A Guide to Church Recreation: Drama

Chapter Four

 

Definition

 

Webster's Seventh New Collegiate Dictionary defines drama as:

·        "a composition in verse or prose intended to portray life or character

·        to tell a story usually involving conflicts and emotions through action and dialogue

·        typically designed for theatrical performance

·         a state, situation, or series of events involving interesting or intense conflict of forces."

 

Church Drama, then, portrays the Christian life and the conflict of forces relating to such existence and may, from the Christian perspective, be used to explore a man's relationship to God, to his fellowman, and to himself. The Bible serves as a primary source for subject matter.¹

 

Communication Of The Message Of Jesus Christ to the world should be the primary concern for all Christians. Methods of communication change as the world changes. Twentieth-century Christians have a responsibility to discover and develop new methods of communication. History has proved drama to be a viable means of communication.

 

Using Dramatic Forms of Expression.  Throughout human history man has attempted to describe through various actions the conflict of forces in his life. Early developing cultures incorporated rituals to aid in relating their existence to the mysteries of nature about them. The Greeks combined mythology with dramatic actions stemming from essential conflicts. In the Middle Ages the church explored dramatic forms to express Christian teachings in an easy-to-comprehend vernacular method.

 

Church Drama Is the Projection of Christian Ideology rooted in biblical truths. Christian ideology must be pursued by faith. However, all dramatic actions progress and develop in a logical manner. Consequently, all forms of church drama must have intent and purpose. This intent and purpose is the projection of these realized truths. Drama which projects other than realized biblical truth is not a part of church drama.²

 

Drama Permits the Christian to Witness not only through voice, emotions, and daily life-style, but also through his total being. The Christian's body, when imaginatively projected into character, dialogue, and action, becomes a vibrant, powerful force for witnessing. Discovery of a new character in a unique situation allows the Christian another avenue to probe inner needs and desires. Those who have had such an experience eagerly seek new opportunities to express their Christian experience through drama. 

 

The opportunities for use of drama in the church are unlimited. Through imagination all areas of the dramatic arts can be applied to a church setting.

 

Successful Drama Can Be Very Simple.  Successful drama does not depend on massive sets and extensive technical equipment. The actor is the primary source and focal point of all drama. With imagination, exciting dramatic moments can be experienced with little technical assistance.

 

Church Leaders Are Seeking Methods To Involve Members.  Modem society is daily presented with elements of dramatic spectacle through television and movie theaters. Why should the church do less than the best if and when it is able? Technical equipment designed into sanctuaries and educational and recreation complexes will assist the church in doing its utmost to reach people through drama.

 

Today, varied dramatic forms are being used in many churches.  Increasingly, church leaders are seeking methods to involve members physically in celebration of the Christian life. The emotional, intellectual, and spiritual impetus of drama makes it a natural medium for such experience.

 

Drama a Christian Art Form.  The challenge of the future is not only to attempt varied dramatic forms, but to seek success in presenting these as Christian art forms. Ultimately, prolonged success will depend on a high level of artistic endeavor. Many years ago in the developmental stages of church music, professional musicians and high goals of artistic musical achievement were rare. A similar situation exists in drama today. Many church folk are interested in drama, but few are professionally trained to achieve aesthetic objectives.³

 

Church Dramatists Present Christ's Message.  Gordon Bennett states in Christianity Today that church dramatists must present Christ's message "through a logical development of action and authentic characters - not through lines as much as lives put on stage .... Christian drama must be dramatically sound as well as spiritually uplifting."⁴ It should be noted that these two ideas are not identical. However, the chances for a production to be spiritually uplifting are greatly increased when the script is dramatically sound.

 

The following paragraphs incorporate a listing and brief discussion of the major forms of church drama.

 

Storytelling

 

Storytelling Is One Of The Oldest And Most Powerful Dramatic Forms. Everybody likes to hear and tell stories. Storytelling refers to one actor telling a story. The story may be in the past, present, or future. It may be fact or fiction. It can be a Christian art form. Storytelling can become dynamic and meaningful when costume, makeup, props, special lighting, and sound effects are molded into one performance. When the storyteller becomes a fascinating character describing an exciting event, this medium can become spellbinding for persons of all ages.

 

Jesus recognized the value of a story and was himself the master storyteller, using many stories to graphically illustrate the meaning of his message to his audiences. His listeners were always able to identify with the characters in his stories. Matthew recorded in chapter 13, verses 34-35 (TLB):

 

"Jesus constantly used ... illustrations when speaking to the crowds. In fact, because the prophets said that he would use so many, he never spoke to them without at least one illustration. For it had been prophesied, 'I will talk in parables, I will explain mysteries hidden since the beginning of time.’"⁵

 

And in Mark, chapter 4, verses 33-34 (TLB):

 

"He used many . . . illustrations to teach the people as much as they were ready to understand. In fact, he taught only by illustrations in his public teaching, but afterwards, when he was alone with his disciples; he would explain his meaning to them."⁶

 

An example of one of Jesus' stories is found in Matthew 18:22-35 (TLB). Peter has just asked Jesus how often he should forgive a brother who has sinned against him. Should it be seven times?  "No!" Jesus replied, "seventy times seven!

 

"The Kingdom of Heaven can be compared to a king who decided to bring his accounts up to date. In the process, one of his debtors was brought in who owed him $10,000,000! He couldn't pay, so the king ordered him sold for the debt, also his wife and children and everything he had.

 

"But the man fell down before the king, his face in the dust, and said, 'Oh, sir, be patient with me and I will pay it all.'

 

"Then the king was filled with pity for him and released him and forgave his debt.

 

"But when the man left the king, he went to a man who owed him $2,000 and grabbed him by the throat and demanded instant payment

.

"The man fell down before him and begged him to give him a little time.’Be patient and I will pay it,' he pled.

 

"But his creditor wouldn't wait. He had the man arrested and jailed until the debt would be paid in full.

 

"Then the man's friends went to the king and told him what had happened. And the king called before him the man he had forgiven and said, 'You evil-hearted wretch! Here I forgave you all that tremendous debt, just because you asked me to - shouldn't you have mercy on others, just as I had mercy on you?'

 

"Then the angry king sent the man to the torture chamber until he had paid every last penny due. So shall my heavenly Father do to you if you refuse to truly forgive your brothers?"⁷

 

There are many examples of the use of stories (or illustrations) by writers of both the Old and the New Testament. Following is a story found in Genesis 22:1-18 (TLB) that illustrates one method God used to test the love, faith, and obedience of his servant Abraham:

 

 "Abraham!" God called.

 

"Yes, Lord?" he replied.

 

"Take with you your only son - yes, Isaac whom you love so much - and go to the land of Moriah and sacrifice him there as a burnt offering upon one of the mountains which I'll point out to you!"

 

The next morning Abraham got up early, chopped wood for a fire upon the altar, saddled his donkey, and took with him his son Isaac and two young men who were his servants, and started off to the place where God had told him to go. On the third day of the journey Abraham saw the place in the distance.

 

"Stay here with the donkey," Abraham told the young men, "and the lad and I will travel yonder and worship, and then come right back."

 

Abraham placed the wood for the burnt offering upon Isaac's shoulders, while he himself carried the knife and the flint for striking a fire. So the two of them went on together.

 

"Father," Isaac asked, "we have the wood and the flint to make the fire, but where is the lamb for the sacrifice?"

 

"God will see to it, my son," Abraham replied.  And they went on.

 

When they arrived at the place where God had told Abraham to go, he built an altar and placed the wood in order, ready for the fire, and then tied Isaac and laid him on the altar over the wood. And Abraham took the knife and lifted it up to plunge it into his son, to slay him.

 

At the moment the Angel of God shouted to him from heaven, "Abraham! Abraham!"

 

"Yes, Lord!" he answered.

 

"Lay down the knife; don't hurt the lad in any way," the angel said, "for I know that God is first in your life - you have not withheld even your beloved son from me."

 

Then Abraham noticed a ram caught by its horns in a bush. So he took the ram and sacrificed it, instead of his son, as a burnt offering on the altar. Abraham named the place "Jehovah provides" - and it still goes by that name to this day.

 

Then the angel of God called again to Abraham from heaven. "I, the Lord, have sworn by myself that because you have obeyed me and have not withheld even your beloved son from me, I will bless you with incredible blessings and multiply your descendants into countless thousands and millions, like the stars above you in the sky, and like the sands along the seashore. These descendants of yours will conquer their enemies, and be a blessing to all the nations of the earth ­all because you have obeyed me.” ⁸

 

Yes, Storytelling for the Life and Work of the Church Does Have Great Potential, for it appeals to all ages. It can capture and hold attention, inform, enlighten, give new insight and appreciation, develop imagination, change attitudes, lead to worship, and stir to action!

 

Puppetry

 

"A Puppet” Is Any Inanimate Object That Takes On Human Characteristics when manipulated by humans. A puppet can be a spoon with a painted face, or a large, elegantly-designed figure. 

 

"There is no limit to the subject matter available for expression with puppets. They can say things in a way impossible through other communication media.

 

"A Puppet” Is Simply A Megaphone for the Christian similar to literature, radio, and television. These mediums are only communicative tools, hardly ends in themselves. A puppet is primarily a unique device to better communicate the ongoing church program and ministry.

 

“A Puppet” Is An Excellent Communication Tool.  "The great versatility of the puppet makes it an excellent communicative tool for the church. A puppet may entertain, promote, announce, teach, and train almost in the same breath.

 

"Puppets” Are Loved By Children, but their value in the church extends far beyond children's work. Youth are often the core of a puppet ministry with their imagination and creativity. Adults are fascinated and interested in the magic of a puppet. Senior adults can be important components in the puppet ministry by serving as puppeteers or by constructing puppets.

 

Social And Racial Barriers Can Also Be Crossed By Puppets, making them particularly suitable to programs of outreach. A puppet's ability to immediately command attention permits it to point-blank fire the message of Jesus Christ to the lost - many of whom close their senses to other means of communication.

 

"Puppets” Can Attract Attention, make announcements, promote programs or activities, entertain, teach, and train. The techniques involved in these areas can be applied to other types of material a puppet may be called on to communicate.

"Attract attention. - The color, hyperactive spirit, and overall fascinating qualities give puppets the ability to immediately attract attention. How long that attention is sustained depends on the audience, subject matter, adeptness of the puppeteers, and other factors.

 

"Puppets” Can Introduce Program Or Speakers.  They can introduce characters or situations for emphasis in Bible study. They can present basic arguments to be probed in Church Training.

 

"Puppets” Are Excellent Tools For Outreach. They can attract new members to the bus ministry. They can perform in a shopping center and in a few seconds draw attention to the church and its program and total ministry.

 

Puppets are a Natural Medium for Announcements. - The puppet's ability to attract attention makes it a natural medium through which to make announcements or do promotion. The puppet's unique ability to plunge to the basis of a situation without offending groups or individuals makes it an excellent tool for promotion. 

 

"Puppets have been used successfully in worship services on Sunday morning, evening, and Wednesday evening to announce church activities. In fact, anywhere announcements and promotion are needed, the puppet is a viable tool for the doing.

 

Puppets are Entertaining.-To a certain extent, puppets always entertain. As a result, they are a natural and lively addition to banquets, fellowships, and socials. They can tell jokes, pantomime music, and generally fit pleasantly into any atmosphere where people want to relax and have fun.

 

"Puppets” Can Emcee banquets or variety shows, or work with a master of ceremonies. Puppets can represent the church at school and community activities. They can perform for clubs and other civic organizations. They can appear on local television shows, or on their own show at a cable television station. This ability permits them to entertain and at the same time be a vibrant means of outreach.

 

Teaching.-One of the best ways puppets can serve the church is as teaching aides.

 

"Puppets can tell Bible stories or modern parables in many formats. They can teach Bible verses, songs, and basic music fundamentals to children. 

 

"With youth and adults they can state - and restate - various types of information. They can review material that has been taught. Their review will of course be from a puppet's point of view, which can be entertaining as well as enlightening.

 

Training.-Any training material that can be presented verbally can be communicated by puppets. Certain types of nonverbal techniques can also be presented through puppets. They can introduce a training session by portraying how something should not be done. The session corrects their errors. They can appear periodically through the session and get the procedures all mixed up. The audience or leader corrects them and in doing so reviews the material."⁹

 

For In-Depth, Detailed Guidance on the use of puppetry, read Using Puppetry in the Church, edited by Everett Robertson. The guide includes how, why, where, and when to use puppets; rehearsal, production, and teaching techniques; manipulation and maintenance of puppets; scenery, props, costumes, lights, and sound; various patterns for puppet construction, puppet stages, and a comprehensive bibliography. (Available on this site)

 

You will also want to read, and use for performance, a collection of Puppet Scripts for Use at Church, selected and edited by Everett Robertson. This is a collection of eighty-two scripts, including scripts for church program promotion, Bible study, and worship, scripts of a seasonal and general nature, and scripts for fun and fellowship. (Available on this site)

 

Monologue

 

The Monologue Is A Dramatic Presentation By One Person. This person, speaking alone, imaginatively becomes another person in appearance and expression of thoughts and feelings. This portrayal is best done in the first person to give it a "this actually happened ­to me" flavor. “Generally, the best monologues are those written in the present tense, because these provide an immediate crisis confronting the character. Occasionally good monologues are written in other tenses. The basic element of dramatic action is conflict. When an actor simply tells about a past conflict, he is storytelling. For the actor to become involved in conflict and pursue dramatic action requires some use of the present tense."¹⁰

 

The Bible and Bible Storybooks Are Rich Resources for Monologue material. Biblical characters can be presented very successfully simply by using Scripture. Adaptations of Scripture references to various characters can offer excellent insight into these personalities, bringing them to life for a modem society.

 

Two Examples Of The Use Of Monologue as a powerful tool follow. The first of these, from the seventeenth chapter of Luke, verses 11-19, tells the story of the healing of the ten lepers. Through this portrayal we gain insight into the feelings and attitude of one of the ten.

 

A Leper's Faith

 

It was a day like today - hot, dry, dusty - and I was huddled there on the outskirts of the little village with the other lonely lepers. I looked toward the north and saw a small cloud of dust and some shadowy figures approaching in the shimmering heat.

 

A few of the villagers had gathered near the road, and I heard them mention the name of Jesus of Nazareth. Of course, I could not get close enough to hear more of their conversation. There were rules, you know. This Jesus was supposed to be some sort of prophet or healer, and he had been known to perform certain miracles, some said. And, strangely, he had shown himself to be a friend to the poor, the friendless, and sinners.

 

As they neared us, I could tell by the response of the people that one of them was indeed the Nazarene. It occurred to me and to those who stood apart with me that if he were a miracle worker, perhaps he could help us. But it was only a passing thought to such as we.

 

Even so, my companions and I stood at a distance and shouted, "Jesus! Master! Have pity on us!"

 

He saw us, and to our amazement, came to us. "Go and let the priests examine you," he commanded.

 

I looked at my rotting hands, and I knew what the priests would say - unclean! Unclean! We would still be outcasts: different, isolated, lonely - untouchable! And yet - somehow, I - we all turned to go and do his bidding. I don't know why.

 

And then - it happened! As I went, I saw that I was healed! Rid of my terrible disease! Clean - and whole. Restored to society! A human being again! I was overcome by a deep surge of emotion. Oh, God is this what it means to be dean, to be whole, to be free of the shackles I've worn?

 

I turned again, and through blinding tears, I ran back to him. I threw myself upon the ground at his feet and thanked him. He looked down at me and spoke ­to no one; and to everyone: "Were not all ten made clean? Where are the other nine? Could they not also come back and give thanks to God? Could only this foreigner come?"

 

My thoughts were filled with awe and wonder. Why, he's a Jew; I'm a Samaritan. Yet, God has sent him (or is he God himself?) and he has cleansed me

.

Then with a gentleness and compassion I had never known, Jesus spoke directly to me: "Get up and go; your faith has made you well."¹¹

 

The Second Example illustrates the use of monologue to portray the subjective thoughts and feelings of inanimate objects. The scene is Jerusalem. The characters are physical places and things in and around Jerusalem. For purpose of example, only three of the eleven characters from the Easter drama, "I Saw Him," by Sarah Walton Miller, are used.

 

(Drum Tattoo)

 

Garden: (turning slowly after drum stops, speaking quietly, slowly) The last night of the man Jesus, that prophet from Nazareth? Of course I remember. For three years, from time to time, (indicating invisible objects) my trees ... and earth ... and rocks had heard the prayers of the man, had listened to his conversations with his disciples. (indicating) My paths often had felt the press of his feet. . . . I am the Garden of Gethsemane - (looking at invisible hill and city in turn) resting quietly against Olivet, outside the walls of Jerusalem.... Oh, yes, I knew him well. (touches edge of rostrum, strokes it gently) Look! This is the very rock upon which he learned that last night. If words of anguish could scar, here, in this stone, would be found - grooves - made by his travail.... (turning back to audience) Of course, only memory now remains of the blood he left upon it ... and the violence under my ancient olive trees, when soldiers seized him and bound him ... and led him away. (assumes "tree" position) I saw him no more. (freezes)

 

(Drum Tattoo)

 

Golden Gate: (turning slowly to audience, speaking thoughtfully, somewhat objectively) Oh, yes, on that last night I, too, saw him. (indicating) First, when he went out toward Gethsemane with eleven, he had to pass through me, since I am the gate nearest the Garden ­the Golden Gate. Later, in the still night hours, a motley crowd followed, moving quietly - so as not to wake his sympathizers in the sleeping city. For these were not friends! (with slight derision) Roman soldiers? Temple guards? Priest, both Sadducees and Pharisees? A few beggars, who could find no corner to sleep anyway ... and the man, Judas. I saw them go out . . . and I saw them come back, still moving with stealth. However, there was an addition. In their midst - he walked, hands bound behind him.... He passed no more through my portals. (assumes "gate" position, freezes)

 

(Drum Tattoo)

 

Caiaphas' Palace: (turning quickly, speaking angrily) If you must bring up that man Jesus again, I have something to say! I am the Palace of Caiaphas, the High Priest. (defiantly) Yes, I admit my walls heard the plans of the Sanhedrin to deal with that - false Messiah. (reasoning) Of course they didn't want to treat him as an ordinary man with ordinary rights! Why should they! He wasn't an "ordinary man" - he was a political issue! (impatiently) Oh, be realistic. You surely couldn't expect them to jeopardize the precarious peace of Judea for one man ... (contemptuously) especially a Nazarene! Caiaphas "cauterized" that festering sore promptly! ... True - the treatment was drastic. (again angry) But only an ignorant man or a fool would let such a lunatic loose! Yes, a lunatic - who’s fantastic ranting could result only in the Roman boot grinding even harder! Caiaphas was neither ignorant nor a fool! (assumes "palace" position and freezes)

 

Improvisation

 

Webster's New Collegiate Dictionary defines improvise as

·        "1: to compose, recite, or sing extemporaneously

·          2: to make, invent, or arrange offhand

·          3: to fabricate out of what is conveniently on hand."¹³

 

This term refers to any type of dramatic activity presented with little or no preparation. Under this category come such forms as role playing, fun drama, skits, and theater games.

 

"Improvisation is a natural means for the untrained dramatist to express his relationship to Christ. No training is required. No prior dramatic experience is required. No technical equipment is required ... no scripts ... no props ... no costumes . . . only the person and his knowledge and experience. Improvisations are often used without an audience. Only participants work together to achieve new insight and experience in Christian existence.

 

"A situation is selected - any situation: historical, biblical, imagined, or present. Participants briefly discuss a few basic concepts that might exist in the selected situation. Nothing is written, no lines are learned; only the ideas float from one person to another. Each participant selects an action that complements a basic concept. The action should be representative of a certain type person or philosophy. Then the participants simply play out the actions together. They react to each other - speak when and if they feel like it - and move whenever they want and in any manner they desire."¹⁴

 

"The natural ability to assume the role of another person or philosophy can become a dynamic force in problem-solving and developing social awareness. Imaginatively used, role playing as a form of improvisation has a unique place in Christian education. It is an aspect of sociodrama in which real problem situations are acted out for the purpose of gaining a better perspective of the problem, the people, and the possible solutions.

 

"Role playing home situations can provide unusual insights into conflicts of will and points of view in the family. Role playing helps to release tensions that have built up, so that reasoning becomes clearer. It also airs problems, clarifies issues, and thus gives a better perspective for resolving friction and improving attitudes toward parents. As the individual learns to communicate and relate to others, to organize his thinking, and to extemporize, he will gain confidence, poise, tolerance, and discernment of differing attitudes and viewpoints.” ¹⁵

 

Scriptural improvisation adds the dimension of creative study of biblical literature. It lets one investigate in depth the people involved in the stories, their feelings, their joys, and their excitement. Scriptural improvisation also allows one to apply the biblical story to his/her own life-style.

 

Each participant should be encouraged to use his/her own language and allude to his/her own circumstances. Elizabethan language should be avoided.

 

Following is an example of scriptural im­provisation:

 

A Small Gift Made Large

 

Central Idea: A boy whose small meal feeds a large crowd wonders about it.

 

Situation: Jesus and his friends feel sorry for a large crowd of people following and listening to Jesus talk. They are hun­gry, but there is no food except the boy's small lunch. Jesus uses the lunch to feed the crowd. What the boy tells his parents later is the sub­ject of this situation.

 

Cast: A young boy and his parents

 

Background:           John 6:2-14

 

Continuing Story: The boy is talking with his parents, describing the wonderful thing Jesus did with his small lunch. His parents ask him questions about it, and he describes the whole unbelievable ex­perience. Use your imagination to develop a complete story. Then make up the words as you go along, acting out the story.

 

Materials Needed: A table with several chairs

 

Discussion: How did the boy feel? Was he amazed by what happened? Are we ever hungry? Have we ever known any people who don't have enough food? How can we help people who are poor? Can we be Jesus' represen­tatives and share what we have with others? Can we share through our gifts to our church? How can we see our gifts multiplied as the boy's were?¹⁶

 

The best learning experiences are often not planned but come from an unexpected turn of events which are skillfully taken and used to stimulate and encourage Christian living. Here is an example of such a situation used for the purpose of discussion. The subjects:

 

Cheating

 

AL:       Hi, Jean! How's the old chemistry whiz this afternoon?

JEAN   (Rather dubious): Oh ... alright.

AL:       Atta girl. Well, here's the assignment we just got from Mama Tube Tester herself-

JEAN   (Breaking in): Al!

AL:       Yes sir, it's great to be able to count on someone to do such good work for me. I'm           lousy at this chemistry junk. And anyway after I get out of football practice, I'm too beat      to study!

JEAN:  AI, I've got to tell you something. AL: Sure, Jeannie Baby, spill it.

JEAN:  I decided I won't be able to do your assignment tonight - or any other night.

AL:       Jeannie, you're putting me on.

JEAN:  No, AI, I've decided that it is wrong for me to be doing your work. I like you, but all I'm      doing is hurting both you and me when we cheat like this.

AL        (Halfway mad): Big deal! What's the difference? (Blackout^{) 17}

 

Creative Dramatics

 

This medium has been expanded and developed to apply to the development of creative tendencies in children. For them it is the dramatic expectation of a story or other accompanying physical action

.

Creative dramatics has been defined as "a group experience in which every child is guided to express himself as he works and plays with others for the joy of creating improvised drama.” ¹⁸ "Through this expression children and youth can be led to explore a situation of a person or a group. This can be a surface exploration or an in-depth study.

 

"Creative dramatics by its very nature awakens dormant imaginations and gives new direction to lives. In the church, creative dramatics becomes a powerful force to develop new dimensions of Christian experience.

 

"Creative dramatics enables children and youth to discover the redeeming powers of God's love in their lives. A basic premise of creative dramatics is that it assists in developing emotional maturity by providing a method to express creatively and consequently probe personal emotions.

 

"As an educational tool it can be an excellent method of expressing an old idea in a new way. Participants are provided with the opportunity of using their imaginations to experience the Bible physically, mentally, and emotionally

.

Creative Dramatics Can Be Fun.  "Creative dramatics may be used not only as a means of therapy, but also in recreation activities as a method of training and as an art form. Many fun drama activities stem directly from creative drama techniques.

 

"Sound Effects And Simple Scenic Forms can be incorporated into many exercises. For example, storm sounds of thunder, lightning, wind, and rain could enhance the story of Jonah.

 

"When children, youth, and adults achieve self-understanding by creatively probing human and Christian experience, a wider avenue is opened for them to achieve a Christian way of li£e."¹⁹

 

Choral Speaking

 

The dramatic technique known as "choral speaking" was employed by the Greeks hundreds of years before Christ. It is sometimes referred to as "choric reading" or "speech choir." The term refers to the use of a choral group specializing in the performance of dramatic readings.

 

Choral Reading as Worship.  Group size, special choral sounds, lighting, sound effects, and costumes all combine to make this an exciting experience for participants as well as spectators. The Bible contains literally thousands of ideas for use by speech choirs. Some plays may be edited for a group performance. Poetry in any form or style can be well adapted for speech choirs.

 

The following example combines biblical content with other commentary to arrive at an exciting and worshipful choral reading:

 

Jesus Shall Reign

 

ALL:                                      Jesus shall reign!

1ST VOICE                          Where?

ALL:                                      Over all the world!

2ND VOICE:                        What right has he to reign?

ALL:                                      He is Creator and Lord of the universe!

3RD VOICE:                        He made the trees.

2ND VOICE                         The birds and butterflies;

1ST VOICE:                         The mountains and the skies.

ALL:                                      He made the sun and moon.

3RD VOICE                         He made the stars, also.

ALL:                                      Yes, he is Creator!

1ST VOICE:                         He breathed into man the very breath of life

ALL:                                      And man was created in the Image of God.

2ND VOICE                         Possessor of a soul, a free will and a creative mind.

1ST AND 2ND VOICES:   Does Jesus reign in your heart and life?

3RD VOICE                         You mean, is he the ruler and commander of

                                               My life?

1ST AND 2ND VOICES:   Yes!

3RD VOICE                         I love God better than anyone.

2ND VOICE                         How do you show such      love?

 3RDVOICE:                         I talk to him each day

                                                And tell others of his love.

                                                I serve him through his church - give my money, talent and service                                                             through his church!

1ST VOICE:                          Do you feed the hungry, clothe the poor, and visit the lonely about you?

3RD VOICE                          Yes!

ALL                                         "If ye do it unto one of the least of these, my brethren, ye do it unto me," (Matt. 25:40) said Jesus.

1ST AND 2ND VOICES:     Do you insist on having your own way, or is his will more important?

3RD VOICE:                         His will comes first, for he is Lord!

ALL:                                        There are many pompous, wealthy rulers in the world today.

1ST VOICE                           Yes, and gods of stone and wood.

2ND VOICE                          Many worship the Allah of Islam and bow before him five times        daily.

3RD VOICE:                         Many know not the true God, God in the human life of Jesus Christ            of Nazareth.

ALL                                         "There is none other name under heaven given among men by       which we must be saved" (Acts 4:12)

1ST VOICE:                          One day Jesus shall reign over all the world.

2ND VOICE:                         "For the Lord is great, and greatly to be praised: he is to be feared    above all gods" (Ps. 96:4).

ALL:                                        "For all the gods of the nations are idols: but the Lord made the       heavens" (Ps. 96:5).

3RD VOICE:                         '0 worship the Lord in the beauty of holiness: fear before him, all the                                                 earth" (Ps, 96:9).

ALL:                                        "Say among the heathen that the Lord reigneth” (Ps. 96:10).²⁰

                                               

And choral speaking can be fun as you can see from:

 

A Fly and a Flea

 

SOLO 1:         A fly and a flea in a flue

BOYS:            Were imprisoned, so what did they do?

ALL:                Said the fly,

SOLO 2:         'Let us flee.'

ALL:                Said the flea,

SOLO 3:         'Let us fly.'

ALL:                SO they flew through a flaw in the flue.²¹

 

Mime-Pantomime¹²

 

These terms refer to the portrayal of a dramatic situation without speech. "Pantomime" is sometimes used interchangeably with "rhythmic movement," the intent being to communicate thought and feeling entirely with action. Ideas, thoughts, attitudes, deeds, and emotions are portrayed by the use of body movement, gestures, and facial expressions. This is one of the oldest forms of drama known to man.

 

An active imagination is imperative in the art of pantomime. The mind is actually communicating an idea without words.

 

Pantomime is an art - a dramatic art. The needed mime skills do not come naturally. Practice is necessary to insure exactness in properly communicating the mimed thoughts, feelings, or ideas.

 

Pantomime may be used to accompany music (choral, instrumental, or varying combinations of the two). With no speaking, the viewer becomes keenly aware of physical action. Mime or pantomime offers an excellent opportunity to express creatively the Christian spirit with the body.

 

Tableau²³

 

This type of drama, sometimes called picture posing, is a frozen pictorial illustration of a dramatic action. The action may be stated or implied through the picture. The message is given by posture and facial expression. The actors neither move nor speak. Action is suggested by a lifted arm, bowed head, or some other body position. Famous pictures may be reproduced in this manner. For example, da Vinci's famous painting of the Lord's Supper is often copied.