So the Drama
Hello, all.
Well, Creative Arts Camp officially began today. I was really nervous last night because unlike Vacation Bible School, I didn't feel anywhere near as prepared to do this. I had to come up with a lot of the material on my own and set my own pace and agenda. So that led to a sense of things not feeling very organized, but I'll tell you this. That's where God comes in. All last night and up to this morning even as I was frantically making copies and pulling things together, I was sending prayers up to Him, asking for His guidance and strength. The camp really challenges me not only to work harder, but to dig in deeper with my faith, and depend on God to set my course.
Anyway, I woke up at 6:00 this morning to get ready, head to church, and make last-minute copies of the script I wrote for the drama class. All the while, I was juggling so many ideas for theatre games and improv situations and things like that, so it was hard to get focused and keep everything straight. It wasn't until 8:45 that I finally found the kids and the leaders (they were in the Sanctuary, of course; the most natural place for them to meet and yet the one place I overlooked). I met up with my co-worker Lynn, who is wonderful, by the way. It took us a while just to get organized; we were left to choose our own room to work in. So that was pretty cool.
After that, the day really took off. First off, Lynn and I gained two more co-workers. All three of them are still in high school, but they have terrific chemistry and are full of energy. We worked so great together. That right there was an answer to prayer. Thank You, God.
Since our drama class wasn't scheduled to start until later in the morning, the four of us split up and went around the church to the other classes, pitching in and helping out where we were needed. I made the rounds to the art room and choir room, labeling guitars for the class that Randy Kirby, our minister of music, is leading. I helped run off some copies of spreadsheets for a keyboard class and got the chance to stay in there and listen to them play. They did a beautiful song about the moon shaped like a boat in the sky that can be seen by all the nations. One kid had trouble finding the low C and G notes on his keyboard, so I tried to help him with that. Another boy didn't want to participate at all and just laid on the couch most of the time. Me and another leader worked with him, but he didn't look like he was enjoying it. But all in all, that was a great time to listen to the kids make music.
We had a quick break for snacks in the gymnasium, and then my group got together so I could show them my script for the first time. I figured what we'd do was act it out first for the kids and then let them tackle it, so they could get the feel for what it was like. Everyone liked it and said it was well-written, but it was a real challenge for me to write something that not only carried a message, but toned down to their level of understanding as well. So we began with body and vocal warm-ups, which are always fun. Then we played a couple of theatre games like the "Um" Game (you can guess how it's played) before we introduced the main skit. We rotated characters and let the kids play it out three times. Most of them picked it up real well and caught on to the little nuances of their roles. Finally, we finished up with some Mime games. Mime really is easier than it looks. You make it up as you go along. The object is to be funny and exaggerated since your body poses and expressions do the talking. Some of the kids were nervous at first, but I was amazed at how well many of them grasped the idea of miming.
All in all, a splendid first day. The Lord is marvelous in all His works. He answered my prayers abundantly and beyond my hopes. I have one of the best teams I've ever worked with, a room all our own, plenty of material to use, and our numbers are growing with only one day! Please continue to pray for us. This is shaping up to be an unforgettable week!
Song of the Day: Point of Grace - "Steady On"
Verse of the Day: "Ah, Sovereign Lord, You have made the heavens and the earth by Your great power and outstretched arm. Nothing is too hard for You." - Jeremiah 32:17
Well, Creative Arts Camp officially began today. I was really nervous last night because unlike Vacation Bible School, I didn't feel anywhere near as prepared to do this. I had to come up with a lot of the material on my own and set my own pace and agenda. So that led to a sense of things not feeling very organized, but I'll tell you this. That's where God comes in. All last night and up to this morning even as I was frantically making copies and pulling things together, I was sending prayers up to Him, asking for His guidance and strength. The camp really challenges me not only to work harder, but to dig in deeper with my faith, and depend on God to set my course.
Anyway, I woke up at 6:00 this morning to get ready, head to church, and make last-minute copies of the script I wrote for the drama class. All the while, I was juggling so many ideas for theatre games and improv situations and things like that, so it was hard to get focused and keep everything straight. It wasn't until 8:45 that I finally found the kids and the leaders (they were in the Sanctuary, of course; the most natural place for them to meet and yet the one place I overlooked). I met up with my co-worker Lynn, who is wonderful, by the way. It took us a while just to get organized; we were left to choose our own room to work in. So that was pretty cool.
After that, the day really took off. First off, Lynn and I gained two more co-workers. All three of them are still in high school, but they have terrific chemistry and are full of energy. We worked so great together. That right there was an answer to prayer. Thank You, God.
Since our drama class wasn't scheduled to start until later in the morning, the four of us split up and went around the church to the other classes, pitching in and helping out where we were needed. I made the rounds to the art room and choir room, labeling guitars for the class that Randy Kirby, our minister of music, is leading. I helped run off some copies of spreadsheets for a keyboard class and got the chance to stay in there and listen to them play. They did a beautiful song about the moon shaped like a boat in the sky that can be seen by all the nations. One kid had trouble finding the low C and G notes on his keyboard, so I tried to help him with that. Another boy didn't want to participate at all and just laid on the couch most of the time. Me and another leader worked with him, but he didn't look like he was enjoying it. But all in all, that was a great time to listen to the kids make music.
We had a quick break for snacks in the gymnasium, and then my group got together so I could show them my script for the first time. I figured what we'd do was act it out first for the kids and then let them tackle it, so they could get the feel for what it was like. Everyone liked it and said it was well-written, but it was a real challenge for me to write something that not only carried a message, but toned down to their level of understanding as well. So we began with body and vocal warm-ups, which are always fun. Then we played a couple of theatre games like the "Um" Game (you can guess how it's played) before we introduced the main skit. We rotated characters and let the kids play it out three times. Most of them picked it up real well and caught on to the little nuances of their roles. Finally, we finished up with some Mime games. Mime really is easier than it looks. You make it up as you go along. The object is to be funny and exaggerated since your body poses and expressions do the talking. Some of the kids were nervous at first, but I was amazed at how well many of them grasped the idea of miming.
All in all, a splendid first day. The Lord is marvelous in all His works. He answered my prayers abundantly and beyond my hopes. I have one of the best teams I've ever worked with, a room all our own, plenty of material to use, and our numbers are growing with only one day! Please continue to pray for us. This is shaping up to be an unforgettable week!
Song of the Day: Point of Grace - "Steady On"
Verse of the Day: "Ah, Sovereign Lord, You have made the heavens and the earth by Your great power and outstretched arm. Nothing is too hard for You." - Jeremiah 32:17
posted by david @ 4:05 PM
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