Saturday afternoon we "glued" all the 1st half scenes of our Easter drama together. While we block all of our scenes individually, at these Saturday blockings we piece these scenes together to double check everything. Last week we blocked the 1st half scenes individually, then Saturday we pieced all those scenes together. This week we'll block all of the second half scenes individually, and this coming Saturday we'll piece them all together.
These Saturday first and second half blockings generally last 2 - 3 hours, and our folks have the patience of saints as we sometimes have to rehearse things several times, or we have to huddle together to figure things out. We constantly have to remind ourselves that these are simply blocking rehearsals. It's easy to expect too much out of these rehearsals, and then be discouraged afterwards. These really aren't "rehearsals" as such...no lines are memorized, there are no lights or microphones...but rather simply times to figure out who stands where and how much time do they have to get there.
In these first and second half blockings we check ourselves on several things: flow of scenes, entrance and exit flow, how to get characters from one scene to another, how to get the choir on and off the stage. Our lighting team also sits through these rehearsals to get a feel for where lighting is going to be needed.
During these blockings I get to try out underscore music, which is the instrumental music that is played underneath dialouge or action. I never really know how this music is going to work until these rehearsals. Sometimes it's horrible, sometimes it fits perfectly, sometimes I just have to tweak it, sometimes I have to trash it and start from scratch.
Monday, March 1, 2010
Thursday, February 25, 2010
Publicity, Sold Out, Blocking Continued
Last couple of days haven't been so productive for me. Holed up fighting off sinus infections and bronchitus. Yay steroid shots and antibiotics!
Yesterday and today I almost wrapped up our radio and television publicity. Signed contracts for commerical time on cable television and sent our video to them. Two Christian radio stations will air spots for us. Got their information to them also.
Our two weekend matinees have completely "sold out". One other weekend performance is close to being sold out.
Blocking rehearsals have gone well for all scenes. The new scenes work well individually...now the big question will be how well do they work combined with the other scenes!
Costume Team has continued fitting and adjusting costumes. Programs Team is having a hard time getting corporate sponsors. Seems the economy is biting us there. That could cause us to go in the red when all is said and done. Set Decorations team continues to work each evening, and Set Construction team steps in here and there to fix things or sturdy things up. Reservations Team is at the church non-stop on weekdays from 9 - 4. Extras Team is pulling their hair out trying to get people to attend rehearsals...Everyone has such busy lives! Drama Choir has done a bang up job on the music. I'm actually giving them next week off..except for Saturday. Technical Teams are continuing to work on microphone assignments and lighting. Our hired sound/light guy has been getting lights and mics set up this week. Our T-Shirt Team received the t-shirts and started giving them out tonight. Everyone was excited!
These are just the teams I've seen at work. The others are all working hard to be prepared for the performances.
Yesterday and today I almost wrapped up our radio and television publicity. Signed contracts for commerical time on cable television and sent our video to them. Two Christian radio stations will air spots for us. Got their information to them also.
Our two weekend matinees have completely "sold out". One other weekend performance is close to being sold out.
Blocking rehearsals have gone well for all scenes. The new scenes work well individually...now the big question will be how well do they work combined with the other scenes!
Costume Team has continued fitting and adjusting costumes. Programs Team is having a hard time getting corporate sponsors. Seems the economy is biting us there. That could cause us to go in the red when all is said and done. Set Decorations team continues to work each evening, and Set Construction team steps in here and there to fix things or sturdy things up. Reservations Team is at the church non-stop on weekdays from 9 - 4. Extras Team is pulling their hair out trying to get people to attend rehearsals...Everyone has such busy lives! Drama Choir has done a bang up job on the music. I'm actually giving them next week off..except for Saturday. Technical Teams are continuing to work on microphone assignments and lighting. Our hired sound/light guy has been getting lights and mics set up this week. Our T-Shirt Team received the t-shirts and started giving them out tonight. Everyone was excited!
These are just the teams I've seen at work. The others are all working hard to be prepared for the performances.
Tuesday, February 23, 2010
Blocking Madness Begins
Blocking Easter drama scenes, particularly brand new ones, can seem like chaos. Some scenes have over 100 people in them, and each person needs to know their entrances, their exits, their action, etc. Fortunately, most of our folks understand that there are many details to figure out during blocking, so they adopt a wonderfully patient attitude and use their time standing around to develop new friendships and enjoy the fellowship with one another.
As we block, scenes can sometimes evolve. We'll see the written script in a different light when there are real people standing before you with the music and the stage. There's always an air of excitement each night at the beginning of blocking. This week is full of our first half blockings.
Today I finished our television ad that will be airing in the coming weeks. Nothing fancy, just enough to get the word out.
As we block, scenes can sometimes evolve. We'll see the written script in a different light when there are real people standing before you with the music and the stage. There's always an air of excitement each night at the beginning of blocking. This week is full of our first half blockings.
Today I finished our television ad that will be airing in the coming weeks. Nothing fancy, just enough to get the word out.
Saturday, February 20, 2010
Hitting the Wall
My wife and I use the phrase "I've hit my wall" whenever we feel exhausted or burned out or just plan old tired. I've learn from past Easter dramas that at some point each year I will "hit my wall" and need a break sometime during the preparation process. I don't like it, but I've learned to expect it. For the leadership of these type of ministries, we live and breath it for months. It's like a second job that you can never completely get on top of until it's over. Trying to reconcile three months of normal family life with work/ministry with a big production WILL catch up with you!
Generally I hit my wall after a couple of days of frustrating ministry work or family situations combined with several days worth of non-stop Easter drama attention while falling behind in regular day-to-day ministry responsibilities. Here's what I've learned to do:
*Spend extra time in the Word. That can be biblically-based music, scriptural-based books, etc. but do something that keeps God's Word in your mind.
*Don't be afraid to pass things along to support staff. My secretary has been a wonderful help and willing to shoulder loads of extra responsibilities during this time.
*Surround yourself with a GREAT Lead Team, and don't feel silly to say "Help!" to them. I sent my team a "Help!" email this week, and they have been wonderful in their willingness to help me through my "wall hitting" period.
*Don't feel responsible for being present at every aspect of each team's work. That's why you have team leaders; trust them to lead their teams and make their own decisions and do their tasks.
*Don't be worried about taking a break or breather here or there. No one can really understand the work load you've taken home with you each day of the last few months, or the late hours...and that's OK. God knows and you know. So take breaks when you can.
*Don't wait on a superior or supervisor to come to you and offer a break or a breather. They won't really be aware of your extra work load, and if you're a dependable person they'll trust you and want you to take care of yourself.
*Spend at least one day or afternoon doing something out of the ordinary from the last few months. Today, in between my daughter's early morning basketball game, a church member's 50th anniversary celebration, and getting things set up in the sanctuary for worship, I was able to get out in our yard for a couple of hours and begin de-winterizing it. Scooping dog poop and weeding flowerbeds works wonders for my disposition!
Tomorrow afternoon we begin the schedule for blocking individual scenes. Each scene has someone that will call all the extras and remind them of their schedule, and in these rehearsals I begin to adjust scripts and underscores to match exact timing and flow. For our church members who are extras or choir members, this begins an almost nightly attendance until the Easter drama is over. Many of our people will be at the church about 75% or more of the next 30 evenings, beginning tomorrow.
Generally I hit my wall after a couple of days of frustrating ministry work or family situations combined with several days worth of non-stop Easter drama attention while falling behind in regular day-to-day ministry responsibilities. Here's what I've learned to do:
*Spend extra time in the Word. That can be biblically-based music, scriptural-based books, etc. but do something that keeps God's Word in your mind.
*Don't be afraid to pass things along to support staff. My secretary has been a wonderful help and willing to shoulder loads of extra responsibilities during this time.
*Surround yourself with a GREAT Lead Team, and don't feel silly to say "Help!" to them. I sent my team a "Help!" email this week, and they have been wonderful in their willingness to help me through my "wall hitting" period.
*Don't feel responsible for being present at every aspect of each team's work. That's why you have team leaders; trust them to lead their teams and make their own decisions and do their tasks.
*Don't be worried about taking a break or breather here or there. No one can really understand the work load you've taken home with you each day of the last few months, or the late hours...and that's OK. God knows and you know. So take breaks when you can.
*Don't wait on a superior or supervisor to come to you and offer a break or a breather. They won't really be aware of your extra work load, and if you're a dependable person they'll trust you and want you to take care of yourself.
*Spend at least one day or afternoon doing something out of the ordinary from the last few months. Today, in between my daughter's early morning basketball game, a church member's 50th anniversary celebration, and getting things set up in the sanctuary for worship, I was able to get out in our yard for a couple of hours and begin de-winterizing it. Scooping dog poop and weeding flowerbeds works wonders for my disposition!
Tomorrow afternoon we begin the schedule for blocking individual scenes. Each scene has someone that will call all the extras and remind them of their schedule, and in these rehearsals I begin to adjust scripts and underscores to match exact timing and flow. For our church members who are extras or choir members, this begins an almost nightly attendance until the Easter drama is over. Many of our people will be at the church about 75% or more of the next 30 evenings, beginning tomorrow.
Thursday, February 18, 2010
Choir Recording and Phone Calls
The church phones have begun ringing with requests for Easter drama tickets. We don't begin reservations for the general public until Monday morning; once that day hits, our secretaries are deluged with phone calls. We set up our reservations team in our church library, and they have two different phone lines that stay busy for the next two or three weeks.
Speaking of tickets, we never charge for our Easter drama tickets. This ministry is self-sustaining only through love offerings and corporate sponsors.
Tonight was our drama choir recording. About three or four years ago we began recording our choir vocals for each years' performance. As with any dramatic production, there are times where we have to supplement our live voices. It may be because in a particular scene the choir has to sit, and that puts them further away from the microphones; it may be because the choir is walking down the aisles away from the mics; etc., etc. I always hated having studio voices from the sound tracks supplementing our voices, so we now record our own voices, and if we need vocal support during a performance, it's our own recorded voices singing. This recording is not production perfect; we would never sell a CD of this in-house recording. But it is just right for a gentle "umph" when our voices need it during performances.
This next week will be full of editing this recording into finished tracks. Very time consuming, but well worth it.
Tomorrow would normally be a hospital visitation day for me, but our deacons are graciously doing my hospital visits for the next several weeks. Once Easter drama season hits my schedule gets so full. Tomorrow I have the task of getting all of our sound and instruments back on stage and ready for Sunday worship. It will be a full day, and without the deacons help, it would be a very long and late day. I'm thankful for their ministry of serving not only our church, but the staff!
Speaking of tickets, we never charge for our Easter drama tickets. This ministry is self-sustaining only through love offerings and corporate sponsors.
Tonight was our drama choir recording. About three or four years ago we began recording our choir vocals for each years' performance. As with any dramatic production, there are times where we have to supplement our live voices. It may be because in a particular scene the choir has to sit, and that puts them further away from the microphones; it may be because the choir is walking down the aisles away from the mics; etc., etc. I always hated having studio voices from the sound tracks supplementing our voices, so we now record our own voices, and if we need vocal support during a performance, it's our own recorded voices singing. This recording is not production perfect; we would never sell a CD of this in-house recording. But it is just right for a gentle "umph" when our voices need it during performances.
This next week will be full of editing this recording into finished tracks. Very time consuming, but well worth it.
Tomorrow would normally be a hospital visitation day for me, but our deacons are graciously doing my hospital visits for the next several weeks. Once Easter drama season hits my schedule gets so full. Tomorrow I have the task of getting all of our sound and instruments back on stage and ready for Sunday worship. It will be a full day, and without the deacons help, it would be a very long and late day. I'm thankful for their ministry of serving not only our church, but the staff!
Wednesday, February 17, 2010
Two Days Worth
Yesterday and today have continued to be busy days for the Easter drama. Set construction was completed except for a few items, and set decoration is ongoing. We had a great lunch of jambalaya provided for us. Our manger angel girls met last night and started learning choreography. (These are all junior high girls.) Our promotional fliers and posters got printed, and our t-shirt designer sent me a mock up to proof. Our reservations team leader has been emailing and organizing tickets for church members' reservations. Our extras team has been handing out scripts. Our sound technician has been evaluating and checking out all of our microphones. Our costume team has been fitting people. Our technical team has begun working on microphone assignments. I've completed the first edit of tracks for our choir recording (which is tomorrow night). Choir rehearsal tonight went great.
Monday, February 15, 2010
Set Construction, Great Meal, Tickets, Extras, Greeters
It's been great day for the Easter drama. So many teams have worked hard. Of course, the most visible has been the Set Construction Team. Attached is a video of the set-in-progress.
Sunday, February 14, 2010
A City and a Chart
Even though today is a day of worship, it's a busy day for Easter drama preparation. I started the Track Chart today. This is a chart I make to keep up with the various versions of each song track we need. There can be up to six different edits of each song. 1) the track that we use to record our choir vocals; 2) the track for our blocking rehearsals 3) the track with a reprise added - if needed 4) the track with added special affects - like crickets chirping or thunder; 5) the track with our voices recorded as the vocals; 6) the performance track with everything needed mixed into one song.
This chart helps me remember what work I've done on the tracks. Since our choir recording is this Thursday, the recording tracks will be the priority to edit and get ready. This is pretty fun work for me. I enjoy piecing together and editing the music, trying to figure out how to cut parts of a song and glue it back together to make it sound seamless, looking for sound effects, listening to tons of movie soundtracks to get inspiration for underscores (I actually snuck in the theme from Star Trek one year, and no one ever knew!). It's fun, but can be very time consuming.
This evening after church we began turning our sanctuary into a biblical city. We have an old 18-wheeler trailer that we store off-campus that keeps most of our Easter drama set out of the elements. We also have a prop room full of scenery and props. Then we have an attic full of set braces, backdrops, and carpet. After church we unloaded all of this, and began piecing everything together. If you walked into our sanctuary right now, you'd think a bomb had gone off. Almost every pew has boards, pottery, greenery, tools, plywood, sound equipment on it. But there's sense to this chaos!
We usually have about 50 - 100 people of all ages help on Sunday nights. This number gets whittled down on Monday and Tuesday as the work gets more "specialized" and as people have to go to their "real" jobs. But here in Louisiana this Monday and Tuesday are holidays --- Mardi Gras. That's why we choose these specific days each year to put up the set. We get a few students and teachers and state workers that can help during the day because of this holiday.
Our Construction Team and Decoration Team get down to work tomorrow and Tuesday (and the rest of the week), and put in early / long hours. Our Set Construction Meal Team provides the most awesome lunches during this time...believe me when I say that no one goes away hungry!
As a worship leader, I can sometimes become overwhelmed as I take in the scene in the sanctuary. Every single piece of sound equipment on our stage, every instrument, every wire, every microphone, is displaced and temporarily stored all over the building. By the end of the week all of the sound equipment and every instrument will have to be returned and hooked up and in working condition for Sunday morning. Our choir room is a wreck, and will have to be cleaned up and things put away before Wednesday night. But, that's all a part of the Easter drama ministry. I've learned I can't look at how much there is to be done, but rather how much has been done. That's a good thing.
This chart helps me remember what work I've done on the tracks. Since our choir recording is this Thursday, the recording tracks will be the priority to edit and get ready. This is pretty fun work for me. I enjoy piecing together and editing the music, trying to figure out how to cut parts of a song and glue it back together to make it sound seamless, looking for sound effects, listening to tons of movie soundtracks to get inspiration for underscores (I actually snuck in the theme from Star Trek one year, and no one ever knew!). It's fun, but can be very time consuming.
This evening after church we began turning our sanctuary into a biblical city. We have an old 18-wheeler trailer that we store off-campus that keeps most of our Easter drama set out of the elements. We also have a prop room full of scenery and props. Then we have an attic full of set braces, backdrops, and carpet. After church we unloaded all of this, and began piecing everything together. If you walked into our sanctuary right now, you'd think a bomb had gone off. Almost every pew has boards, pottery, greenery, tools, plywood, sound equipment on it. But there's sense to this chaos!
We usually have about 50 - 100 people of all ages help on Sunday nights. This number gets whittled down on Monday and Tuesday as the work gets more "specialized" and as people have to go to their "real" jobs. But here in Louisiana this Monday and Tuesday are holidays --- Mardi Gras. That's why we choose these specific days each year to put up the set. We get a few students and teachers and state workers that can help during the day because of this holiday.
Our Construction Team and Decoration Team get down to work tomorrow and Tuesday (and the rest of the week), and put in early / long hours. Our Set Construction Meal Team provides the most awesome lunches during this time...believe me when I say that no one goes away hungry!
As a worship leader, I can sometimes become overwhelmed as I take in the scene in the sanctuary. Every single piece of sound equipment on our stage, every instrument, every wire, every microphone, is displaced and temporarily stored all over the building. By the end of the week all of the sound equipment and every instrument will have to be returned and hooked up and in working condition for Sunday morning. Our choir room is a wreck, and will have to be cleaned up and things put away before Wednesday night. But, that's all a part of the Easter drama ministry. I've learned I can't look at how much there is to be done, but rather how much has been done. That's a good thing.
Saturday, February 13, 2010
Choir Retreat
Yesterday was a great day of FINALLY finishing up the Easter drama script, making copies for all who need it. The only thing I have to do to the script is decide my underscores and insert those cues for the Sound Team. But this is a good working version for everyone else. We've learned to color-code the script. This run was on yellow paper. That way if there are any any changes to the script and we make new copies, we can remind people to "make sure you're using the whatever (yellow, pink, blue, etc.) color script." I learned this trick from our Student Ministry's big ministry The Choice.
Today was our drama choir retreat. Had a great group there today, and they sound great. I generally have about a 60 - 70% attendance year after year. Our "retreat" isn't one like you would imagine, where we go somewhere and spend the night. We meet at 9:30 and generally go until about 1:30ish. Sometimes we meet somewhere on the church campus, and sometimes we'll find a place off-campus to meet. Everyone brings snacks; some bring breakfast-type snacks, some bring mid-day type snacks or desserts. It's a very casual rehearsal time...I encourage people to get up any time they want to and get food or something to drink. I buy a lot of fun "door prize" gifts, some gag gifts and some real, and we do drawings throughout the day. We'll have a couple of devotions. Generally I provide a lunch (today we didn't do that, though). And we REHEARSE. Usually by the end of this retreat, we are all so much more familiar with the music. In fact, from this time on we'll mainly be working on memorizing.
This morning we had our big 10 foot grand piano moved out of the sanctuary in preparation for set construction. We used to disassemble it and move it ourselves, but I was always a nervous wreck. We didn't really have the proper equipment or knowlege to move it safely (for us AND for the piano). We would have up to twelve men at a time trying to get this done. I found a piano moving "company"...a man and his helpers...that move pianos for a piano store in Baton Rouge, and hired them. There are three or four of them, they come in and that piano is moved in 15 minutes! It is SO worth the money we spend on it. I've used them for the last six years.
While our grand is stored away and the set is up, our pianists use digital pianos / keyboards.
Tomorrow after church we begin set construction!
Today was our drama choir retreat. Had a great group there today, and they sound great. I generally have about a 60 - 70% attendance year after year. Our "retreat" isn't one like you would imagine, where we go somewhere and spend the night. We meet at 9:30 and generally go until about 1:30ish. Sometimes we meet somewhere on the church campus, and sometimes we'll find a place off-campus to meet. Everyone brings snacks; some bring breakfast-type snacks, some bring mid-day type snacks or desserts. It's a very casual rehearsal time...I encourage people to get up any time they want to and get food or something to drink. I buy a lot of fun "door prize" gifts, some gag gifts and some real, and we do drawings throughout the day. We'll have a couple of devotions. Generally I provide a lunch (today we didn't do that, though). And we REHEARSE. Usually by the end of this retreat, we are all so much more familiar with the music. In fact, from this time on we'll mainly be working on memorizing.
This morning we had our big 10 foot grand piano moved out of the sanctuary in preparation for set construction. We used to disassemble it and move it ourselves, but I was always a nervous wreck. We didn't really have the proper equipment or knowlege to move it safely (for us AND for the piano). We would have up to twelve men at a time trying to get this done. I found a piano moving "company"...a man and his helpers...that move pianos for a piano store in Baton Rouge, and hired them. There are three or four of them, they come in and that piano is moved in 15 minutes! It is SO worth the money we spend on it. I've used them for the last six years.
While our grand is stored away and the set is up, our pianists use digital pianos / keyboards.
Tomorrow after church we begin set construction!
Thursday, February 11, 2010
Lambs and Letters
Today we had about 18 church members assembled at the church attaching labels and sorting zip codes for almost 9,000 Easter drama promotional letters that we mail out to people that have attended the drama through the years. They laugh and drink coffee and fellowship and GET 'ER DONE!
Script is basically done. Need to proof for technical cues and add the last scene's narration.
Each year it's hit and miss for if we can find live lambs to use. We used to be able to borrow from LSU, but they are not allowed to loan them anymore. So, it all depends on the time of the Easter drama (lambing season stays the same though Eastertime varies) and if we can find someone that has them. One of my Lead Team members has been on top of it this year, and I think we'll have lambs! Hooray!
Script is basically done. Need to proof for technical cues and add the last scene's narration.
Each year it's hit and miss for if we can find live lambs to use. We used to be able to borrow from LSU, but they are not allowed to loan them anymore. So, it all depends on the time of the Easter drama (lambing season stays the same though Eastertime varies) and if we can find someone that has them. One of my Lead Team members has been on top of it this year, and I think we'll have lambs! Hooray!
The Day That Was Wednesday
Holed up yesterday until about Noon. Didn't quite get the Easter drama script finished...just some of the ending scenes left. Went to the church and burned tracks for all the soloists and narrators to rehearse with. That took most of the rest of the day.
Also submitted bids to multiple printers to print our fliers and posters. Generally we do this in-house, but this year's logo has so much black in it that it'll suck the ink right out of our printers. Comparing costs and quality, going with the printer to print may cost a little more, but the final product will be a lot better and it won't tie up our color laser printer so much in the office.
Had another great drama choir rehearsal last night. This group can sing!
Today I'll work on worship services, and then try to finish the first draft of the script and begin reading it through and making corrections as needed. We have our drama choir retreat Saturday, so today and tomorrow I'll be preparing for that.
Fighting a bad cold, so that hinders the desire to do anything productive, but no choice at this time of the year.
Also submitted bids to multiple printers to print our fliers and posters. Generally we do this in-house, but this year's logo has so much black in it that it'll suck the ink right out of our printers. Comparing costs and quality, going with the printer to print may cost a little more, but the final product will be a lot better and it won't tie up our color laser printer so much in the office.
Had another great drama choir rehearsal last night. This group can sing!
Today I'll work on worship services, and then try to finish the first draft of the script and begin reading it through and making corrections as needed. We have our drama choir retreat Saturday, so today and tomorrow I'll be preparing for that.
Fighting a bad cold, so that hinders the desire to do anything productive, but no choice at this time of the year.
Tuesday, February 9, 2010
Long Day With the Script!
I feel like I've been sitting in front of my computer forever. I took a break for supper, but that's it. But praise God I've gotten through the majority of the Easter drama script. The most difficult new scene has just been written and the tracks edited. I still have a chunk to finish, but that should be done tomorrow. I'll stay home holed up in my study at least until lunch, and if it's not done by then....you may hear a yell.
Monday, February 8, 2010
Mailings, Braces, and T-Shirts
Today I prepared the t-shirt logo (as much as I can) before turning it over to the printers. I usually come up with a basic design, and then let the T-Shirt Team work with the printers on a final product. Folks love buying these shirts and wearing them to promote the Easter drama.
Because we use the Easter drama logo in a variety of ways, we have to make several variations of the original logo. Today I created the black and white smaller logo for our newsletter, letterhead, mailouts, announcements, etc. and forwarded it to our secretaries.
This week is prep week for our big mailings. Each year people that attend our Easter drama give us their addresses in order to be informed of the next year's performance. We mail thousands of these informational letters out. Today I created this letter / flier so that it can be copied and folded by my secretary and ready for volunteers to label and mail out next week.
We also mail an informational letter and fliers to hundreds of local churches and pastors. That letter was also written today.
Each year we have a printed program to hand out to everyone in attendence of the Easter drama. It serves many purposes (I'll explain those at a later date), but one is that local businesses advertise in it. We call them our Corporate Sponsors. The money we raise from Corporate Sponsorship is so important to our ministry. Since we don't charge admission (we use a free ticket system), everything we need from the upkeep for our animals to building the set to publicty is paid for by love offerings and Corporate Sponsorship. Today I prepared the letter we mail out to every business that has been a Corporate Sponsor in the past, asking for their support again this year. Then I also prepared a letter for people who requested information last year about being a Corporate Sponsor for the first time this year.
Saturday our Properties Committee held a church-wide work day to help prepare the campus for the visitors we'll receive because of the Easter drama. At the same time, our two Set Construction Team leaders rebuilt some floor braces in preparation for our set construction next week. They've developed a great method of replacing and rebuilding portions of the set each year, instead of waiting until things fall apart to be replaced.
Last week my secretary printed out the thousands of free tickets that we'll give away through our reservations system, and today the Reservations Team Leader and one of the Lead Team members cut all these. Even though the dates and times of the performance are on the tickets, we also color-code them.
Tomorrow is another hole-up-at-home day. My goal is to FINISH the first draft of the script!
Because we use the Easter drama logo in a variety of ways, we have to make several variations of the original logo. Today I created the black and white smaller logo for our newsletter, letterhead, mailouts, announcements, etc. and forwarded it to our secretaries.
This week is prep week for our big mailings. Each year people that attend our Easter drama give us their addresses in order to be informed of the next year's performance. We mail thousands of these informational letters out. Today I created this letter / flier so that it can be copied and folded by my secretary and ready for volunteers to label and mail out next week.
We also mail an informational letter and fliers to hundreds of local churches and pastors. That letter was also written today.
Each year we have a printed program to hand out to everyone in attendence of the Easter drama. It serves many purposes (I'll explain those at a later date), but one is that local businesses advertise in it. We call them our Corporate Sponsors. The money we raise from Corporate Sponsorship is so important to our ministry. Since we don't charge admission (we use a free ticket system), everything we need from the upkeep for our animals to building the set to publicty is paid for by love offerings and Corporate Sponsorship. Today I prepared the letter we mail out to every business that has been a Corporate Sponsor in the past, asking for their support again this year. Then I also prepared a letter for people who requested information last year about being a Corporate Sponsor for the first time this year.
Saturday our Properties Committee held a church-wide work day to help prepare the campus for the visitors we'll receive because of the Easter drama. At the same time, our two Set Construction Team leaders rebuilt some floor braces in preparation for our set construction next week. They've developed a great method of replacing and rebuilding portions of the set each year, instead of waiting until things fall apart to be replaced.
Last week my secretary printed out the thousands of free tickets that we'll give away through our reservations system, and today the Reservations Team Leader and one of the Lead Team members cut all these. Even though the dates and times of the performance are on the tickets, we also color-code them.
Tomorrow is another hole-up-at-home day. My goal is to FINISH the first draft of the script!
Friday, February 5, 2010
The Information Table
Today we set up the Drama Information Table. This is a table set up at our Welcome Center with information for our church members. On this table they can find the packet of information we handed out at the Kick Off Meeting, a drama calendar, sign up lists for t-shirts, childcare, ticket request forms, corporate sponsor forms, and a childcare registration form.
Also sent out the final lists of folks that signed up for the different teams to all the team leaders. If there are not enough people that signed up for a team, the hard part begins for the team leaders: recruiting.
Found out today that one of our long-time team leaders who is also a much need extra can't be involved in the drama this year because of unexpected work conflicts. Back to the drawing board in those areas!
Here is an email I received from one of our team leaders whose team is already hard at work:
*Crowns repaired. (I don't think we need to replace the blue one after all.... I just spent some time repairing the one we have.) *Angel wings repaired (They are in BAD shape. Honestly just praying they make it through this year. The padding inside the wings is dry rotted, crumbles when it's touched. It's tied in the #1 spot with the heaven floor to be replaced for next year.) *Magi gifts repaired. *Queen's umbrella repaired.
Also sent out the final lists of folks that signed up for the different teams to all the team leaders. If there are not enough people that signed up for a team, the hard part begins for the team leaders: recruiting.
Found out today that one of our long-time team leaders who is also a much need extra can't be involved in the drama this year because of unexpected work conflicts. Back to the drawing board in those areas!
Here is an email I received from one of our team leaders whose team is already hard at work:
*Crowns repaired. (I don't think we need to replace the blue one after all.... I just spent some time repairing the one we have.) *Angel wings repaired (They are in BAD shape. Honestly just praying they make it through this year. The padding inside the wings is dry rotted, crumbles when it's touched. It's tied in the #1 spot with the heaven floor to be replaced for next year.) *Magi gifts repaired. *Queen's umbrella repaired.
Thursday, February 4, 2010
Sound Tracks and Teams
As I work on the Easter drama script, I edit the sound tracks. Most folks don't realize that sound tracks for the each choral song we use are usually divided up into 6 to 10 shorter tracks. After I download those short tracks to my computer, I load them into my music editing program where I "glue" them together into one full track. Then I go through and shorten the song or lengthen it, add instrumental sections for dialogue, and add sound effects (such as animal noises for a marketplace scene, or crickets for a night scene).
One of the songs we're using this year had two different arrangements, and I like both of them, so I combined pieces of each arrangement and edited it down to one track. It was time consuming, but the final outcome is beautiful and allows me to have a very moving scene fit the music.
Our Greeters Team and Reservations Team are working hard at figuring out how to communicate our policy for seating. We have such large crowds that we have to have some very organized guidelines to make sure there's room for everyone. Our Extras Team has met twice this week and continues to assign people to acting parts. I'll have a meeting this Saturday with our Construction, Set Decoration, and Props Teams to discuss some new scenes that will affect our set. Our Costume Team continues to go through props and costumes and repair and make arrangements for new things to be made.
Choir rehearsal last night was great. The drama Choir this year has a very beautiful sound...full and secure. I'm enjoying teaching them the music.
One of the songs we're using this year had two different arrangements, and I like both of them, so I combined pieces of each arrangement and edited it down to one track. It was time consuming, but the final outcome is beautiful and allows me to have a very moving scene fit the music.
Our Greeters Team and Reservations Team are working hard at figuring out how to communicate our policy for seating. We have such large crowds that we have to have some very organized guidelines to make sure there's room for everyone. Our Extras Team has met twice this week and continues to assign people to acting parts. I'll have a meeting this Saturday with our Construction, Set Decoration, and Props Teams to discuss some new scenes that will affect our set. Our Costume Team continues to go through props and costumes and repair and make arrangements for new things to be made.
Choir rehearsal last night was great. The drama Choir this year has a very beautiful sound...full and secure. I'm enjoying teaching them the music.
Tuesday, February 2, 2010
A Lot Accomplished
Holing up at home was a great idea today. Got about half of the script done. Hopefully another good day this week will allow me to get the first draft of the script completed. Tomorrow is worship planning day.
Scene One - IN THE BAG!
It's only 10:17 am and Scene One is completed! Choral track edited (with extended introduction and ending) - CHECK. Sound effects added - CHECK. Prophet Narrations written - CHECK. Light cues written - CHECK. Staging written - CHECK. Copy printed for Extras Team - CHECK.
Now on to our first ever Shepherd narration.
It's a good start to the day!
Now on to our first ever Shepherd narration.
It's a good start to the day!
Monday, February 1, 2010
Catching the Waves
Through the years I've found that the work load for Easter drama preparation comes in waves. The first wave is getting the music picked out and getting Choir folders and rehearsal CDs ready. The next wave is the Kick Off Meeting and all the prep that involves. This year both of those happened the same week, so once the Kick Off Meeting was over last night, I felt pretty relieved. I approached today committed to working only on the script.
HA.
By noon when I got a phone call that I had to pick my daughter up sick from school, I had yet to touch the script. I'd edited the first song's tracks so I could see the exact timing for narrations, but that's it. The rest of the morning was spent updating our Church Member Ticket Request Forms for our newsletter and bulletin, and creating an online version of the same. (We allow our church members to reserve tickets for the Easter drama performances several weeks before we offer them to the general public.)
Then I was able to get to the script, and got a whole TWO PAGES completed! Woo hoo! That was in between answering about six emails from Easter drama team leaders, restructuring the script outline to accomidate some solo changes, and taking my daughters to piano lessons.
Our extra Choir rehearsal went well tonight. By this time I'm able to determine what songs will need a lot of work, and which ones will be easy. It looks like I'll have to work really hard on about three or four of the songs. The rest will come easy for this Choir.
Tomorrow I've decided I have to work from home. I need to shut myself up in the study to work uninterupted on the script. My goal is to have at least a third of the script completed by the end of the day. We'll see!
HA.
By noon when I got a phone call that I had to pick my daughter up sick from school, I had yet to touch the script. I'd edited the first song's tracks so I could see the exact timing for narrations, but that's it. The rest of the morning was spent updating our Church Member Ticket Request Forms for our newsletter and bulletin, and creating an online version of the same. (We allow our church members to reserve tickets for the Easter drama performances several weeks before we offer them to the general public.)
Then I was able to get to the script, and got a whole TWO PAGES completed! Woo hoo! That was in between answering about six emails from Easter drama team leaders, restructuring the script outline to accomidate some solo changes, and taking my daughters to piano lessons.
Our extra Choir rehearsal went well tonight. By this time I'm able to determine what songs will need a lot of work, and which ones will be easy. It looks like I'll have to work really hard on about three or four of the songs. The rest will come easy for this Choir.
Tomorrow I've decided I have to work from home. I need to shut myself up in the study to work uninterupted on the script. My goal is to have at least a third of the script completed by the end of the day. We'll see!
Sunday, January 31, 2010
Over the First Hump
Getting the Easter drama choir music together and passed out is usually the first big hump of Easter drama planning to climb over (did this Wednesday). The second big hump is the Kick Off Meeting (did this tonight). Both are a culmination of LOTS of time consuming information-gathering and planning. The fact that I had both of these in the same week is unusual - - I was behind on getting the choir music together - - so tonight I feel like I've reached the summit of a really big hill. I can breathe a big sigh of relief because I have a slight reprieve.
Of course there are still many deadlines on the horizon. Promotional letters, fliers, and posters have to be written and designed and printed, but first priority is to get the script done. I'll begin that first thing tomorrow morning.
This is an exciting task. I'll take all the pieces that God's given me so far (songs, scene selections, narrators, etc.) and start weaving them all together.
Step 1 - Edit the sound tracks, both the choral songs and the underscores, so I can get a feel for the timing of a scene. Choral sound tracks come in multiple sections; one song may have 9 different tracks. I have to glue all of these together in a song editing program, and then shorten the song, or add to it, or whatever to make it work for a scene.
Step 2 - Search the Scriptures and write narrations and scenes out.
Step 3 - Edit the music and the narrations and the acting even more so they fit all together (many times this means propping a CD player on my shoulder and "walking through" scenes in the empty sanctuary to get the timing of a narration or the timing of a scene just right).
Step 4 - Add the technical prompts to the script (lighting, sound).
Then I PRAY PRAY PRAY that I've remembered everything before I make copies of the script for everyone!
Of course there are still many deadlines on the horizon. Promotional letters, fliers, and posters have to be written and designed and printed, but first priority is to get the script done. I'll begin that first thing tomorrow morning.
This is an exciting task. I'll take all the pieces that God's given me so far (songs, scene selections, narrators, etc.) and start weaving them all together.
Step 1 - Edit the sound tracks, both the choral songs and the underscores, so I can get a feel for the timing of a scene. Choral sound tracks come in multiple sections; one song may have 9 different tracks. I have to glue all of these together in a song editing program, and then shorten the song, or add to it, or whatever to make it work for a scene.
Step 2 - Search the Scriptures and write narrations and scenes out.
Step 3 - Edit the music and the narrations and the acting even more so they fit all together (many times this means propping a CD player on my shoulder and "walking through" scenes in the empty sanctuary to get the timing of a narration or the timing of a scene just right).
Step 4 - Add the technical prompts to the script (lighting, sound).
Then I PRAY PRAY PRAY that I've remembered everything before I make copies of the script for everyone!
Friday, January 29, 2010
Information Packets Day
One important thing that we do to prepare for the Easter drama is a Kick Off Meeting. We ask everyone that signed up to be involved in any capacity of the Easter drama to attend. At this meeting we hand out information packets and sign up lists are made available for childcare, t-shirts, corporate sponsorships, etc. and also have a time of prayer.
Today I finalized all that information and created and copied these packets. The information included is:
* Things You Need to Know
*Team Leaders and Contact Information
*What to Wear
*Childcare Information
*Dress Rehearsal / Performance Information
*Corporate Sponsor Information
*Calendar
People will refer to the packets of information repeatedly throughout the next two months, so we work hard to get everything in them we can think of. I ask for everyone's feedback and evaluations at the end of each year's Easter drama, and many times this feedback affects the information packets and what we put in them.
Today I finalized all that information and created and copied these packets. The information included is:
* Things You Need to Know
*Team Leaders and Contact Information
*What to Wear
*Childcare Information
*Dress Rehearsal / Performance Information
*Corporate Sponsor Information
*Calendar
People will refer to the packets of information repeatedly throughout the next two months, so we work hard to get everything in them we can think of. I ask for everyone's feedback and evaluations at the end of each year's Easter drama, and many times this feedback affects the information packets and what we put in them.
Thursday, January 28, 2010
Team Leaders and Do-Anythingers
An Easter drama production of our magnitute doesn't happen because a few staff members organize it. It happens because our church family embraces it and makes it happen. Not only do we have 29 Team Leaders, but we have scores of people that step up and do whatever is needed.
For instance, yesterday afternoon a group of about 8 people met about 90 minutes before choir rehearsal and put together our drama choir notebooks. This week a volunteer came into the church office, borrowed a computer, and typed out all the lyrics to each of the Easter drama songs so they can easily be inserted into the script. Our church's Properties Committee begins weeks before the Easter drama addressing needs to our campus, and coordinates a church-wide work day so that our campus will be ready to receive the thousands of visitors we'll have. Our office receptionist took time to help my secretary clean out old choir notebooks. I could go on and on.
And our precious Drama Teams. Man, how they take on the task. Throughout the year our Animal Management Team takes care of our camel. Our Costumes Team has cleaned out their costume room and already begun making repairs. Our Set Construction Team has evaluated some of the set that needs repair, and set up a work time for that. Our Set Decoration Team has begun brain storming the new scene. Our Food Services Teams have already begun preparation for the meals they will coordinate. Our Extras Team has begun meeting to assign volunteers for parts in the drama. Our Greeters and Reservations Teams have already begun thinking through how to address seating and reservation issues from last year. And those are just the teams I'm aware of...many of them begin working quietly and I never know!
Lord, may the ministerial staff of our church never loose sight that we have an Easter drama because of the desire of the people of the church to have an Easter drama. May we do everything in our power to help them be successful, for success in their efforts is success for the kingdom of God. Amen.
For instance, yesterday afternoon a group of about 8 people met about 90 minutes before choir rehearsal and put together our drama choir notebooks. This week a volunteer came into the church office, borrowed a computer, and typed out all the lyrics to each of the Easter drama songs so they can easily be inserted into the script. Our church's Properties Committee begins weeks before the Easter drama addressing needs to our campus, and coordinates a church-wide work day so that our campus will be ready to receive the thousands of visitors we'll have. Our office receptionist took time to help my secretary clean out old choir notebooks. I could go on and on.
And our precious Drama Teams. Man, how they take on the task. Throughout the year our Animal Management Team takes care of our camel. Our Costumes Team has cleaned out their costume room and already begun making repairs. Our Set Construction Team has evaluated some of the set that needs repair, and set up a work time for that. Our Set Decoration Team has begun brain storming the new scene. Our Food Services Teams have already begun preparation for the meals they will coordinate. Our Extras Team has begun meeting to assign volunteers for parts in the drama. Our Greeters and Reservations Teams have already begun thinking through how to address seating and reservation issues from last year. And those are just the teams I'm aware of...many of them begin working quietly and I never know!
Lord, may the ministerial staff of our church never loose sight that we have an Easter drama because of the desire of the people of the church to have an Easter drama. May we do everything in our power to help them be successful, for success in their efforts is success for the kingdom of God. Amen.
Wednesday, January 27, 2010
Overwhelmed...Inspired
Each year during Easter drama planning there are moments of being overwhelmed, feeling as if there are too many deadlines for too many things and not enough time. Today I had one of those overwhelmed moments. Try as hard as you might you're not always able to control the way a day unfolds, yet the deadlines don't budge. Today the unexpected need to rearrange the voicing of a song became the number one priority so it would be ready for the volunteers as they put together choir notebooks tonight and so the choir could begin practicing it. The day became one of inputting eighth notes and dotted quarter notes and tied sixteenth notes and rests in the Finale computer program (a music notation system). And folks, you can only do that one little note at a time. So here I go, clicking away on the computer while the day flies by. Whew. Got it done!
Choir rehearsal CDs also got duplicated today. That involves formatting the CD cover, editing songs, burning masters, checking files to make sure the songs are without glitches. We are so blessed to have a CD duplicating / printer robot (seriously!). I used to have to take CDs across town to get them duplicated and printed, but several years ago some dear church members donated the funds for this duplicating machine.
A last minute song choice for one of the scenes was fulfilled today as the tracks and music were delivered in time. On a lark I listened to a forgotten demo CD, and was blown away by a song. Yet it was a solo with very little choir, and for this particular scene it needed to have more choir. A helpful sales rep through the music company that distributes this song was able to track down a choral arrangement, fax it to me so I could compare songs, and then overnight the new one to me. When God gives me inspiration and then allows all the pieces fit together to create reality, it's an awesome thing.
Many of the Team Leaders have already begun working on areas of responsibility. So many people give so much of their time and no one sees it or knows about it. What a living example of the body of Christ.
Tonight was a great choir rehearsal. This year's drama choir has a beautiful sound, a very full blended sound. I'm blessed beyond measure with their talent.
Choir rehearsal CDs also got duplicated today. That involves formatting the CD cover, editing songs, burning masters, checking files to make sure the songs are without glitches. We are so blessed to have a CD duplicating / printer robot (seriously!). I used to have to take CDs across town to get them duplicated and printed, but several years ago some dear church members donated the funds for this duplicating machine.
A last minute song choice for one of the scenes was fulfilled today as the tracks and music were delivered in time. On a lark I listened to a forgotten demo CD, and was blown away by a song. Yet it was a solo with very little choir, and for this particular scene it needed to have more choir. A helpful sales rep through the music company that distributes this song was able to track down a choral arrangement, fax it to me so I could compare songs, and then overnight the new one to me. When God gives me inspiration and then allows all the pieces fit together to create reality, it's an awesome thing.
Many of the Team Leaders have already begun working on areas of responsibility. So many people give so much of their time and no one sees it or knows about it. What a living example of the body of Christ.
Tonight was a great choir rehearsal. This year's drama choir has a beautiful sound, a very full blended sound. I'm blessed beyond measure with their talent.
Tuesday, January 26, 2010
Tuesday
I'm reading a book Seven Words of Worship by Mike Harland and Stan Moser. As I was reading it today during my quiet time I was reminded that when we worship God He uses that to call us to Him. My prayer as I prepare our Easter drama is that God will use it to bring people to a place of worship...a place of awe at who He is and what He's done for us, and in so doing call them to Him.
Today I finalized the Easter drama soloists and their alternates and contacted each of them (email!). People sometimes will ask me why I don't do "tryouts" for solos. Simply put, I don't feel led to. The soloists will all come from the choir (except for some students and children), and I'm very familiar with the choir's voices. I know the timbre of their individual voices, the strengths and weaknesses of their voices, their stage presence, each one's dependability and consistancy. I can't imagine adding evenings of auditions to my schedule during this time anyway!
I also completed the master for the choir's rehearsal CD. This is about 2 weeks late! Tomorrow I think I'll lay hands on our contrary CD duplicator, and pray that it will behave and duplicate the CDs without any problem for tomorrow night.
Today the Extras Team gave me their list of dates for blocking the different scenes, and I updated the drama calendar. It can be overwhelming if I look at the drama calendar in full. I have to look at it a day at a time. Through the years I've slowly learned that I don't have to be at every single drama-scheduled event. That's why we have Team Leaders. Now if I could just get rid of the guilty feelings whenever I'm not there!!
This is the point of planning where it seems like it never ends...there's always something else to finish up, someone else waiting on me for something. I've learned that this first big push evens out for a few days after I get the script completed. I so look forward to those few days of non-stress! BUT...this is the day the Lord has made, I will rejoice....
Today I finalized the Easter drama soloists and their alternates and contacted each of them (email!). People sometimes will ask me why I don't do "tryouts" for solos. Simply put, I don't feel led to. The soloists will all come from the choir (except for some students and children), and I'm very familiar with the choir's voices. I know the timbre of their individual voices, the strengths and weaknesses of their voices, their stage presence, each one's dependability and consistancy. I can't imagine adding evenings of auditions to my schedule during this time anyway!
I also completed the master for the choir's rehearsal CD. This is about 2 weeks late! Tomorrow I think I'll lay hands on our contrary CD duplicator, and pray that it will behave and duplicate the CDs without any problem for tomorrow night.
Today the Extras Team gave me their list of dates for blocking the different scenes, and I updated the drama calendar. It can be overwhelming if I look at the drama calendar in full. I have to look at it a day at a time. Through the years I've slowly learned that I don't have to be at every single drama-scheduled event. That's why we have Team Leaders. Now if I could just get rid of the guilty feelings whenever I'm not there!!
This is the point of planning where it seems like it never ends...there's always something else to finish up, someone else waiting on me for something. I've learned that this first big push evens out for a few days after I get the script completed. I so look forward to those few days of non-stress! BUT...this is the day the Lord has made, I will rejoice....
Monday, January 25, 2010
Piecing the Puzzle Together
Putting together the actual Easter drama itself is like putting a big puzzle together. I don't mean the organization or structure of all the drama teams, but the storyline and script and songs. Today I put all the "edges" of this puzzle together: I put a working outline together of every scene, all the extras needed for each scene, the songs, and the soloists. I decided what parts of the life of Jesus will be included in this year's storylines and struggled through how to transition between most of those scenes.
This is the beginning of struggling with Creativity vs. Reality. Creativity may come up with a scene that has 16 speaking parts/solos, but Reality speaks up and reminds that we only have 12 wireless microphone receivers, and I also have to keep in mind the mics needed for the scenes prior to and immediately following this scene.
Putting together this outline helps me find the gaps I may have overlooked in the overall story; it makes me think through transition music and underscores I need to find. It also allows me to begin working on the actual script. ("Script" doesn't just mean the words the actors say. It also means staging, light and sound cues, props needed, timing.)
This week the Extras Team will begin meeting to assign actors their parts. The Costume Team is meeting to repair and begin assessing costumes and props. My poor secretary has been working non-stop on inputting volunteer questionnaries into lists so I can distribute them to team leaders. My Lead Team has almost finished recruiting all the team leaders.
It's going to be a full week, but one that God's work is being done, and that's always a good thing.
This is the beginning of struggling with Creativity vs. Reality. Creativity may come up with a scene that has 16 speaking parts/solos, but Reality speaks up and reminds that we only have 12 wireless microphone receivers, and I also have to keep in mind the mics needed for the scenes prior to and immediately following this scene.
Putting together this outline helps me find the gaps I may have overlooked in the overall story; it makes me think through transition music and underscores I need to find. It also allows me to begin working on the actual script. ("Script" doesn't just mean the words the actors say. It also means staging, light and sound cues, props needed, timing.)
This week the Extras Team will begin meeting to assign actors their parts. The Costume Team is meeting to repair and begin assessing costumes and props. My poor secretary has been working non-stop on inputting volunteer questionnaries into lists so I can distribute them to team leaders. My Lead Team has almost finished recruiting all the team leaders.
It's going to be a full week, but one that God's work is being done, and that's always a good thing.
Saturday, January 23, 2010
The Begging Video
Just finished a 5 minute video of scenes from previous Easter dramas, with reminders for our folks to fill out their Easter drama questionnaires. In other words, a begging video. Will show it in church tomorrow. The music was a quick edit so the choir could hear it....has too many animal sounds in it for the video, but it will be good for the opening song of the first scene. Click here to watch it on YouTube: Easter Drama Questionnaire Reminder
Friday, January 22, 2010
The Logo
I probably agonize as much over the creation of the drama logo each year as anything else. So much depends on the creation of the logo: Choir and Leaders' notebooks, website publicity, Kick Off Meeting packets, tickets, t-shirts, PowerPoint announcements, and sometimes even the theme of the drama gets finalized as I flesh out the logo. Today was Logo Day for me, and that was about all I did in the office and tonight at home. While I enjoy doing graphics and love gazing at the end results, searching for images and ideas and inspiration on the internet can be very tiring for me. So finally by 10:00 tonight I'm pretty pleased with the results. I may end up tweaking it some, because I have to think of how much ink it takes to print it, how it looks in black and white, how a t-shirt can be designed around it, how many different versions I have to create from it, etc., etc., but for now I think I'm happy.
Thursday, January 21, 2010
An Awesome Lead Team
Below is an email I received today from one of my Lead Team members. I have six folks on the Lead Team, and each has four teams they recruit leaders for and encourage and help out. The people on the Lead Team are the BEST. This email will give you an idea of what they do, how they communicate with me and their team leaders. Names have been changed to protect the innocent! :)
____________________________________
Deloy,
I have had the most interesting conversations with Team Leaders as I pick their brains.
T SHIRTS: thanks for forwarding the email from RRRR...we are on target for t shirts!!
DEAF MINISTRY: talked to XXXX and she is a YES. Couple of things as reminders from her:
1. Thursday night seemed to work wonderfully well last year for Interpreter and the deaf community. (with cuts at deaf school, XXXX was somewhat concerned about their attendance...but who knows...let's just give them the date and let God do the rest!)
2. Interpreter needs copy of the script electronically
3. And also a CD of the music ahead of time
4. Remind YYYY to put spotlight on interpreter during dark portions of the performance.
5. All addresses for the deaf community should be in the church database.
GREETERS: talked to AAAA and she and BBBB are both YES. (we may have to send in water bottles with nerve medicine for them!! as I listened to what she dealt with last year.) Points from AAAA:
1. Number of tickets printed per night exceeded seating capacity so people turned away...not good.
2. Programs per night toward end ran short...
3. Was pleased that we will have BIG signs at the doors
4. Noted that there were no problems with the bathrooms malfunctioning last year...but questioned WHO to call in case of a problem this year
5. Had major concern with large groups showing up at the start of the performance or in some cases after the performance had begun expecting to be seated....wanted to make sure tickets mentioned wording and maybe relay that info on to Reservations Team when those groups call for big quantities of tickets. Shall I call AAAA and mention that to her or do you do that?
FOOD SERVICES Matinee: ain't talked to MMMM yet. Will have that info for you tomorrow.
Ok...I'm ready to run interferrence for any issue I need to address. Who does the signs for us? And who in the office is in charge of printing tickets? Wording on tickets and sign need to be similar if not same.
____________________________________
Deloy,
I have had the most interesting conversations with Team Leaders as I pick their brains.
T SHIRTS: thanks for forwarding the email from RRRR...we are on target for t shirts!!
DEAF MINISTRY: talked to XXXX and she is a YES. Couple of things as reminders from her:
1. Thursday night seemed to work wonderfully well last year for Interpreter and the deaf community. (with cuts at deaf school, XXXX was somewhat concerned about their attendance...but who knows...let's just give them the date and let God do the rest!)
2. Interpreter needs copy of the script electronically
3. And also a CD of the music ahead of time
4. Remind YYYY to put spotlight on interpreter during dark portions of the performance.
5. All addresses for the deaf community should be in the church database.
GREETERS: talked to AAAA and she and BBBB are both YES. (we may have to send in water bottles with nerve medicine for them!! as I listened to what she dealt with last year.) Points from AAAA:
1. Number of tickets printed per night exceeded seating capacity so people turned away...not good.
2. Programs per night toward end ran short...
3. Was pleased that we will have BIG signs at the doors
4. Noted that there were no problems with the bathrooms malfunctioning last year...but questioned WHO to call in case of a problem this year
5. Had major concern with large groups showing up at the start of the performance or in some cases after the performance had begun expecting to be seated....wanted to make sure tickets mentioned wording and maybe relay that info on to Reservations Team when those groups call for big quantities of tickets. Shall I call AAAA and mention that to her or do you do that?
FOOD SERVICES Matinee: ain't talked to MMMM yet. Will have that info for you tomorrow.
Ok...I'm ready to run interferrence for any issue I need to address. Who does the signs for us? And who in the office is in charge of printing tickets? Wording on tickets and sign need to be similar if not same.
Wednesday Musings
One of my constant Easter drama struggles is to fight against taking folks' lack of participation personally. "This is not my drama, it's our church's...this is not my drama, it's God's..." becomes a regular mantra I remind myself day in and day out. Not because I desire selfish gain or ownership of the drama, but because I fight insecurities. When Mr. and Mrs. X and their family decide not to participate, the first two things that enter my mind are: a) what did I do wrong? and b) don't they realize how much we need them? how am I going to fill that void? Repeat after me: "This is not my drama, it's our church's...this is not my drama, it's God's..."
I think we've finally got all of the music copied for the choir. For big productions I learned never to give out the music originals. We order the correct amount (or get copyright permission to copy) and then make copies. That way when Joe Daddy takes his music on his visit to Aunt Ethel's and forgets it, we haven't lost our originals. Volunteers will be coming next Wednesday to put the music in notebooks for the Choir.
Less than half of the normal number of people have committed to sing in the Choir this year, so I spent time calling and emailing people that haven't turned in their questionnaires yet. "Oh, it's in my Bible...I forgot to turn it in!" "I just haven't had time!" "I was going to do it Sunday!" Whew...I was worried there for a while. I think we'll have the average participation, although I would sure love to have more than average.
Choir rehearsal was good last night. The new songs seem fairly easy this year, which is a blessing since it seems we're about a week behind in prep. The big question on my mind right now is what to do about that extra Choir rehearsal I have scheduled for this Sunday night at the same time as the Saints vs. Vikings playoff. Part of me puffs up and says I WILL NOT BOW DOWN TO THE SPORTS GOD. The other part of me really really really wants to watch that game. I wonder what part will win out???
I think we've finally got all of the music copied for the choir. For big productions I learned never to give out the music originals. We order the correct amount (or get copyright permission to copy) and then make copies. That way when Joe Daddy takes his music on his visit to Aunt Ethel's and forgets it, we haven't lost our originals. Volunteers will be coming next Wednesday to put the music in notebooks for the Choir.
Less than half of the normal number of people have committed to sing in the Choir this year, so I spent time calling and emailing people that haven't turned in their questionnaires yet. "Oh, it's in my Bible...I forgot to turn it in!" "I just haven't had time!" "I was going to do it Sunday!" Whew...I was worried there for a while. I think we'll have the average participation, although I would sure love to have more than average.
Choir rehearsal was good last night. The new songs seem fairly easy this year, which is a blessing since it seems we're about a week behind in prep. The big question on my mind right now is what to do about that extra Choir rehearsal I have scheduled for this Sunday night at the same time as the Saints vs. Vikings playoff. Part of me puffs up and says I WILL NOT BOW DOWN TO THE SPORTS GOD. The other part of me really really really wants to watch that game. I wonder what part will win out???
Tuesday, January 19, 2010
The Day That Was Tuesday
One of the great things about putting together a Christian dramatic musical is that it automatically draws you to God's Word. Today I spent a lot of time trying to understand what Jesus actually did right after his baptism: did he go immediately into the wilderness for forty days, or did he go start rounding up his disciples? (the way John's gospel is written makes you wonder, but he went into the wilderness first) What order did he call his disciples? (Andrew and Simon first for sure. When the disciples are listed as a whole, Judas is always last, but in the gospel of Matthew it records the incident of Matthew's calling last. Go figure...) Why do those things matter? Because we want to be as accurate as possible in the chronology of the storyline for the Easter drama.
Other drama things accomplished today:
*confirmed a television interview for one of the morning shows
*fixed a glitch on the online questionnaire form (love those Google document forms!)
*met with a team leader about recruiting a new team member
*got an informational letter put together to mail to new church members explaining about the drama and asking for their participation
*worked on the details surrounding one of our new scenes that will require new set construction, decoration, and props
*still need a couple of songs to round out the script, so listened to more new music
*completed my first comprehensive list of scenes and songs and extras needed
Tomorrow is a NO DRAMA day. Has to be dedicated to worship planning.
Other drama things accomplished today:
*confirmed a television interview for one of the morning shows
*fixed a glitch on the online questionnaire form (love those Google document forms!)
*met with a team leader about recruiting a new team member
*got an informational letter put together to mail to new church members explaining about the drama and asking for their participation
*worked on the details surrounding one of our new scenes that will require new set construction, decoration, and props
*still need a couple of songs to round out the script, so listened to more new music
*completed my first comprehensive list of scenes and songs and extras needed
Tomorrow is a NO DRAMA day. Has to be dedicated to worship planning.
The Shepherds
I wonder if we've ever had a shepherd narrator in the Easter drama.
In Luke chapter two I read that after the angel choir scared the pants off of the shepherds, they:
1 - Had a shepherd planning meeting ("Let's go to Bethlehem!").
2 - They hurried off to look for the holy family (who watched their sheep while they were gone?).
3 - They found Mary and Joseph and Jesus (did they have a GPS system back then?).
4 - After they had a spot o' tea with the fam, they "spread the word"...in other words, they told anyone who would listen about Jesus.
5 - They returned to their lonely sheep, "glorifying and praising God for all the things they had heard and seen."
I think a shepherd would have a whole lot to say, if you ask me.
In Luke chapter two I read that after the angel choir scared the pants off of the shepherds, they:
1 - Had a shepherd planning meeting ("Let's go to Bethlehem!").
2 - They hurried off to look for the holy family (who watched their sheep while they were gone?).
3 - They found Mary and Joseph and Jesus (did they have a GPS system back then?).
4 - After they had a spot o' tea with the fam, they "spread the word"...in other words, they told anyone who would listen about Jesus.
5 - They returned to their lonely sheep, "glorifying and praising God for all the things they had heard and seen."
I think a shepherd would have a whole lot to say, if you ask me.
First Extra Choir Rehearsal
For a Monday night, we had a fair turnout. Went over four new songs and one from last year. Man, the basses "be da men!" Almost all of our new choir members in the last few months have been basses. Good solid singers.
Emailed our conctact at one of the local TV stations to see about getting an interview later in March. They don't really do interviews on their morning shows anymore, but something may work out. I hope so. We always see a big response in ticket reservations after those interviews.
OK. Time to get some rest. During drama time I have to begin taking a sleeping pill every night, otherwise my mind goes bonkers as I lay in bed, thinking about everything and worrying about details. Thank you, Lord, for AMBIEN!
Emailed our conctact at one of the local TV stations to see about getting an interview later in March. They don't really do interviews on their morning shows anymore, but something may work out. I hope so. We always see a big response in ticket reservations after those interviews.
OK. Time to get some rest. During drama time I have to begin taking a sleeping pill every night, otherwise my mind goes bonkers as I lay in bed, thinking about everything and worrying about details. Thank you, Lord, for AMBIEN!
Did I accomplish anything today?
Tonight our first extra Choir rehearsal was scheduled. I needed to get some of our music edited and ready to pass out. When did I start on this? About 3 o'clock in the afternoon. What can I show for the rest of the day? Staff meeting, quiet time, and.... ?? I remember that I ate lunch. I remember being on the phone with one of my team leaders for about an hour. I remember dealing with someone's territorial issues. I remember listening to a couple drama songs over and over and over to determine editing and staging possibilities. I remember walking over to C Building and looking at storage with one of our new team leaders. Wow...I can't afford to have many of these days.
My secretary is putting together the all important questionnaire lists...those tabulations of the questionnaires that people have turned in. This is the time of drama that I begin to get really nervous that enough people will want to participate and will turn in their questionnaires. I. Hate. Begging. People. To. Serve. But we need people, and lots of 'em! Come on, Lord, irritate folks so that they can't be comfortable until they turn in their questionnaires!
My secretary is putting together the all important questionnaire lists...those tabulations of the questionnaires that people have turned in. This is the time of drama that I begin to get really nervous that enough people will want to participate and will turn in their questionnaires. I. Hate. Begging. People. To. Serve. But we need people, and lots of 'em! Come on, Lord, irritate folks so that they can't be comfortable until they turn in their questionnaires!
Beginning nuts and bolts planning
Got the drama calendar planned out, with only a few glitches. Thankfully most of the dates follow a pattern from year to year.
I've changed the leadership a little bit. First, the ministerial staff has all agreed that for the big events our church pulls off, we all will begin being a part of the leadership, instead of just one staff member being totally in charge. I think that will be a blessing for each of us. We all want to help each other out, and do, but this sort of makes it official. So of the 29 Easter drama teams, this year I'll only be the staff leader over 15. The rest have been divied out to the other staff members. We'll still have the same organization of Team - Team Leader - Lead Team member - Staff, but I won't be the sole staff member for each team.
Another change is that I added a 6th Lead Team member to our Lead Team. We've got a great Lead Team, and this new member will be perfect. We met Sunday afternoon, and split up the teams among the Lead Team members. Each Lead Team member will have four teams to recruit leaders for and to encourage and help throughout the process of the drama. They were all gung ho!
I've changed the leadership a little bit. First, the ministerial staff has all agreed that for the big events our church pulls off, we all will begin being a part of the leadership, instead of just one staff member being totally in charge. I think that will be a blessing for each of us. We all want to help each other out, and do, but this sort of makes it official. So of the 29 Easter drama teams, this year I'll only be the staff leader over 15. The rest have been divied out to the other staff members. We'll still have the same organization of Team - Team Leader - Lead Team member - Staff, but I won't be the sole staff member for each team.
Another change is that I added a 6th Lead Team member to our Lead Team. We've got a great Lead Team, and this new member will be perfect. We met Sunday afternoon, and split up the teams among the Lead Team members. Each Lead Team member will have four teams to recruit leaders for and to encourage and help throughout the process of the drama. They were all gung ho!
Monday, January 18, 2010
Still Listening....
The unique thing about taking time off is that I have to do a lot of planning ahead in order to be gone, and then when I get back I'm behind. So the Christmas holidays sort become a rush rush game, trying to get my normal worship planning back in order and at the same time squeeze in extra time to work on the Easter Drama. This year I have the extra task of trying to get our new church website up and running, so I've given up a lot of drama planning time to work on the website. One or both of those responsibilities come home with me most nights nowadays.
I've finally gotten most of the songs picked out...or I should say God showed me most of the songs. A couple will come from our Christmas program, a couple from last year's Easter drama, and the rest will be new to us. There are still a few key songs to find, but I've got enough to get the choir rehearsing. Some of the songs I'll have to do a bit of editing, but that's always a fun challenge. I use the free program Audacity to edit. I'm sure there are other programs out there, but I know this one, and that's half the battle.
The story line seems to be evolving with the song selections. I think God's given me a direction for narrators and their frame of reference to the events going on around them. I wonder if we've ever had a shepherd narrator?
I've finally gotten most of the songs picked out...or I should say God showed me most of the songs. A couple will come from our Christmas program, a couple from last year's Easter drama, and the rest will be new to us. There are still a few key songs to find, but I've got enough to get the choir rehearsing. Some of the songs I'll have to do a bit of editing, but that's always a fun challenge. I use the free program Audacity to edit. I'm sure there are other programs out there, but I know this one, and that's half the battle.
The story line seems to be evolving with the song selections. I think God's given me a direction for narrators and their frame of reference to the events going on around them. I wonder if we've ever had a shepherd narrator?
So Far....
I can never get my mind wrapped around planning the Easter drama until after our Christmas program. My mind can't juggle it all. I guess I'm pretty simple-minded. So I basically have to wait until after our Night of Christmas Praise is over, the sanctuary Christmas decorations are put away, I've had time to buy Christmas gifts, I've caught up on work so that I can enjoy my holiday days off, and then I can pull out the boxes and boxes of music I haven't had time to listen to. That's usually the first step. Listening.
I listen to literally hundreds of songs. I listen for the right kind of music, the right kind of lyrics, singable parts for my choir, the right kind of arrangements. I listen for God to prick my heart and spirit. I listen for a prompting about a storyline for the script. 90% of the songs I listen to hit the trash pile. The other 10% make it through to the first round. About 1% really really catch my attention. Sometimes right off the bat God'll be loud and clear about using a song, even if I don't know how. But I've learned to listen to my Friend...He always knows best.
This year I began my listening journey during my time off traveling with my family to Tulsa to spend New Year's with the in-laws (that's our Christmas with them). The Wife sits in the passenger seat and organizes the music, I handle the CD player, she writes down notes, and the girls fuss because the music's so loud it interupts their movies and DS and iPods. Oh well, family time. A big bulk of my listening time happens upstairs at the in-laws house holed up in a corner somewhere while the rest of the family watches movies or plays games. I know it seems anti-social, but I don't have any other time and it's got to get done.
During this particular Tulsa listening time, I didn't find many new songs. Found a great opener or closing song. Will have to figure that one out. Didn't listen much on the drive back Cajun Country. My ears were tired. I'll pay for that, though.
I listen to literally hundreds of songs. I listen for the right kind of music, the right kind of lyrics, singable parts for my choir, the right kind of arrangements. I listen for God to prick my heart and spirit. I listen for a prompting about a storyline for the script. 90% of the songs I listen to hit the trash pile. The other 10% make it through to the first round. About 1% really really catch my attention. Sometimes right off the bat God'll be loud and clear about using a song, even if I don't know how. But I've learned to listen to my Friend...He always knows best.
This year I began my listening journey during my time off traveling with my family to Tulsa to spend New Year's with the in-laws (that's our Christmas with them). The Wife sits in the passenger seat and organizes the music, I handle the CD player, she writes down notes, and the girls fuss because the music's so loud it interupts their movies and DS and iPods. Oh well, family time. A big bulk of my listening time happens upstairs at the in-laws house holed up in a corner somewhere while the rest of the family watches movies or plays games. I know it seems anti-social, but I don't have any other time and it's got to get done.
During this particular Tulsa listening time, I didn't find many new songs. Found a great opener or closing song. Will have to figure that one out. Didn't listen much on the drive back Cajun Country. My ears were tired. I'll pay for that, though.
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