Johnson City Arts Center 2026
Digital Program (Director's Cut)
God With Us
Director
Christina Ward
Stage Manager
Chloe Garbe
Costume Design
Christina Ward
Lighting and Sound
Calvin Price
Cast
Mary...............................................................................................Aidyn Patton
Joseph...........................................................................................Daniel Bristol
Angel Gabriel.....................................................................................Maia Ross
Elizabeth.................................................................................Greta Anglin
Zechariah.................................................................................Luke Anglin
Eastern Star.............................................................................Reese Campbell
Herod.............................................................................................Callie Athon
Wisemen................................Caroline Anglin, Ella Mould, Olivia Woodbury
Shepherds................................Amilia Alzner, Mae Harman, Akari Mizuguchi
Prophet......................................................................................Susanna Treece
Winter Snow Soloist................................................................. Ellie Woodbury
Innkeepers...........................................................Lily Hauck, Gracie Anderson
Holy Spirit......................................................................................Henlee Dean
Joy to the World Trio...................Claire Lewis, Charlie Bond, Kennedy Wells
"Mourn
"My Deliverer" Group
Greta Anglin, Caroline Anglin, Callie Athon, Reese Campbell,
Henlee Dean, Lucy Harman, Sailor Jones, Aidyn Patton,
Abigail Rainey, Maia Ross, Sophie Tolley, Ellie Woodbury
Act I
Scene I: The Prophecy
People living in darkness cry out to God. God sends them prophets, proclaiming God's promise to send a Messiah. This promise is passed through generations, and Mary is one of its recipients.
1. A desperate world in need of hope and a savior
Music: "O Come O Come Emmanuel" by Enya
Performers: Modern 7, Modern 4
Choreography: Lea Karnes
2. Herod — an unforgiving and ruthless king — desires power
Music: "Onward & Upward" by Tommee Profitt, Fleurie
Performers: Herod, Jazz 5, Jazz 3
Choreography: Christina Ward, Bekah Knisley
3. A prophet speaks of a future king
Music: "We Watch, We Wait" by Nicole Nordeman
Performers: Ballet 4, Prophet, Mary
Choreography: Chloe Garbe
An angel of the lord visits Mary and tells her that she has been chosen to bear the Messiah.
Scene 2: The Annunciation
Luke 1:26-35 In the sixth month the angel Gabriel was sent from God to a city of Galilee named Nazareth, to a virgin betrothed to a man whose name was Joseph, of the house of David. And the virgin's name was Mary. And he came to her and said, “Greetings, O favored one, the Lord is with you!” But she was greatly troubled at the saying, and tried to discern what sort of greeting this might be. And the angel said to her, “Do not be afraid, Mary, for you have found favor with God. And behold, you will conceive in your womb and bear a son, and you shall call his name Jesus. He will be great and will be called the Son of the Most High. And the Lord God will give to him the throne of his father David, and he will reign over the house of Jacob forever, and of his kingdom there will be no end.” And Mary said to the angel, “How will this be, since I am a virgin?” And the angel answered her, “The Holy Spirit will come upon you, and the power of the Most High will overshadow you; therefore the child to be born will be called holy—the Son of God."
4. The Angel Gabriel
Music: "What Child is This?" by Jeff Johnson
Performers: Angel Gabriel
Choreography: Gracie Overbay
5. “I am the Lord’s servant,” Mary answered. “May your word to me be fulfilled.”
Music: "Be Born in Me" by Francesca Battistelli
Performers: Mary, Angel Gabriel
Choreography: Kathryn Price
Scene 3: Sharing the News
Mary tells Joseph, her betrothed, the good news. She is rejected by him and the people of Nazareth, who know she is unmarried. The angel Gabriel visits Joseph in a dream and tells him to take Mary as his wife.
Matthew 1:18-21, 24 Now the birth of Jesus Christ took place in this way. When his mother Mary had been betrothed to Joseph, before they came together she was found to be with child from the Holy Spirit. And her husband Joseph, being a just man and unwilling to put her to shame, resolved to divorce her quietly. But as he considered these things, behold, an angel of the Lord appeared to him in a dream, saying, “Joseph, son of David, do not fear to take Mary as your wife, for that which is conceived in her is from the Holy Spirit. She will bear a son, and you shall call his name Jesus, for he will save his people from their sins.” When Joseph woke from sleep, he did as the angel of the Lord commanded him and took his wife.
6. Mary is rejected, the Angel visits Joseph
Music: "Mary Did You Know/Corelli Christmas Concerto" by The Piano Guys
Performers: Mary, Joseph, Ballet 6, Angel Gabriel
Choreography: Kathryn Price
Mary visits her older cousin, Elizabeth. They celebrate the fulfillment of God's promises and the new kingdom it represents.
Luke 1: 39-45 At that time Mary got ready and hurried to a town in the hill country of Judea, where she entered Zechariah’s home and greeted Elizabeth. When Elizabeth heard Mary’s greeting, the baby leaped in her womb, and Elizabeth was filled with the Holy Spirit. In a loud voice she exclaimed: “Blessed are you among women, and blessed is the child you will bear! But why am I so favored, that the mother of my Lord should come to me? As soon as the sound of your greeting reached my ears, the baby in my womb leaped for joy. Blessed is she who has believed that the Lord would fulfill his promises to her!”
7. Mary visits Elizabeth
Music: "Hope of Israel" by Michael W. Smith
Performers: Elizabeth, Zechariah, Mary
Choreography: Liz Borromeo
7. Mary and Elizabeth rejoice
Music: "Ave Maria" by Celine Dion
Performers: Mary, Elizabeth, Jazz 7
Choreography: Christina Ward
Scene 4: Journey to Bethlehem
Mary and Joseph journey to Bethlehem. There is no room for them as guests, so they instead find shelter where the animals are boarded. A star rises over the small town. Jesus is born.
Luke 2:1, 3-7 In those days Caesar Augustus issued a decree that a census should be taken of the entire Roman world. And everyone went to their own town to register. So Joseph also went up from the town of Nazareth in Galilee to Judea, to Bethlehem the town of David, because he belonged to the house and line of David. He went there to register with Mary, who was pledged to be married to him and was expecting a child. While they were there, the time came for the baby to be born, and she gave birth to her firstborn, a son. She wrapped him in cloths and placed him in a manger, because there was no guest room available for them.
8. Little donkeys lead Mary and Joseph
Music: "Little Donkey" by Spotty Kites
Performers: Pre-Tap, Mary, Joseph
Choreography: Greta Anglin
8. Wise Men follows the star
Music: "We Three Kings" by Matt Riley, Erika Blanco
Performers: Wisemen, Eastern Star
Choreography: Christina Ward
9. No room at the inn
Music: "No Room at the Inn" by Nightnoise
Performers: Eastern Star, Night Sky (Ballet 3, 5)
Choreography: Shannon Stinnett, Gracie Overbay
11. The Night Sky
Music: "Star of Wonder" by Sarah Groves
Performers: Ballet Basics, Eastern Star
Choreography: Mary Hoover
9. A Star Rises over Bethlehem
Music: "O, Holy Night" by Tori Kelly
Performers: Eastern Star, Night Sky (Ballet 3, 5)
Choreography: Shannon Stinnett, Kathryn Price
Act II
Scene 5: The Wise Men
Wise Men see the star rise and follow it, bringing gifts for the Messiah.
Matthew 2:1-2, 9-10 After Jesus was born in Bethlehem in Judea, during the time of King Herod, Magi from the east came to Jerusalem and asked, “Where is the one who has been born king of the Jews? We saw his star when it rose and have come to worship him." [...] they went on their way, and the star they had seen when it rose went ahead of them until it stopped over the place where the child was. When they saw the star, they were overjoyed.
12. The night of Christmas Eve
Music: "Christmas Eve (Sarajevo 12/24)" by Drew Wiegman
Performers: Bells (Advanced Tap, Elite Tap), Herod, Wisemen, Angel Gabriel, Eastern Star, Mary, Joseph
Choreography: Bekah Knisley
10. Jesus is born
Music: "Silent Night" by Amy Grant
Performers: Johnson City Arts Center Level 7 Seniors
Choreography: Eden Huhn
10. A harsh world, a warm heart
Music: "Winter Snow" by Christ Tomlin, Audrey Assad
Performers: Ballet 3, Soloist
Choreography: Shannon Stinnett, Christina Ward
Scene 6: Good News for the Shepherds
Angels tell nearby shepherds the good news: the Messiah has been born.
Luke 2:8-15 And there were shepherds living out in the fields nearby, keeping watch over their flocks at night. An angel of the Lord appeared to them, and the glory of the Lord shone around them, and they were terrified. But the angel said to them, "Do not be afraid. I bring you good news that will cause great joy for all people. Today in the town of David a Savior has been born to you; he is the Messiah, the Lord. This will be a sign to you: You will find a baby wrapped in cloths and lying in a manger." Suddenly a great company of the heavenly host appeared with the angel, praising God and saying, "Glory to God in the highest heaven, and on earth peace to those whom his favor rests." When the angels had left them and gone into heaven, the shepherds said to one another, "Let's go to Bethlehem and see this thing that has happened, which the Lord has told us about."
13. The Shepherds Watch their Sheep
Music: "The First Noel" by Carrie Underwood
Performers: Baby Sheep (Pre-ballet), Shepherds
Choreography: Macey Whitaker, Chloe Garbe
14. The Angels visit the Shepherds
Music: "Angels We Have Heard On High" by Lindsey Stirling
Performers: Angel Gabriel, Angels (Ballet 7, Ballet 2), Shepherds
Choreography: Kathryn Price, Mary Klug
Scene 7: At the Manger
Mary, a mother.
16. Animals witness baby Jesus
Music: "Away in a Manger" by Forrest Frank
Performers: Beginner Tap, Mary, Joseph
Choreography: Bekah Knisley
The shepherds find Jesus and rejoice. The Wise Men find Jesus and present their gifts. Though from different worlds, both honor Jesus and rejoice.
Luke 2:16, 20; Matthew 2:11 So [the shepherds] hurried off and found Mary and Joseph, and the baby, who was lying in the manger. [....] The shepherds returned, glorifying and praising God for all the things they had heard and seen, which were just as they had been told. --------- On coming to the house, [the Wise men] saw the child with his mother Mary, and they bowed down and worshiped him. Then they opened their treasures and presented him with gifts of gold, frankincense and myrrh.
18. Shepherds and Wisemen arrive at the stable
Music: "What Child is This (Greensleeves)" by Sarah McLachlan
Performers: Shepherds, Wisemen, Mary, Joseph
Choreography: Gracie Overbay
19. Wisemen present their gifts
Music: "My Favorite Things" by The Dave Brubeck Quartet
Performers: Gold, Frankencense, Myrrh (Intermediate Tap), Wisemen, Mary, Joseph
Choreography: Rebekah Knisley
19. Joseph, a father
Music: "Joseph's Lullaby" by MercyMe
Performers: Modern 3, Joseph, Mary
Choreography: Lea Karnes
19. Mary, a mother
Music: "Mary, Did You Know?" by Zara Larsson
Performers: Jazz 6, Mary, Joseph
Choreography: Cassidy Kent
The shepherds rejoice and spread the good news.
Luke 2:17-18 [...]they spread the word concerning what had been told them about this child, and all who heard it were amazed at what the shepherds said to them.
20. Believers share the good news
Music: "Go Tell It" by Natalie Layne
Performers: Jazz 4, Wisemen, Herod
Choreography: Cassidy Kent
Scene 8: Jealous King
Herod feels his power threatened by the new infant king. An Angel of the Lord visits Joseph in a dream and warns him of Herod's wicked intentions. Mary and Joseph flee Bethlehem with their son.
Matthew 2:15, 13-14 When Herod realized that he had been outwitted by the Magi, he was furious, and he gave orders to kill all the boys in Bethlehem and its vicinity who were two years old and under, in accordance with the time he had learned from the Magi. [....] an angel of the Lord appeared to Joseph in a dream. “Get up,” he said, “take the child and his mother and escape to Egypt. Stay there until I tell you, for Herod is going to search for the child to kill him.” So he got up, took the child and his mother during the night and left for Egypt, where he stayed until the death of Herod. And so was fulfilled what the Lord had said through the prophet: “Out of Egypt I called my son.”
21. Herod's Rage
Music: "Star of Wonder" by Long Hollow Worship
Performers: Modern 5, Herod, Wisemen, Angel Gabriel
Choreography: Lea Karnes
22. Massacre of the innocents
Music: "The Coventry Carol" by London Chamber Orchestra, Christopher Warren-Green
Performers: Modern 6, Mary, Joseph
Choreography: Lea Karnes
22. Mary and Joseph flee
Music: "You Are My Hiding Place" by Selah
Performers: Herod, Herod's Soldiers (Modern 6), Angel Gabriel, Forces of Good (Modern 5), Mary, Joseph
Choreography: Christina Ward, Kathryn Price
Mary and Joseph flee to Africa, where they remain until the threat of Herod has passed. The news of Jesus's birth spreads, bringing new hope.
23. "My Deliverer"
Music: "My Deliverer" by Rick Elias
Performers: Mary, Joseph, Small Group
Choreography: Eden Huhn
Scene 9: The New World
24. We remember Christmas
Music: "Joy to the World" by CeCe Winans
Performers: Jazz 1, Jazz 2, Joy Trio
Choreography: Cassidy Kent, Michaela Swiernik
Director's Note
Each year of God With Us brings something new to the table, and I am honored to have the chance to bring this incredible story to life on stage. This year, I find myself drawn back to the words of John 1:4-5 :
"In him was life, and that life was the light of all mankind. The light shines in the darkness, and the darkness has not overcome it."
We hope that this show is able to bring you a little of that light this holiday season. Merry Christmas!