ENACTED WORD
Friends of the Groom Theater
Resource Center
For a printable copy of ENACTED WORD instructions, click on the word: INSTRUCTIONS
To see the videos of ENACTED WORD click on the word VIDEO before each piece.
When you’re looking for a script to perform in a church setting, one powerful resource is scripture itself. Each of the videos below provides an example of a theatrically staged Bible passage—followed by instructional notes.
Video 1: Solo Memorization – Mark 6
The story of the beheading of John the Baptist, performed from the Revised Standard Version of the Bible.
Video 2: Group Memorization – Psalm 25 (A Call to Worship)
A portion of Psalm 25 performed by three actors, suitable for use as a call to worship.
Video 3: Group Memorization – Acts 2 (Pentecost)
The story of Pentecost—performed by three actors using the exact words of the text arranged to enhance
their theatricality.
Video 4: Group Memorization – Hebrews 12
A performance that combines a memorized presentation of scripture with contemporary scenes that interpret the scripture.
Video 5: Group Memorization– Philippians 4 (Peace Benediction)
Verses from Philippians performed by three actors, suitable for use as a benediction.
Guidelines for Preparing a Bible Passage to Enact
1. Pick the right passage.
Does it inspire you or speak to you?
Does it tell a story?
Does it have strong visual images or strong emotions?
2. Read and study the passage.
Read it multiple times.
Read it in context.
Read it in several versions.
Read what commentaries say about it.
Familiarize yourself with how to pronounce names and places.
3. Analyze the passage.
What is the structure of the passage?
Does it have sections that can be set apart from each other?
Does it have a beginning, a middle, and an end?
Where is the climax?
Are there characters who speak, or are there implied characters?
4. Arrange the passage.
Break the text into sections.
How will you indicate characters? With voices? With subtext?
Where will you speak faster or slower? Where will you pause?
If you’re working with a group, who will speak which lines?
Where and how will you move to set sections apart?
What lines will you emphasize with special techniques like speaking in unison, or layering, or repeating certain phrases?
How will you make a strong beginning and a strong ending?
5. Rehearse the passage.
Rehearse out loud, on your feet, imagining the audience—or even better, in the space where you will actually perform.
Count on an hour of rehearsal for every minute of performance.
If possible, get an affirming director who can be your mirror—and tell you if you can be seen and heard.
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Activities and techniques in the Friends of the Groom Theater Company Resource Center are licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution-Non Commercial-Share Alike 4.0 International License.
The Resource Center is designed to assist churches, organizations, and individuals
with creative worship and Christian Education.
It is available to the general public for free under the terms of the Creative Commons License above.