LIVES OF THE NEW KIND OF SAINTS

(Notes on Prologue: Eleggua opens and closes the path to mankind. He rules the crossroads. One prays to him in matters of destiny or fate. All prayers pass through him first = St. Peter, patron saint of net-builders, shipbuilders, fishermen and locksmiths = Archangel Jophiel; represents wisdom, beauty, and heals negativity and chaos by uplifting and changing perspective. Patron angel of artists.)

PROLOGUE:

EGG walks into the middle of a semi-circle that is in perhaps, three layers: ANGELS, audience members, and then the other SAINTS.
It is a listening circle.

EGG: Do you hear that? That’s the wind blowing across the heavens, opening all the doors between this life and the next. The veil is so thin this time of year—ancestors closer than they’ve ever been. So many lost...and still so many suffer. (Slight pause) But a lost breath can be found again on the wind. Step through the doors of your mind, onto these paths that I watch. Today you can walk these paths, listen to sacred music, and watch the heroes all around you—who are you—people who were all made in the image of the first celestial saint—the Saint of Stars. You see, there was once a tiny blackbird whose mother left to find her a safer home but never returned. The baby cried every night for her mother. So much crying caught the ear and eye of a sinful serpent who watched the bird carefully, inching ever so closely to her nest. The snake moved so slowly and so quietly that the sound it made as it slithered up the side of the tree where Baby blackbird sat, lulled the little bird to sleep...and once asleep, the hungry snake reared his head and moved to pounce. This startled the baby and she tried to fly from the nest, but was too young to know how to move her wings. Baby bird went crashing to the ground, her bones becoming dust beneath her. The first saint heard her falling and thought it was time to make something that could care for the fragile bones of creatures too small to care for themselves. And for some reason, he thought of human beings. So that ancient Saint decided to create human beings from the fragile bone-dust of that blackbird by pouring starlight from his fingers onto what remained of the baby bird. The light turned her wings red, and pumped like blood through her torn veins. The Saint followed the soul of that bird as it lifted up into the sky where her mother and a nest made of starlight awaited her. Then from the ground rose a human who looked very much like a red-winged blackbird. She had every color in her skin that shone like ebony, with hair streaked with red. The first human was strong and brave and would multiply for centuries, sometimes forgetting her way, but always coming back to the right path, the one that led to the stars that were her heart. The one that led her here to remind you who you are and how much you mean to us. How much you mean to each other.

(EGG moves to each circle of sound, as HE does so the action of the Circle begins. After one round of the Circle, HE moves on to the next. It is as if he awakens the Saints to speak. Perhaps HE begins each Circle action with the action of casting his net into the Circle.)

This circle honors Obatalá. Obatalá is the eldest of the Orishas, the creator of all mankind, called on during times of legal strife, he is a fair and honest judge, providing strength to the innocent and justice to the guilty. A gentle sky-God associated with the crucified Christ. Androgynous, he is integrated opposites, mother-father, young-old, dark-light, good-evil, right-wrong = Christ or San Martín de Porres = Archangel Gabriel; represents writers, teachers, postal workers, messengers. --

In Circle One: (Obatala/San Martín de Porres/Archangel Gabriel)

SAINTS 2-6 STAND IN THEIR CIRCLES IN STILLNESS We hear the sound of Glass shattering, lightning and bells which segues into the OBATALA music. All the Actor-Entities enter, they do a simple, synchronized movement that takes them to their places in their specific circle, and wait for the Circle One Entity to speak—and once the MAILPERSON speaks—the ritual begins.

THE ANGELS GUIDE MARTÍNA TO HER CIRCLE. SHE IS CARRYING THE PROTEST SIGN. Displayed on the Tarot card: The Magician & Judgement. Recorded Sound: The gates to Heaven on Earth open with the playing of the Marimbula. A sound like the opening of crystal curtains in the earth-bound world. The miracle begins.

Recorded Line: Awaken to the soul-plucked crystalline sounds of songs sung only to you. ANGELS WHISPER Listen to your whispering ancestors: Don’t sleep through this life. MARTÍNA Listen to your whispering ancestors: Don’t sleep through this life.

Printed on a protest sign: [Sign held up by one of the actors.] ANGELS WHISPER “Only when I sing to you, I awake.” -Julia de Burgos MARTÍNA PUTS THE PROTEST SIGN DOWN

The Magician-Mailperson-Angel enters Circle One. He/She/They carry mail-in ballots made of feathers in a messenger bag. And their wings are made of black ballpoint pens. They do a trick of pulling a ballot out of their envelope hat.

MARTÍNA the Mailperson: (Live) This here is an act of pride. In each envelope, there’s a pledge to your community. Right inside here...you changed this world before, you can do it again!

(HE/SHE/THEY listens to the recorded sound or actually plays it for the audience. The ANGEL helps with this and displays the Tarot.)

MARTÍNA(s): (live, one voice or three) 1: Year One. ANGEL 1 BEN: Begins with you. ANGEL 2 STEPH: Cast it in the likeness of your hands. ALL ACTORS: Salvation.

SAINTS 2-6 BEGIN THEIR MOVEMENT LOOPS

MARTINA picks up protest sign and speaks text: “Only when I sing to you, I awake.” -Julia de Burgos Sets down protest sign with ceremony

END OF LOOP – ANGELS GUIDE AUDIENCE TO NEXT CIRCLE; SAINT CONTINUES TO LOOP MOVEMENT WITH TEXT AS NEEDED

This circle honors Changó (or Shango). Changó is a king. He is synonymous with justice. He uses lightning and thunder to enhance the fertility of the Earth and of his followers= Santa Barbara= Archangel Michael; represents righteousness, mercy, and justice. Patron of soldiers, police officers, EMTs. --

In Circle Two: (Chango/Santa Barbara/Archangel Michael)

WE hear thunder. The sound of things burning. The CHANGO recorded music plays—it is muscular and percussive. And ready for a fight.

Displayed on the tarot card: The World, held up or displayed by the ANGEL. Recorded Sound: Percussive guitar; rolling thunder; masculine sounds; sounds like a fight in progress. SAINT SPEAKS LIVE Recorded Line: This is our chance to answer the questions we’ve all been asking. Let your great-great grandmother guide you there. Follow the sounds of her footsteps. Printed on a protest sign: [Sign held up by an actor.] ANGELS WILL WHISPER: “There are years that ask questions and years that answer.” -Zora Neale Hurston-

BEEBEE, an Avenging Angel/Nurse/EMT begins Circle Two, HE/THEY perform a warrior dance to the percussive music. Their costume/wings are made of stethoscopes, surgical tape, donuts.

BEEBEE: (tumbles himself/themself to the ground, exhausted) This is my last shift. I saved 3,527 people so far, because I had to. Because I listened to their hearts and knew I had to. Why does it have to be like this? Who made this world?

All ANGELS PASS OUT - BEEBEE CHECKS PULSE ON NECK AND TWO ARE LOST – BEN BREATHES AND CPR (ANGEL faints. SHE/THEY practices CPR on ANGEL.)

BEEBEE(s) of Circle Two: (live, one voice or three) BEN 1. You have the answer. STEPH 2. Fight the dragons. CAMILA 3. Everyone is welcome. ALL ANGELS + BEEBEE 1,2,3: Justice.

BEEBEE picks up protest sign and speaks text: “There are years that ask questions and years that answer.” -Zora Neale Hurston- Sets down protest sign with ceremony

END OF LOOP – ANGELS GUIDE AUDIENCE TO NEXT CIRCLE; SAINT CONTINUES TO LOOP MOVEMENT WITH TEXT AS NEEDED

This circle honors Oyá (Ollá). She has fierce female warrior energy, eases communication between the living and the dead; she brings sudden change, summons the tornadoes and lightning to battle her enemies; can bring death; rainbows and lightning are signs of her presence and she is the favorite lover of Chango= Saint Catherine (Sta. Catalina/Candelaria) = Archangel Azriel; meets souls and helps them transition into death and helps the ones who mourn them.

--

In Circle Three: (Oyá/Saint Catherine/Archangel Azriel)

We hear emergency vehicles—this could be recorded or live.

Displayed on the tarot card: Death Recorded Sound: The sound of emergency vehicles turns into the sound of hard blowing wind, which segues into the female energy guitar sound of Oyá’s music? SAINT SPEAKS LIVE Recorded Line: I am waiting for a new season to begin—One with wings. ANGELS WILL WHISPER: Printed on a protest sign: [Sign held up by an actor] “Time to plant tears, says the almanac.” -Elizabeth Bishop-

CANDELARIA, a woman in mourning of Circle Three, raises her arms to plead with the Heavenly Beings. SHE alternates between pleading up and crying downward toward the earth. SHE is dressed like the earth, in ripped clothing of browns and greens. SHE is soiled and filled with loss.

CANDELARIA: (live) I memorized the dryness on the tips of his fingers so I would dream about them, but his shallow, painful breath became my memory. (The recorded music plays. Or the preceding words could be looped into an echo. SHE/THEY begin to rub her fingers together and seeds, imaginary or real, appear for her/them to spread all around the circle. The ANGEL helps her. It is like a ritual where the seeds all around the circle mark the inner circle as safe sanctuary. Like how salting the earth around you keeps out evil spirits. This planting action may be mirrored by all the actors in their respective circles. Then...)

CANDELARIA(s)of Circle Three: (live, one voice or three) [OR: possibly all the actors say the following lines...] 1: I won’t stop mourning— 2: But now is the time 3: to plant hope.

ALL ACTORS REPEAT THIS IN UNISON 1: I won’t stop mourning— 2: But now is the time 3: to plant hope.

CANDELARIA picks up protest sign and speaks text: “Time to plant tears, says the almanac.” -Elizabeth Bishop- Sets down protest sign with ceremony

END OF LOOP – ANGELS GUIDE AUDIENCE TO NEXT CIRCLE; SAINT CONTINUES TO LOOP MOVEMENT WITH TEXT AS NEEDED

This circle honors Oshún. Oshún is the goddess of love and abundance. She will heal hurt with love and she plant seeds of change in people =Aphrodite = Our lady of Caridad, patron of salt and copper miners, and enslaved people = Archangel Chamuel; brings peace to the world by protecting the world from fear and lowers negative energies. Gives us the strength and courage to face adversity.

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In Circle Four: (Oshun/Caridad del Cobre (A virgin)/Archangel Chamuel)

We hear the sounds of children, laughter, joy. A kind of tinkling brightness that foreshadows positive change. Joyous and mischievous.

Displayed on the Tarot card: The Lovers Recorded Sound: Just joyous music. Children playing games. SAINT SPEAKS ALOUD: Recorded Line: If you’d just loved me from the start, I’d have crawled into the attic of your heart and we would never ever part. First spoken and then like a poem; play with the words; and then sung in fragments (singing to self)

ANGELS WHISPER: Printed on a protest sign: “In spite of everything I still believe that people are really good at heart.”-Anne Frank-

CHAMACA, a teenage girl who would rather laugh than anything chases the ANGEL, until SHE/THEY can throw white confetti over her. ANGEL then make snow angels from the white paper. Perhaps there are snow angels being made in other circles? Paper sprinkled over the heads of some friendly looking audience members? SHE is dressed in yellow/gold with hints of confetti too. Maybe there are pieces of her costume that can be torn off and spread like confetti? Her wings should be short and sassy. She is a young Caridad del Cobre. Maybe there are boats on her feet. ANGELS put on gloves and sprinkle snowflakes on CHAMACA

CHAMACA(s): (live, one or three voices) 1: I won’t ever die. Do you know why? 2: Babies come to when we pass through. 3: The veil is thin between this life and the next.

ALL ACTORS: (All the actors chant the following lines in a staggered round) BEN 1: I want to believe again.

ALL ACTORS: I want to believe ALL ACTORS: I want to believe for you— ALL ACTORS: Change can happen.

CHAMACA SPEAKS: picks up protest sign and speaks text: “In spite of everything I still believe that people are really good at heart.”-Anne Frank-
Sets down protest sign with ceremony

END OF LOOP – ANGELS GUIDE AUDIENCE TO NEXT CIRCLE; SAINT CONTINUES TO LOOP MOVEMENT WITH TEXT AS NEEDED

This circle honors Ogún. Ogún is the protective father-figure, the orisha of tools and weapons; a lover of the wilderness, offering protection to those who have a battle to fight. Also, known as Ogum; a God of Iron and machines, a soldier, a smithy, a politician. Patron saint of Truck drivers. He cuts paths through the wilderness with his machete. Often spends time alone seeking solace and meditation. = Saint Anthony = Archangel Raphael; heals injuries and illnesses, patron of doctors, pharmacists, nurses, shepherds and travelers.

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In Circle Five: (Ogun/Saint Anthony/Archangel Raphael)

We hear *sheep baaing, Children and mothers weeping, large trucks going over potholes, rumbling highways.

Displayed on the Tarot card: The Emperor Recorded Sound: OGUN Music segues into the *sounds above. SAINT SPEAKS ALOUD: Recorded Line: Forget. Forgive. Forget. Forgive. Forget. Forgive. I used to be like you. But this life stole the truth from your memory. In the next life you can take it back. ANGELS WHISPER Printed on a protest sign: “Forgiveness is a virtue of the brave.” -Indira Gandhi-

TONY, a fancy-dressed politician, walks to other actors and perhaps some audience members, and elbow-shakes them in a big politician way. Perhaps the ANGEL has a sign with an arrow that says MAYOR on it to point at the MAYOR, or MAYOR has a big top hat that says MAYOR. HE takes off his hat and replaces it with a crown. He alternates between speaking lies and ...truths. HE may actually have two faces. The Devil often speaks backwards or in tongues or bad syntax. ANGELS INDICATE HIS STATUS and how they feel about his status. The personal persona is conflicted; the public is everything is fine.

TONY(s) of Circle Five: (Live, for one or three voices) 1: You worry don’t have to. ...Or do you? ANGEL 1 ECHO: Or do you? 2: I you such good care of have taken. ...Or did I? ANGEL 2 ECHO: Or did I? 3: Me in still power. Things are Great coming. ...Don’t believe me. ANGEL 3 ECHO: Don’t believe me. (HE/THEY pulls out the insides of his empty breast pocket —heart and soul-less.) 1: You see? 2: ...I have nothing— 3: And it’s all yours!

TONY PICKS UP SIGN AND SPEAKS: “Forgiveness is a virtue of the brave.” -Indira Gandhi- TONY places the sign down with ceremony.

END OF LOOP – ANGELS GUIDE AUDIENCE TO NEXT CIRCLE; SAINT CONTINUES TO LOOP MOVEMENT WITH TEXT AS NEEDED

This circle honors Yemayá. Yemayá is the orisha of motherhood and the queen of the Sea. She works through dreams and intuition. One prays to her in matters of fertility and spiritual growth. = Mary, Star of the Sea = Black Virgin Mary= Archangel Ariel is the lioness or lion of God; they protect the earth, animals and the environment.

-- In Circle Six: (Yemaya/Mary, Black Star of the Sea /Archangel Ariel)

We hear ocean waves, rushing onto a very deep beach. A sound that is languid, extended, like a note held a breath too long. Impossibly mournful rain stick sounds. Tears. MARY the Gardener’s tears. MARY wears classic gardening tools on a bright apron made of voting ballots. SHE carries a basket with gloves, scissors, plant cuttings. Everything about her is blue, even her hair, as if she is wearing the both the Summer sky and the Azure sea on her skin and clothes.

Displayed on the Tarot card: Strength Recorded Sound: The waves and other water sounds segue into the YEMAYA music—elongated, breathy, pleading—a native flute and other secret things. SAINT SPEAKS ALOUD Recorded Line: Let me own my body and underscore the night with my breasts. I will outline my love for you in the pleated gatherings of my weeping skin.

ANGELS WHISPER: Printed on a protest sign: “If now isn’t a good time for the truth, I don’t see when we’ll get to it.” -Nikki Giovanni-

MARY is sticking small candles onto the top of a flowerpot as if it were a cake. She lights them. ANGEL comes with a small watering can and puts them out.

MARY(s): (Live, for one or three voices.) That was handy! But nothing grows without this. (SHE takes out a ballot from inside her dress.) 1: I like to keep them by my womb. 2: So I can feel. 3: Change from the inside out. 1: Fill each circle. 2: Completely. (MARY plants the ballot and wipes her eyes, then wrings tears from her hands.) 3: There. Our tears make you strong.

MARY PICKS UP SIGN AND SPEAKS: “If now isn’t a good time for the truth, I don’t see when we’ll get to it.” -Nikki Giovanni- MARY places the sign down with ceremony.

END OF LOOP – ANGELS PLAY BOOMBOXES AND GUIDE AUDIENCE TO NEXT CIRCLE

This circle honors Eleggua. Eleggua opens and closes the path to mankind. He rules the crossroads. One prays to him in matters of destiny or fate. All prayers pass through him first = St. Peter, patron saint of net-builders, shipbuilders, fishermen and locksmiths = Archangel Jophiel; represents wisdom, beauty, and heals negativity and chaos by uplifting and changing perspective. Patron angel of artists.

--

In Circle Seven: (Eleggua/St. Peter/Archangel Jophiel)

We hear the music of Eleggua, both percussive and melodic—seeds, tambourines, flute, guitar, drums, etc. EGG the Fisherperson is repairing a giant net. He wears the net as clothing and has wings made of netting. Perhaps the net is hemp or rope. His garments are the green-brown of a stormy sea mixed with the red-black of Eleggua.

EGG: (Live, for one, three or all voices) I know how to fix my net. I just have to cast my stitch and pull this needle.

Displayed on the Tarot card: The Stars. Recorded Sound: Water, Music, energizing and activating. EGG SPEAKS ALOUD Recorded Line: Cast. Pull. Fix. You’re the Star. Cast. Pull. Fix. EGG SPEAKS ALOUD Printed on a protest sign: “Voting is not only our right, it is our power.” -Loung Ung-

Egg the Fisherperson(s) of Circle Seven: (Live, all the actors may speak these lines.) EGG: When you look up
EGG: Do you see yourself there?
ALL: In the Stars. EGG: Begin. EGG: Inhale. (THEY BREATHE IN) EGG: And breathe. (THEY BREATHE OUT) EGG: Voting is not your only right— ALL: Justice. Truth. Equality. Respect. Love. Freedom. Hope. EGG: Those are all your Rights and your power. ALL: Look! A falling star! (Silence as all the SAINTS and ANGELS put out their hands to catch a falling star. When THEY catch it, THEY place it close to their hearts. EGG catches his star and holds it.) EGG: Catch your power and hold it in your hand, Saints new and ancient help you understand. Your life has meaning—believe in this plan. ALL: Ashé! Amen! So be it!

They pull a front-piece from their clothing to reveal one of the seven words they have just spoken, as joyous music plays. The actors all dance around the audience as THEY move off into this echo-y place of words and music.) End of event/spell/conjuring/prayer.