Rehearsal Dates:
Wednesday, Dec. 3, 5:30p – Read-thru rehearsal with speaking actors in Room 7.
Wednesday, Dec. 10, 6:30p – Art projects due. Rehearsal with speaking actors in the sanctuary.
Saturday, Dec. 13, 9:30-11:30a – ALL CALL! Dress rehearsal with speaking and non-speaking actors, Scripture Readers, and stage hands. Drop your children off in the gym and pick them up in the sanctuary.
Sunday, Dec. 14, 6:30p – Grace Kids Christmas Program with actors and readers reporting by 6:00, and all other children by 6:15.
This Grace Christmas tradition is always especially fun because it’s both by the kids and for the kids. It’s perfect precisely because it’s not polished. We have the program not for show, but because when our children are adults reminiscing about their childhood Christmases, we want them to treasure more than the memories of gifts and parties and days out of school. Hopefully, they’ll also remember with great fondness wearing costumes in the sanctuary, singing, and sharing the good news that God sent his Son to be the Savior of the world.
And we get it. The Christmas Season can become so cluttered with parties and traditions and obligations that it’s hard to pause and wonder at the glory of Immanuel’s birth. So with this program, your family can participate at any level you choose. Help your child choose a role that won’t add stress or unnecessary complications to your family life. Depending on your involvement, you’ll have 0-3 rehearsals, simple costumes, and no cost.
Even if participation is only the all-kids parade at the end of the program, we’d love for every child to participate in some way. Kids ages 4 years – 5th grade are invited to participate at any level. Whether your kiddos just come on Dec. 14th, have a speaking part, make art for the scenes, or hand out programs at the door, we want this to be a happy memory, and want all Grace kids to have a hand in it. And as parents, we’d love your help backstage, rehearsing with readers, outfitting costumes, or cuing Mary and Joseph for their long trip to Bethlehem. Tell Jenny or Corey how you can help.
Read on for a description of the various roles. We pray God will be delighted as we seek to honor him with our program. And we pray that the program is a blessing to our church family and all visitors who attend. Come, let us adore him!
Christmas Program Parts
All Kids: We’ll send out links to a playlist so kids can learn the songs we’ll sing at the program. 4 year olds through 5th graders receive angel or shepherd headdresses at the program, and are invited to sit up front by the stage! If this is the role for your child, no need to sign up. Just come at 6:15 on Sunday, December 14th.
Speaking Actors: Actors will have lines that must be memorized, and need to be comfortable on stage. They must come to all three practices, and parents need to help them memorize lines. There are a limited number of acting spots. Preference is given to older children (who have less Christmas Programs left).
Scripture Reader: No memorization is needed for these roles. Children will come to the stage to read a pre-assigned passage from the Bible and will then return to their seats. Readers must come to our only rehearsal on Dec. 13th.
Non-Speaking Actors: Non-speaking actors won’t have lines, but should be comfortable on stage. They must come to our only rehearsal on December 14th.
Artists: If your child enjoys making artistic creations, contact Jenny for a unique assignment. These must be completed by Wednesday evening, December 10th.
Kid Greeters: Greeters offer a friendly smile and a “welcome” to guests the night of the program and hand out gifts afterwards. They must come to our only rehearsal on December 14th.
Stage Hands: These children are responsible for moving props and actors on and off the stage as needed. They must come to our only rehearsal on December 14th.
Adult Helpers: Contact Corey if you can help with costumes during the Dec. 13th rehearsal, or as the Cookie Host or a Costume Room Attendant on Sunday, Dec. 14th.