Last Supper Program
Day of presentation
The following is offered as our usual order of activities on the day of the presentation. It will be helpful if this information is shared with those involved: i.e.: music participants, pastor, ushers, etc.
Sanctuary or hall should be made capable of shutting out all light for the performance. This may necessitate curtains or paper over windows, etc. This should be done prior to the arrival of the crew.
The “stage” area needs to be approximately 26’ x 8’ with 8’ overhead clearance.
A dressing room is necessary with seating at tables for 13 “disciples.” After the performance, nearby access to sinks is preferred to enable removal of makeup.
Access to power sources will be necessary, preferably (3) three circuits. (Sound board, Flood Lights, Spot Light)
The crew of approximately 25 people will arrive four (4) hours prior to the program. We have our own spot light, floods, and sound equipment. Sometimes we are able to “tap into” your sound system.
3 pm set up stage, lighting, and sound
4 pm rehearsal and sound checks
5 pm meal prepared by host church
Could be anything from cold cuts to a carry in
All church members in attendance at that time should be invited to join & mingle
6 pm make up and costumes
7 pm presentation approximately 75 minutes
9 pm done and gone
Program order:
Appointed hour (7 pm?)
Church musician: congregational hymns??
O Worship the King
Come Thou Almighty King
Fairest Lord Jesus
Or some such general hymn of thanksgiving and praise
Church program director (pastor?) welcomes and makes any announcements
Prayer
Lord’s Prayer
Scripture: Mark 14:1-19 (or some other suitable scripture)
Love offering to defray expenses (church recruits ushers, etc. to collect)
Monies should be counted (for record keeping) and given to the director or issue a check. Monies collected are first used to pay for expenses. Some is “set aside” in a Christian Scholarship fund, next season “start up” funds are retained, and the balance is given to a Christian oriented cause. The Christian cause is usually promoted by a cast member or from one of the churches where we have presented the Last Supper.
Pastor introduces Director (or Director simply makes his/her way to the front and introduces the program.)
Director presents introduction
House lights are turned out
Musician plays hymn tune such as “Passion Chorale”
During this time “apostles” assume their seats behind the table in darkness
Spot & flood lights illuminate the set and hold for several seconds to allow audience to “take it in”
Lights out
Spot on (1) James the Less
Spot out while refocusing on next (Note: spot should remain on for a couple of seconds after the “disciple” says Is it I? Is it I? to add a dramatic moment before resuming his pose)
Spot on (2) Matthew
Spot out for short time to enable “disciple” to resume position
Musician & Choir, Soloist, etc, using flash lights or LED book lights only for illumination,
Hymn: Into the Woods My Master Went (two stanzas)
Spot & flood lights illuminate the set during Hymn, Solo, etc.
All illumination out after hymn
Spot on (3) Andrew
Spot out while refocusing on next
Spot on (4) James
Spot out for short time to enable “Apostle” to resume position
Musician & Choir, Soloist, etc, using flash lights only for illumination,
Hymn: Were You There When They Crucified My Lord (1st, 2nd and 5th stanzas)
Spot & flood lights illuminate the set during Hymn, Solo, etc.
All illumination out after hymn
Spot on (5) Simon the Zealot
Spot out while refocusing on next disciple
Spot on (6) Judas
Spot out for short time to enable “disciple” to resume position
Musician & Choir, Soloist, etc, using flash lights only for illumination,
Hymn: Beneath the Cross of Jesus (three stanzas)
Spot & flood lights illuminate the set during Hymn, Solo, etc.
All illumination out after hymn
Spot on (7) Nathaniel
Spot out while refocusing on next
Spot on (8) Thomas
Spot out for short time to enable “Apostle” to resume position
Musician & Choir, Soloist, etc, using flash lights only for illumination,
Hymn: There is a Green Hill Far Away (Stebbins’ tune with Chorus): a tenor soloist may sing Gounod’s dramatic setting for this same hymn poem instead.
Spot & flood lights illuminate the set during Hymn, Solo, etc.
All illumination out after hymn
Spot on (9) John
Spot out while refocusing on next
Spot on (10) Philip
Spot out for short time to enable “disciple” to resume position
Musician & Choir, Soloist, etc, using flash lights only for illumination,
Hymn: The Wondrous Cross (to tune Hamburg – two stanzas)
Spot & flood lights illuminate the set during Hymn, Solo, etc.
All illumination out after hymn
Spot on (11) Thaddaeus
Spot out while refocusing on next
Spot on (12) Peter
Spot out for short time to enable “disciple” to resume position
Soloist, etc, using flash lights only for illumination,
Hymn: The Lord’s Prayer
During this hymn, the lights dim on stage and the spotlight is focused on Jesus. This is the only time during the presentation that “Jesus” moves. During the last portion of the Lord’s Prayer, he will raise his arms and encompass the audience. Following the singing, the Musician once more plays the hymn tune “Passion Chorale” as the curtain slowly closes on the scene.
The troupe will leave the setting (under darkness) and assemble nearby (narthex, etc.) and form a reception line.
The Pastor or Director may then read a Scripture Lesson from Mark 14:19-26, and pronounce the benediction; and then the audience may be dismissed in as fitting a manner as possible in keeping with the mood of the drama.
Bill Cartwright
260 375-6371 cell
260 375-4545 home
Rick Ensley
260 348-3739 cell
http://www.orgsites.com/in/lsdramafw/
Last Supper Program day of 1/24/2009 7:05:46 PM 1 of 5