Contributed by: Cathie Wengreen, Wenatchee, Washington
WengreenFamily@aol.com (1/19/2005)
“A Great and Marvelous Work”
Instructions
Why? A letter
to Priesthood leaders announced the 2005 Mutual theme, “A great and
marvelous work,” and encouraged local leaders to “plan cultural events
that help youth focus on the 175th anniversary of the
organization of the Church and the 200th anniversary of the
birth of the Prophet Joseph Smith.”
What? Each unit
is assigned a tableau to be performed Saturday afternoon at youth
conference. (A tableau is “a representation of a …picture by one or
more persons suitably costumed and posed” Webster’s Dictionary)
The characters in the tableau will be motionless and silent and each
unit will also be the assigned part of the narration that describes
their tableau. Some portions of the script also include a hymn to be
sung by the audience.
When? Units
should start planning and practicing right away! The performance will
take place on March 5 Saturday afternoon at youth conference at the
Wenatchee Stake Center.
Who? Each ward
and branch in the Wenatchee and Ephrata stakes are being assigned a
tableau.
How? Please
review the information below.
- Each unit
will create the scene depicted on the picture assigned to them as
nearly identical to the picture as possible, using a backdrop,
props, make-up, and costuming. You may need or want to include more
than the picture shows, however. For example, if your picture shows
just the head and shoulders of a figure, you may need to include the
whole figure. The picture you have been given will be shown on a
screen, and then the curtains will open and the “living” picture
will be seen! Remember, the people in the picture will be “frozen”
without movement.
- There will
be two areas used as stages so that while one unit has the curtains
open and their tableau is being presented, the next unit will be
setting up their scene. This will mean that the set up must be done
silently so that the focus will be on the staged tableau.
- The script
is enclosed. Units will need to provide their own narrator(s). A
microphone will be located near the stage.
- We will
use the stage and the overflow area in our cultural hall as stages
for the tableaus. The opened area will be 6 feet deep (from the
front of the stage), and 12 feet wide. There will be a frame 8 feet
high to which all backgrounds will be attached during the day on
Saturday, March 5.
- The
background for your tableau will be an important part of creating
the picture assigned. It should be painted onto one solid piece of
paper (you will most likely have to tape paper together to form the
solid piece) measuring 9 feet tall (INCLUDING A 12” MARGIN FOR
TACKING), and 12 feet wide.
- There will
be an easel set up on the floor next to the stage. The unit should
provide a 22”x28” poster (to be displayed horizontally) identifying
your ward or branch and the title of your tableau as indicated on
the script. When it is time for your performance, the poster should
be placed on the easel.
-
Suggested production crew for tableaus:
(Numbers
may be increased or decreased to involve your youth.)
1)
Narrator (1-2)
2)
Props (2)
3)
Background (2 or more)
4)
Make-up (1 or more)
5)
Costuming (1 or more)
6)
Actors (Depending on picture. Some
characters may be painted onto the background.)
7)
Someone to display a sign identifying
your unit and the title of your tableau
- Please
practice your tableau enough in your unit so that your portion is
polished and ready for performance. We especially encourage
practice of the narration so that all words are familiar and the
reading is smooth and articulated. There will not be a practice
scheduled during the conference.
- We hope
you have lots of fun with your assignment. We are looking forward
to being with you at youth conference and to seeing your tableau!
A Great & A Marvelous Work Youth Conference Program
Script
2005 Theme Index
