For printable copy of TABLEAUX VIVANT instructions, click on the word: INSTRUCTIONS
To see a video of TABLEAUX VIVANT being performed, click on the word: VIDEO
To see a video of REHEARSING TABLEAUX VIVANT, CLICK HERE

TABLEAUX VIVANT—which simply means “living pictures”—is one of the most effective methods for staging a story from the Bible quickly. The basic technique is simple: A narrator reads the text in short segments over music as a group of actors pose in a series of frozen scenes—moving from picture to picture without speaking. The technique is even more engaging when the members of the congregation are invited to close their eyes between each picture. Click the link above to view a finished presentation.  

Holding a Freeze:
Almost any actor can perform in a tableau successfully, as long as they can freeze in position and hold still. A “freeze” will be most effective if the performers follow three guidelines: 

• First—use big expressions. It’s hard to overact when you’re not moving.

• Second—be caught in the middle of an action. Even though you’re absolutely still, there can be energy in your pose

• And third—pick a point to look at. Your eyes should be focused on one thing without shifting.

Selecting a Story:
Once the actors have mastered the art of freezing, it’s time to choose a scripture story and create the pictures that will tell the story.  Miracle stories work especially well—there’s usually a crowd watching and a dramatic climax--both of which are interesting to watch. Divide the text into six to eight sections—where each section corresponds to a clear picture you can stage.

Rehearsing:
Work with your actors to create the pictures, and rehearse to the point where they can move from one picture to the next smoothly as the scripture passage is read. A good director can make these tableaux more interesting by adhering to the following principles:  

• Interaction: The characters in the pictures, even though frozen, should be interacting with each other.  For example, one character might be whispering in the ear of another, or two characters could be reaching to shake hands, or maybe one actor simply has an arm on another actor’s shoulder. 

• Levels: A stage picture is always more interesting if it has variety—especially a variety of levels. So each actor should try to be in a different body position than the actor next to them. If one is standing, the other could kneel. If one is kneeling, the other might lie down. You can add levels by using steps, chairs, boxes, or even stepladders. But there should never be three people in a row in exactly the same position. Of course, as in all theater, the actors should take care to position themselves so they stay open to the audience and so everyone on stage can been seen.

• Point of Focus: Point of focus is simply the point in the picture where you want the audience to direct their attention. There’s a lot of ways you can create a point of focus. For example, if everyone on stage is dressed in black, and one character has a red shirt on—the audience is going to look at the actor in red. Or if everyone is upstage right celebrating except for one actor who is downstage left looking miserable, the audience will pay attention to the unhappy character. One of the easiest ways to force a point of focus, though, is to have all the actors on stage focus on the same point.

 Performing the Tableaux:
When the time comes to perform the tableaux to an audience, you can preface the presentation with the following instructions:

• Narrator: “The following story from the Bible will be presented as a series of frozen scenes or tableaux. We ask for your help in this way: When you hear this tone—(Use a hand bell or a musical triangle to make a chime)—please close your eyes, bow your heads, and listen as part of the text is read. When you hear the tone a second time—(Make the chime again)—open your eyes to view the scene. When you hear the tone a third time, again close your eyes and listen as more of the story is told…and continue that way through the reading. When you hear a tone, you’ll either close your eyes to listen, or open your eyes to view the scene. (Make the chime again)—Please close your eyes.”

 In fact, when you rehearse with your actors, you’ll want to read them these instructions to help them understand exactly when to move and when to freeze.

 Additional Notes: 
The technique works well with groups of eight to twelve performers who are in fifth grade or above, although younger children can be part of a presentation if they are mixed in with adults.

 Caution your actors to always remain frozen until they hear narration. Most performers will tend to move as soon as they hear the chime signaling the end of a scene. Since it takes a second or two for the audience to close their eyes, if the actors break their freeze immediately, they’ll be caught moving.

 When done correctly, the congregation should never see the actors moving, and there will be an element of surprise when they open their eyes to see each picture.

Music: Music will greatly enhance the presentation, setting the tone for the story and tying the scenes together. Improvisational piano, flute, violin, cello, or guitar work well, especially when the musician is sensitive enough to match the music to the progress of the story. The instrumentalist should play continuously, from the moment the congregation closes their eyes for the first time until all the actors have exited after the last tableau.

 Costumes: While tableaux can be performed in full biblical dress, the technique can be just as effective if the actors simply wear dark solid colors—preferably black—so that facial expressions and body positions stand out.

 If Jesus is a character in the story, you might consider dressing the actor playing the role in a different color—off white or tan—so the audience can recognize them quickly.  

To see how this tableaux was rehearsed with a group of volunteers, there is a link at the top of this page to the video: Rehearsing Tableaux Vivant.

 
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