First Baptist presenting Good Friday drama
First Baptist Church Drama Ministry will present its fifth annual Good Friday drama with music on April 14 at 10 a.m. and 3 p.m.
In order to present this year’s Good Friday drama, “Believe,” 64 individuals are contributing their time and talents to the presentation: 52 members from the church family, 12 members from the larger community.
Pastor John Dunnett, who will be making his first appearance in a FBC Good Friday drama, says, “I have heard quite a bit about the Good Friday drama since my arrival in New Glasgow and I’m looking forward to experiencing it this year. The church is busy these days as individuals and small groups arrive to practise their parts. George and Pauline (Henaut) put a huge labour of love into the Good Friday productions. It will a great opportunity for people to revisit this central story of the Christian faith.”
FBC Drama Ministry has a twofold outreach mission: to invite the larger community to join them in the audience to experience the gospel message and to invite individuals from the community to join them on stage as part of the cast and crew.
Returning to the drama ministry this year from the community are: Lee Bezanson, Brian Bowden, Janet Bradbury, Frances Campbell, Pat Duggan, Phoebe Fraser, Gilles Gauthier, Brenda MacLaughlin, Jonathan MacLean and Neil Weber.
This year’s presentation, “Believe,” invites the audience to experience the juxtaposition of the joy and sorrow of Jesus’ life among us, His birth and death; His ministry with His disciples, His journey to the cross. Biblical characters from the Old and New Testaments share how they came to believe in Yahweh, the Messiah, Emmanuel.
Cast member Brenda MacLaughlin feels that the drama is an effective way to proclaim the gospel message: “So many times on Good Friday, emphasis, of course, is placed on the ending of Jesus’ earthly life. The drama, however, makes Jesus more ‘real’ to us as we experience scenes from His entire life. The ending of His earthly life becomes more poignant and meaningful for both the cast and the audience because we have journeyed together with Him in love.”
Since the end of February, FBC Drama Ministry has been busy breathing life into the script: memorizing lines at home; rehearsing scenes, music and songs; adding appropriate gestures and facial expressions to support the dialogue; creating costumes; gathering props; establishing the set; trying to remember the numerous entrance/exit cues; establishing the required sound and visual effects to enhance the dramatic action; attempting to create the correct tone, emotion; ensuring that the theme is conveyed.
George Henaut said the essence of this year’s presentation is seven scenes embedded with scriptural texts, dialogue, Biblical characters (Isaiah, King David, Anna, Simeon, Simon Peter, doubting Thomas, Mary/ mother of Jesus, Mary Magdalene, Apostle Paul), and Biblical events (Jesus’ birth, purification, ministry, crucifixion; Jesus feeds five thousand).
Special features of “Believe” include appearances by two dancers from Janet Bradbury’s Ashlei School of Ballet, Rebekah Archibald and Alauryn Dunn. Special lighting effects and 44 overhead projector images including a brief video enhance the visual effect of the drama. The script was written in January 2017 by George Henaut with contributions by Barbara Margeson and Carol Whitman.
In the next few weeks, the focus of rehearsals will be to seek to polish the presentation. On Good Friday, the Narrator will transport the audience to that first Good Friday, the day of the greatest defeat, the day of the greatest victory, the day that changed the world forever. There is no charge for the drama. Everyone is invited.