Most Drama Drash projects tend to be tongue-in-cheek, in the hope of being entertaining enough to hold the audience attention. Drama Drash Ministries latest production, Do This in Memory of Me was a somber event, performed in Lawton, Oklahoma to a record-breaking crowd.

The performance took place on April 9, 2009, on the eve of the actual Passover and, Maunday Thursday, for many denominations. Pastor Terry Koehn and the congregation of St. Paul's United Methodist Church out did themselves, preparing the sanctuary for the dramatized Passover. The tables were beautifully set and carefully aligned so that everyone in the audience could see both the traditional Jewish Passover seder and a reenactment of the Last Supper. In fact, the response was so good, that the Pastor had to borrow tables and make a last minute run to the market for parsley and horseraddish! The message of this Drama Drash performance was to illustrate the similarities between the traditional Passover ceremony, called a seder, and the events of the Last Supper. Shirley acted as narrator, drawing attention to the parallel events.

The audience didn't just observe, but actually partook in the seder, tasting the bitter herbs, the sweet paste, grape juice, and the salt water. The kids even had a chance to search for the afikomen! What is an afikomen you may ask? It is half of a matzah, broke in two. It represents Jesus and like Him, it is wrapped and hidden during the seder. After the meal, the children were allowed to search the sanctuary for the afikomen with LOTS of prompting--you're cold, warm, WARMER, HOT! HOT! HOT! A yound lady found the prize and the seder leader redeemed the afikomen with a Passover activity book and a copy of the A Marriage Made in Heaven DVD for her folks.

Wayne #1 did an fine job portraying the Master in His last hours. The part was a particular challenge, as Wayne had to learn the blessings over the wine and bread in Hebrew, and he had to sing them, to boot. Of course, he was a real champ backstage, too, helping transport props and sets to and from the church. The disciples were played by Drama Drash veterans Pastor Mike, Daniel, Wayne #2, Anthony, and Ralph. Joining us for this performance was Joseph, a youth pastor, Pastor Ronald, from a Native American ministry, Nate, Jesse, J.C., and Dan, who boldly took on the challenging role of Judas.

The Artistic Director's goal was to have various pastors from several denominations play the disciples as a show of unity in the Body of Messiah. It became apparent that clergymen are very busy during the Holy Week and several were unable to commit. On the night of the performance, one of the pastors of a youth fellowshp,who'd agreed to participate, got called out on an congregational emergency. A member of the audience who attends St. Paul's agreed to fill in at the last moment. God is so good. Chas enjoyed the performance so much, he expressed an interest in taking part in future Drama Drash projects.

One the other side of the stage, was the Jewish family, played by Danny, Tina, and Blaine. Danny looked a right Jewish zadie in his kippah and prayer shawl. Tina was a vision lighting the festival lights, and Blaine was a real cutie, asking the four questions of the Mah Nishtana, which opens up the discussion to tell the story of the Exodus. God commands that on Passover we eat bitter herbs and unleavened bread and retell the story of Israel's redemption. At His Last Passover seder, Jesus also commands us to drink the wine (or juice) and the unleavened bread in memory of His death for the redemption of His Bride. It was in that spirit that Drama Drash chose to combine the two to remind the church that Jesus in a Jew Who observed the biblical feasts and calls on us to remember Him when we do the same.

Most Drama Drash shows are written and performed rather tongue-in-cheek to hold the audience attention while feeding them weighty word from Scripture. From the beginning, this production was a somber affair. The actors and crew took their roles very seriously and worked very hard to make this performance a life changing event. Everyone took part setting up before the show and striking afterward. Special thanks to Wayne #1, Tina, Aleah, Kathleen, Malayna, and Natalie for assistance above and beyond the call of duty. Malayna did a great job taking over the lobby and store.

Natalie usually on stage kept a low profile behind the scenes. Joining her in the lobby and as an attendant was sisters Malayna, Kathleen, and Aleah along with sisters-in-law, Emily and Amber. They did a fantastic job gliding unobtrusively between the tables providing water for the ceremonial hand washings and pouring the four cups of the seder. They were all lovely, modest, and demure and represented Drama Drash impeccably.

Pastor Terry was so pleased that he's envisioning two performances next year. Of course, Drama Drash will be available to perforn Do This in Memory of Me at your church in Texoma, but book early! Contact info for available shows is on our contact page. We look forward to performing for your ministry!