A monologue (Answer Comes in Time) in progress...

 

The request came from my worship leader in December to write a scene that would be interwoven in with a song. Come January we talk details and I write a 10 minute scene about waiting for God's answer. There is an actors workshop at church that Sunday so I bring in the script (with two characters) for  a reading. I was open to anyone doing the scene...ugh!...big mistake. The characters are edgy, and one of the actors who read is sweet-natured (in personailty and voice) so the whole piece comes across poorly. My bad (twice). I should have had a re-read but didn't because I thought it was my ego stepping ahead of me and I thought, "Maybe it's not as good as I thought." Looking back, it wasn't the script (at least not fully) to blame. Casting the right people to act out a scene is important. Anyway, criticism galore that afternoon. And not constructive criticism, it was "jump on the bandwagon" criticism, where everyone agrees with everyone else but aren't giving specifics. OK, so, what needs to be worked on? I'm deflated.

I can't figure out how to recontsruct the scene to fit some of the broad suggestions that were voiced. So I call my worship leader and leave a message saying it might be better if I skipped this one. I wasn't feeling inspired in anyway. She calls me back and tells me that she feels terrible about that Sunday afternoon and felt that there should have been a re-read too. We were on the same page about it all. However, she was focused and had the wonderful and insightful suggestion of cutting it down to one character and focusing the performance piece on that. Light bulb! I agreed with her. I'm soon back on the computer typing my little fingers away. It works. I send her the scene and she green-lights it for the scheduled Sunday.

I had an actress in mind to play the part and to my delight everyone else was on the same page. We contact Amber and she happily accepts.

Amber and I meet for a rehearsal to talk about the material. She is receptive to my ideas on how I feel the monologue and the character should be played out. She's one of those actors that a director loves working with. She goes with the flow. I love that because occasionally I've gotten a doozy of an actor (in the past) who doesn't want to listen and goes down their own path, and my name is on a performance in which the essence and the message didn't come across the way it should. It's about team spirit, people!

(Actors, listen to the writer and director. It's OK to add your special touch, but only within the boundaries of what the producing team wants. It is in your acting that you will shine. So, don't change words or blocking to suit you. Any intentions should be in your acting.)

Anyway, Amber is working hard and wants to make all of this work. Yay, Amber! She's nervous but is a brave spirit.

I turn the final rehearsal over to my friend, Valorie, who is a wonderful character actress herself and works alot in Hollywood. You've probably seen her face on the screen at one time or another. She and Amber work it out. Val leaves a message about the tweaks and changes she's made due to time and energy. I'm happy that she keeps me up-to-date.

Sunday (in February) comes and the monologue is performed. Amber did a phenomenal job. She was covered in prayer, and she channeled the nervous energy that was overwhelming her into the character. Heavynn (a singer) sang and interwove a passionate song about waiting for God's answer that she and Blake (musician and our sound guy) had written. Pure delight. I love the way God allows us to be creative in this whole process called life.

Afterwards, people came up to me with kind remarks. I just received an email from my pastor about how lives had been touched in our congregation.

Thank you, God, for another opportunity in pouring my passion for writing into a project that I hope glorifies your Name. And, thank you for good people!

Frustration Before Trust

Part 3: Behind the scenes of "And God Created Human: A Collection of Scenes and Monologues"

These are uneasy times (scary for some) for us all. The shaky economy has not settled itself yet. It's down, it's up, it's down again. This sort of roller coaster motion is making many of us sick. What's a person to do?

This isn't the first (nor will it be the last) time society has been dealt a blow. Many of the older generation were very young when the depression hit. They saw and experienced what their parents and families went through and understand the value of a dollar. Those of us who are younger and never experienced deprivation are *shocked*. We never thought anything like this would happen in our life time. Things appeared to be running so smoothly.

So, once again, what's a person to do if they find themselves on the frightening side of things?

For those who believe in the God of the Bible it is to look to Him. This is what we should be doing on a daily basis anyway but sometimes a jolt can steer us in a different direction.

I wrote this scene, Frustration Before Trust, before the crazy 2008 downfall of the economy but it's a situation that had the potential of happening any time.

There are two main characters (plus one minor) - God and Becky. Becky has just lost her job and she is so nervous all she can do is moan, complain and run around like a chicken with its head cut off...All the while God is there trying to comfort and guide, but Becky continues to stay in her own little world of worry. She tries to snap out of it, even entering into a conversation with God, but she struggles.

This is an easy scene to perform.
3 characters total: God, Becky and her former boss
Approximately 5 minutes long
Bare stage with a few props

"And we know that in all things God works for the good of those who love him, who have been called according to his purpose." (Romans 8:28)

Adventure Life Coach...Is attaining the desire of your heart always the best thing?

Part 2: Behind the scenes of "And God Created Human: A Collection of Scenes and Monologues".

Do you trust God to guide and provide?
How far would you go to get that "special something" that you "think" your heart so desires? And, where do those desires come from to begin with? Is it from God...or something or someone else? Hmmm, that may be the true question. What is the source?

Adventure Life Coach is a scene that stars three regular people on a quest to capture the desires of their hearts. One deceptive, and dangerous, "life coach" guides and pushes them towards their "desires". But as it turns out, their lives are no longer their own after they succumb to his influence. (it's on page 25 of the book)

The nitty gritty of the SCENE itself:
*Talk show format
*Approx. 11 minutes long
*6 Characters (3 males, 3 females)
*Props: chairs, table, glasses, hanger
*Contemporary time and dress

Discernment and wisdom...this is what one should truly desire for a happy, fulfilling life. Proverbs is filled with inspiration and encouragement on both. And, frankly, just getting down on one's knees and praying to God about your day, your life. What's better than that? He, more than any other person (including yourself), wants the BEST for YOU and will lead you to it if you let Him.

I dare you....Get in touch with God and see what wondrous things He'll do in your life that will bring you not only joy, but true fulfillment.

No more trying to fill that hole in your heart, or soul, with empty promises from the world...or from that heartless, deceptive "life coach", the devil, who prowls around like a roaring lion looking for someone to devour (1Peter 5:8). Don't be left hanging like the "life coach's" 3 clients. Be alert and of sober mind.

For more info on the book, And God Created Human: AMAZON

Behind the Scenes of "And God Created Human: A Collection of Scenes and Monologues" Part 1

Introduction...
I was recently reminded that a good friend, and wonderful supporter of my work, uses my book, And God Created Human: A Collection of Scenes and Monologues, as a devotional. I love this because it goes beyond the walls of being just scripts for actors and pastors to perform in church (and retreats and Bible studies), but allows a reader to ponder about life’s bumps (hence, the ‘questions for reflection’ at the end of each scene) during their quiet time.

No matter how much we try to control what comes into our lives, we live in a world where there are cracks that occasionally allow undesirable matter to seep through. However, I’ve heard it’s not what comes into one’s life that shapes the person but the way that person responds to it. I think this is what gives us hope. We don’t have to be sitting ducks and remain immobile with mud slung to our faces. Nope.

We have something to guide and direct us to a path of recovery and rejuvenation - The Bible...God’s love letter reminding us that we are not alone.

Devotionals are wonderful tools steering us towards God, His Word, and the life around us. These guide us in seeking God’s desires and to remind us to stop, ponder and reflect what God is trying to whisper in our ears.

I hope And God Created Human can be a fun, creative, different and reflective way of spending time alone with God. Act out the scenes and allow God to direct. Absorb the story as an audience member and ponder what it may mean in your life.

Join me as I blog about the scenes and monologues from the book and what they mean to me. Everything from fear, insecurity, lusts, and good ol' entertaining wackyness.

COMING SOON TO A BLOG (OK, Jana’s own) NEAR YOU!

Anatomy of a Performance - Part 5

From Concept to Stage
The last entries of the series.

Day 28 (February 25) - Friday night rehearsal. It's raining hard outside but there's a lot of fun and humorous energy inside with the actors, tech guys and myself. The ladies and I run through the scenes over and over and find that we are forgetting lines and stumbling about with the dialogue. Not terribly so but this certainly does not give us the peace and confidence we need for the next evening's actual performance, in a hall full of our church family, at a celebration that it took us 75 years to get to. We laugh it off trying to stay positive but inside I'm thinking, "Oh, no!" I'm nervous enough as it is and now I'm frantic about whether or not we (mainly ME) are going to remember our dialogue and have this be a smooth sail or a bumpy dune buggy ride. Aaarrgh!

Day 29 (February 26) - Performance day is HERE. And I somehow, by the grace of God, actually had a great night's sleep. Still nervous that I'm going to forget a line tonight and then faint right there in front of everyone. Not only that but I'm insecure and worrying that our scene isn't going to be as entertaining as the two hilarious, male performers that our skit is sandwiched between. I'm having some serious performance anxiety and can't wait till I'm on the other side of this evening's celebration. I pray.

During the day, I practice my lines - over & over - and then I spend the rest of the day sleeping. This is the only way I can deal with nerves...that, plus breathing deeply...and praying.

Late afternoon - I make it to church and start looking for my actors. I find one, then two...where's the third one? After running around in circles for ten minutes we all find each other. We run down to the choir room and quickly go over our lines before two of the actors have to run back up for choir rehearsal in the sanctuary.

It's going better. The adrenaline and excitement are kicking in and the lines seem to be sticking. We depart until dinner.

We make our way into the hall for dinner...scattered about. My husband and I eat our dinner and I'm feeling like I'm ready to walk the plank. Thankfully my stomach doesn't feel sick (I normally don't eat right before performances). I call and wave to each of the actors in the Hall to meet me on the side.

We're gathered and we make our way into the small room/closet on the side to rehearse in peace, as the Hall is quite boiterous with the congregation having a fabulous time. We go through our lines quickly and it is close to perfection. Thank God!

We exit the small room and are miked.

The first part of the entertainment goes up and talks for....well, he was allotted 8 minutes, but he goes on for at least triple that time. I'm anxious. I pray.

Finally, it's our turn. We turn on our mikes. Wait a minute! The light on my mike isn't turning on. Does my mike work?! Two of the ladies are already on the stage. Whatever! If this doesn't work I'll just yell out my lines.

I say my first line and...the mike works just fine. Whew!

I stumble over one line, but thankfully, I've had enough experience to know that the audience doesn't know what the lines are so whatever I say will be fine. I breathe and get most of the line out. It's all good. And, I keep a smile on my face the whole time. Hahaha! Whew!

The scene is over so quickly I wonder if we skipped any lines. It's probably fine because the other actors would've noticed I'm sure...right?

My husband videotaped the scene so I'll be able to watch it.

I can now enjoy the rest of the evening. My husband rubs my back to calm me as we watch the next entertainer and I chomp down on some dessert that's waiting for me at the table.

When we got home I immediately watched the tape. By the grace of God we not only got through it but it looks like we enjoyed it (which, to some degree, we did).

I'm so happy we got through that! Why did I ever doubt?

When can I write and act in the next scene? :o)

Anatomy of a Performance - Part 4

From Concept to Script to Stage

We are still on Day 20 (February 7) - I made a call to the church wanting to schedule use of the Hall that we'll be performing in for a rehearsal. No such luck. The church will be hopping busy that day. I settle for use of another room.

I then call my Worship Director verifying that it's OK if I use the room (it's one of hers). Absolutely, she says.... but, she has to find an extra key......

Day 21 (February 10) I receive an email from a Program Committee member who asks me to give her a call. I call her and leave a message and she calls back saying she has a great idea for the skit. I hesitate only because I don't want to be changing things at this hour making anything more confusing for the actors since we're limited on time to begin with. After playing phone tag she leaves her idea on my voicemail. It's a sweet idea and, funny enough, I had discussed the subject matter with one of the other presenters of the program. However, as wonderful as it is, I feel the audience's attention will shift if the idea is presented in the skit which will take away from the message that is being conveyed.

Anatomy of a Performance - Part 3

From Concept to Script to Stage
It's about time...
Day 14 (February 1) I finally sit down at my computer and start typing the scene. The puzzle is now being put together and starting to make sense.
In the mid-afternoon, as I finish the "women's early years" at the church, I am ready to start writing about the 4-Generation Family. I first check email and, to my pleasant surprise, find an email from a member of the family with lots of detail and funny moments of her experience at the church.
I enthusiastically start typing away again and finish the script in the early evening.
Despite being exhausted when he gets home, my Hubby reads the script and enjoys it.

Day 15 (February 2) I email the script to our Worship Director for approval.

Day 16 (February 3) Worship Director approves script. I email the Actors the Script and at the same time suggest a rehearsal date for a Saturday.

Day 17 (February 4) Actors cannot make Saturday rehearsal. I send out another email with another suggestion - this time a Tuesday rehearsal. This is good for everyone…so it’s set.

Anatomy of a Performance - Part 2

From Concept to Script to Stage

Moving forward....

Day 8 (January 25) I email the 4 Actors (all women), that we have in mind, asking them if they'd like to be part of the performance piece.

In the morning I call a former pastor's wife who had been mentioned by a couple of people. She enthusiastically tells me - when her husband became pastor of the church - it was a time (the 1970's) of innovation, creativity and changes to bring in what the church was lacking, namely, young people and families.

Day 9 (January 26) Two of the actors accept their roles.

Day 10 (January 27) One actor contacts me and is unable to commit due to another project, however, the other actor calls and gives me a yes. Three down and one to go.

Day 11 (January 28) I look through the church directory trying to figure out who would work well with the cast (look-wise, age-wise, and energy level) and fit the scene. I come across the picture of someone from my small group who had voiced interest in the arts. Perfect! I email her with an invitation to join the scene.
This actor calls me back with an enthusiastic yes.

Day 12 (January 30) I pick up a book, from the church's library, about the early years of the church written by a church member.

Day 13 (January 31) I read this book and write down any pertinent information. I get a great perspective of what it was like in the early years (which is strangely similar to what we're experiencing in present times!).

The journey continues.....

Anatomy of a Performance - Part 1

From Concept to Script to Stage
I'm starting from scratch. I'm creating and putting together a scene that I wrote for my church's 75th Anniversary celebration, which will take place this month. I thought I'd blog as much of the experience as I can because putting together a performance piece can make one feel on the edge at the beginning, and I don’t want to be alone in this process. You start off with a blank canvas and insecurely wonder, “Where should I start? Can I pull this off?"
This journey is not for the faint-of-heart or the easily bored. It will be erratic, mundane, repetitive, dull-as-ditch-water, familiar, encouraging, inspiring.....In short, it's for those who are interested in reading about the ins and outs of what it's going to take us (my peeps, in particular), a church drama team, to accomplish our creative endeavor, namely, the scene (or skit, sketch, script...many words, same meaning) to present to our congregation.

Day 1 (early Fall 2010). My wonderful Worship Director shared her idea with me of putting together a scene that would showcase a family's (4-Generations!) involvement and devotion to the church. She asked me to write it but, first, she would have to present the idea to the Program Committee. I asked if she could let me know by December so I'd have time to interview the family and write the script and avoid having to experience the "chicken with its head cut off" syndrome due to the possibility of so little time. She said she'd try. Committees can be such independent entities...so one never knows what to expect!

Time carries on and Fall soon turns into Winter. No word yet so I email the Worship Director (which makes Day 2 of this story). She, herself, had not heard from the committee. Time moves on...

We enter New Years and I figure that the committee may have decided to go a different direction. No worries. Some projects are given the green-light, others are not.

Day 3 is marked by the arrival of an email in my inbox on January 5th from a committee member who thanks me for offering my help to put together the "4-Generation Family" scene (requested to be approximately 8 minute). I hit the road running.

Green-light Thank You

I remember the first time my "Christian" script was given the green-light (a term that means give the go-ahead to move a project forward). I was so excited to see the actors in our church bring it to life. Since then many of my scripts have been performed and I eventually turned it into a book (And God Created Human).

As with any journey, there are people who travel beside you into new territory...I would like to take this moment to thank and acknowledge a few of them.

I first started writing "Christian" scripts in a workshop started at church by a couple of friends of mine, Renae, and her husband, Casey. Writing "Christian" material was new to me. I had a strong faith but I didn't know if it would translate well on to paper.

Renae laughed and cried and "got" what I was usually trying to convey in my scripts. She became such an encourager of my work at that time. In a sense, she green-lighted my scripts to be presented to the pastor for consideration of having them performed for the congregation. This is something I will be forever grateful. She is no longer part of the church but God has an exciting path for her as she makes her way through seminary.

Pastor Stephen Lien would receive my scripts for possible presentation. Many he green-lighted...Occasionally giving us the go-ahead days before we were to present it! We'd scramble about like maniacs, but it gave us the adrenaline to put together the performance in a dynamic way! I laugh now and I think, How did we do that? [wink]

Gallery of Past Projects 2

Shows:
Life's A Rotundum (also with actress/producer Jodi Nelson)

ICRS 2007 Photos

International Christian Retail Show 2007

ready for my booksigning

Gallery of Past Projects

Shows:

A Day in the Office
Doc's POV