Forgiven!

Performance time: 1 hr, 15 minutes

The Set (diagrams are in the full script):

A platform is needed. Make it from a single 4 X 8 sheet of plywood. Strong enough for someone to stand on. Make it about 6 feet off of the ground. A ladder is needed (unseen) to get onto it. Jesus, the thief on the cross, John the Baptist and two girls with very long hair, use it! This is set USC as used in the blocking instructions. It will be easy to modify directions if you decide to put the platform stage left or right. I can also foresee using two platforms – SL and SR. Let your creativity be your guide!

For the first scene a large sheet of paper (4 X 6) needs to be attached to a frame. This frame is attached to the top of the platform. (see diagram) Painted on the paper is the tomb with the stone. At the end of the first scene Jesus bursts through the paper (the tomb). Make one for each performance and two (unpainted) for rehearsal. You may need to score the paper to make it tear rather than come off of the frame.

If your stage is deep enough the platform can go Center Stage. But SL or SR is workable. The directions in the book refer to a center stage position, but simple adjustments can be made for your set up.

There must be a way to have the person playing Jesus to escape unseen from center stage. The banners will hide his leaving but he must be able to get to the ladder at the back of the platform unseen. If the platform is to one side, then you must mask the open side toward the audience. In other words Jesus must be able to get onto the platform and stand behind the paper tomb drawing and not be seen until he bursts through the paper.

Microphone and Music.

There is a lot of music in this production as well as recorded voice. I encourage you to burn one CD with all of the music – in order – on it. Make one or two backups. To move from original CD to original CD is too confusing and time consuming.

PZMs (floor microphones) coupled with choir mics would work very well eliminating the need for individual lapel microphone.

If label microphones are used here is the order in which they are need:

• John the Baptist                                                                                   (John the Baptist)
• Woman Caught in Adultery, Jesus,  Six Choral Readers             (Stone Her)
• Hamul and Jaazar                                                                                (Where’s My Goat?)
• Jesus                                                                                                       (Via Dolorosa)
• The Thief, Jesus                                                                                   (This Day)
• John the Baptist, Woman, Hamul, The Thief                                 (I Am Forgiven)

The Props and Set Pieces:

• Make two boxes out of wood, strong enough to sit and or stand on. A cube the height of a chair is perfect. This box is used in several numbers.
• A table is needed for “Where’s My Goat?” Rough looking. Simple, light. Easy on, easy off. Also quill and paper.
• Eight banners. Six feet tall. Use 1X3s Cut two more pieces for the top and bottom. They are 2’ long. Staple or glue bright solid colored material to the top and bottom of the ‘I’ frame. Four colors with two banners of each color. (see diagram)
• Three signs. Each are double sided. They need to be on a stick and large enough for the back of the audience to be able to read the words or see the graphic. (See diagram for what is on each sign)
• Dowel rods. Enough for each team member needing them to have 2 each. Eight people in “It Was All About A Man” need four each. They are ½ inch in diameter and three feet long. Paint them white.
• White gloves are optional for signers. Necessary only if you use black lighting. No song in this presentation was designed with black light in mind. Feel free to modify if you so desire.
• Five long lengths of red ribbon. Take red material and make 4-inch strips. Sew the strips together to make each ribbon long enough to go from the center of the platform to the back of the auditorium. These represent the blood of Jesus emanating from the cross.
• something for Jesus to rest his hands on. He is there for a long time.
• Three tall skinny crosses. Use 1X3 six or eight feet in length with a 1X3 cross piece about 2 foot in length. Paint two black and one red.