The Dramatization of Bible Stories: An experiment in the religious education of children
John Stuart Mill · en
When a dramatic club is first started, it is advisable to dignify the
organization by electing a president and secretary from among the
children. The president may take charge of the meetings and then turn
them over to the director, and may help in many ways to keep the club
together. The secretary may call the roll and be responsible for
sending notices to the members. Children always delight in this amount
of formality, and through it each one becomes a much more vital part of
the group; the responsibility as far as possible is placed upon the
children, and they usually rise to meet it.
It is hardly practical in most cases to attempt to hold more than one
meeting a week. The time should be set according to the convenience of
the majority of the members. Sunday afternoon was found to be the best
time for this little club to meet, but any week day will do as well.
Occasionally, just before a play is to be given, a few call meetings
may be necessary.
It is desirable that the club own the simple costumes which the members
wear. A costume box is a convenient place for keeping them. The same
garments may be used over and over again, and should be kept where they
may be easily obtained at each meeting. The older girls in the group
will be glad to take charge of the costume box, and they should see
that all of the garments are kept in order. The supply of costumes will
grow, for children will be constantly bringing new things to add to it.
There are various methods of getting a number of costumes on hand. The
children may bring from home old sheets and bright-colored shawls and
ribbons, which may be used to advantage. Often the Sunday school will
appropriate a small sum in order to help buy materials. A very small
amount of money need be spent, for the costumes must be extremely
simple and they should be planned and made by the children.