THANKSGIVING OF THE AMERICAN SPIRIT "Founders' Dreams"
Script estimated time: 20 minutes
Prayers, music and contribution from local speakers additional. *Choir selections shown are examples from previous performances. Please select music appropriate for your choirs and situations.
SYNOPSIS: Thanksgiving Of The American Spirit: “The Founders’ Dreams”
Script By Jean Yeager
THANKSGIVING OF THE AMERICAN SPIRIT: The Founders’ Dreams was written by Jean Yeager and produced by Randolph Tallman (1939-2007) Productions for the 1984 Republican National Convention and performed at Thanksgiving Square in Dallas, TX.
The image shown above is the cover of the SHOW BOOK from 1984 which contains valuable historical background information about the THANKS-GIVING FOUNDATION of Dallas. Texas.
THE SHOW BOOK COMES WITH THE SHOW SCRIPT.
The show is about gratitude and giving thanks. The words of our Founders: Sam Adams, George Washington and Abraham Lincoln, captured in this script, originated at times of deep national crisis and division, and resonate very strongly today.
Our Founders own words (which seem so unique to our modern ears) are sparce but motivating - “united hearts and voices” (Adams), while “trusting in divine providence” (Washington) in order to regain the “perfect enjoyment of union and fraternal peace” (Lincoln).
Lincoln introduces Sara Hale, Editor of “Godey’s Ladies Book” Magazine, a citizen who, along with her readers, have lobbied Lincoln for a day set aside for the nation to unite in prayer.
In 1984, and again today, this performance creates a celebration, a gathering of choirs from local churches, schools and community choral societies who perform well-known songs or hymns as noted in the script. There is also a space for noted speakers or leaders to offer remarks.
THANKSGIVING OF THE AMERICAN SPIRIT
“FOUNDERS’ DREAMS”
An Ecumenical Community Event With Combined Choirs
With Scripted Dramatization Of Historical Remarks From The Founders Of America
Sam Adams, George Washington and Abraham Lincoln
And The Introduction Of
Sara Hale, Editor of GODEY’S LADIES BOOK
A Citizen Who Lobbied For A Nation United In Prayer
By Jean W. Yeager
Script estimated time: 20 minutes
Prayers, music and contribution from local speakers additional.
*Choir selections shown are examples from previous performances. Please select music appropriate for your choirs and situations.
The original version of this play was produced in 1984 by Randolph Tallman (1939-2007) Productions, Dallas, Texas at Thanksgiving Square during the Republican National Convention that year.
THANKSGIVING OF THE AMERICAN SPIRIT
"FOUNDERS DREAMS
SAMPLE OUTLINE
*Choir selections shown are examples from previous performances. Please select music appropriate for your choirs and situations.
I. BEFORE AND AFTER PERFORMANCE, KIOSKS, TABLES FOR COFFEE, OR INFORMATION BY DIFFERENT CHURCHES OR COMMUNITY ORGANIZATIONS
II. CHOIR FANFARE*
III. NATIONAL ANTHEM
IV. CALL TO PRAYER
V. OPENING REMARKS – SAM ADAMS
• 1:00 – 2:00 to set the tone.
• American Colonial Experience
o Religious freedom
o Religious pluralism
o Drawing people together in the act of giving thanks.
• Faith of all peoples wed in common American experience.
• Power of prayer.
VI. CHOIR “100 PSALM”*
VII. SAM ADAMS -- AMERICAN HISTORICAL REMARKS
• 5:00 approximately
• Introductory narration sets the stage
o 1777 – Details of the war. Who, what when.
o The Battle of Saratoga.
o The Wilkinson incident.
• Reminiscences about the Continental Congress (1774).
o Thanksgiving proclamation – his draft.
■ The conscience of the nation.
■ His personal life dream.
VIII. CHOIR
IX. GEORGE WASHINGTON
STRIKE OF BELL SIGNALS CHANGE OF CHARACTER
• 5:00 approximately
• Picks up on Sam Adams themes
o Conscience of the nation
o Personal (individual) dreams
o Shared experiences of George Washington & Sam Adams
• Washington’s experiences
o Valley Forge
■ Thanksgiving in suffering
■ Reactions to this by others.
o Presidential proclamations
• A look to the future.
X. CHOIR
XI. ABRAHAM LINCOLN
STRIKE OF BELL SIGNALS CHANGE OF CHARACTERS
• 5:00 approximately
• Sets the scene of the Civil War. Picks up on George Washington’s themes.
• Introduces Sarah Hale, editor “Godey’s Ladies Book”
o Hale’s editorials and pursuit of her dream of a nation united in prayer.
o Lincoln’s reaction.
■ His dream of a nation united.
■ The time was right.
• Thanksgiving of the American Spirit re-born
o Gettysburg
o The task of setting one single day.
• A dream fulfilled.
XII. CHOIR – “Finlandia”*
XIII. LOCAL SPEAKER OR RELIGIOUS LEADER(S)
• 5:00 approximately
• Uniting our community in a spirit of Gratitude and Thanksgiving.
• Acknowledging our universally human natures.
• Motivating ourselves to seek to work together.
XIV. PRAYERS OF GRATITUDE FROM DIFFERENT FAITHS
XV. CHOIR - “Halleluia” Chorus*
XVI. BLESSINGS OF ALL FAITHS
XVII. CHOIR “Oh God Our Help In Ages Past”*
STAGING:
Stage should be central to the assembled choirs or if staged from a choir loft, characters can be seated in front row of choir loft and stand at appropriate time.
Characters assemble on stage area and sit to the back of the stage. They stand and cross to an antique writing desk and begin to speak from that point.
CHARACTERS:
Sam Adams
George Washington
Abraham Lincoln
Sarah Hale
PROPS:
Inkwell Quill pen
General’s “Order Book” Paper on the desk
CHOIR SELECTIONS
*Choir selections shown are examples from previous performances. Please select music appropriate for your choirs and situations.
WHY 76-CENTS? It is important that our country re-connect to the dreams of our Founders from 1776.
© Copyright 2008, Jean W. Yeager All Rights Reserved.
Registered WGAe Jean W. Yeager
862 Jordache Dr
Loveland, CO 80538
(970) 908-3100