Sunday, August 31, 2008

Just Can't Seem to Get It Right Today . .. but they did!





Special thanks to my amazing husband who did a great job shooting and editing the drama/music video this weekend and Albert who helped out tremendously on set and camera as well. Ted did a great job of acting, showing tremendous versatility with all the levels of emotion my husband put him through throughout the shoot. Awesome job, Ted! Also, some great acting from Jacob Callender and a brilliant five year old method actress who shall remain nameless . . . : ) A great example of how we can support the sermon in a strongly connected way. Great job, everyone!

"In art, either as creators or as participators, we are helped to remember some of the glorious things we have forgotten, and some of the terrible things we are asked to endure, we who are children of God by adoption and grace . . . The artist cannot hold back; it is impossible, because writing or any other discipline of art, involves participation in suffering, in the ills and the occasional stabbing joys that come from being part of the human drama . . . we are meant to be real and to see and recognize the real . . . We have to be braver than we think we can be, because God is constantly calling us to be more than we are, to see through the plastic sham to living, breathing reality, and to break down our defenses of self-protection in order to be free to receive and give love."
Madelaine L'Engle, Walking on Water: Reflections on Faith and Art

"Trust God from the bottom of your heart; don't try to figure out everything on your own. Listen for God's voice in everything you do, everywhere you go; he's the one who will keep you on track." Proverbs 3:5

Monday, August 25, 2008

Par-tay Pics!



We had a great time last night at the kick off party. We discussed the upcoming changes and had a great time celebrating together what's on the horizon and enjoying the beautiful weather. For those of you who couldn't make it, check out the three previous posts for details we discussed. See you all at the September meeting on Monday Sept. 22nd!

"Blessed are the people who know the passwords of praise,
who shout on parade in the bright presence of God.
Delighted, they dance all day long; they know
who you are, what you do—they can't keep it quiet!
Your vibrant beauty has gotten inside us—
you've been so good to us! We're walking on air!"
Psalm 89:15
(MSG)

Sunday, August 24, 2008

See You Tonight!

Let's Party!

Here are some of the Questions you might have that we'll be talking about tonight. See y'all there!


How will the new format affect the drama team?
-longer services=more serving opportunities
-journey classes=more opportunities to take steps together toward Christ
-new schedule=adapted rehearsal dates and times

When will we have drama team meetings?
-adult drama team meetings are the fourth Monday of each month from 7-9pm
-kids and teens drama team meetings will be the fourth Monday of each month from 6-7pm
-Dates: Sept. 22nd, Oct. 27th, Nov. 24th, Dec. 15th (Drama team Christmas Party, all ages 6-8pm), Jan. 26th, Feb. 23rd, March 23rd, April 27th, May 25th

What will the drama team meetings be like this year?
-there is no more OPA and core team, we are all one awesome team, so adult meetings include EVERYONE 18 or older.
-Training will continue on those nights. However, due to the amount of people, you will only be asked to perform a scene or monolog at a meeting for training purposes 2-3 per year.
-we will be reading and discussing books and articles about our craft and participating in acting exercise used in college level theatre courses. (more info. at the September meeting.)
-kids and teens drama team will meet separately from 6-7pm and do training as well in an age appropriate format.
-we will take time to evaluate/reflect on the dramas performed in that month. What worked? What didn’t work?
-we will talk about what’s coming up for serving opportunities and teammate performances to look forward to
-we will brainstorm for upcoming series ideas as well as specific media and drama elements.
-we will pray for and encourage each other.
--don’t forget to check the drama team blog for training updates and more time for brainstorming, evaluation, and prayer requests. http://dramateamhangout.blogspot.com

What about media acting opportunities?
-Due to the blessing of our huge screens, we will have plenty of on camera serving opportunities as well. Communication regarding shoot times, costumes, and scripts will all be via basecamp and will vary depending on project size and the assigned media producer. We now have a TV makeup specialist who will be serving on certain shoots, so you will informed as to what time to come in order to get in makeup as well. (Don’t you feel important?)

What do weekend drama rehearsals look like with the new schedule?
-you will still receive your scripts via basecamp 2 week outs, please come memorized to the first rehearsal
-initial blocking rehearsals will be Mondays from 6:30-8:30pm in the auditorium(On weeks that overlap with monthly drama team meetings, we will move rehearsals to Tues. nights at the same time)
-polishing rehearsals will be right after first wed. or journey classes from 8:30-9:30pm in the Heir Force room. (If there is a weekend children’s drama in the Heir Force room, we will move to the Jungle room.)
-Saturday tech rehearsals will be 2:30-3:30pm. (Please come around 2:15 in costume to get mic’d.)
-Sunday morning sound check will be 7:30am-8:15am.

What do First Wednesday rehearsals look like?
-you will receive your scripts two weeks out via basecamp.
-initial rehearsal will be the Thurs. before first Wednesday from 6:30-8:30pm in the auditorium. Please come memorized.
-second rehearsal will be Tuesday night (the night before) from 7:30-8:30pm
-tech rehearsals (entire service run-through) will be that Wednesday from 4:30-6:00pm

What about children’s dramas?
-you will still receive your scripts via basecamp 2 week outs, please come memorized to the first rehearsal
-initial blocking rehearsals will be Mondays from 6:30-8:30pm in the room you will be performing in (On weeks that overlap with monthly drama team meetings, we will move rehearsals to Tues. nights at the same time)
-polishing rehearsals will be right after first wed. or journey classes from 8:30-9:30pm in the room you will be performing in.
-Saturday tech rehearsals and Sunday morning run-throughs will be set by the individual directors and room teachers.

What /where is the drama team blog?
-The drama team blog can be located at http://dramateamhangout.blogspot.com/
-please check this once or twice a week and leave a comment or two in response to what you read.
-The drama team blog has many purposes including: training, fellowship, prayer requests, serving opportunities, evaluation/applause for teammates, bible study and it’s application to our art, and documentation of your amazing performances!
-if you have your own blog or website, please let me know (kbaker@gccwired.com) so we can put a link to your personal blog from our team one. This is a great way to get to know each other better and in turn serve Christ together better through ministering with our art to our community.

Thursday, August 14, 2008

Kicking Off Chapter 2!



Great job on the media, guys!

Don't forget about our fall kick off party! Let's talk about your role in this Change We can Believe In!

What? GCC Drama Team Fall Kick Off Party
Where? The Baker Back Yard (10177 Vistula Rd. Osceola, IN 46561) 574-220-2251
When? Sunday Aug. 24th 6pm - ?
What to Bring? side dish or drinks to share
the fam
lawn chairs
a fishing pole if you like to fish (we live on the river)
any questions or enthusiasm for "Chapter 2"

Tuesday, August 5, 2008

Creative Arts FAQ's from Butch

Creative Arts FAQs about the Upcoming Fall Changes

Q: I love doing music and art from the popular culture, U2 and Coldplay rocks! Are we moving away from that?
A: No, we are committed to using the art of our culture as much as ever. Great music is
great music and truth is truth regardless of whether it is written by a Christian or non-
Christian artist. We will always try to meet people outside of Christ, exactly where
they are.

Q: I enjoy the spiritual emphasis of the arts and the worship we had every week at New Community - it fueled me spiritually. Now that we are doing First Wednesday only once a month, how will I get that fuel?
A: Have no worries - the time added to the weekend service is intended to help the worship on the weekends feel more like the old New Community. We will be taking the best of weekends and the best of New Community to make our weekends more amazing than ever.

Q: I’ve always wanted to be involved in the New Community teams. Can I be a part of the new First Wednesday service?
A: YES. Being a member of our weekend team means you could be asked to help on the First Wednesday teams. However, because of the duration and timing of the service, a more intensive rehearsal schedule is required. We will no longer have First Wednesday teams scheduled as part of a regular rotation. That is, when the monthly weekend schedule is created, we will ask some of you, based on your special strengths, gifts, and availability to be part of the First Wednesday services as programming requires.

Q: Are the Art forms we use on the weekends and First Wednesdays changing?
A: Perhaps … many styles of art can and will be used in worship at GCC. We have always been interested and willing to perform any art that is excellent, relevant, and authentic.

Q: What if I cannot continue my commitment because of these changes?
A: This will be sad for all of us, but I ask that you discuss that with your team staff leader or with me. We promise we’ll understand. It’s not our plan to lose any artists through this transition. You matter!

Q: What if I have more questions?
A: Please feel free to call or email me or anyone on the arts team staff. We’ll do our best to answer you in a timely manner. There are still areas we need to process, so as always, we ask for your patience and grace as we figure things out.

Peace.
- Butch