The People of C-MENT
Here is the
complete cast and principal staff of our Spring 1996 production. On the far left, top, is
Margie Holland, drama. Directly below her is Betty, one of our choreographers. Very top
center (as high as you can get) is Reggie, the other choreographer. Extreme right, third
row from the bottom (second row from the top) is the C-MENT Artistic Director, Marie, who
also handles music. Everybody else is an actor.
There are many more people behind the production than those standing for this photo. In subsequent photos, I capture a few, but there are many more that support such things as publicity, meals, chaperones, ushers, lights, sound, tech and stage crew, set construction, costumes, Bible study, prayer, cast party organization, birthday parent, clean-up, concessions, sign language instruction, fundraising, the C-MENT board itself, and nursery (for those younger brothers and sisters when their parents are volunteering for the aforementioned committees). In fact, it is probably safe to say, there are more people behind the production than are in it. Please remember the cast, and those behind the cast in your prayers.
The actors range in age from 9 to 16 years of age. Most are members of PLC, but not all. Our most recent production was our 6th production since the inception of C-MENT in the Fall of 1994. Each show just gets bigger and better.
We welcome all to come and watch our performances. Admission is free, but if you have some spare cash, we'll gladly take it. Producing a show of this magnitude requires funds. C-MENT offerings are also used to support a missionary family abroad as well. All funds that support C-MENT and its missionary family are earned through tuition, fund raisers, and free will offerings.
If you live in the area and would like to join C-MENT in a future production, e-mail me (Harvey Payne) and I'll keep you posted as to what is coming next, and tell you all you need to do to join us. We are always on the lookout for fresh talent!
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Looking at the photo above, you might think this a sedate crowd - NOT! About 2 seconds after the above photo was snapped, they were back to their usual chaotic state. Besides putting on a show with a serious message, these folks know how to have fun; a key factor to any successful production. |
| Weekly rehearsals are not just work, work, work. Due do the rehearsal schedule, there is a half hour break for dinner. Members can bring a sack lunch from home, or for a few extra dollars, a hot meal is prepared by the Meal Team. Lynne does an excellent job of heading up this team and making sure the kids and the staff don't go hungry. |  |
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As I said earlier, give these kids a few moments and they'll generate their own fun. We do our best not to give them the few moments, but sometimes, it happens… then WATCH OUT! |
| Keeping track of 8 cordless plus 6 or so corded microphones, not to mention running the accompaniment would make anyone's head spin. Not our sound tech. He can handle it 'cause he's a professional. You'll never see him get frustrated or confused. No sir. Well … perhaps you'd better come and see for yourself. |  |
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OK, so we only have one spotlight. Steve handles it well. When you watch the show, you might even think there are two spots he's so good. Just keep your head low, or he'll put you on the spot. |
| Margie not only handles the dramatic direction of the production, but she also runs the lights. What's that you say? You thought that was Steve's job? No, Steve does the spotlight. That's it. Margie handles all other lighting, all from one little light booth. |  |
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We are fortunate enough to have a professional videographer (AKA Camera Man) who is a
member of our church. His wife happens to be a professional editor. What a combination!
They volunteer their time and equipment to make a professional-looking tape of each of our
performances. They usually tape at least two performances and then uses the footage to
make a single performance (looking) tape. I have never seen anything approaching the
quality of this work for any other production I have been involved with. The results are
spectacular. Due to conflicts with this season's performance schedule, they had to tape our final Sunday dress rehearsal (one week before show) and the first (Thursday) official performance to gather enough footage to make the tape. |
| One of the key activities to every rehearsal is the Bible study. The first half hour of each rehearsal is dedicated to breaking the kids up into their study groups and to learn the lesson behind the production. As an audience member, you see the story unfold and get what message you can from the one hour (or so) show. As a cast member, you would have learned the scripture, and how is backs up what is being presented, over 11 weeks of rehearsal. |  |
