VBS 2010 Enrichment Session: How to Lead the VBS Musical
File No. 29
How to Lead the VBS Musical
Purpose Statement
This one hour conference will prepare participants to lead the VBS Saddle Ridge Ranch
Musical.
Resources to Collect
• Saddle Ridge Ranch Music Book - contains the music for the full length songs,
the drama script and the production notes, and guitar charts
• Musical Rotation and CD - contains the stereo listening version of the songs and
drama PLUS the split track accompaniment version of the songs.
• Nametags.
• materials to make the campfire – tissue paper, paper tubes, flashlight, tape,
scissors
Resources to Prepare
• Review all material thoroughly, including the musical script and the choreography
demonstration DVD.
• Learn the choreography for one song and be prepared to teach it to the conferees
as you would teach the children. This will include preparing a word display
(powerpoint, poster, flip chart, etc.)
• Cue the Worship Rally DVD to the choreography segment.
• Prepare to have one or two conferees “audition.” See audition information sheet.
Provide copy of page 10 from musical (script scene 1) or a child’s poetry book
(such as Shel Silverstein’s Light in the Attic or a Dr. Seuss book.)
• Five Questions and corresponding Scripture reference written on separate slips.
Resources to Copy
• Make copies of page 10 of the script (first scene.) On each copy, highlight one
character’s part.
• copy of “Production Notes” page from music book for every participant.
• copies of handouts
o Audition Guidelines
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o Drama suggestions (includes 4 pages: drama and soloist possibilities and
suggestions, special rehearsals, production team
o technical tips)
o Optional ways to use the VBS musical
o Choreography Tips
Decoration Suggestions
• Decorate your teaching area to demonstrate set ideas. See page 2, Production
notes. You need a tent, four camping chairs, campfire (your conferees will make.)
Audio Visual Needs
• Worship Rally DVD – includes choreography instructions
• 2010 VBS Music Rotation Leader Guide - contains resource ideas for teaching the
songs
• CD player
• DVD player/TV or computer/projector - some way to show the DVD
Teaching Steps
(10 minutes) Greet the participants. Give them a nametag. Have everyone get a copy of
all the handouts.
• Give the first 2 or 3 people who arrive a flashlight, some red, orange, and yellow
tissue paper sheets and scissors. Ask them to cut out flame shapes to tape around
the flashlight to make a campfire for the set.
• Give the next 2 people brown paper bags, paper tubes, tape and scissors. Have
them make fire logs. Work together to build a fire. Stack up the logs. Crumple
some of the colored tissue paper and scatter around logs. Stand flashlight up
(vertical) in the middle of the logs.
• Ask 1 or 2 people to look over the “Audition Guidelines” handout and be
prepared to demonstrate an audition. Suggest they use a section of the script (page
10, right hand column, Samantha’s part) or a funny poem (from the book you
provide.) Ask them to think like a kid - one of them should act very quiet, shy or
insecure as they “try out.”
• Ask 5 people to prepare to read a scene from the drama. Give each one a
highlighted script (page 10.) Ideally you need 3 guys and 2 girls, but you can
improvise if necessary.
• Give the next five people one each of the Five Questions and Scripture. Ask them
to be prepared to read it later. (Or give all 5 to one person)
o Who am I?
Psalm 139:14
o Does God care about me?
1 Peter 5:7
o What is God’s plan for me?
Jeremiah 29:11
o How can I be like Jesus?
Philippians 2:5
o What do I do now?
James 1:5
Say – “Welcome to VBS 2010 Saddle Ridge Ranch! If you decide to do the drama and
present the VBS songs as a musical, you can add another layer of excitement and learning
to the VBS experience.” Give a quick overview of Saddle Ridge Ranch Musical - Four
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kids are at the Big Sky Campground for a weekend adventure. Mr. Lenny and his wife,
Elaine, run the camp. The kids have some camping fun and get a chance to answer some
basic questions from their “seeking” friend (Brandon.)
In this hour, we will cover the plans and preparation you can make to give your kids a
great experience that will help “lock in” the Bible truths presented in Saddle Ridge
Ranch. There is a lot of information in the handouts that we might not have time to go
over, but you are encouraged to read it for yourself.
• What format will you choose
• Drama Cast and rehearsals
• Production – set, props, costume and technical issues
• Teaching the songs and choreography
(5 minutes) – Distribute the handout “Optional Ways to Present the VBS musical.”
Discuss these points:
• The musical is written to be simple to cast and produce.
• Consider what resources and kids you have available. This is a great time to get
some new people involved, both in leadership and the kids.
• Consider extra rehearsal requirements. The cast will need adequate practice.
• Go over the options listed on the handout.
(15 minutes) – Choosing the cast and helping them prepare to do their best is a wonderful
opportunity to build relationships with kids. You can just choose kids you know or go
through an audition process.
• Have the 1 or 2 people you asked earlier demonstrate an audition. They should do
what they have “prepared.” Then ask them to say the Pledge of Allegiance in a
style you suggest. (See “Audition Guidelines” handout for details.) Demonstrate
interacting with the one auditioning – encouraging, giving advice and letting them
do it again, responding with applause and enthusiasm.
• Cast rehearsals can be fun! Ask the 5 people who have scripts to demonstrate a
drama read-through. Encourage them to think/act like a kid. As they read their
parts, give advice and instructions. (See “Drama Suggestions” handout.) At your
first “read-through” rehearsal, help the kids define their character. Work on
expressiveness. Encourage them to speak slowly and project their voices. All lines
should be memorized by the second rehearsal so you can start blocking. Figure
out where everyone stands and how they move in each scene.
• If possible, let your cast rehearse with microphones at technical rehearsal and
dress rehearsal.
• Discuss what needs to happen at dress rehearsal. It gives the children such
confidence to know what, when, where and how to do everything.
You will be amazed at how great your kids can be with plenty of support and preparation
on your part.
(10 minutes) The set, props and costumes for Saddle Ridge Ranch are fun and easy!
• Go over the “Production Notes” page from the music book.
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•
Encourage the participants to use what they already have and be creative! In the
set, let the tent, campfire, etc. set the mood. Don’t worry about creating a huge
backdrop – just use some artificial Christmas trees across the back of your stage.
There are lots of great decorating ideas in the VBS 2010 Decorating Made Easy
book.
• The choir should be on risers across the back of the stage. Be sure the choir is
visible to the audience. One of the goals of presenting the VBS musical is for the
parents to see their children participating in the musical.
• Talk about the “Production Team Possibilities” handout. You probably don’t need
everyone on the list, but don’t try to do everything yourself.
Talk about technical needs. Go over “Technical Tips” page of the handout.
(15 minutes) Discuss these points about teaching the songs and choreography.
• The most important role in any musical is filled by the choir! Make it a priority
to thoroughly teach the songs to them. The songs are the vehicle for hiding God’s
truth in their hearts. In the context of VBS, the spiritual concept teaching mainly
takes place in the Bible study time. The music director should be familiar with the
concepts and applications and call attention to them during music teaching
whenever possible. If you are teaching the musical outside of a VBS context, be
sure to cover the five questions and the Scripture answers. Ask conference
participants to read their assigned “Question and Scripture” for the five days of
VBS.
• If you are using the musical as a choir project, you also want to teach musical
concepts. Identify at least one musical concept to teach in each song. Create or
find a teaching activity for each spiritual concept and each musical concept. Vary
the styles of these activities. Use games, manipulatives, word puzzles, movement,
etc. There are great ideas for teaching concepts in 2010 VBS Music Rotation
Leader Guide. (Have fun with the “Rock Band” activity with “Who He Says I
Am.”)
• Use the choreography video to help teach one or two of the songs, but vary your
presentation. You can do it yourself!
• Display the words to the songs in an easy to read format: Powerpoint, overhead
cels, posters, etc.
• Use the CD extensively to let the children sing along with the voices as they learn
the songs and the movements. This especially contributes to the excitement and
energy level.
• Option to give more children special parts: Choose a soloist or small ensemble
(up to four) to learn and sing sections of several songs.
o “Who He Says I Am” verse (m. 23-30) first time – solo, bridge (m. 42-45) with
harmony – 2 or 4 singers
o “God Cares” bridge (m. 22-25) – 2 or 4 singers with harmony
• Use a special team or a “front line” on one or two songs. (See Choreography
Tips.”)
Teach one of the songs to the participants – your choice. Encourage them to learn all the
songs using the choreography demonstration segment on the Worship Rally DVD.
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“Choreography Tips” handout gives more ideas about teaching. The choreography for
Saddle Ridge Ranch VBS 2010 is one of the “secrets of success.” Doing the “moves”
adds a layer of learning that helps lock the words in the kids’ memory and they love it!
Learn it well before you teach it, get inspired by Jeff’s creativity (and goofiness), loosen
up and have fun!
Don’t be intimidated! Add the musical to the VBS experience and give your kids another
layer of learning, application and ownership.
Pray – that God will energize and guide your decisions and bless this material in the lives
of many, many children.
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Optional ways to use the VBS musical
•
Present the entire drama, full length songs and choreography at Parent’s
Night at the end of VBS week.
o
o
•
Present the full length songs and choreography at Parent’s Night at the end
of VBS week.
o
o
•
The entire VBS enrollment would serve as the choir. Full length songs and choreography
would be taught during music class every day in VBS.
Instead of doing the full drama, individual children recite the related Scripture before
each song.
Present the entire drama, full length songs and choreography as a children’s
choir project the weekend before VBS begins as a kick-off event.
o
o
•
The entire VBS enrollment would serve as the choir. Full length songs and choreography
are taught during music class every day in VBS.
Cast would be chosen in advance, memorize the script and rehearse for a minimum of
four 60 minute rehearsals (either after VBS every day or begin rehearsals before VBS
week.)
The Children’s Choirs would serve as the choir. Full length songs and choreography
would be taught during the spring semester of children’s choir.
Cast would be auditioned, chosen and rehearse as a part of the choir schedule.
Present the full length songs and choreography at Parent’s Night at the end
of VBS week.
o
o
o
o
The entire VBS enrollment would serve as the choir. Full length songs and choreography
would be taught during music class every day in VBS.
Use the drama segments in the Worship Rally DVD. Play the appropriate scene before the
choir performs each song.
Prepare the drama as a video production. Audition and rehearse the cast before VBS and
enlist your technical crew to videotape the scenes at various locations that you devise to
look like the Big Sky campground.
Plan for plenty of time for editing and finishing your video. Enlist an expert (maybe a
high school student) as cameraman and editor.
Audition Guidelines
•
We suggest that you try open auditions for the parts in your musical. This involves everyone who
wants to audition attending and observing all the auditions. Parents are also invited. This gives the
children practice before an audience. We suggest holding the audition in the choir room or your
auditorium so there is plenty of room, and the one auditioning can face the audience. There is
great value in the experience of auditioning as the children develop confidence and skills of
communicating. Be sure to have a good accompanist on hand. Introduce the judges (various choir
directors, drama coach, at least 3 people) Emphasize that they have asked God to guide their
choices.
•
Prepare and distribute an audition information letter at least two weeks before auditions. The letter
should include these or similar instructions: Choose anything that you would like to speak. It may
be a poem, a verse of Scripture or lines from a story, etc. Limit it to 3 or 4 lines. Speak with
expression and articulation. To try out for a solo part, sing one verse of a hymn of your choice.
Speak and sing from memory. Parents and all auditioning are the audience. In the information
letter, include rehearsal schedule so they know what days and times will be required.
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•
After each child has presented their material, ask them to do a little “improv.” We use the Pledge
of Allegiance because everyone knows it. Give each child a style or accent to use in reciting the
Pledge. Prepare a list of ideas beforehand. Suggestions: British, Southern lady, Australian
(crocodile hunter), redneck (boy,) angry, sad, shy, scared, baby, preacher, hockey announcer, etc.
These are not cast characteristics. They are “caricature” styles that the children can imitate so you
can see if they are inhibited or creative or embarrassed, etc.
•
At the audition: Have everyone be seated and open with prayer. Give a little pep talk - everyone is
nervous; do your best, etc. Talk about what you are looking for – personality, animation, loud
clear voices, etc. Give a few “audience” pointers: be courteous and be good listeners, don’t move
around during a scene or a song. Collect all completed audition forms, then call on children one at
a time. Consider beginning with the youngest grade and working up to the older children.
•
Plan for the judges to stay after the auditions are completed. It is ideal if the decisions can be made
then. Talk about the personality and “look” needed for each character. Ask everyone for their top
two choices for each role as a starting point. Be sure to consider commitment and cooperation in
choir if applicable. When it is a close call, usually go with the older child.
•
After the decisions are made, telephone every child who auditioned. If they did not get a part, tell
them something they did well and encourage them to try again next time. If possible, tell them
something specific to work on, such as speaking with more energy or slower. Emphasize how glad
you are that they are in choir and the importance of every choir member in the production. Try
your best to call every child before posting the cast list so no one has to deal with an unhappy
situation without any notice.
Drama and Soloist Rehearsal Suggestions
Give your budding actors and soloists plenty of help and suggestions to prepare them to do their very best.
At the first drama rehearsal give some general guidelines that will help them focus on the different ways an
actor must think. (You will need to remind them of these concepts approximately one million times.)
ACTORS
• Think about your character’s personality. How can you project it with your voice, your body and
your responses to other characters? Always remain “in character” whether you are actually
participating in the scene or not.
• Speak to the last row in the room. Do not rely on the microphone to amplify your voice. (Director,
sometimes stand at the back of the room as they practice a scene.)
• Speak slowly and very distinctly. Articulate every consonant. Take a breath at every punctuation
mark. Make yourself slow down by taking breaths between phrases where it is meaningful.
• Practice your lines out loud while looking at yourself in a mirror. Decide what to do with your
face, your eyebrows, and your mouth to make your lines interesting and meaningful.
• NEVER turn your back to the audience. When you are speaking to someone beside you, only look
partially to the side. (This is called “cheating.”)
• When you move, always move on your own lines, never when someone else is speaking. For
gestures, always use your upstage (away from the audience) hand.
• When there are several lines by different characters all in a row, each character should do
something as they begin speaking to help the audience “find” them - a hand motion, a step, a
shrug, etc.
• When you are in a scene but not speaking, follow what is going on. Look at whoever is speaking
and respond nonverbally. Your eyes are very important. Stay focused.
• If the audience laughs or otherwise responds to a line, wait for quiet or a cue from your director
before beginning the next line.
SOLOISTS
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LISTEN! The most valuable help you have is the accompaniment. Sing your song again and again
with the track so you are very comfortable with it.
Don’t be afraid of the microphone. Stand (or hold it) very close, almost touching your chin.
Look up! Don’t focus on the microphone (you’ll look cross-eyed) or on the floor. If it makes you
too nervous to look at people in the audience, look at your director or at the back wall. Be sure to
focus your eyes somewhere, don’t let them just flicker around.
Practice singing your song while looking at yourself in a mirror. Work on a pleasant expression;
smile with your eyes.
BREATHE! The first thing that happens when you get nervous is that you lose your breath
support. Be conscious of taking full, deep breaths as you sing.
Your director will help you decide whether to do any kind of motions with your hands. Practice
them while looking in the mirror until they are very natural. Don’t add anything at the last minute
that you have not practiced.
Special Rehearsals
It is extremely important to prepare the children to do their very best. This is a wonderful opportunity for
building self-esteem and teaching them to serve the Lord with excellence. We absolutely want to be sure
NEVER to embarrass a child, either by letting him perform unprepared or by asking him to do something
that he is uncomfortable doing. This does not mean you don’t ask them to stretch - just that you must have
enough rehearsal time for everyone to feel comfortable with their roles.
As you plan extra rehearsals for the cast, be very aware of using their time efficiently. Rehearsals should be
for one to one and a half hours, one or two days a week, after school or early evening for at least four
weeks before the musical or at least four times during your regular VBS week.
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Cast Rehearsals
o Participants - Actors
o Goal - Learn each scene. Plan and practice lines, basic stage movements (blocking),
timing, inflection, responses. Don’t expect children to be able to create a character
without lots of help. Give them specific actions, movements and even inflections. Plan on
at least four 60-90 minute rehearsals.
Solo Rehearsals
o Participants – Soloists, ensembles
o Goal – the singers should learn their song on their own, using the demonstration CD for
support. At rehearsal, polish, give pointers (see Rehearsal Suggestions handout). Practice
with split track.
Blocking/Technical Rehearsal
o Participants - Actors, stage crew for set/prop movement, all tech crew - sound, lighting,
video
o Goal - Show everyone where to stand and all stage movement. Go through entire script.
Plan everyone’s position during scenes and during songs. Plan when and where exits
should be made. Run through any song that requires any movement or acting. If there
needs to be any prop or set piece movement, it should be rehearsed at this time. Make
microphone assignments. All technical directors (sound, video, lights, backstage helpers)
should have their marked scripts at this rehearsal.
o This is probably the most critical rehearsal. Everyone should learn exactly what to do and
where to go so there will be no need for explanation to any special parts when the whole
choir is present at the dress rehearsal.
Dress Rehearsal
o Participants - Everyone, in costume. Entire technical crew - sound, lights, video
o Goals - Line up, placement on stage of everyone. (Assistants write this down!)
VBS 2010 Enrichment Session: How to Lead the VBS Musical

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Rough run-through, for choir to get familiar with drama. Fix details, especially
in choreography. Sing all songs, but the music should already be polished and
memorized.
Take a 10 minute break, then do a complete run-through with no stopping.
Plan (before the rehearsal) and practice choir’s entrance and exit from
auditorium and stage. This is best done at the end of rehearsal.
Production Team Possibilities
Presenting a memorable children’s musical will be a wonderful and fulfilling experience IF you get
organized and enlist a great production team. This should NOT be a “one woman show.” This list is the
“ultimate” team. Roles can be combined, but don’t limit yourself! Scour your choir parents and your
congregation for undiscovered talent. The director should meet with the team to brainstorm, organize and
pray. Also meet individually with each team member to discuss all aspects and details of their
responsibility. Then let them handle it!
•
DIRECTOR - The person with ultimate responsibility for all decisions and direction.
•
STAGE MANAGER - responsible for all stage decoration. In charge of locating and keeping track of
all props. Makes sure everything is in place and ready during rehearsals and performance.
•
SET DESIGN and CONSTRUCTION - Supervise acquiring or construction of all set pieces and
backdrop items.
•
COSTUME COORDINATOR - Oversee all costume instructions and construction. There are two
areas of responsibility.
o Choir Costumes - will need to give specific instructions for choir outfits. Handle anything that is
to be purchased in quantity. This involves determining quantity, ordering, taking up money and
distributing costumes.
o Special Costumes – Give clear instructions to cast about what they should wear. Acquire any
special or novelty items needed for costumes – such as fishing hat or vest, boots, cowboy hats, etc.
•
CHOREOGRAPHER - Work with the dance team/front line for any special numbers and introduce
choreography and motions to the choir.
•
SOUND and LIGHTS - Enlist and coordinate people to run the sound system and the lights. If your
sound technician is a church staff position, be sure to “book” him with plenty of advance notice for
special rehearsals and the performance.
•
DRAMA COACH - Stage and block all drama scenes and pantomime scenes. Meet with cast for
scheduled extra rehearsals.
Technical Tips
•
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SOUND - “Book” your sound technician at least 6 weeks in advance to be sure he is available for
technical rehearsal, dress rehearsal and performance. Meet with him to discuss mic needs,
accompaniment CD, and monitors for choir and soloists. Monitors are critical – you need 1 or 2
aimed at the choir so they can hear the track clearly and one near the solo mic (if you are using
solos.) If you have never discussed children’s performances with him before, specifically talk
about how the children’s voices should balance with the accompaniment - voices should always be
“out front.” Decide whether you will use the split track with voices or the stereo track. One option
is to put the voices from the split track only in the choir monitors for the children to hear and put
the accompaniment and your children’s voices in the “house” speakers. This requires a special set-
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up on the sound board, so you need to talk about it in advance. If available, it is ideal for the cast
to wear lavaliere or headset mics.
•
It is helpful to let the sound man himself talk to the actors and soloists at the technical rehearsal.
He can emphasize to them the necessity of standing close to the mic and projecting (speaking with
volume). He should also give any special instructions about where to get their mic’s, where to
return their mic’s, if or how to turn wireless mic’s on and off, etc.
•
SCRIPTS - Prepare two scripts for sound, one for lighting and one for video if needed.
o
o
o
•
One is for the sound man with mic cues. It is helpful to list at the beginning of each scene
which characters will speak during the scene. Ask your sound man what information will
help him.
The other script is for the sound assistant who will cue the accompaniment CD or iPod.
She should be very familiar with the script and music. (One of your choir directors or
assistants is a good candidate.) Every sound effect cue and “song start” cue should be
highlighted in this script.
OTHER- Lighting and video crew also need marked scripts.
LIGHTS - If you have any special lighting available in your church, it will add greatly to your
performance. Enlist someone who knows how to run the system. Prepare a script with specific
cues. Be sure the children are well lit, and there are no shadows on their faces. If you have the
option of lighting different areas of the stage, darken the choir area during the drama scenes. Meet
with the lighting operator to run through the script before technical rehearsal.
Tips for Teaching Choreography to Children
•
Children love to move! It is natural for them to express themselves through movement.
“Choreography” is planned movement that enhances the meaning of the music, and in the
VBS/Christian context, it contributes to clearly communicating the message of the songs. When
teaching children the choreography that goes with the VBS music, encourage them to sing, smile
and have fun!
•
The director should thoroughly learn the choreography before beginning to teach it. Mirror all
movements so the children will be correct (right/left) when they mirror you. This means if you
want the children to move their right hand, you move your left hand. If you want them to step to
the right, you step to the left. Of course, you must say, “right,” when you want them to move to
the right, even though you are moving left.
•
Encourage the children to be expressive with their faces and keep their faces toward the audience.
They should not look down at their feet!
•
Remind the children that the movements are supposed to make the meaning of the songs clear and
the singing is the priority! If the moves are messy or not sharp and distract from the song, leave
them out.
•
In the context of VBS, we have to teach the songs and movement in a very short time frame so it
is necessary to “cut to the chase” with teaching methods. Use the CD extensively to let the
children sing along with the voices as they learn the movements. This especially contributes to the
excitement and energy level.
•
Display the words to the songs in an easy to read format: PowerPoint, overhead cels, posters, etc.
If you use posters, make sure they are written with wide tipped marker in letters big enough to
read from the back of your rehearsal room. Write in poetry format - starting each new phrase on a
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new line. PowerPoint files are available on VBS 2010 Worship Rally Enhanced CD. You can also
use the DVD version with the lyrics.
•
Teach the motions as you teach the songs. Break each song into sections to teach. Figure out what
is the hardest section (if there is one) and teach it first. You may want to teach the difficult
movement before you teach the vocal part.
•
Enlist one or two middle school or high school students to learn the choreography and be your
assistants. This is especially helpful if you have to teach the music in a large room with lots of
children at once. The youth should stand at the front with you and demonstrate the moves, then do
all the choreography as the children do it. It is your choice whether they will face the children (and
learn the choreography backwards so they can mirror) or if they will have their backs to the
children.
•
As the leaders, stay ahead of the choir. Give them reminder cues about what is coming next 2 or 3
beats before time to do it. Example: Point in the direction of the next move before doing it.
•
Choose a “front line” for each (or some) of the songs. Choose 6-8 children who are good at the
choreography to stand in front of the choir (facing the audience) and perform the song as the
leaders. This is especially helpful for the one or two most complicated songs. The choir has
someone to watch and the audience sees the “cleanest” choreography.
The choreography for Saddle Ridge Ranch VBS 2010 is one of the “secrets of success.” Doing the “moves”
adds a layer of learning that helps lock the words in the kids’ memory and they love it! Learn it well before
you teach it, get inspired by Jeff’s creativity, loosen up and have fun!
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