Here are some of their tips for staging a drama for your congregation. For Billings' plays, sometimes all that's needed is a chair. If you are going to have costumes, make sure they look authentic. But if you decide you want the shepherds to be accurate, don't use grandpa's bathrobe. Either memorize all lines or have everyone read from scripts.
Billings is an advocate of memorization.
Actors should use all of the available space and not bunch up on stage. Even if people are reading from scripts, have them rehearse so dialogue flows well. If you don't have microphones, make sure voices can be heard in the back pews. Joseph finds that children often make the best actors because they are used to playing pretend, which is what acting is all about, he says. Don't stick to traditional gender roles.