Lillenas Drama Presents Use: Readers theatre, worship, general Topics: Thirsting for God; Jesus sacrifice, Living Water Scripture: Psalm 42; John 4:14; Matthew 5:6 Theme: Jesus is the only source of life and refreshment. Cast: READER 1 READER 2 READER 3 Oasis From More Sketches for More Songs By Kevin Stone TO BE PERFORMED WITH CHORAL OCTAVO I Long for Thee Production Notes: A dramatic scripture reading for three readers. It is important that the readers have voices that blend well. Strive for a musical quality in this piece. The tempo should be rather quick, with little or no space between lines. If the readers step on each others lines, it will help keep the audience alert and help emphasize the effect of harmony. The start of every line signifies who reads that line. If a word is underlined, however, the superscript will signify what other reader(s) will read that word in unison with the original reader. For example: READER 1: In the beginning, God 2 created the heavens 3 and the earth 2,3. (READER 1 will read the entire line; on the word God, READER 2 joins to say that one word in unison; the word heavens is said by READERS 3 and 1 simultaneously; the last word, Earth, is said by all three READERS together.) An asterisk within a line signals that the following line should be started at that point. For example: READER 2: In the beginning, God created the heavens * and the earth. READER 3: Let the earth rejoice! (As READER 2 says and, READER 3 will say Let. The earth will be said in unison, and then READER 3 will finish his line as if nothing had happened.) If practice time is limited, or if a simpler reading is desired, the lines in parentheses can be deleted, and the asterisks and the underlining can be ignored. All Scripture is taken from the King James Version and is public domain.
Running Time: 4 minutes READER 1: I will open the rivers in high places READER 2: And fountains in the midst of the valleys; READER 1: I will make the wilderness a pool of water, READER 3: And the dry land springs of water. READER 1: As the deer panteth after the water brooks, So panteth my soul after Thee, O God. My soul thirsteth 3 for God, for the living * God. READER 2: O God, Thou art my God. My soul thirsteth for Thee In a dry and thirsty 3 land Where no water is. READER 3: When the poor and needy seek water, and there is none, And their tongue faileth for thirst, I 1,2, the Lord, will hear them, I 1,2, the God 1 of Israel 2, will not forsake them. READER 1: Blessed are they which do thirst after righteousness, READERS 2, 3: For they shall be filled READER 2: And the Lord said unto Moses, Behold 1,3, READER 1: I will stand before thee upon the rock, READER 2: And thou shalt smite the rock, and there shall come water 1,3 out of it, READERS 1, 2, 3: That the people may drink. READER 3: I give waters in the wilderness, READER 1: And rivers in the desert, READER 3: To give drink to My people, to My chosen 1. READER 2: Smite the rock, that the people may drink. READER 3: And Moses did so. READER 1: He clave the rocks in the wilderness, READER 2: And gave them drink as out of the great depths. READER 1: He brought streams also out of the rock, READER 3: And caused waters to run down like rivers. READER 1: He leadeth me beside the still waters.
READER 2: Ho 3! Everyone that thirsteth, Come ye to the waters. READER 1: Blessed are they who thirst after righteousness 3. READER 2: They shall be filled. READER 3: They drank of that spiritual Rock 1 that followed them, and that Rock was READER 2: Jesus 1,3 stood and cried, READER 1: if any man thirst, let him come 2 unto Me and drink! READER 2: He that believeth on Me, READER 3: As the Scriptures hath said, READER 2: Out of his belly shall flow rivers of living water. READER 3: For in the wilderness shall waters break out, READER 2: (Rivers of living water) READER 3: And streams in the desert. READER 1: Whosoever drinketh of the water that I shall give him shall never thirst, READER 3: (As the deer panteth) READER 1: But the water that I shall give him shall be in him a well of water springing up 2 into everlasting life. READER 2: And the parched ground shall become a pool, READER 1: (A well of water) READER 2: And the thirsty land springs of water. READER 3: My soul thirsteth * for God READER 1: (For the living God) READER 2: Jesus said unto them, READER 3: (In a dry and thirsty land) READER 2: He that believeth on Me shall never thirst. READER 1: And when they were come to the place which is called Calvary 2, there they crucified 2 Him. READER 2: (Crucified) READER 3: (Crucified Him)
READER 1: You were enemies in your mind by wicked works. READER 3: (Enemies) READER 2: There we crucified Him. READER 3: If thine enemy READER 1: (Thine enemy) READER 3: Be thirsty, give him water to drink. READER 2: I will pour water on him that is thirsty, And floods upon the dry ground. READER 1: Golgotha. READER 3: The Place of a Skull. READER 1: There they crucified * Him. READER 3: They mocked * Him. READER 2: Laughed Him to scorn. READER 3: If thine enemy be thirsty READER 1: Thou shalt smite the rock 3, READER 2: And water shall come out of it. READER 3: Give him water to drink, My God 1,2! READER 2: My God, READER 1: Why hast Thou forsaken Me? READER 2: I am poured out like water, READER 1: (Like water) READER 2: My tongue cleaveth 3 to my jaws; And Thou hast brought Me into the dust 3 of death 1. READER 3: (In a dry and thirsty land) READER 1: Thou shalt smite the Rock! READER 3: If thine enemy be thirsty, give him water to drink. READER 2: Love your enemies. READER 1: Thou broughtest forth 3 water for them out of the rock for their thirst. READER 3: Thou shalt smite the Rock 1 READER 2: (There they crucified Him)
READER 3: That the people may drink. READERS 1, 2: Smite the Rock! READER 3: And Moses did so. (Pause) READER 1: One of the soldiers with a spear pierced His side, and forthwith came there out READER 3: As the Scriptures hath said, READER 2: Out of his belly shall flow rivers of living water! READER 3: He that believeth on Me shall never READER 2: Never READER 3: Thirst READER 1: And the Spirit and the bride say, Come 2,3. And let him that heareth say, Come 2,3. And let him that is athirst come 2,3. And whosoever will, let him take the water READER 2: (The water) READER 1: The water of life 3 freely 2,3. Start music here Director s Tips: We did this as a Readers Theatre piece. Emphasizing the beauty of the script, we chose to stand instead of compound the piece with movement. If you do this, it becomes like a song. Just as much work is needed as for a regular dramatic piece, paying close attention to all volume and tempo changes and having those preplanned. The key is not to make it sound like a script. It s like Shakespeare in a way. It has to sound real, though it is poetic. Actor s Tips: This piece has a lot of pure poetry. That poetry should not be read in such a formal way that it sounds like old English. Instead it should be celebrated. If the actors enjoy the script and the poetry, the audience will as well. Believe in what you are saying, and so will your audience. Tips by Chad Schnarr & Chris Todd I Long for Thee (AG-1143), Words & Music by Chris & Diane Machen, Arranged by Marty Parks Oasis, Act & React (MP-800) by Kevin Stone.
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