While much has been said about bible dramas in recent years, very little information has been given on the effort that goes into one.
I thought I would share my experience.
I played a minor role in the 2003 drama, "Boldly Witnessing Despite Oppsition"
This was a full costume drama and revolved around overcoming opposition to the preaching work.
When a congregation is chosen for a bible drama, it is a serious responsibility. The presiding overseer takes full responsibility for the drama, and in effect becomes the director. The congregation is chosen well in advance so that enough time is given for the drama to be delivered flawlessly.
Obviously, not everyone in the congregation can be used in the drama. Similar to most "appointments" within the organization, it is your spiritual standing and reputation that primarily qualify you for a role - acting ability comes second.
The advice the Society gives concerning casting is as follows: "Selection of exemplary individuals who are qualified to play the dramatic roles is vitally important. General descriptions are given for the various characters in the cast listing. Those chosen should suit the part in general appearance, especially as to relative ages."
Note the word exemplary. You could be the best actor out there, Meryl Streep, Brad Pitt, but if you're not regular in meetings and ministry, you don't get the part. Simple as that.
The main characters generally must be comfortable perfoming in front of several thousand people. While the participants do not need to actually say anything on stage, they should be able to effectively lip synch the dialogue to give a realistic performance.
Previous acting experience is not necessary but the participants are strongly encouraged to "bring their roles to life" and must be able to "gesture naturally"
The selection of drama participants must fit the cast of characters. Here are a few of the characters and their descriptions based on my copy of the script:
PETER: Apostle of Jesus. In his early 50's, average height, graying hair, neatly trimmed beard, build like a fisherman with strong upper body.
JOHN: Apostle of Jesus. In his early 40's, tall, poised, dynamic, dark hair.
STEPHEN: First Christian martyr. Middle aged, average height, poised dynamic.
PHILIP: First century evangelizer and missionary. In his mid-30's, full beard.
MARTHA: Philip's wife. About 30 years old, wearing traditional Jewish dress.
The selection of the main characters took about a week and it took another two weeks before everyone was comfortable in their roles.
During our rehearsals, the participants had to try out their role several times to see if they fit. There were no reassignments that I can recall.
All the chairs in the Kingdom Hall had to be moved to the front so that enough room for imaginary stage sets could be made. The script actually contains the stage sets that were required, along with the positions of the furniture and other props.
Just as a theater has its stage hands and costume make up artists, so too, did the drama have its stage hands and makeup artists. This is where the sisters come in and demonstrate their makeup skills, applying beards and headgear. They worked very hard to produce the costumes for each character.
A couple of brothers were assigned to purchase small props from various supply shops. Whether they paid the expenses out of their own pockets or used the convention fund I don't know, but the written policy concerning expenses, gives the following advice: "Individuals in the drama absorb the cost of their costumes and makeup, if any. However, the local convention organization may assist with approved prop expenses from convention funds, if necessary."
Concerning beards, the Society writes that it is "not proper for brothers to grow their own beards." In keeping with their charlatan statement that they do not go beyond "the things written" there is no scripture citation following this stern advice.
The advice concerning costumes is as follows: "Characters should be dressed according to local custom and the circumstances of the scene. Examples may be found in the publications of Jehovah's Witnesses. Good taste should always be the guiding principle. Extensive and elaborate makeup is not necessary."
Most of the drama participants were given a script which we had to read carefully. The practice sessions were generally held on Saturdays, after the ministry, and lasted for about two hours. It took a while before we received the prerecorded CD, so all of us just said our lines out loud.
The props used in a drama are few. It is imperative that everything goes according to clockwork, as we cannot improvise on any mistakes - we are acting according to the prerecorded audio. No time can be wasted when moving chairs and tables around.
A week or two before the recital, we would all go to the convention center where the drama was to be performed, and would change into our costume, including the beards.
There was lots of fun and banter in the changing rooms when we put on our costumes. All the long weeks of rehearsals paid off. We were ready for our roles. Now we had to deliver for the audience.
My congregation perfomed the drama on three occasions, for different circuits. I was very nervous before the drama was about to begin but I soon forgot about the thousands of pairs of eyes watching me and just got on with performing my role.
A quiet sigh of relief when it is all over. Tradition, until recently, dictates that those in the drama remain where they are for the final song.
Every actor gets their 15 minutes of fame, and those who perfomed in the drama were no exception. We had a multitude of "fans" come up to us during the intermission, taking pictures and asking about the drama. One rather strange brother even wanted my personal address.
And that is my drama experience.