Programs for Churches

What can Dramatic Solutions do for my church?
Programs especially suited for churches
Looks good. How do I take this further?

What can Dramatic Solutions do for my church?

Dramatic Solutions knows churches and church events. They have performed at everything from vast Youth Conventions to workshops in church halls. Grant and Trevor understand the connections between spiritual concerns and practical daily life. That understanding allows them to focus their dramatic creativity and the enormous spiritual power of the dramatic arts in ways that inspire church people to nourish and act on their faith. 

Want to know what you're getting yourself into? For testimonials about Grant and Trevor, go here.

Programs especially suited for churches

The following programs are likely to be well suited for your group. They work well with diverse populations and a variety of age groups.

Rivet'n'Tuft Stories

Jack, the Beanstalk and a Giant

Jack and the Beanstalk with a twist: Jack has a girlfriend, Cynthia; Ralph the Giant is a scary, shadowy figure with big ears; and everyone learns that fears can often be overcome with an open mind and a bit of courage. 

The Whisperers, a classic Rivet 'n' Tuft Story

Set in an idyllic valley where there is trust and a strong, supportive community, two friends share their dreams for the bright future that they see ahead of them until . . . the Whisperers arrive! These beings toy with the thoughts of individuals in order to cloud dreams, quench desires and hope, and stir up fear and mistrust. The valley becomes dark, people stay indoors, and fear runs rampant. That is, until the two friends decide enough is enough!

Dab and Doog, a classic Rivet 'n' Tuft Story

This story is about one brother's love and sacrifice for another. One takes the blame and punishment for something on behalf of the other. The story then follows the effect that this has on the one who is spared. It expresses both the heart of the Christian gospel and one of the essential components of any successful form of community life.

The Music Box, a classic Rivet 'n' Tuft Story

One clown acts in an overbearing way as he conducts the audience whilst denying the gifts of his friends. The music box, used by his friend, is crushed but the music goes on. This story is about valuing the gifts of others and the unconquerable power of truth and love. It can also be an allegory for the Easter story. Performance time: 15 minutes.

The Balloon Story, a classic Rivet 'n' Tuft Story

Using a lot of circus skills the two clowns "practise" their skills while taking breaths out of the ringmaster's balloon. Trusting the ringmaster is vital yet one clown decides he will go it alone and falls into all sorts of strife because of his inflamed ego. An allegory for the importance of trust in God; especially suitable for primary school students. Performance time: 30 minutes.

STRIFE... A surprising look at Christmas!, a classic Rivet 'n' Tuft Story

Rivet & Tuft intercept information relating to plans by the dastardly bad guy Strife to make everyone, starting with the youngest of students, forget what Christmas and generosity is all about. They start off on an adventure to muck Stife’s plans up with only one clue to go on... They must discover what the greatest present ever given was and who gave it so that they will never forget how to give.

The Plate Maker, a classic Rivet 'n' Tuft Story

The all powerful, wise and benevolent ‘Plate Maker’ makes plans for the people in a small rural community to find relief from the heavy toils of life by receiving gifts from his factory. After The factory is set up, the workers employed, trained and given the responsibility to see that their gifts, developed in the factory, are used for the benefit of those around, the Plate Masker leaves. The workers discover that there are risks involved in the giving and so they modify the intentions of the Plate Maker. In the end they become defensive, inbred and irrelevant to the community around. That is until... the Plate Maker returns!

Oops! Growing from Blunders, a Rivet 'n' Tuft Story

It doesn’t matter what age we are, we all need to know that making mistakes is an absolutely normal part of life. It is a way we learn. Oops! is a great story about very ordinary characters trying, failing, persevering and discovering success in ways other than what was first expected. Barry is having a bad day and wants to make some changes. He wants to be a success and never make any more mistakes. Ethel the old gardener sets him on a journey where he discovers, much to his surprise, that making mistakes is the way many people have found success.

Appetites!, a new Rivet 'n' Tuft Story

A great life cycle allegory about Huey and his love of sailing. What happens when our appetites get out o control? Get the balance right and life can be productive and enjoyable. Let those appetites off the leash and watch the way they can entrap and cut short our dreams. This is a great theatrical discussion starter on the issues of addiction, the value of appetites, the nature of self control and the roles of friendship in the change process.

Operation Christmas or "History of the World", a Rivet 'n' Tuft Story

In this wonderful story Rivet and Tuft tackle the daunting task of retelling the whole of the Old Testament from creation through to the advent of Jesus in their own amazing way and from their own quirky perspective… all in 45 minutes! Every child (and adult) has experienced what it is like to have had a friend and then lost that friend to somebody else!  Jealousy, anger and frustration are no strangers to children. The biblical account of the Creator’s action on planet Earth is a story of friendships made, lost and then searched after again.

Mask Performance Pieces

Note: Performances in mask by Mask-Works are short pieces not suitable for a touring performance situation. However these pieces may well be appropriate for the chapel service environment where certain themes are to be explored and short scenes can be worked into the liturgy or program for such sessions.

Gethsemane, a Mask-Works Performance Piece

A dynamic blend of music, mime, and mask explores the contrasting emotions involved in Jesus' conflict and ultimate surrender on the night before Calvary. A thought provoking piece opening up the potential for all of us to reflect on the significance of Easter in our own lives.

Feed the Hungry, a Mask-Works Performance Piece

Suspended in mid air a masked figure attempts to free itself from the rope it is tied to in order to get bread from ‘inside’ the church. This piece raises question about how we offer the gospel to a hungry world and explores how church culture may very well get in the way!

Saying Goodbye, a Mask-Works Performance Piece

Old character faced with packing his belongings to 'leave' is seen in a reflective time and sad moment as he battles to deal with the changes ahead. His younger son struggles accepting the grief of the situation. Both eventually 'leave'.

Life Cycle, a Mask-Works Performance Piece

Explores ideas related to mask wearing. Should we? Do we choose? Can we take them off? Masks distort our view of the world and its perception of us. God sees beyond the masks and that is a freeing experience!

Other Offerings

Dramatic Solutions Workshops

On a wide range of topics within the dramatic arts, these workshops range from the brief to the intensive, and can be pitched to a variety of age groups.

The Beggar's Stone, an Out and Beyond Theatre Company performance

This delightful allegory, set in medieval times, has much to teach us all, both young and old, about what it means to believe and trust God. It is a reminder that we are all valued and precious to God,  that we can choose who to listen to, and that the saying "By dying to self we can live in freedom" can be just as true for us today as it is for the characters in this story.

Confessions, a new Out and Beyond Theatre Company performance

A man with a history is in hospital facing a risky operation. He is worried about his past and calls for a Roman Catholic priest. He gets a trainee Protestant chaplain with profound doubts about his faith. The conversation between these two characters proves transformative for both.

Financial Life Skills, a custom seminar

This seminar conveys financial basics to young people in a humorous, entertaining way.

Looks good. How do I take this further?

If you like what you see and want to explore having a Dramatic Solutions program in your church, there are a couple of steps to take.

First, call Dramatic Solutions and get your facts straight. Ask any questions you have, find out about cost and requirements for performances, and find out about some open dates. Also get references so that you can assure yourself and others of our quality work.

Second, armed with the facts and options you need, speak with those in a position to make a commitment on a performance. We would be glad to help out however we can with printed material and personal contacts.