THEATRICAL READING AT FIRST CONGREGATIONAL CHURCH IN OLD LYME, CT
Contact: Judith Simmons, pnsimmons@ct.metrocast.net
Our church, The First Congregational Church of Old Lyme Connecticut, presented a reading entitled Rachel Corrie – A Woman of Conscience, the first weekend in November, 2006. This program was written and produced as a direct result of the silencing of the play My Name is Rachel Corrie. Several of us had attended Rachel’s Words, and felt we had to do something. During the month of October, the church hosted three other programs on the subject of women of conscience. We hosted Israelis and Palestinians and learned about the work they do together to bring peace to the region, and the respect they show to each other.
We were very fortunate to have pro bono aid from professionals; a director, four actors, and a musical director. We also used a speaking chorus of five members of the congregation and two children. Music was provided by the piano, a violin, and a vocal soloist. Rachel’s emails were the largest part of the program. The emails from the mother and father played smaller parts. The fourth actor played the part of an Israeli soldier, a member of Breaking the Silence, and he read part of a interview of a real soldier interviewed by members of our church on their last trip to the Mid East. The speaking chorus told what was going on elsewhere, during the time Rachel was in Gaza, for the most part. We included the work done by Israeli and Palestinian groups working for peace; The Bereaved Parents Circle, Machsom Watch, The Fifth Mother, etc. Since the Iraq war was started only days after Rachel’s death, that, too, was used as commentary by the chorus. Our only props were protest signs, stools, and a candle for Rachel for her last reading. Our senior minister read a factual account of her death. At the conclusion, our soloist sang This Is My Song. The third verse was sung by all those attending, while the actors left the stage. There was no applause. Everyone was invited to meet the cast in the Fellowship Hall. There were many tears, and many comments of “I just never knew!”
There was some resistance in the greater community. We had sent flyers to community churches and I received one very hateful call, aimed at me, but primarily at the church. One store displaying our poster was told to remove it or be boycotted by two people. I’m sorry to say that they complied. Another poster was continually moved to a hidden place, only to be rescued by a member of the committee! This, plus outbursts at some of our other Israeli/Palestinian programs, made us uneasy enough to hire police protection the first night. As there were no problems, we were alone the second day. Our director is married to a Jewish man and she did receive some flak, but continued. Our music director is a cantor at a local Synagog, and was asked by them not to be involved in the program. However, he, also, continued.
Rachel is still so very relevant; she still needs to be heard. I would like to see something like our program done in the schools. That is the age that needs to know!
We are available to help anyone who asks.
March 21st, 2008 at 3:03 pm
Rachel is still so very relevant. Has your program been performed in the schools?
Perhaps, next year it could be performed in Hartford?