SPINELESS IN SEATTLE



More information about SPINELESS IN SEATTLE MAIN POINT It's not that listening to criticism is wrong. In fact, for many of us, that would be a very healthy step. But for just as many of us, a good step would be just the opposite, ignoring criticism. How do you know when to do which? It's safe to say that if you typically walk on eggshells all the time and have never blown off criticism, you're probably a candidate to give it a try. Conversely, if it comes easy to you, try listening for a change. CHARACTERIZATION Wes is by far the more confident of the two. He's been around long enough and through enough struggles that he's not shaken just by the fact that somebody disapproves of his actions. Play him as confident but not abrasive; secure but not cocky. Timothy wants very badly to do the right thing. The thought that ignoring criticsm might be the right thing is a new thought, and one he has to warm up to. Unfortunately, Wes' advise causes a bit of an internal crisis, forcing him to choose between his natural inclination to impress Wes and his natural inclination to accommodate Bill. Play him as confused, but determined. DIRECTOR'S NOTES 1) Block this one with care. Save a lot of movement for the end where the argument heats up. Until then, Wes should be relaxed and seated, while Timothy wanders around confusedly. 2) Don't be afraid to make the pauses long. There needs to be some breathing space. 3) The first ending leaves the issue more unresolved. Use it to go right into a sermon or lesson. The second ending wraps things up a little more. Use it if the piece needs to stand alone and won't be followed by a sermon or message. RELATED SCRIPTURES Consider the advice to the real Timothy in 1 Timothy 4:12 and 6:3-5. Titus got similar words of encouragement in 2:6-8. Of course it was Jesus himself who was one of the best at fending off criticism. See Matthew 23 for a long example. See also Matthew 7:1-6 and Galatians 5:15. RELATED THEMES There's a big topical family here. Consider conflict, communication, fear, courage, confrontation and people-pleasing.