Making Changes to the Text
Don't forget that you Beneath the Upper Room is a copyrighted script. You may not make any changes to the script without written permission from KMR Scripts or the playwright, Kevin M Reese.
That being said, while the number one rule is "do not add to the script," there are a few things though that you are allowed to do (remember that this page deals SPECIFICALLY with Beneath the Upper Room and may not apply to other plays handled by KMR Scripts or other publishers):
- CUT LINES. You may cut lines or words from the script. You may not substitute new lines or words to replace them.
- RE-ASSIGN LINES - You may take lines, as-is, from one character and give them to another as long as you don’t have to add any new words to the lines. You may split the lines between more than one character (again as long as you don’t add new words)
- RE-ARRANGE LINES - You may take a section of the script and place it in a different place in the script as long as you don’t add any new words or lines in the process. NOTE: You may NOT rearrange the lines in such a way that it changes the spirit of the text (for example: If a character is asked "Do you love Jesus?" and answers "yes," -- you may not take the word "no" from another part of the play and place it after the question, making the character answer "No."
- ADD CHARACTERS - You may add more characters than listed in the script as long as no new lines are created for them. You may reassign lines or have the character have no lines (perhaps you have an actor or two that would like to be in the play, yet not have any lines). You may give them a name for the program-- but please keep it a "30 AD era" name (no Tiffany or Heidi).
- ADD CROWD REACTION - This is a big “You Go, Girl” show. There are many times when one of the women will make a comment and the group concurs. Many times those moments are not scripted. Feel free to add them, but don’t let them go on too long or take too much focus from the story. And please-- don't let your actors actually say "you go, girl!" Ha. While it WILL get a laugh-- it will also thrust your audience back to the 21st century, ruining the momentum of your show.
- ADD/CHANGE PASTOR'S LINES - You may have your Pastor say whatever he’d like. The text in the script is presented as an example and may be used “as-is” or modified or cut entirely. We understand that different churches have different traditions to follow in serving Communion. If you use the text, please give Rev. Peters credit in your program. Our only requirement is that if you serve Communion within the boundries of the play (between Mr. Reese's first- and last words of the script), all in attendance must be allowed to participate fully and freely.
- AD LIBS - Mistakes happen. Actors forget lines, toddlers climb onstages, any of a number of unusual things may happen during your play that an actor may choose to respond to. Ad-libs are not considered "changes" to a play. Now, if you REHEARSE an ad-lib-- it's not really an ad-lib, is it...?