Help us bring the madness from Hollywood Fringe to Edinburgh!
Oh Constantine!
Los Angeles, California | Theatre
History, Satire
1 Campaigns | California, United States
Green Light
This campaign raised $4,854 for production. Follow the filmmaker to receive future updates on this project.
31 supporters | followers
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Scheming bishops, clashing egos, and one emperor trying to keep the whole mess together. Welcome to the wildest council meeting in history! Oh Constantine! is a fast, furious, and hilarious deep dive into power, faith, and absurdity. Help us bring the madness from Hollywood Fringe to Edinburgh!
About The Project
- The Story
- Wishlist
- Updates
- The Team
- Community
Mission Statement
The Story
What if the foundation of Western Christianity was built on backroom deals, theological brawls, and a few poorly timed scroll slaps?
Oh Constantine! is a darkly satirical historical play that pulls back the incense-soaked curtain on the First Council of Nicaea, where bishops battled over the nature of God, and an emperor turned faith into policy.
At the center of this chaos is Emperor Constantine, determined to unify his empire through doctrine, whether the bishops like it or not.
What follows is a swirling, ego-driven mess of alliances, accusations, heresies, and divine PR.
I’m Jan-David Soutar, the writer and director of Oh Constantine!
I originally conceived this as a sitcom. But the more I researched, the more I realized this story had to be told live, stripped-down, intimate, and uncomfortably funny.
Theater has the power to make ancient debates feel urgent, and this one certainly is.
Why now?
Because power is still shaping belief. Institutions still manipulate faith for control.
The Council of Nicaea never really ended, it just rebranded.
This project invites the audience to laugh, question, and reconsider the origins of the systems we take for granted.
We’ve premiered Oh Constantine! at the Hollywood Fringe Festival 2025! Now onto Edinburgh!
With your support, we’ll bring this work to life. On the list of necessary expenses:
- Venue rental at the historic Zephyr Theatre
- Actor + crew stipends -- help feed these guys!
Minimalist but immersive costumes, props, marketing and promotional assets
- Rhearsal space where bishops can argue without disturbing the neighbors
We’ve already developed the script, begun rehearsals, and designed a unique visual campaign blending Byzantine mosaics with satire and Fringe aesthetic. Every dollar helps.
Grassroots theatre like this thrives on community and we’re inviting you to be part of it!
When will it happen?
- Preview: June 8, 2025
- Performances: Throughout June at Hollywood Fringe (see full dates here--->) www.ohconstantineplay.com
Stretch Goal: If we surpass our goal, we’ll put it toward recording a high-quality version of the show for future distribution and expanding our reach to other festivals in 2026.
⚡ REALISTIC STRETCH GOALS (BASED ON OUR ACTUAL BUDGET)
Sound Design & Audio Equipment – $400–$600
If we want to hear Arius scream “I AM ORTHODOXY” clearly, we’ll need to rent or borrow supplemental sound equipment (mic backup, cables, stands, or even simple playback systems).
Additional Costume Fabrication – $500
What we’ve budgeted covers bare minimum. With more, we can upgrade some of the more threadbare bishops or give Constantine a robe that doesn’t come from a Halloween store.
Scrolls, Chalices & Holy Props – $250–$400
We’ve got the essentials, but more funds mean we can go beyond dollar-store parchment and create tactile, believable objects worthy of being punched with.
Signage, Fringe Materials, Printing – $300
Fringe shows live and die by visibility. Extra funds allow for full-size posters, on-site signage, and better-quality postcards & QR materials.
Rehearsal Space Overflow – $500
We’ve budgeted a primary space. But if any scheduling issues come up (Fringe shows often overlap), we’ll need buffer funds to book alternates.
Archival Documentation – $250–$500
Even a small honorarium for a photographer/videographer to capture the performance can mean the difference between future press and fading into heretical oblivion.
Big Dream Stretch Goal: Edinburgh 2026
If this campaign exceeds all expectations, every dollar beyond our production needs will be banked toward a future run at the world’s biggest theatre festival. Because Constantine belongs on the world stage.
Want to help more?
- Share this page!
- Follow us on social media @ohconstantineplay
- Copy & paste this blurb for your friends:
Ever wonder what happened when an emperor tried to define God by committee? Check out Oh Constantine! at this year’s Hollywood Fringe. It’s smart, ridiculous, and painfully relevant. Support it here: https://seedandspark.com/fund/oh-constantine-play
Thank You!
Whether you’re a Catechumen ($10) or a full-blown God ($5000), your support means the (Byzantine) world to us.
Independent theatre survives on community and this project wouldn’t exist without you.
From everyone at Oh Constantine!, the bishops, the heretics, and the Emperor himself, we bow our heads (briefly), raise a goblet (highly), and say:
THANK YOU.
May your scrolls never smudge, your chairs never fold mid-argument, and your creed always be slightly controversial.
Blessed are the backers, for they shall inherit front row.
Wishlist
Use the WishList to Pledge cash and Loan items - or - Make a pledge by selecting an Incentive directly.
Venue
Costs $1,700
The venue is our stage and creative home, your support helps secure our performance space, bringing Oh Constantine! to life.
Costumes
Costs $600
Authentic costumes bring the world of Oh Constantine! to life, immersing audiences in the power struggles of ancient Rome.
Rehearsal Space
Costs $1,800
Help us fund a space where bishops can argue, heretics can shout, and no one gets kicked out for yelling about Jesus too loud.
Props! (And other holy objects)
Costs $300
Recreating the Byzantine world isn’t easy, and since we can’t quest in the desert like Helena, we have to build our own! And you can help!
Tech & Lighting!
Costs $500
Fund the firelight. Help us turn our stage into an empire! Your gracious help with our lighting and tech will bring Nicaea to life my liege.
Marketing and Advertising
Costs $600
Flyers, social boosts, graphics, and content creation to draw in the heretics and the curious. Spread the word like a well-funded gospel.
Script Printing and Materials
Costs $200
Printed scripts, rehearsal notes, bishop backstories, and a few very official-looking decrees. Help us print heresies in high resolution.
Fringe Fees & Insurance
Costs $300
Constantine wasn’t the only one dealing with bureaucracy. Keeps us legal, protected, and part of the Hollywood Fringe community.
Cash Pledge
Costs $0
Direct link:
Share this update!
About This Team
This is our most amazing team!
JAN-DAVID SOUTAR
Jan-David Soutar is the playwright, and director of Oh Constantine! and based in Los Angeles. Originally from Baltimore, the home of bad taste and camp, a graduate of Cal State Northridge’s screenwriting program (cum laude), he blends satire, mythology, and cultural critique in work that swings between hilarious and haunting. His short screenplay *Naya and the Legend of the Stone Woman" earned the 2024 CSU Arts Festival’s Best Screenplay Award. His latest project, Oh Constantine! (Hollywood Fringe 2025), re-imagines the First Council of Nicaea as a power-hungry, semi-divine workplace comedy. As a creator, he's most at home building worlds that speak truth to power with a wink and occasionally, a heresy charge.
ATHENA RETHIS
Athena Rethis is a Los Angeles-based theater producer dedicated to bringing compelling and innovative stories to the stage. She graduated from Cal State Northridge in 2023 and has a passion for both film and theater. She currently goes to LMU pursuing her masters in writing and producing. This production marks Athena's producing debut at the Hollywood Fringe Festival, reflecting her enthusiasm for engaging with the vibrant Los Angeles theater community. She is excited to be a part of the 'Oh Constantine!' team!
CLENT BOWERS
Clent is a proud veteran of AEA and SAG-AFTRA, Clent is honored to originate the roles of Eusebius of Caesarea (“Seeb”) and Arius in the world premiere of “Oh Constantine.” From the streets of Los Angeles to the lights of Broadway—and every nook and cranny in between—Clent’s career spans decades and continents. He has toured through Canadian winters, crossed oceans before and after the Wall came down, and performed in houses where the echoes of history met the power of song. These bones get around… and Still I Rise.
TANYA DICKSON
Tanya Dickson is an actor, writer, producer and marketing manager. Shes a long time member of SAG-AFTRA and has been seen in commercials and film. She recently co-produced a film short of her story “The Lido” which won Honorable Mention in the London Women's Short Film Festival & is in development of the same story as an episodic. She loves storytelling in all its forms. Fun fact: She’s also an animal handler!
Current Team
Incentives
- The Story
- Wishlist
- Updates
- The Team
- Community
Mission Statement
The Story
What if the foundation of Western Christianity was built on backroom deals, theological brawls, and a few poorly timed scroll slaps?
Oh Constantine! is a darkly satirical historical play that pulls back the incense-soaked curtain on the First Council of Nicaea, where bishops battled over the nature of God, and an emperor turned faith into policy.
At the center of this chaos is Emperor Constantine, determined to unify his empire through doctrine, whether the bishops like it or not.
What follows is a swirling, ego-driven mess of alliances, accusations, heresies, and divine PR.
I’m Jan-David Soutar, the writer and director of Oh Constantine!
I originally conceived this as a sitcom. But the more I researched, the more I realized this story had to be told live, stripped-down, intimate, and uncomfortably funny.
Theater has the power to make ancient debates feel urgent, and this one certainly is.
Why now?
Because power is still shaping belief. Institutions still manipulate faith for control.
The Council of Nicaea never really ended, it just rebranded.
This project invites the audience to laugh, question, and reconsider the origins of the systems we take for granted.
We’ve premiered Oh Constantine! at the Hollywood Fringe Festival 2025! Now onto Edinburgh!
With your support, we’ll bring this work to life. On the list of necessary expenses:
- Venue rental at the historic Zephyr Theatre
- Actor + crew stipends -- help feed these guys!
Minimalist but immersive costumes, props, marketing and promotional assets
- Rhearsal space where bishops can argue without disturbing the neighbors
We’ve already developed the script, begun rehearsals, and designed a unique visual campaign blending Byzantine mosaics with satire and Fringe aesthetic. Every dollar helps.
Grassroots theatre like this thrives on community and we’re inviting you to be part of it!
When will it happen?
- Preview: June 8, 2025
- Performances: Throughout June at Hollywood Fringe (see full dates here--->) www.ohconstantineplay.com
Stretch Goal: If we surpass our goal, we’ll put it toward recording a high-quality version of the show for future distribution and expanding our reach to other festivals in 2026.
⚡ REALISTIC STRETCH GOALS (BASED ON OUR ACTUAL BUDGET)
Sound Design & Audio Equipment – $400–$600
If we want to hear Arius scream “I AM ORTHODOXY” clearly, we’ll need to rent or borrow supplemental sound equipment (mic backup, cables, stands, or even simple playback systems).
Additional Costume Fabrication – $500
What we’ve budgeted covers bare minimum. With more, we can upgrade some of the more threadbare bishops or give Constantine a robe that doesn’t come from a Halloween store.
Scrolls, Chalices & Holy Props – $250–$400
We’ve got the essentials, but more funds mean we can go beyond dollar-store parchment and create tactile, believable objects worthy of being punched with.
Signage, Fringe Materials, Printing – $300
Fringe shows live and die by visibility. Extra funds allow for full-size posters, on-site signage, and better-quality postcards & QR materials.
Rehearsal Space Overflow – $500
We’ve budgeted a primary space. But if any scheduling issues come up (Fringe shows often overlap), we’ll need buffer funds to book alternates.
Archival Documentation – $250–$500
Even a small honorarium for a photographer/videographer to capture the performance can mean the difference between future press and fading into heretical oblivion.
Big Dream Stretch Goal: Edinburgh 2026
If this campaign exceeds all expectations, every dollar beyond our production needs will be banked toward a future run at the world’s biggest theatre festival. Because Constantine belongs on the world stage.
Want to help more?
- Share this page!
- Follow us on social media @ohconstantineplay
- Copy & paste this blurb for your friends:
Ever wonder what happened when an emperor tried to define God by committee? Check out Oh Constantine! at this year’s Hollywood Fringe. It’s smart, ridiculous, and painfully relevant. Support it here: https://seedandspark.com/fund/oh-constantine-play
Thank You!
Whether you’re a Catechumen ($10) or a full-blown God ($5000), your support means the (Byzantine) world to us.
Independent theatre survives on community and this project wouldn’t exist without you.
From everyone at Oh Constantine!, the bishops, the heretics, and the Emperor himself, we bow our heads (briefly), raise a goblet (highly), and say:
THANK YOU.
May your scrolls never smudge, your chairs never fold mid-argument, and your creed always be slightly controversial.
Blessed are the backers, for they shall inherit front row.
Wishlist
Use the WishList to Pledge cash and Loan items - or - Make a pledge by selecting an Incentive directly.
Venue
Costs $1,700
The venue is our stage and creative home, your support helps secure our performance space, bringing Oh Constantine! to life.
Costumes
Costs $600
Authentic costumes bring the world of Oh Constantine! to life, immersing audiences in the power struggles of ancient Rome.
Rehearsal Space
Costs $1,800
Help us fund a space where bishops can argue, heretics can shout, and no one gets kicked out for yelling about Jesus too loud.
Props! (And other holy objects)
Costs $300
Recreating the Byzantine world isn’t easy, and since we can’t quest in the desert like Helena, we have to build our own! And you can help!
Tech & Lighting!
Costs $500
Fund the firelight. Help us turn our stage into an empire! Your gracious help with our lighting and tech will bring Nicaea to life my liege.
Marketing and Advertising
Costs $600
Flyers, social boosts, graphics, and content creation to draw in the heretics and the curious. Spread the word like a well-funded gospel.
Script Printing and Materials
Costs $200
Printed scripts, rehearsal notes, bishop backstories, and a few very official-looking decrees. Help us print heresies in high resolution.
Fringe Fees & Insurance
Costs $300
Constantine wasn’t the only one dealing with bureaucracy. Keeps us legal, protected, and part of the Hollywood Fringe community.
Cash Pledge
Costs $0
Direct link:
Share this update!
About This Team
This is our most amazing team!
JAN-DAVID SOUTAR
Jan-David Soutar is the playwright, and director of Oh Constantine! and based in Los Angeles. Originally from Baltimore, the home of bad taste and camp, a graduate of Cal State Northridge’s screenwriting program (cum laude), he blends satire, mythology, and cultural critique in work that swings between hilarious and haunting. His short screenplay *Naya and the Legend of the Stone Woman" earned the 2024 CSU Arts Festival’s Best Screenplay Award. His latest project, Oh Constantine! (Hollywood Fringe 2025), re-imagines the First Council of Nicaea as a power-hungry, semi-divine workplace comedy. As a creator, he's most at home building worlds that speak truth to power with a wink and occasionally, a heresy charge.
ATHENA RETHIS
Athena Rethis is a Los Angeles-based theater producer dedicated to bringing compelling and innovative stories to the stage. She graduated from Cal State Northridge in 2023 and has a passion for both film and theater. She currently goes to LMU pursuing her masters in writing and producing. This production marks Athena's producing debut at the Hollywood Fringe Festival, reflecting her enthusiasm for engaging with the vibrant Los Angeles theater community. She is excited to be a part of the 'Oh Constantine!' team!
CLENT BOWERS
Clent is a proud veteran of AEA and SAG-AFTRA, Clent is honored to originate the roles of Eusebius of Caesarea (“Seeb”) and Arius in the world premiere of “Oh Constantine.” From the streets of Los Angeles to the lights of Broadway—and every nook and cranny in between—Clent’s career spans decades and continents. He has toured through Canadian winters, crossed oceans before and after the Wall came down, and performed in houses where the echoes of history met the power of song. These bones get around… and Still I Rise.
TANYA DICKSON
Tanya Dickson is an actor, writer, producer and marketing manager. Shes a long time member of SAG-AFTRA and has been seen in commercials and film. She recently co-produced a film short of her story “The Lido” which won Honorable Mention in the London Women's Short Film Festival & is in development of the same story as an episodic. She loves storytelling in all its forms. Fun fact: She’s also an animal handler!