Theatre: Learning the ropes: Beyond Bathrobes & Sandals

Beyond Bathrobes & Sandals

A participatory workshop

Taking drama in worship beyond the Pageant

Suggested Schedule

12 October, Friday

______ PM

dinner _______________
keynote speaker (Lucilla)
presenters ___# samples of different styles to be presented

(or participating churches showcase)

13 October, Saturday

workshop #1 Improv, Theatre Basics, & Tableaux/”Slide Show” ____AM

workshop #2 Improv, Theatre Basics, Reader’s Theatre & Radio Theatre ____AM

Lunch @ ________________

1-2 more examples of drama in the church by _____________

_________________________________________________________

some participants have an opportunity to present Scripture?

workshop #3 Theatre Basics, & Improv Monologues – storytelling ____PM

workshop #4 Theatre Basics, & Improv Monologues – in the moment _____PM

Dinner @ _______________

Talk with Examples: Using Video & Multi-image

Evening “Work in Progress” (participants perform best of the day's work) ____PM

Same location as dinner or __________________

14 October, Sunday

workshop #4 Biblical Christmas sketches dramatic and comedy _____PM

workshop # 5 Modern Christmas sketches drama and comedy _____PM

Dinner @ _______________

again with sample works in progress or showcase

20^th or 21^st October (Saturday or Sunday)

Rehearsals scheduled with instructor/directors to help troubleshoot

28^th October (Sunday night)

Final evening (in a theatre setting, or church with theatre facilities.)

Works in Progress to

Perform for one another
Invite guests
Receive notes from guest directors.

Suggested directors:

Thirteen scheduled times together over 3 weekends.

Planning Issues:

Limit participants, so that everyone gets a chance to work. This workshop will be exclusive to invited teams from churches (Between 2-6 participants per church)

Charge for the workshop (gives more of a sense of value to those who'd consider participating, can cover costs, remunerate instructors & guest directors on last night).

one set Group Fee per church involved (to be paid by church)

$_____________

meals pre-paid based on the number of individuals in attendance from each church (church can pay, or ask individuals to pay for the cost of meals).

$_____________ per meal, $ ____________ total

Give Pre-reading Assignments

Intro to drama - some common ground basics we all need to know to get started,
A Christian in the Arts article,
One script per participant to begin working on,
Reading from selected Scripture four times

(Luke 1:1-2:20; Matthew 1:1-2:12; John 1:1-14).

Memorize 8 verses from the assigned Scripture

Design a Workshop Contract with agreement to attend all sessions and do pre-reading.

Registration includes a signed statement from the Sr. Pastor (or signed form) stating he is in favor of developing a drama team, and would support it as part of the ministry of the church.

Sessions

Sessions progress from easier (and safer – develop trust with church leaders and congregation)

to more difficult (riskier for your church leaders to approve of!)

Theatre Basics to include:

Can we integrate these theatre basics throughout the sessions?

Scene writing – taught through teaching what works well with improvisations
Creating multi-dimentional characters (writing) – also through improvs
Directing (hopefully shown by example!)

Preparing well
Working with the Actors

Running a rehearsal
Getting the best out of your people – motivation & skills

Working with Production staff

Other Acting issues (beats, subtext, layering, memorization techniques etc.)
Ideas for integrating multi-image and video
Resources for church drama – internet (handout)
Production Staff (handout)
______________________________

Sessions to save for another time:

Puppetry, Mime, Outreach, Children’s theatre, Storytelling

This workshop series can be reproduced in January or February using Easter as the theme. Other times of the year, we can different themes: Genesis, Life of Christ, The Gospel, etc.

Possible participating churches (those who’ve indicated an interest in training)