Can the Speaker Trump Your Drama?

We reprint this great piece from Sandy Boikian of Christian Theatre Scripts. Visit her site at http://christiantheatrescripts.com

A Good Rule of Thumb
To have a speaker close the show, or not to have a speaker close the show?

That is the question.

You've just presented a powerful piece. As the house lights come up, people are wiping their eyes and blowing their noses. "Oh, thank You, Lord," you utter, pretty choked up yourself.

Then the speaker goes forward to wrap up the show and talks. And talks. And talks. Zzzzzzzzzzz. You've lost the audience.

I admit I have gone back and forth over the years on whether or not to have a speaker close the show. I used to insist on it. What if there was someone in the audience who was ready to receive Christ, and we denied him/her that opportunity?

Yet, on more than one occasion, I have sat in audiences where the closing was counterproductive (as in the example above), even manipulative.

Years ago I attended a two-hour musical about King David. Then the closing speaker got up. I can't even tell you how long he spoke, because I quietly slipped out after 40 minutes (I kid you not). Today when I think about that show, do I recall how I identified with the main character? Do I recall God's redemptive love in David's life? Do I get warm fuzzies over the memory of the music, the humor, the message? No. All I feel is dread and the icky aftermath of manipulation.

In general, here is a good rule of thumb to go by:

If a speaker is wrapping your show, make sure he keeps it brief. Brief means two minutes (five at the most). A sermonette is a turnoff ~ especially for (but not limited to) nonbelievers. During the two minutes your speaker can invite people who would like prayer or want to hear more about Jesus to see him or a cast member afterward. (Of course there are exceptions to the two-minute rule. If you feel God's prompting to speak, by all means, speak! But it should not be the general plan.)

Let the play speak for itself.

Mark 4:33-35 tells us that although Jesus explained the parables to His disciples, He let His "audiences" walk away to ponder and chew on the story.

Be sure your message is presented ~ strong and solid ~ in the performance. And then let your audience walk ... chewing away.