Rotation.org Writing Team
Adam & Eve
Drama Workshop
Using Elements of Greek Drama to dig into the meaning of the story.
Summary of Lesson Activity
A Drama about Adam and Eve that uses kid-friendly elements of Greek drama, rhyme and music to make a unique and easy-to-stage presentation. Students will complete a script and perform. This drama should be videotaped, and works as a puppet play as well.
Scripture
Passage: Genesis 2:4–3:24
Key/Memory Verse: "Since all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God; they are now justified by his grace as a gift, through the redemption that is in Christ Jesus." Romans 3:23-24 (NRSV)
Objectives for the Rotation
See Bible Background.
"Greek Drama" you say?
Yes, Greek Drama! Presenting the story of Adam and Eve in the format of a Greek drama provides the teacher and students with a creative, yet stage-able, dramatic presentation that goes beyond standing around reading from a script. Greek Drama is a format that would have been familiar to many New Testament Christians and Jews, (and for those more interested, was also a dramatic form that helped shape some stories in scripture).
The Rotation.org Writing Team strives to introduce new staging techniques in its drama workshops, knowing that "how to present the story?" is one of the most often asked questions. Greek Drama is a fun presentation technique, that's particularly suitable for Sunday School because God sits at the center of the stage/story.
At the risk of over-simplifying...
Greek drama places God at the center of the stage for all action. This creates the visual and immediate opportunity to "ask God" and hear from God throughout a story. The teacher should break out of the script and "ask God" when the opportunity for discussion arises!
Greek drama has a "Chorus," which is a group of players/singers who stand to the side and carry the storytelling load. The chorus also provides commentary, often in the form of songs and rhymes/poems.
The leader of the chorus functions like a narrator/director, and was later called the "Muse." It is the Muse's job to move the episodes along, provide commentary, and comic relief. This role can be performed by the teacher. The Muse and Chorus sing and rhyme which can make the script fun and memorable. (Rhyme is a great memory hook.) The Muse doesn't have to stay in character as part of the story because they are not technically part of the story, and thus, they can address (teach) the audience.
Greek staging is minimal and unique. God (gods) sat center stage on a throne. To one side of throne is the Chorus, the actors appear around the throne. The actors don’t have to have elaborate interactions or scripts, or action blocking.
Costumes can be simple togas, and characters wore masks** to represent their character, allowing one actor to play various parts.
** Instead of using masks, in the following script actors will wear four different types of coverings, to represent the "choice" — trees, serpent, fig leaves, and a hiding bush.
Preparation
- Read Bible Background and scripture.
- Gather supplies.
- Print the script/rhyme pages from this lesson (see end of lesson).
Materials List
- paper bags, string, scissors, tape, paper cut into 4" squares, fine-point markers (in different colors optional)
- two grey plastic trashbags, grey duck tape, wooden spoon
- clear plastic painter’s drop cloths
- white togas
- halo, throne (chair covered with a cloth)
- large paper grocery bag or Kraft paper, tape, green construction paper, scissors
- digital camera, video recorder, or cellphone for video (and connectors to show on TV)
Lesson Plan
Open
Welcome the students and introduce the story and meaning of today's lesson. Tell students that they will be performing a Greek drama, and watching it afterwards.
- Quickly describe and draw the Greek drama staging that they will be using.
⇒Throne of God - Actors around the throne - Chorus and Muse to the side - Hand out copies of the script and rhyme sheets.
- Assign parts and split up to work on completing parts and costumes.
⇒ See notes under "Actors" section below for costumes and staging.
Note about incorporating a scripture reading:
If the students are familiar with the scripture from your other workshops in the Rotation, you may choose not to read the Genesis text. (This is a famous story they will hear many times in the future.)
Two alternatives:
(1) Compare and contrast your videotaped version with the actual text to see what details were left out.
(2) Have a student read aloud from the Genesis account in-between the scripted scenes.
Dramatize!
- Walk-through the script in costume and add some blocking (staging).
- Use this walk-through to ask questions and make comments about the story. (Your Bible Background has many questions and comments!)
- Perform the drama a second time with the video camera rolling. (Remind actors to speak up in a loud stage voice and to "act big" for the camera.)
Close
Watch the video of their performance and highlight what we know about the "outcome" of this story: We hide. God finds. And we know God ultimately provides the means of their salvation. (See Bible Background for more help.)
Additional Suggestions
Adaptations for Younger Children: This lesson's script requires reading ability, so invite older children/teens to take key roles. Assign younger children to the roles of trees and snake. They can also join the chorus and follow the Muse's instruction to "repeat after me." The walk-through will be especially helpful to them.
ACTOR & COSTUME NOTES:
Trees with various fruit: Choices we are tempted by.
Tree actors wear paper bags: one on each leg, each arm, and one over their head. Hanging from the arm bags are representations of various fruits, which are “things and ideas that tempt us." The actors discuss and create these fruits ahead of time and put into their script.
Snake: “Evil” — the belief that we don’t have to listen to God.
The snake actor(s) has cut a hole in two grey plastic trashbags, sliding one over their legs and one over their shoulders/body and been taped into it. (comically, they can’t walk, only slither). The snake will also have to speak while holding a wooden spoon on their tongue (evil in Greek drama is often comical or defective in some way, as in “why would anybody listen to a serpent?").
Bushes: Ways we try to cover up mistakes, ignore wrongs, pretend our problems aren’t there, or are somebody else’s fault, don’t need to be confessed, or we don’t need to change.
The bush actors will hold a clear plastic painter’s drop cloth (clear/transparent to make a point about trying to hide from God!) The bushes have nothing to say, they are just an extremely memorable prop that makes the hiding very memorable. They are comical, as is the idea that one can hide from God.
God sits center stage on a throne and wear a white toga, or halo, or both.
Place a chair at center stage and cover with a cloth. Center stage properly implies that God sees all and is not remote. God reacts to the story as it unfolds, and can comment on the story at the Muse's direction. In our drama, God will get up and walk in the evening breeze per the story.
The Muse, or leader of the chorus (the teacher or a key assistant for our purposes)
The Muse can be dressed in a toga as can the other chorus members. In Greek drama the Muse makes insightful comments to the audience and often spoke between scenes in poem/rhyme/song. This actor will also lead the chorus and direct action.
The Chorus is the group of people who stood aside and commented on the play through song or rhyme.
This is a great spot for extra kids. If you don't have many kids, they can play multiple roles.The chorus will use the attached Rhyme lists to create their content. Everyone can read the Chorus' songs/rhymes.
Adam and Eve
In this drama they don’t say anything. They just over-react to what's being described. You can quickly dress them in "shorts" made out of a grocery bag or kraft paper taped around their waist. Have them cut out leaves and apply with tape at the appropriate moment!
The Script: Adam and Eve, a Greek Drama
Scene 1: In the Garden
Muse: In God’s Garden stood fruit trees, and of some he said, “don’t eat these.”
For this was a test, about what would be best,
to obey God or do as you please.
Tree1: This fruit let’s you make up your own rules.
Tree2: And this fruit means you don’t have to bother worshipping God.
Tree1: This fruit gives you what everyone else wants, which is _______________.
Tree2: And this fruit will make other people think you are _____________.
Chorus: (The chorus picks 4 words that rhyme with "temptation" then practice saying them as rhymes or a sort of rap)
- Temptation
- _________
- _________
- _________
- _________ (repeat list a second and third time, each time faster)
Scene 2: The Serpent, Adam, and Eve do what they want
Muse: Along came the serpent evil, to split God from his people,
Adam and Eve, and Jenny and Steve, with temptation he did creeple!
Snake: (With a spoon in his mouth so his words sound odd and slitherin)
Say there Adam and Eve, and every Jenny and Steve,
Why bother with the rules? Don't be God's fool!
Instead, you can be just like God.
But if you listen to me and eat and do what you want, nothing bad will happen and you’ll realize you don’t need him. (The trees try to tempt them with their fruit.)
Muse:
To be in control they did ache-d, and thus tempted they did partake-d!
…only to wake up naked,
and ashamed, and ______ and _______ for disobeying God,
God, what do you think about your children now?
(God responds)
Chorus and Muse:
You can't always get what you want
You can't always get what you want
But if you try sometime, you just might find
You get what you need!
Oh yeah….about to get what they need. Uh-huh.
(to be sung to the tune by the same name, courtesy of the Rolling Stones)
God: About to get what they deserve is more like it!
Let's see how they respond to me catching them naked.
Let's see what kind of children I have bake-ed!
Scene 3: Into the Bushes
Muse:
They covered their shame with fig leaves,
then heard God coming in the evening breeze,
calling their names, calling, and calling, and calling.
There’s no good rhyme for what they were feeling then,
or about what God would soon be dealing them,
Chorus: (singing)
R-E-S-P-E-C-T, find out what it means A and Eve.
R-E-S-P-E-C-T, better get down on your knees!
(repeat with attitude)
God: Maybe if I come walking up real slow like, like in an evening breeze, maybe then they'll act like my beloved children and step forward to confess.
Muse:
But of course, they dove in the bushes, thinking they could hide.
As if God couldn’t see their naked behinds.
But God sees all and called them to stand
God: Rise up, confess! Your time is at hand.
Chorus:
Pick and then Say/Clap out 10 words that rhyme with “temptation” that fit this scene.
(See list to choose from)
_________ _________ _________ _________ _________
_________ _________ _________ _________ _________
God:
You ate of the fruit though I said to obey!
Why are you pointing, every other and which way?
Bummer, you did it! It was going so nice,
but now your life will labor, and not be so nice.
Chorus: Rap five words that rhyme with temptation to fit this moment in the story:
_________ _________ _________ _________ _________
(repeat 3 times, each one faster)
Scene 4: The End of the Beginning, but not the End of the Story
Muse:
So God threw them out, but before they did go, he made them some clothes to feel naked no ‘mo.
And then he went with them, into a difficult life,
to be their Dear Savior through temptation and strife.
And later he promised, through the prophets and Jesus,
a new garden in heaven, with no temptation disease-sus.
Chorus: Each chorus member offers up “Amen” sung in their own impressive style.
THE END
CHORUS RHYMING HELPS:
Here is an example of rhyming words chosen by the Chorus and said after Adam and Eve eat the forbidden fruit and realize they are naked:
- cancellation!
- abdication!
- devastation!
- detonation!
- Failing reputation!
- Find vegetation!
The following is a list of words that rhyme with the word "Temptation."
Print it and have student select words to fit into the script as directed.
The Chorus can say them all together, or each chorus member can say their separately.
Teachable moments!
During rhyming words selection process, the teacher may chose to define certain words that might be good choices for the story.
Word that rhyme with “temptation”
abdication, accusation, admiration, adoration, affirmation, aggravation, agitation, allegation,
cancellation, celebration, complication, condemnation, confirmation, confiscation,
confrontation, congregation, consolation, consultation, contemplation, conversation,
dedication, deformation, degradation, desecration, desolation, desperation, devastation,
fabrication, fascination,fragmentation, graduation, hesitation, imitation, immigration,
inflammation, information, inhalation, innovation, inspiration, instigation, invitation, irritation,
isolation, jubilation, liberation, limitation, motivation, mutilation, obfuscation,
obligation, observation, occupation, preparation, presentation,
reformation, regulation, relaxation, relocation, renovation, reparation, reputation,
restoration, revelation, separation, suffocation, transformation, trepidation, tribulation,
violation, abomination, alienation, contamination, cooperation, coordination, denunciation,
edification, elimination, emancipation, gasification, glorification, gratification, hallucination,
harmonization, humiliation, illumination, imagination, justification, manipulation,
miscalculation, misinformation, organization, orientation, participation, predestination,
premeditation, repudiation, resuscitation, retaliation, reverberation, vegetation
Written by: Neil MacQueen
Copyright © 2015 by Rotation.org
Printed from https://www.rotation.org
