Southern Illinois

Happy Thanksgiving everyone.

I just finished a fun weekend in DeSoto, Ill with a small group of young people.
We did a first with the song by Selah called, "Press On". I created a song interpretation using the first verse. I took the story of the lady with the issue of blood and blocked it into the first verse. The bible says that the woman pressed her way into the crowd and finally tuched the hem of Jesus' garment. It worked very well and look forward to do doing it again next week in Chicago.
Sunday night I also did part of a monologue called John In Exile. The character brings the audience right to Calvary. I used the character to set up the drama team to do, "Let the Veil Down". It ministered extremely well. If you haven't done this song yet....you are missing it. You can down load it from itune. It's sung by Judy Jacobs.

Well, like I said I go to the Chicago area next to start the mad month of December. I will only be home in Omaha 2 days during the month of December...actually I will fly home the 23...just in time to be with my wonderful family.

Many of you are doing our Christmas Eve at Mountain Creek Train Station script....if you have any questions, please don't hesitate to email me at howitiller@aol.com.

"Close Friends" - goes to high school

Had a great time last Friday night performing, "Close Friends" in North Platte, Nebraska at the North Platte high school. It was a mixed crowd of old and young and from many different churches. "Close Friends", is monologue that touches just about every age. In this eight scene script, the character starts out at 4 yrs old and ends up at 84. It has something for everyone. They laughed and cried. It's the perfect script for any time of the year, but can lend itself to a Christmas theme.

You can read more about the script at www.howitiller.com/dramas.com.

Saturday I taught a leadership seminar.
Sunday concluded with me doing a Bible character (Story teller) who ended the morning message with Uriah, better known as, "When the Hardest Thing to do is the Right Thing to Do."

Next up: Carbondale, Ill

Street Drama and Pastor Appreciation in Farmington, NM

Had a great weekend in Farmington, NM. We rehearsed Thursday and Friday evening with about 10 teens and hit the streets on Saturday morning. It started at a downtown gazebo around 10:30 and then moved to the main entrance of their new Walmart. Many people stopped to watch us perform the whole cycle of songs...Arise My Love, Presence of the Lord is Here, I've Got My Praise On, and Psalm 23 in sign language.

Saturday night was an appreciation dinner for the pastor where I did stand-up comedy for about 45 minutes.

Sunday was completely filled with Sunday morning ministry, rehearsal for "Let the Veil Down". You have to learn this song it is very powerful. The kids did fantastic with it. The presence of the Lord swept into the sanctuary and the whole church was greatly blessed. We also did, "Lose My Soul" and "Light Your World".
If you haven't seen much of what we do...please visit our website at howitiller.com

They've already scheduled me back for Christmas 2008.

Street Drama in Tampa

What a great week. It started Monday night where 25 young people met to learn a few song interpretations that we would use on the streets of Tampa Bay. Kids from New Port Richey, Tallahasse, Tampa and even Winter Port, Maine. They all focused to learn, Arise My Love, Crucified With Christ, Presence of the Lord is Here and Victory.

Wednesday started at noon where the team ministered in a downtown park called Lyke's Park.
Thursday we moved to Channelside where they performed on a stage in this pedestrian mall from 11:00 AM to 1:30PM and then returned at 5:00 and stayed until dark (about 8:00PM).
Friday we moved to the campus of University of South Florida (Which played West Virginia that night and won) from about 10:30AM until 1:30PM.

Sunday night the team will perform at a crusade in the Ice Palace (Arena)in front of about 10,000 people.

They're all so excited...this is a once in a life time event for most of these kids.

Next up - Farmington, New Mexico.

Arcadia, Florida

Having fun here in Arcadia, Florida. I will have a two hour rehearsal with youth today in preparing for tomorrow's services. We'll be doing the good old standby, "Arise My Love", but some newer ones too, like Presence of the Lord is Here and others. I will mix in what they learn tonight and tomorrow and include it in the services. If you're interested in having us come, please visit out website to read about drama weekends at howitiller.com.

You may remember it was Arcadia that was hit very hard by hurricane Charles. Three years ago. It's affects are still felt. Some homes and buildings are still empty. It's amazing how devastating natural disasters have on property.

Next, Tampa street ministry.

Friend Day and Drama weekend in Oakdale Louisiana

What a busy weekend. It started early Thursday morning...flying out of Omaha to Chicago then to on to New Orleans and then renting a car to drive to a little town called Oakdale, Louisiana. Oakdale is a quiet village 3 hours east of New Orleans and just south of Alexandria. I arrived late but in time to meet the youth and have fun playing a few theater games and getting to know them a little.
Friday I meet with their drama director talking about plays and scripts...especially Christmas plays. I think they might be doing our own Christmas Eve at Mountain Creek Train Station. Friday evening I rehearsed with the youth and taught them Presence of the Lord is Here with dowel rods and half of Jeff Smith's Arise My Love.
Saturday was an all day drama clinic and Saturday afternoon was another rehearsal with the youth where I taught them a song interpretation to, "Lose My Soul" by Toby Mac. They performed it for their first "SNL".
Sunday morning was Friend Day and I performed, "Close Friends". The pastor had invited many dignitaries and they showed up in full color. People running for office filled at least three pews. Next month the state has elections for senate, state representative and more. Anyway, I had a blast and the Lord bless the audience with the drama.
Sunday night was conducted by the youth and we started the night off with Presence of the Lord is Here and then I did about 45 minutes of drama ministry and finalized the evening with Arise My Love. To say the least the four days were none stop.
Had some catfish and a local diner...got have some fine southern cookin while yer there ya know.
Flew back home Monday afternoon and was greeted with brisk fall day. Ah, yes football is in the air..Nebraska plays USC this Saturday. As you may know College football in Nebraska is almost a god.
Next up...Tampa Bay, Florida for street drama.

Christmas Play help

Let me know if you need some help with Christmas. Especially, if you're doing Christmas Eve at Mountain Creek Train Station. There are still some weekends open in November for me to help you...if you need it. I don't have any weekends open in December, but can come and help you during the week day. But don't wait too long.

Also, Terry Vik has some really good Christmas Plays at terryvik.com.