I'm Saved
I'M SAVED, with its handclapping, foot-tapping gospel music and colorful characters, is the untold story of what goes on in the church "down the street", not your church, but that other church full of "church mess." I'M SAVED tells of the events and relationships that lead to the pastor's fifth Pastoral Anniversary celebration. I'M SAVED also shows the struggles of church members who have strayed while on their spiritual journeys and have forgotten who they are serving.
by: REV. LANCE EDMOND BROWN, Playwright
Revised 1993
SYNOPSIS
With its handclapping, foot-tapping gospel music and colorful characters, I'M SAVED will have you out of your seat and on your feet, laughing and rejoicing. I'M SAVED is the untold story of what goes on in the church "down the street", not your church, but that other church full of "church mess." I'M SAVED tells of the events and relationships that lead to the pastor's fifth Pastoral Anniversary celebration. I'M SAVED also shows the struggles of church members who have strayed while on their spiritual journeys and have forgotten who they are serving.
The Rev. Dr. B.B. Smallpop, III is small in stature and spirit, loud, and stuck on himself. Sis. Tunie Mae, the president of the church choir, is a very determined soloist who thinks she can sing, is a bully, and wants to run the church. Sister Carrie Ann is a straightforward, Bible-toting, pious sister who, for "medicinal purposes", takes a "little nip" now and then. In the middle of all the church mess is Brother Sweet, the flamboyant, instigating, gossiping "into everyone else's business but his own" choir director.
Let us not forget Horsecollar, the neighborhood "crackhead" who was reared in the church but is now rejected by the choir members and congregation. Having "found the Lord" after a life in the streets, Stringbean desires to join the church. However, Perfect Saints Community Church members do not want her there. And then there is Tamar, the preacher's sister who rattles the skeletons in the family's closet. She has been labeled as crazy. Deacon is the thorn in the preacher's side who calls him on the carpet regarding his lack of spiritual leadership. He finds himself being verbally abused by the pastor.
Not living up to the expectations of a "man of the cloth," Rev. Smallpop has a one-on-one personal encounter with God. God informs Rev. Smallpop that his life and ministry are out of order. The reverend laughs at God and reminds God, "I, Rev. Dr. B.B. Smallpop, III, run this church," which leaves God no choice but to put the reverend in check. God checking the good reverend results in Rev. Smallpop seeing his life, ministry, and relationships with others in an entirely different light.
I'M SAVED deals with serious issues facing today's society, i.e., molestation, incest, homosexuality, child abuse, alcoholism and drug abuse, AIDS, and "low down" people who hurt innocent people in the name of the Lord. Judge yourself why thousands proclaim 'I'M SAVED as the gospel stage play you'll never forget.'
This production is excellent for church and civic organizations, Black History Month, and college/university homecoming activities.
Audio Recording
We have prepared a recording of the information above for your edification. Please enjoy our production description:
40+
YEARS OF
EXPERIENCE
From The Audience
I was so impressed with your troupe’s presentation of Sunset High, and their ability to tackle so many issues in one play. Thank you for educating our students.
Our chapter collaborated with Public Awareness Theater in hosting the original stage play Love Doesn’t Have To Hurt. The play served as an opportunity to raise awareness regarding domestic violence, as well as a fundraiser for our organization. We were entertained by a stellar production company, with passionate acting, and a compelling story.
On behalf of the TCU Office of Intercultural Education and Services, I thank you for coming to TCU and performing I’m Saved. The production was outstanding and exceeded our expectations.
Public Awareness Theater came to our Job Corps Center to present the play Sunset High. The play dealt with issues our youth deal with on a daily basis. Our students really enjoyed the performance.
The First Semester captured our student’s attention and kept them engaged. The play was informative and inspiring to the students. You continuously motivate our students and make them excited about their first semester on our campus.
The play, Sunset High, is an effective portrayal of challenges that many youths face today. I, along with students appreciated the tragicomic style of the play in that it conveyed a serious message that was mixed with a strand of comedy.
The First Semester made a great impact on our students’ first impression of university life. The play was both entertaining-we laughed, and educational-we learned. I look forward to working with you in the future.
The students and faculty at Shivers Junior High and Aberdeen High School really enjoyed the play Sunset High, performed by Public Awareness Theater. It provided our student the opportunity to view social and cultural kills of our society in a dramatic way.
Our Upward Bound students were deeply touched by the play The First Semester. The performance gave our students the type of reinforcement needed to look at the choices, decisions, and evaluate consequences that we as individuals face every day.