For those in the film industry, Rick Rekedal is well known for his work with Dreamworks Animation. He has helped to launch and build franchises like Prince of Egypt, Kung Fu Panda, and How to Train Your Dragon, but to Trevecca sophomore Ingrid Rekedal, he’s simply dad.

Rick, the chief creative of global franchises at Dreamworks Animation, spoke in chapel at Trevecca on April 21.

He will also be in town to catch the final performance of Requiem for the Living: An Opera, the student opera his daughter is directing, at Nashville’s Noah Liff Opera Center on April 23.

“This has taken the majority of my heart and mind for the last four months,” Ingrid said. “I’m so pleased to be opening this story to the public.”

Love for the arts and creativity runs deep in the Rekedal family. Rick spent his early career in the toy industry with brands like Ninja Turtles and Star Trek: The Next Generation, before joining Dreamworks in 1996. Early on, he had the opportunity to work on The Lost World: Jurassic Park, Men in Black, Gladiator, and Saving Private Ryan.

Ingrid, a theatre education major, is a soprano in Trevecca’s Madrigalians and serves as a creative intern in the Office of the Chaplain. As the creative arts intern, she’s helped to develop opportunities for more artistic forms of worship, including visual and performing arts. She’s written both a spoken word and readers theatre piece that were performed in chapel, and also choreographed and performed liturgical dances for Thanksgiving and Easter chapels.

In addition, Ingrid also works as a department assistant for the dramatic arts program. Her love of the arts is fueled by a desire to bring glory to God.

“My most honest thoughts, feelings, and actions are expressed through singing, dancing and acting,” Ingrid said. “These are the tools that God has given me to glorify Him, and I cannot help but do so.”

Both father and daughter think it’s important for Christians to be involved in the arts, particularly in today’s ever-changing world.

“Christians are called to be salt and light everywhere, in every field,” Rick said. “We are to be salt and light in a way that affects positive change to the circles in our spheres of influence. To put the burden on the arts industry is disproportionate. Our call starts now, in the immediate place we are, for each of us.”

Ingrid, who would like to perform musical theatre professionally and eventually teach theatre to elementary students, shares her father’s philosophy.

“If it is possible — and I believe it is — to extend dignity and hope to people through the arts, then I’m going to do that,” Ingrid said. “Eventually, they will ask where my hope comes from and why it doesn’t dwindle, and then I will share with them the truth of the gospel.”

In a world that’s interconnected like never before, both Rekedals are excited about the opportunities to live out their faith and share their stories.

“Everyone’s story is valuable and worthy of being heard,” Ingrid said. “I think infusing all parts of life with hope and love is the best way to shine light and invite others into conversation. Work hard to find truth in the things that seem worldly on the surface and surprise people with your integrity and consistency in this work. This is something my dad has taught me every single day.”

Rick, who has spent most of his career working in an industry where there aren’t many believers, agrees.

“Stories are our most powerful connection point as humans, but remember, the apostles didn’t put on plays or write novels to demonstrate the gospel,” he said. “They lived it out.”

In addition, Rick stressed that today’s world offers more storytelling tools than all previous generations combined.

“With a smartphone in hand, the audience now has their own audience to tag, expand, and share stories outward as well as receive them inward,” he said. “This is changing everything about how we engage. We actively seek stories that allow us to add in and tell our own stories. How we use these tools for the Kingdom will be an opportunity each one of us needs to consider.”

A special viewing of How to Train Your Dragon kicked off Rekedal’s visit to campus on April 20. He spoke in chapel April 21 and led a session with dramatic and media arts students during the afternoon.

--Trevecca Nazarene University