The Potter and the Clay

In this unforgettable visual presentation, a potter shapes clay with gentle, deliberate care as a live quartet sings three classic hymns: Spirit of the Living God, Have Thine Own Way, Lord, and Search Me, O God. No dialogue is needed — the message is powerfully clear. Through music, light, and motion, The Potter & The Clay reminds us that we are lovingly crafted by the hands of the Creator. As the vessel is formed, filled, and stirred to life, audiences are invited into a sacred moment of reflection and surrender.

Ideal for closing a sermon, leading into communion, or as a stand-alone centerpiece in worship services.

Run Time: 7.5 minutes
Cast: 5 (1 Potter, 4 Singers – Male/Female Quartet)
Type: Musical Drama (No spoken lin

Participants:
A Potter
A Singing Quartet

This is a short yet effective drama presentation which has no spoken lines. It requires some rehearsing to get the details down properly. The keys to the success of this drama are:1) overall timing so the creation of the pot and the completion of the songs will mesh, 2) lighting, 3) the skill of the potter, 4) through lighting and stage locations, ensure that potter is the dominant acting position.

Costumes: The potter will be dressed entirely in black. The singers should be in regular attire.

Props:
Potter's Wheel with clay and necessary tools
Small table directly behind potter at the height of elbow
A completed vessel identical to the one which will be produced during the performance. It should be complete with a floral design and 2 small handles.

(likely) Some means of lifting the potter's wheel and the potter approximately 6 - 12 inches off the floor in order that the vessel under construction be completely visible by everyone in the audience.

Stage Locations
The potter's wheel will be located Downstage Right, approximately 10 feet in from the edges of the stage. The potter will be facing extreme Downstage Left, (thus at a slight angle Downstage). The Quartet will be at a position at approximately the midway point between Center Stage and Center Stage Left.

Lighting
There will be one spotlight with a Light Amber or Light Flesh Pink gel mounted approximately 10 feet in front of, and just level with the top, of the potter's wheel, (in such a way that the silhouette will show up on the back wall). This light will illuminate the clay under construction as well as the potter's hands and face.
There will be two spotlights with magenta gels to light the singers.
These lights will be mounted at floor level at Downstage Right, (near the light which is focused on the potter's wheel). The lights will be aimed in such a way that they create a silhouette on the wall behind the singers. The lights will be aimed to illuminate only the upper bodies of the singers.

Songs

Spirit of the Living God, (Daniel Iverson).
Have Thine own Way Lord, (Adelaide A. Pollard)
Search Me O God, (A.B. Simpson)

Timing
This drama would likely happen immediately following the sermon. At the close of the sermon the lights come down so that only enough light exists for performers to assume their positions. The potter and the quartet move to their positions, quartet starts to sing, lights up on quartet. Lights then up on potter's wheel as the potter starts to produce the vessel.

Potter creates the vessel showing obvious love and care. Make all movement very slow and deliberate. Potter should bend close over the wheel.

After vessel is molded, the potter will attach a flower pattern and small handles on each side.

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