Director's Notes

Notes for the Director:
Dancing in the Cosmos will be most effectively staged in a minimalist format which will lend itself quite well to church and travel troupe settings. Moveable floor props such as a tree, a large rock and a bench can be used as the director desires. A synthesizer will be valuable in adding sound effects. Music behind the songs and dances will heighten the effect. However, the music should be ethereal. A flute is the ideal instrument. The choreography will depend upon the ability of the actors. However, it should resemble ballet rather than disco or ballroom dancing. Unless the actors are accomplished dancers, the dance sequences should not be lengthy. The choreography must include pantomime of the narration.
The narration has been written as choral reading. It can be done also with only one or more individual narrators. The important think is to be consistent in the use of voice tone and pitch to set mood. As written, the choral narration has been divided into lighter and heavier voices. The lighter voices are indicated with "Choral One"; the heavier voices with "Choral Two". Whether the director chooses choral reading or individual narrators, the narration can be read from scripts.
If possible, the two "commentators" should be seated down stage left.
One actor should play the part of "Joy" in all stages. She simply portrays the character
appropriately. The cloak she wears must include a hood that will cover the head of Nay Sayer when he assumes the guise of Joy.
Other than Joy’s cloak and the robes that she and Truth Seeker don, costuming can be as simple or as complex as the director desires.
A microphone must be available for off stage lines.

Cast:
Chorus: Either two groups of speakers or individual narrators. If the director chooses, actors who exit may join the chorus until their next entrances. As indicated in the script, minor roles may be spoken directly from the chorus.
Truth Seeker: A beautiful young woman, naive, but searching for greater understanding.
Eternal Hope: Strong and compassionate speaking with warmth and authority.
Commentators One and Two: May be either male or female. They shouldn’t be a part of the chorus. They play the roles as interactive spectators.
Joy: a child for a moment; then a young woman.
Nay Sayer: A nervous feline-like character, strong, yet fearful.