The Christmas Pageant is our church’s gift to the Island. It takes place on December 24 at 5:00 PM at the Agricultural Hall in West Tisbury. Our focus is on a positive storytelling experience for the children, working as a team, and having an awareness of the deeper meaning of the pageant - acceptance and inclusion, welcoming outsiders, helping those in need. Children of all faiths (and no faith at all) are welcome, and attending the church is not a prerequisite.
To learn more about singing with Brian Weiland’s Joyful Noise Choir, click here.
If your child is interested in participating in the pageant, please fill out this brief online questionnaire. The deadline for registration is noon, Monday, December 10. The pageant director will assign roles and send out your child's specific rehearsal schedule by December 13.
Our first all-cast meeting is Sunday, Dec. 16 from 12:30-1:30 in the church’s Parish Hall. Parents must stay for this meeting with their children.
We will communicate regarding schedules, costumes and related topics via email and text. You may also wish to join this private Facebook group to communicate with Pageant members.
Children must have turned age 5 by September 15 (Kindergarten age) or older to have a formal role in the pageant. Children younger than 5, or those who are unable to attend rehearsals will be welcome to participate in our new “costumed procession/parade” that will be the finale to this year's pageant presentation. (More info to come, but we do not provide costumes for the parade.)
We require all participants to attend their rehearsals (approx. 5-6 depending on your child's role). Be sure to check your email on Dec. 13! We also require that parents volunteer to help with set-up & take-down at the Ag Hall or some rehearsals and/or the night of the performance. Libby & David Fielder will coordinate the set up/take down with those volunteers who are strong/able-bodied. If you can help with this or if you have a large vehicle to help transport the staging between MVRHS and the Ag Hall, please contact Libby Fielder at libby.david@gmail.com.
Elle Lash* will be directing the pageant again, and Anne Caldwell is pageant coordinator behind-the-scenes. We are actively seeking a patient adult to assist Elle in directing and running the pageant at the rehearsals. Ideally someone with educational/theatre/dance background or experience working with groups of children would be great. This year we are fortunate to have Jesse Keller from The Yard with us for 3 rehearsals to choreograph the dance. So Elle needs someone who can help with child wrangling and/or being another friendly face the kids can go to when they have questions/concerns if their parents are unable to stay at some practices. Please let us know if you can help as soon as you can! **see schedule below
Please feel free to email us at fccowt.pageant@gmail.com with any questions/concerns. We look forward to having your children participate in this joyous annual event. Thank you!
*Elle taught theatre to children aged 6 - 12 through the 52nd Street Project in NYC and at Middle School 88 to Special Education students in 5th and 6th grades, as well as producing children's productions at Double Helix Theater Co. Locally she has taught the Winter Theatre Project at the West Tisbury School for three years.
**Rehearsal schedule** (ALL are held in the Parish Hall at the church, except for Dec 22 & 23)
Sun. 12/16 12:30 - 1:30 PM Parents must attend
Mon. 12/17 thru Thur. 12/20 4:00 - 5:00 PM Your child will NOT have to attend ALL the dates this week.
Fri. 12/21 1:00 - 2:00 PM
Sat. 12/22 9:00 - 10:00 AM at the Ag Hall
Sun. 12/23 4:00 - 5:00 PM at the Ag Hall