Blog #3: Black Walnut Tree (Sermon) with video

During the reading, we are trying to produce a passionate version of the poem based on a church sermon. This will include many hallelujahs and a boisterous speaker. The tone of the poem is solemn and the main purpose of the of the sermon is to convince the readers that the content of the poem is worthwhile to listen to. We want to convey a sense of security when the speaker delivers the service yet urge them to feel some sort of remorse for the speaker as he tells this tragic story. When the speaker delivers the sermon, he will go from a near whisper to a powerful holler. Varying dynamics will keep the audience engaged and interested in the poem.

The preacher wears  a black and white suit to show the audience that he is an important figure in the play. The other character playing as local towns-people will wear casual clothing to represent audience of the sermon. The preacher will use a podium to make the scene easier to understand for the audience. The lighting will be atop of the preacher to signify his importance and let the audience pay attention to him. There will  be a dim light on the rest of the characters to give them some importance which occurs only when they have dialog. The preacher will face the other characters as he gives his sermon.

We are drawing attention to the phrases smashing down, brighter than money, crawl in shame, emptiness, whipcrack. These words are essential because they are able to be visualized and stressed with a sense of importance. Tommy (the preacher) will stand behind the symposium preaching to the audience creating an official/leader-like persona. The theme is freedom because the people in the story are trying to become free of their mortgage yet they won’t sacrifice the tree in order to attain it.