REHEARSAL SCHEDULE – 

• Wednesday, March 25th | Street Cast
  • 6-7pm | All Street Cast
• Wednesday, March 25th | Scene 2 – The Last Supper
  • 7-8pm | All Scene Cast
• Thursday, March 26th | Scene 3 & 4 – Gethsemane & Bearing the Cross
  • 6-7pm | All Scenes Cast
• Thursday, March 26th | Scene 5 & 6 – Golgotha & The Tomb
  • 7-8pm | All Scenes Cast
• Friday, March 27th | Scene 1 – The Triumphal Entry
  • 7-9pm | All Scene Cast 
    *Note: This will be a dress rehearsal for “Palm Dancers” only to test your dress, underclothing and shoes. 

SHOW NIGHT SCHEDULE – 

• Saturday, March 28th | 7-10pm
  • 7:00pm | All Cast Members Arrive
  • 7:30pm | Group Meeting in Chapel
  • 7:45pm | Cast Members to Scenes
  • 8:00pm | Start Show (Allow Cars in to read signs at 7:30)
  • 10:00pm | Close Gates
• Sunday, March 29th | 7-10pm
  • 7:00pm | All Cast Members Arrive
  • 7:30pm | Group Meeting in Chapel
  • 7:45pm | Cast Members to Scenes
  • 8:00pm | Start Show (Allow Cars in to read signs at 7:30)
  • 10:00pm | Close Gates

ALL WOMEN & GIRLS

• COSTUME – All costumes will allow you to wear very warm layers underneath. Whatever you wear will not show. This will be late at night, so cool or cold weather is to be expected. Please dress warm, you can always remove layers if you get too warm. Wear brown, black or grey boots. No gloves. If you have a fabric piece or accessory that you love and feel might work with your costume and the time period, feel free to bring it with you to rehearsal and we will check it out and see if it will fit into the scene.
• HAIR – You will be wearing a head veil or wrap. You can wear you hair down and straight or natural waves or loose curls.  The other option is to have your hair back in a very low bun. Some pieces can be falling out. You might want to bring bobby pins or clips to help hold on your head veil fabric pieces. We will have some bobby pins available for use. 
• MAKEUP – You can wear makeup. Natural tones and colors only. The lights are very bright, so makeup will help you not look too washed out.
• *PALM DANCERS – Your brown dress will not allow for bulky layers such as coats and jackets. You will be able to wear tight thermal layers underneath your dress though. So we encourage you to wear some type of fitted leggings or thermal and shirt under your dress. Shoes can be tennis shoes or boots. Ballet slippers will be grass stained in the field. Feel free to bring various types of shoes to test on rehearsal night. Please just make sure they are a neutral color like white, brown, tan, black, grey etc. Nothing too bright. Makeup and hair is the same as above.

MEN TOWNSPEOPLE, APOSTLES & STREET DISCIPLE

• COSTUME – All costumes will allow you to wear very warm layers underneath. Whatever you wear will not show. This will be late at night, so cool or cold weather is to be expected. Please dress warm, you can always remove layers if you get too warm. Wear brown, black or grey boots. No gloves.
• HAIR – Some of you may wear something on your head, but most will not. So natural combed hair is good. Beards are encouraged.

MEN ROMAN SOLDIERS

• COSTUME – Your outermost layer will show, so wear all black. Your costume will cover up part, but not all of your body and it will be cold. Black boots or shoes and black gloves are allowed.
• HAIR – You will have a rubber helmet, if you would like to bring a dark beanie to try wearing under the helmet that is allowed.

CROSS CREW MEMBER

• COSTUME – You will not be in a costume. We need you to dress in all black warm clothing, you will be hidden as much as possible. You will be outside during the event. You will be a support for Jesus at Scene 4 in resetting the cross.

ANGEL

• COSTUME – It is best if your outermost layer can be white, but not required. Wear warm layers since it will be cold, this late at night. White shoes, socks, pants would be best. Try to make sure anything showing outside of the tunic is white.
• HAIR – You will have a white head veil. Facial hair is optional and up to your personal preference.

JESUS

• COSTUME – You will be barefoot with sandals that will be provided. You can wear warm layers under your costume as the night is expected to be cold or cooler temperatures.
• HAIR – Natural facial hair grown out a bit looks best with the wig you will wear. If needed, we will add temporary coloring to your facial hair to match the color of the wig. If you do not have facial hair and would like to apply your own beard each night, that is also an option. Reach out and we can send details of various methods you could use to do this.

If you are not in the cast list, but have been asked to fill out the form or would be willing to fill in an opening or be placed on an on-call list, please fill out the “Casting Signup” by clicking HERE

Dear Participants, 

 Thank you for your desire and willingness to participate in The Living Christ production. We hope this experience will strengthen your faith and center your Easter season on the loving atonement of the Savior Jesus Christ.  

 Your participation will help bring the life, teachings, and atonement of Jesus Christ to the members of our communities. Additionally, participation in this live production can be a great personal blessing.  

 This production, and its presentation, are focused on the Savior Jesus Christ. Participating in The Living Christ is a unique privilege. Your participation helps direct attention to events in His life that have meaningful spiritual significance for all people. Everything you do as a participant should assist in directing recognition to Jesus Christ as the central figure. For this reason, no one in the production is credited for their individual role. Participation is not for personal recognition or attention. We encourage participants to receive and participate in their role with quiet dignity and reverence. Approaching participation in this way helps to support the overall mission of the presentation – to invite everyone to come to Jesus Christ and learn of Him.  

 As participants in the production of The Living Christ, you are encouraged to engage in three specific invitations. First, we invite you to study the scriptural accounts of the scene you will be helping to portray. Second, we invite you to join the production team and full cast in daily prayer for our community. We pray that the spirit of the Lord will be with and strengthen the members of our communities, and that the loving message and mission of Jesus Christ will draw individuals and families to greater hope, faith, and trust in Him. Finally, we invite you to expect miracles. We encourage you to fully participate in these specific invitations.  

 We conclude with the deep gratitude we feel. We express solemn gratitude for the ministry, miracles, and mission of our loving Savior. We also express our gratitude for your personal faith and willingness to share the message behind your faith.  

 With love and gratitude,  
The Production Team 

Key Scripture References to Study:  

• Matthew 21:1-11 | Mark 11:1-11 | Luke 19:29-40 | John 12:12-18 |  

• Matthew 21 | The Lord’s Triumphal Entry into Jerusalem | The Bible 

BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE SCRIPTURAL EVENT DEPICTED IN THE SCENE:  

As Jesus neared Jerusalem, He came to the Mount of Olives. There, two of His disciples brought Him a young donkey. The disciples took off their coats and laid them across the donkey’s back. Then Jesus rode the young donkey down the hill towards the city of Jerusalem.  

When the people in the city heard that Jesus was coming into Jerusalem, many of them went to greet Him. As Jesus rode into the city, the people celebrated. They placed palm branches and their own coats on the street to create a special walkway for Jesus and the donkey to walk on. This was a special greeting to honor Jesus – the same honor they would show a King who had triumphed over an enemy. Many of the people recognized that Jesus was special and hoped that He would be their promised King.  

As Jesus rode into Jerusalem, the people cheered with gladness, saying, “Hosanna! Blessed is the King who comes in the name of the Lord to save us now”.  

Today, followers of Jesus Christ remember this event as the Lord’s Triumphal Entry into Jerusalem. Each year, one week before celebrating His resurrection, on a day traditionally called Palm Sunday, modern disciples remember and recognize Jesus Christ as the Savior of the world and the King of salvation. 

IMAGINING AND PONDERING THE SCENE: People of the City 

Imagine that you were present on this day of the Savior’s ministry. Imagine that you have come to the holy city of Jerusalem to commemorate Passover (reverence Exodus 12). The city is crowded and busy with fellow Jews from all over Judea and Galilee who have also come for the Passover celebrations. There is a feeling of busy preparation and excited anticipation. You are right in the middle of it. Perhaps you are at the market; or in the process of finding accommodations for you to stay; or visiting with family and friends that you’ve reunited with after a year apart.  

While you are surrounded by fellow Jews, you also see the evidence of being ruled by a foreign power. Roman soldiers patrol the streets; tax stations have been erected and Rome demands a great deal from those they rule over. There is a sense of external oppression that hangs like a shadow over the city.  

As you take in both the celebration and the imposing Roman rule, you experience a grim irony. You’re about to celebrate the great deliverance of your ancestors from Egyptian captivity – a time when God sent someone to intervene and throw off the yoke of bondage. Yet here you are, captives in a conquered country, celebrating a deliverance in the past, while praying for deliverance in the present.  

Amid your musings, you notice something. Far down the narrow street, there is movement. Excited movement. It slowly moves through the street like a gentle wave, gaining momentum. Soon you begin to hear the repeated exclamations running through the crowd ahead of you. JESUS. JESUS is coming into the Holy City.  

This is not the first time you’ve heard this name spoken over the last 3-years. Jesus of Nazareth has been growing in popularity and in conversation. While some seem to dislike this wandering Rabbi, others declare that he is the promised Messiah, the one who will overthrow Roman rule, their present Deliverer.  

You have heard his teachings. Perhaps you’ve seen his miracles. And now, He has come to Jerusalem.  

The excitement that had slowly washed down the street envelops you, and you join the bustle of the crowd moving to the gate of the city. Along the way, you see others that you know, and you join the call of the crowd, beckoning them to join you, and shouting the news. “HE is coming! JESUS is coming!” 

As you near the gate, the movement of the crowd begins to slow, and you hear a new and growing chant rising like a chorus. “Hosanna! Hosanna! Blessed is the King who comes in the name of the Lord! Hosanna! Hosanna! Blessed is the King who comes in the name of the Lord!” 

Palm fronds wave along the street. Hands rise in joyous greeting. Then, emerging through the gate, and just over the heads of the awaiting crowd, Jesus of Nazareth enters through the city gates riding a young donkey.  

“Hosanna! Hosanna! Blessed is the King who comes in the name of the Lord!” 

A feeling of hope fills your soul. Perhaps this is Him, the promised King who has come to deliver us.  

And so, befitting a King, those around you begin laying down their palm leaves, and even their own cloaks as an honored carpeting as he passes in front of you, along the path of His triumphal entry.  

QUESTIONS TO PONDER 

How might you have felt as a part of the crowd who greeted Jesus as he entered the city? 

Key Scripture References to Study: 

• Matthew 26:14-30 | Mark 14:10-26 | Luke 22:1-39 | John 13-17 |  

• John 13 | The Last Supper | The Bible 

BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE SCRIPTURAL EVENT DEPICTED IN THE SCENE: 

On the evening before His death, Jesus asked the Apostles to join him for the traditional Passover meal. This special meal was prepared once a year to remember how God had delivered their Hebrew ancestors from death and slavery in Egypt.  

While they ate, the Apostle Judas left to betray Jesus – to help the Jewish leaders find and arrest Him. Jesus knew what Judas would do. Still, Jesus loved him and allowed Judas to leave. 

As Jesus and the Apostles ate together, Jesus taught them many things. He told them to love one another as He had loved them. He taught them that they needed to serve each other. Then, He demonstrated loving service by washing the feet of each of the Apostles one by one. Then, Jesus prayed for them. 

Jesus also introduced the sacrament. He took bread, blessed it, and broke it into pieces for each of them to eat. Then, He took a cup of wine, blessed the wine, and passed it to each of them to drink. He told them that the bread was to help them remember His body and the wine was to help them remember His blood. The sacrament was to help them remember Him, and His promises, after His death. 

This event is known as the Last Supper because it was the last meal Jesus had before His suffering and death.  

Today, followers of Jesus Christ strive to learn and live these teachings. Many also participate in regular sacrament or communion. This includes partaking of the symbols of His body and blood. Eating and drinking these symbols continues to help modern disciples of Jesus Christ remember His physical and spiritual suffering, death, resurrection, and His promise of eternal life. It’s also a formal way of committing to live in harmony with His example and teachings. 

Key Scripture References to Study: 

• Matthew 26:36-57 | Mark 14:32-53 | Luke 22:39-54 | John 18:1-13 |  

• Matthew 26 | The Savior Suffers in Gethsemane | The Bible 

BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE SCRIPTURAL EVENT DEPICTED IN THE SCENE: 

After Jesus and the Apostles finished the last supper, they walked to Gethsemane – a garden of olive trees just outside the city of Jerusalem. It was night and they were alone in the garden. Jesus asked them to pray and wait for him.  

Jesus went further into the Garden to be alone and pray. He prayed that He would be able to accomplish everything that God, His father, wanted Him to do. During this time, Jesus felt great sorrow and suffering. While His great agony continued, He continued to pray. As Jesus experienced unbearable anguish, an angel from heaven came to strengthen Him.   

When Jesus concluded His prayer, He returned to the Apostles. Before they left the Garden, a group of Jewish leaders and armed guards entered the Garden. Judas was with them and lead them to Jesus. They arrested Jesus and led Him back into Jerusalem.  

Throughout His suffering, Jesus Christ willingly took upon Himself the sins of all people. Sin separates us from God. His suffering allows each of us to repent, be forgiven, receive divine strength, and return to a harmonious relationship with God. 

Key Scripture References to Study: 

• Matthew 26:57 – 27:32 | Mark 14:53 – 15:21 | Luke 22:54 – 23:32 | John 18:12 – 19:17 |  

• Matthew 26 | Jesus Is Tried by Caiaphas; Peter Denies Knowing Him | The Bible  

• Matthew 27 | Jesus Is Condemned Before Pilate | The Bible 

• Matthew 27 | Jesus Is Scourged and Crucified | The Bible

BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE SCRIPTURAL EVENT DEPICTED IN THE SCENE: 

After being arrested, Jesus was judged by Jewish and Roman leaders. The Jewish leaders told Pilate, the Roman governor, that Jesus claimed to be King of the Jews. They accused Him of blasphemy and of being a traitor to Caesar. They demanded that Jesus be crucified.  

Pilate denied them, but allowed Jesus to be scourged – stripped of clothing and whipped as a punishment. After brutally beating Jesus, the soldiers dressed Him in a purple robe and placed a crown of thorns on His head. They put a reed in His right hand and mockingly bowed as they hailed Him King of the Jews. Then they spit on Him.  

After the scourging, the soldiers returned Jesus to Pilate. Still, the Jewish leaders were not satisfied. Again, they demanded that Jesus be crucified. Pilate gave in and released Jesus to the crowd to be crucified.  

After hours of intense suffering, Jesus’s mortal body was exhausted, and He struggled to lift and carry the heavy weight of the cross. 

Key Scripture References to Study: 

• Matthew 27:33-56 | Mark 15:22-41 | Luke 23:32-49 | John 19:17-37 | Topics and Questions: Easter Bible Dictionary: Crucifixion  

• Matthew 27 | Jesus Is Scourged and Crucified | The Bible 

BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE SCRIPTURAL EVENT DEPICTED IN THE SCENE: 

The Roman soldiers led Jesus out of Jerusalem and up a hill called Golgotha – a place where they crucified criminals. They placed Jesus on a wooden cross by driving large nails through His hands and feet. Pilate ordered the soldiers to place a sign on the cross that read, JESUS OF NAZARETH THE KING OF THE JEWS.  

Jesus hung on the cross for several hours. Some of the people who watched and passed by made fun of Him and laughed at Him. There were also disciples who stayed with Jesus. They knew He was the Son of God, and as they watched they felt deep sorrow.  

In the afternoon, when Jesus knew that his suffering had been enough, he cried out, “Father, I’ve completed the loving sacrifice you asked me to do for all mankind, my spirit is ready to return to you”. Jesus then bowed His head and died.  

That evening Joseph, a disciple of Christ, was allowed to lower Jesus’s body from the cross. Joseph lovingly wrapped the Lords body in clean linen cloth. Then Joseph placed His body in a tomb – a stone burial chamber in a hillside. A large heavy stone was rolled across the entryway to seal the tomb closed. 

Key Scripture References to Study: 

• Matthew 27:57 – 28:20 | Mark 15:42 – 16:20 | Luke 23:50 – 24:53 | John 19:38 – 21:14 |  

• Matthew 27 | Jesus Is Laid in a Tomb | The Bible 

• John 20 | Jesus Is Resurrected | The Bible 

BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE SCRIPTURAL EVENT DEPICTED IN THE SCENE: 

Early Sunday morning, Mary Magdalene and other women went to the tomb to prepare Jesus’s body for burial. When they arrived, they found the tomb open and empty. Jesus’s body was not in the tomb. They were surprised and grieved. Two angels appeared and told them that Jesus had risen. They ran to tell the other disciples. Two of the Apostles, Peter and John, didn’t believe the women and ran to the tomb. They also saw that the tomb was empty.   

Mary Magdalene had loved Jesus very much. After everyone else had left the tomb, Mary stayed. She was very sad and crying. While she cried, Jesus appeared. Mary was confused, but when He called her by name, she knew it was Jesus. After she recognized Him, Mary was filled with joy. Jesus asked her to go and tell the Apostles that He had risen from the dead and would visit them soon.  

Jesus Christ was resurrected. At death, His physical body and His spirit had separated for a time. Now His spirit was reunited with a perfected body that would never die again. This is called resurrection. Because of the resurrection of Jesus Christ, one day, everyone who has died will also be resurrected.