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Abstract: Nineteen screenplays prepared as part of a Writers' collective at Desert Rose Bahá'í Institute, either fictionalized dramatic presentations of pivotal events in Bahá'í history or adapted from historical books. Notes: See also the author's Helen Frances Grand (1865-1944). |
Introductory note (from a personal email):A few years ago I went to the Desert Rose Bahá'í Institute in Arizona for a personal writer's retreat, found several like-minded friends there and we started a group Writer's Retreat for 15 persons which ran very successfully for 3 years. I also joined a writer's group online with participants from mostly Canada and the United States. [Marlene was named the first "Writer in Residence" at Desert Rose.]
See also the author's obituary at hodgesfuneralhome.ca/obituaries/2021/1/10/marlene-marie-macke [archive.org] and the author's archived Facebook page.A popular mode of writing emerged among us in the form of dramatic readings, particularly aimed at the Centenary of the Twin Manifestations. My personal goal was to have one for every Holy Day.
My experience showed that non-Bahá'í friends were really animated after hearing these dramatic reasons and asked a lot of questions, way more than if we had just readings from the Sacred Text or even a guest speaker. I also invited non-Bahá'ís to take some of the roles which really excited them that much more. Dramatic Readings also find resonance with youth groups and at firesides.
Several other Bahá'í writers have picked up on this mode of writing... Looking for a home online that can be accessed by other Bahá'ís, it seems this website is the best venue for such a collection. I find myself anxious to find such a site because I've been diagnosed with a terminal illness and wish to have my dramatic readings endure beyond my passing to the next World of God. [email from M.M. to J.W., November 2020, quoted with permission]
All documents sent to me in WordPerfect format, opened with OpenOffice, and then exported as PDF. [-J.W., 2021]
Download screenplays (sorted alphabetically by filename)
| Title | Format | Link |
| The Pattern of ‘Abdu’l-Bahá’s Life: “Be As I am” | OpenOffice: PDF: |
macke_abdul-baha_be_as.odt macke_abdul-baha_be_as.pdf |
| Life & Ascension of ‘Abdu’l-Bahá as told through the reminiscences of Bahíyyih Khánum and Munírih Khánum, with Lorol Schopflocher | OpenOffice: PDF: |
macke_ascension_abdul-baha.odt macke_ascension_abdul-baha.pdf |
| Bahá’u’lláh: The Baghdad Years: Part I – The Baghdad Years | OpenOffice: PDF: |
macke_bahaullah_baghdad_1.odt macke_bahaullah_baghdad_1.pdf |
| Bahá’u’lláh: Part II – The Baghdad Years: As told from the perspective of His Wife and Daughter | OpenOffice: PDF: |
macke_bahaullah_baghdad_2.odt macke_bahaullah_baghdad_2.pdf |
| Bahá’u’lláh: The Baghdad Years & First Day of Ridván: Part I – The Baghdad Years | OpenOffice: PDF: |
macke_bahaullah_baghdad_3.odt macke_bahaullah_baghdad_3.pdf |
| Bahá’u’lláh: The Baghdad Years & Ridván: Part III – 9th Day of Ridván, 1863 | OpenOffice: PDF: |
macke_bahaullah_baghdad_4.odt macke_bahaullah_baghdad_4.pdf |
| Bahá’u’lláh: The Baghdad Years & First Day of Ridván | OpenOffice: PDF: |
macke_bahaullah_baghdad_5.odt macke_bahaullah_baghdad_5.pdf |
| Adapted from The Chosen Highway | OpenOffice: PDF: |
macke_bahaullah_chosen_highway.odt macke_bahaullah_chosen_highway.pdf |
| Our Beloved Bahá’u’lláh: Remembrances of the Leaves of the Holy Family Part I – The Early Years (1817–1853) | OpenOffice: PDF: |
macke_bahaullah_early_years.odt macke_bahaullah_early_years.pdf |
| I Knew the Báb: His Early Life through the Remembrances of Those Who Knew Him: A Dramatic Reading in Commemoration of His Birthday | OpenOffice: PDF: |
macke_early_life_bab.odt macke_early_life_bab.pdf |
| Festival of Naw-Rúz | OpenOffice: PDF: |
macke_festival_naw_ruz.odt macke_festival_naw_ruz.pdf |
| The First Trumpet Blast: Some Letters of the Living Share Remembrances of the First Days of the Báb’s Ministry: A Dramatic Reading in Commemoration of His Birthday | OpenOffice: PDF: |
macke_first_trumpet_blast.odt macke_first_trumpet_blast.pdf |
| I Knew the Báb: His Early Life through the Remembrances of Those Who Knew Him A Dramatic Reading in Commemoration of His Birthday | OpenOffice: PDF: |
macke_i_knew_bab.odt macke_i_knew_bab.pdf |
| Interview with Colonel Sám Khán: A Dramatic Reading by David Hofman | OpenOffice: PDF: |
macke_interview_sam_khan.odt macke_interview_sam_khan.pdf |
| Life & Ascension of ‘Abdu’l-Bahá as told through the reminiscences of Bahíyyih Khánum and Munírih Khánum, with Western Pilgrim Lorol Schopflocher | OpenOffice: PDF: |
macke_life_ascension_abdul-baha.odt macke_life_ascension_abdul-baha.pdf |
| Martyrdom of the Báb: A Dramatic Account of the Events Surrounding the Martyrdom | OpenOffice: PDF: |
macke_martyrdom_bab.odt macke_martyrdom_bab.pdf |
| Bahá’u’lláh: The Festival of Ridván As told from the perspective of Ázíyih Khánum, His Wife, and Bahíyyih Khánum, His Daughter | OpenOffice: PDF: |
macke_ridvan_festival.odt macke_ridvan_festival.pdf |
| History and Significance of the First Mashriqu’l-Adhkár in the West | OpenOffice: PDF: |
macke_significance_first_mashriq-adhkar.pdf |
| Tabreez: A Dramatic Reading | OpenOffice: PDF: |
macke_tabreez.odt macke_tabreez.pdf |
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