. all rights belong to Tanis Harms –
. refer to www.church-skits.com
THE PRICE OF FREEDOM - NOTES – written by Tanis Harms
PREMISE: (history and truths still relevant for today)
. Kentucky, 1859. Jessica is the kind of
. Christian who desires to do God’s will, but
. struggles with all the opinions around her.
. When escaping slaves wind up on her doorstep,
. she reluctantly takes them in. Over the course
. of a few days, she realizes she has a lot
. more in common with them than she thought.
STYLE: drama (choral “musical” optional)
TOPIC: equality, forgiveness
SCRIPTURE: Galatians 3: 26-29, Colossians 3:8-14
CAST: JESSICA (white, no nonsense woman
. with desire to be godly)
. HUNTER (white, misguided son with
. passion to find purpose)
. CLOE (black, quick thinking maid)
. AVA (white, pastor’s wife,
. discerning, compassionate)
. GORDON (white, pastor, careful in
. his efforts to help)
. ROBERTSON (white, travelling pastor
. bold in his efforts)
. LANDON (white, Henry’s assistant)
. DR.PARKER (white, kindly doctor)
. ELIZABETH (white, doctor’s wife)
. JACKSON black male slave, with
. sights set on freedom)
. DALIA (black female slave,
. reluctantly on the run)
. AJANI (black boy slave, struggles
. with fear and anger)
. NOAH (white, transporter, kindly)
. WILLIAM (white, slave catcher, rude)
. JUDGE
. SLAVE DEALER
. SLAVE MAN
. SLAVE WOMAN (pregnant wife to above)
. EXTRAS (townspeople)
. MAN 1 (pro-slavery)
. MAN 2 (pro-slavery)
. MAN 3 (pro-slavery)
. MAN 4 (on the fence)
. WIFE (of MAN 3)
. WIFE 2 (of MAN 2)
. WOMAN 1
. 2
NOTE ON THE ACCENTS: If realistic Southern accents
cannot be accomplished, it would be better to not even try,
as it would distract from the serious nature of the drama.
SET AND PROPS
. STAGE RIGHT CENTER STAGE LEFT
. church & sitting / study plantation
. town sq. room w/fireplace w/”soul singers”
NOTE: there’s a “wall & door” between sitting room & study
SITTING ROOM: 2 chairs, end table, table & 3 chairs, Bible,
. (hand) fan, pots/pans (for sound effects),
. tea tray, tea pot, sugar, creamer, 3 cups,
. 3 saucers, 3 plates, 3 stirring spoons, tray,
. platter of sandwiches, cloth napkins, towel,
. plate of dessert, luggage, 2 lanterns,
. 4 papers, inkwell, quill
STUDY: fireplace (big enough for 3 people to hide inside)
. desk, chair, bookshelf, books, blankets, bread,
. pitcher, cup, doctor case, medicine vials,
. pharmaceutical mortar & pestle, bowl & handkerchief,
. broken chair, mallet, wooden block for sanding,
. shoes, bundle, bundle of food,
. tin of old toys (maybe wooden animals or soldiers)
SIDE SETS: shackles, whips, Bibles,
NOTES ON MUSIC:
- I have suggested songs from this time period,
. so most will be public domain. From my suggested songs,
. you can choose to do them all, do some, or find others.
. When getting the sheet music and arrangements,
. it is up to you to get the proper permission if needed.
- With each suggested song, try to match the scene’s tone
. with the style of the how the song is performed.
- I have listed the songs below, some with links to samples
. for the sake of hearing the tune
- If you do not do this as a musical, you can use recordings
. of the suggested music to play as lead-ins for the scenes.
SUGGESTED MUSIC LIST: 3
ACT/SCENE/SONG:
. 1 1 1 - “HAIL, COLUMBIA” as anthem
. (by Philip Phile; words: Joseph Hopkinson)
. 1 2 2 - AN AFRICAN FOLK SONG (choose or find one)
. A “THREE AFRICAN FOLK SONGS” (to purchase)
. B “SHOSHLOZA”, or “ASIKA THALI”
. C “MANGWANI MPULELE”
. D "UNKNOWN AFRICAN FOLK SONG - 1st song"
. 1 2 3 - SPIRITUAL HYMN (choose one below)
. A “GO DOWN MOSES”
. B “SWING LOW, SWEET CHARIOT”
. 1 4 4 - “AMAZING GRACE” as traditional
. (by John Newton)
. 1 5 5 - “AMAZING GRACE” as spiritual
. (by John Newton)
. 1 6 6 - “ARKANSAS TRAVELER” as American folk
. 2 1 7 - “IF MY PEOPLE’S HEARTS ARE HUMBLED”
. as traditional
. (by Claire Cloninger & John Zundel)
. 2 2 8 - “HIS EYE IS ON THE SPARROW” as spiritual
. 2 3 9 - “DIXIE” as American folk
. (by Daniel Decatur Emmett, 1859)
. 2 4 10 - “MY OLD KENTUCKY HOME” as American folk
. (by Stephen C.Foster)
. 2 5 11 - “FOLLOW THE DRINKING GOURD” as African folk
. 3 1 12 - “OLD MAN TUCKER” (American Penny whistle)
. 3 2 13 - “BE STILL, MY SOUL” as traditional
. (by Catharina von Schlegel)
. 3 3 14 - “STEAL AWAY HOME” as spiritual
FINALE 15 - SONG combining traditional & spiritual
. A “HE REIGNS” by Newsboys
. B “HIGHER GROUND” by Todd Agnew
. C “COLORED PEOPLE” by DC Talk