“Can we do a play?” sixth-grade Joanna begged. It was my first experience as a Pioneer Clubs leader for 18 lively Trailblazers. I had no idea how to direct a play, but I knew I had to channel their enthusiasm into something constructive.
“Sure,” I said. With that, we began a year-long adventure into drama, using the Pioneer Clubs Skits book and earning the Drama Activity Award. Having learned a few things by trial and error, I can offer these tips.
  1. Include everyone who wants a part. After I had distributed all the parts to the “talkers” in the group, several quiet kids came and asked for their parts. These kids had never even answered a question in the group. But they all wanted to be in the play.
  2. Simplify. We used a minimum of props. A bare wall without distractions is enough.
  3. Be flexible. Four kids were absent the night of our Easter play. We omitted some lines and combined others, and the play went on.
  4. Trust the Lord. I had to learn to relax and let the Lord work through the kids. It was important for them to be on the stage, doing something for the Lord.