Rodney Dangerfield said it best, and he said it often. “I don’t get no respect!” Believe it or not this is a comment we hear a lot from dramatists in the church. The words may be different but the message is basically the same. A lady in Maine told me this week, “It seems like…
Category: Ministry Blog
Reusing VBS curriculum?
Reusing VBS curriculum? Who DOES That?? This year, I am trying something different in our own church, and I thought I would pass the idea your way… When I choose a VBS program, I typically head right to the same publisher I have used for many years. After all, I like how the program is…
Currently Baffling And Unsolved
I was looking through the playbill of a production I wrote recently about the beginnings of the Lutheran church in America. This script was very challenging, but highly enjoyable, to write. Going back as far as the times of Martin Luther gave me the opportunity to visit, (and in some cases revisit), some of the…
Outreach Dinner Theatre
Recently our Dinner Theatre guru, Debi Stodolka, received a note from a DramaShare member in Ontario. The contents of the note, and Debi’s response was very informative, we felt it should be shared with others: Not sure if you are still writing these monthly letters. I have just found them and have enjoyed what I…
What is a creative ministry?
by Jane Harris Earlier this month Dal and I found ourselves in the middle of a church-planning meeting. It turns out that the mission center that I have visited for the past 4 years has been turned over to a pastor and is no longer a mission facility. The bad news is that all the…
It’s Thanksgiving Weekend in Canada
As a young boy I was a voracious reader of all kinds of books and poetry, including works such as “Black Beauty” and the Bible, (which pleased my mother greatly), and biographies on leaders of Nazi Germany and early Soviet Russian leaders, (which pleased my mother much less). I hasten to state my interest in…
It’s Only My Opinion
We are presently travelling through Western Canada, proceeding to the western US states of Washington, Oregon, California and beyond. We are conducting DramaShare workshops and also counselling with churches, colleges, schools, groups and individuals. As we travel it is amazing how many new experiences and perspectives we encounter; the unique ministries and the forms of…
Balloons, Object Lessons, Skits, and Puppets: Not Just For Children By Jane Harris It started out as a casual request. I was at a family camp and was asked if I would do a balloon routine for the morning worship time. I was used to the bringing the children down front and doing a…
The Rehearsal Learning / Teaching Curve
In our experience rehearsals are treated too casually by all who attend, but as with most situations, the problem comes from lack of planning. So what are some keys to a productive rehearsal? The following is an excerpt from our “Countdown to CurtainUp” rehearsal manual. The initial few minutes at the opening of the rehearsal…
Defining a Character
It is difficult for an actor, (especially a newer actor), to get a clear understanding about her character, and how her character “fits” with all others in the drama. Try this: Have each actor explain her role AS SHE UNDERSTANDS IT to all others in the cast. The “person” is her character and not herself,…
