THE CHALLENGES...

     There weren't really any challenges in casting the play.  The Director and I looked at the number of characters that we would need and thought about people that we knew that seemed to fit the description of the character.  We asked them--they said yes.  We find that people like to be asked.  This sometimes works better than auditions.  We, of course, had people that asked why there were no auditions.  Overall, the way we did it worked out exceptionally well. 

THE REHEARSALS... 

     The challenges we faced during rehearsals were that not all cast members had the same level of commitment to excellence.  This could have been caused by a number of reasons:  personal problems, other responsibilities and failure to get a larger and more visible part.  There were those that had the smaller parts and they were there, they were prepared and just worked to get the few lines they had as well as the blocking perfected.  Then there were some that seemed less committed and had to be called about rehearsals, asked if they were going to be there, didn't know their lines, etc. 

     Then there were those cast members that were so committed it was phenomenal.  They came in on Saturday morning or on their off days to work one-on-one with the director to get their lines, blocking, movement, etc.

THE PRODUCTION....

     Overall the production was good.  The mood that was created by the cast was one of camaraderie.  The average age of the cast was probably 30 for the major parts.  Of course, Mom and Big E were older.  They got along well, but definitely had opinions about absenteeism and not knowing lines. 

     Most of the reviews we heard from those that attended, including the Senior Pastor, was that it was an excellent and powerful production. 

THE HIGH POINTS.... 

     I think that the cast, as well as other support people, liked the play.  Some of the cast had not been in a drama before, some had not held lead parts, so there was a variety of scenarios.  I think that it was interesting form them bringing the characters to life.  It was amazing how far many of them came in acting and interpreting the play from when we had the first "read through" until performance.  It was amazing watching them become the characters--you could see it in there posture, the way they delivered the lines, their body language and movement.   

     There were two high points of the play for me.  The best scene was the seduction scene--where Kerrian attempts to seduce Allan.  The script called for a radio--AV had it set so that they could change channels--Kerrian found stations with seductive music Allan found music like "Why Can't we be Friends!:  The audience was roaring with laughter.  The other high point was the last scene when Kerrian realizes that she needs to change.  This scene was somewhat "tweaked"  (I know because I tweaked it).  There is a song from the play "Dreamgirls" called "I am Changing" the woman that sang it blew it out!  It was awesome.  As a matter of fact, the pastor asked her to sing it Sunday morning. 

CONCLUSION....

     I think that the emotional parts for me were when other people fell short of my expectations.  Each part of the production is important.  We were fortunate in that we had administrative support (graphics, programs, flyers), Audio Visual (microphones, sound queues,etc.), other computer support (power point for promotion as well as the intro to the play--the words that introduce "the script" were scrolled on a screen and recited by a man with a deep resonant voice with mission impossible music--very cool), lights (two spot lights), props and costumes--not to mention the support of the music and mime ministries.  This was a fairly major production.  It has been said that our productions are good enough to pay to see.  What is important is: that we do this to honor God and that we do it using the talents and skills that he has given us and hopefully a seed will be planted in the heart and mind of someone that sees the work. 

- Susan Ralston (Drama Director)

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