Bridging the Gap

By Pauline Forrester and Lelien Webber

Acting is defined as a dramatic representation on stage. In his Poetics, Aristotle also defines drama as an imitation of an action. These definitions clearly place drama in the category of performing arts.
Watching a play is usually a pleasurable experience, and is a form of recreation, it may also be described as therapeutic since it tends to relieve tensions and stress.
Drama does not only benefit the spectators but the performers as well. Among the benefits which gratify the cast, are the facts that the spectators welcome the unfolding plots, the powerful emotions and suspense while they await the outcomes.
The actors also feel elated to know that the audience admires the elegance, or appropriateness of their costumes, as well as the majesty of the spoken words, as penned by prolific writers.

• Language: English
• Publisher: Xlibris US
• Release date: Apr 24, 2012
• ISBN: 9781469177922

Pauline Forrester

Pauline Forrester was born and raised in St. Thomas, Jamaica West Indies, where she grew up as an ardent believer in the Christian Faith. From an early age, she was involved in the dramatic activities of the church, and as an amateur, she participated in every aspect of play production. Such dramatic performances were not limited to the church, but were done in the wider community among other social groups as well. On entering the teaching profession, her dramatic skills were enhanced, and she became an asset in the classroom for over thirty years. Today Pauline resides in Fort Lauderdale Florida. Lelien Webber is the identical twin sister of Pauline Forrester. Like Pauline she was brought up in a Christian environment. She has the same value system, the same intellectual abilities, and the same passion for the performing arts. She is currently a member of the academic staff of the Holy Family Primary School, in Kingston Jamaica. She has chosen drama for her extracurricular activity and had produced plays which were televised across maica, and were performed on many stages nationwide. Pauline and Lelien, seek to entertain a much larger audience, by presenting to the General public, this book of plays entitled, Bridging the Gap..

Book preview

Copyright © 2012 by Pauline Forrester and Lelien Webber.

Library of Congress Control Number:   2011906052

ISBN: Softcover    978-1-4691-7791-5

ISBN: Ebook          978-1-4628-5894-1

All rights reserved. No part of this book may be reproduced or transmitted in any form or by any means, electronic or mechanical, including photocopying, recording, or by any information storage and retrieval system, without permission in writing from the copyright owner.

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CONTENTS

Acknowledgements

Introduction

The Messiah

Characters of Christmas

A December To Remember

King of Kings and Lord of Lords

Hope for the Hopeless

Bibliography

Photo Gallery

Acknowledgements

Special thanks to our mother Dowetta Pinnock who introduced us to the world of literature, And also led us into the knowledge of Jesus Christ.

Thanks to my daughter Xavia Forrester-Desir and her husband Ronald Desir; my son Orville Forrester and his wife Candace Forrester, for believing in me.To my step-daughter Tricia Forrester-Bailey, and also Carlene Palmer who were always there for me when I needed help.

To my nephew Courtaj Webber and my nieces Londa Goldbourne, Yanique Burke and Shoy-Ann Webber to Eloise Jones, Pastor Sharon Williams and pastor Jeremy McGregor for their prayerful support and encouragements.

To Miss Cecile Palmer, the principal of the Holy Family Primary School in Kingston, Jamaica and other members of staff who were adamant that I get in touch with a publishing company.

I am also grateful to Mr. Jeremy Jones the submission representative and Chris Alberto, the publishing consultant of Xlibris Corporation, and all other associates, who helped in any way to bring this project to completion.

Most of all, thanks to Jesus Christ, the ‘Word’ Who has written in our hearts.

Introduction

Acting is defined as a dramatic representation on stage. In his Poetics, Aristotle also defines drama as an imitation of an action. These definitions clearly place drama in the category of performing arts.

Watching a play is usually a pleasurable experience, and is a form of recreation, it may also be described as therapeutic since it tends to relieve tensions and stress.

Drama does not only benefit the spectators but the performers as well. Among the benefits which gratify the cast, are the facts that the spectators welcome the unfolding plots, the powerful emotions and suspense while they await the outcomes.

The actors also feel elated to know that the audience admires the elegance, or appropriateness of their costumes, as well as the majesty of the spoken words, as penned by prolific writers.

After about four decades in the church and three decades in the classroom, being amateur playwrights, directors and dramatists, it is with humility that my sister Lelien and I have decided to make our debut in publishing this book of five plays. The titles are:

• The Messiah

• A December To Remember

• Characters Of Christmas

• King Of Kings and Lords of Lords

• Hope for the Hopeless

Because of the message and nature of the plays, they can be enjoyed by the family. We have used the Bible Centered Approach for The Messiah, and also Characters of Christmas and the Life Theme Approach for the others. The Messiah tells about Jesus Christ, or Messiah who fulfilled Old Testament Expectations as foretold by the prophets. This is in keeping with the belief of Christianity. The presentation starts with the fall of man and concludes with the nativity of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. The Characters of Christmas is divided into two parts. In Part 1 a mime is presented by the cast, while in Part 2; the characters give their impressions of that first Christmas Night.

A December to Remember, focuses on a humanitarian club and the struggle of some of its members to keep it alive and relevant in the community amidst discouragement from other Members.

King of Kings and Lord of Lords addresses an argument among four college students, as they grapple with the question: In your opinion which individual made the greatest contribution in human history?

Finally, ‘Hope for the Hopeless’ focuses on senior citizens who live in a retirement home. They were asked to take a retrospective look at their lives. They did so and found out that they need to make amends especially since they are getting very close to mortality.

The cover of the book is entitled Bridging The Gap’. Jesus Christ came to bridge the gap Which was created as a result of Adam and Eve’s disobedience for as a consequence all have sinned and come short of the glory of God. In all of the plays Each individual is invited to see Christ for what He stands for, whether He is in a cradle, or on the cross, or in someone showing forth the compassion of Christ. Jesus bridged the divide between sinful man and a holy God and having accomplished the work of redemption, He ascended into heaven.Jesus is now our high priest, our advocate, or mediator between God and man. Truly He deserves all glory, honor and praise.

The Messiah

The Messiah Acrostic

T   T is for tell. Go tell it on the mountains, over the hills, and everywhere. Go tell it on the mountains that Jesus Christ was born.

H   H is for hark. Hark the herald angels sing, Glory to the newborn king.

E   E is for everybody. Everybody ought to know who Jesus is. He is the lily of the valley. He is the bright and morning star. He is the fairest of ten thousand. Everybody ought to know.

M   M is for Mary, the mother of Jesus; Mary most blessed among women.

E   E is for Elizabeth. When she received the good news of the immaculate conception, she said to Mary, Blessed art thou among women and blessed is the fruit of your womb.

S   S is for shepherds. The shepherds said one to another, Let us go even unto Bethlehem and see this thing which is come to pass, which the Lord hath made known unto us.

S   S is for star. The wisemen followed the star until it came and stood where the young child was.

I   I is for Isaiah who cried, Behold a virgin shall bear a son, and His name shall be called, Wonderful, Counsellor, The Mighty God, the Everlasting Father, and the Prince of Peace.

A   A is for Angel, And the Angel Gabriel was sent from God to tell Mary that she was chosen to be the mother of the holy child, Jesus.

H   H is for Herod. Herod the King was troubled when Jesus was born. He cunningly said to the wisemen, Search diligently for the young child, and when you have found him, bring me words again that I may come and worship him also.

NB. Each person will say his letter, in order to spell [T-H-E-M-E-S-S-I-A-H]They will then say together ‘The Messiah’.

The Narrator: Genesis 2: 4- 25 and Genesis 3: 1 -7

Scene 1

Act 1

Narrator: Since the dawn of human history, when Adam and Eve disobeyed God, not only did they sin and came short of His glory; but as a consequence, all humans have sinned and are under the same curse.

                                         Contrary to what the serpent told Eve, that she would not die by eating the fruit, mankind was separated from God, which was a spiritual death and physical death was also pronounced upon humanity.

                                         However,