The Homeschool Dramatic Society

What would you do if government told you it's against the law to drive a car without hubcaps and fined you if you accidentally hurt a pigeon? What would you do if your children were taught in school that they should support all the deeds of the political party in power? What would you do if your employer fired you for no reason--except that you are a Christian? What would you do if you could be sent to labor camp just for having a Bible in your car? What would you do if you knew that the authorities might break into your house and arrest you if you gathered with other believers? Would your faith stand the test? Theirs did.

The Homeschool Dramatic Society invites you to our performance of The Cross Behind the Curtain, a story of life in the U.S.S.R. in 1964. It is our hope that your faith will be strengthened as you experience the story of Christians who endured persecution victoriously through their eternal hope in Jesus Christ. Presented with drama and humor, Russian folk songs as well as original music and choreography, this musical production is suitable for the entire family.

Just as the Old Testament "was written in the past . . . to teach us, so that through endurance and the encouragement of the Scriptures we might have hope" (Romans 15:4), so we should learn of the the endurance and be encouraged to have hope through the stories of our brothers and sisters around the world who have taken up their cross and followed, no matter the cost.

In 1999, when Mary Evelyn Notgrass (Mev for short) was fifteen years old, she decided that she wanted to write and direct a play for the homeschooled children at her church in Cookeville, Tennessee. She called the group the Homeschool Dramatic Society. The following year, Mary Evelyn decided to write and direct another play. She opened this production to more homeschooled children, besides those at her church. By the next year, the Homeschool Dramatic Society was open to all homeschooled children in the Upper Cumberland area of Middle Tennessee.

Since 1999, Mary Evelyn has written and directed a new play each year, except in 2007 when she reproduced the Society’s 2001 production. The first two musicals were performed on a simple stage in a church gym. The next five productions were done in a small theatre owned and operated by the Wesley Foundation. Since 2006, the Society has used the facilities of the Cookeville Drama Center.

Over the years, 145 homeschooled students have participated in one or more Homeschool Dramatic Society productions. The Society now draws from several Middle Tennessee communities, and some participants come from out of state to take part in the annual productions.

You can purchase DVDs of the three most recent Homeschool Dramatic Society productions to show to your family, church, or homeschool group. Mev also offers drama tips to help in your work with children. If you are looking for scripts to use with your group, please contact us.