FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS
Where is NLDC located?
What different types of ministry does NLDC do?
How did NLDC find out about our church?
How much do you charge for a performance?
What denomination is NLDC affiliated with?
How many people are on a team?
Do you minister to smaller churches?
What are your beliefs?
Do your teams arrive with their own bedding?
When we schedule NLDC, what exactly are our obligations?
I'm interested in scheduling, but can I see a performance first?
Do you have a video?
I'm intersted in enrolling with NLDC, but what do I have to do to join?
Where do your students come from?
How old do I have to be to enroll with NLDC?
Is there an audition process to enroll with NLDC?
How much does it cost to enroll with NLDC?
If I am accepted into NLDC, when will I start?
If I am accepted into NLDC, how long of a commitment do I have to make?
Who writes your sketches?
Can my drama team perform your sketches?
Are your sketches copyrighted?
How many sketches does each team know?
Do your teams use microphones?
Do your performances require sets, lighting, etc.?
How are your teams assembled?
Where do your teams travel?
Is the team accompanied by a chaperone?
What is the team environment like?
Does your ministry do mission work?
Where is NLDC located?
New Life Drama Company's headquarters is located in Cleveland, TN. Right off Interstate 75, Cleveland is just 30 minutes north of Chattanooga, 2 hours north of Atlanta and 3 hours southeast of Nashville.
What different types of ministry does NLDC do?
New Life Drama Company has many different services available. Our ministry falls into three distinct categories: The Lost, The Church and Teammates. We minister to the Lost through evangelism with short, powerful sketches as well as taking part in various outreaches with other churches across the U.S. We also take our sketches to the Church - encouraging them in evangelism, prayer, unity, Christian character and more. We also focus on ministry of helps by performing such tasks as cleaning, painting, etc. Finally, there is a lot of ministry that takes place within the team itself. These teammates form a close knit community that travels 10 weeks at a time together and builds strong friendships through fellowship, prayer, serving and exhortation.
How did NLDC find out about our church?
Our scheduling department acquires ministry contacts two ways. The first way is through personal recommendation of other ministers. The second way is via the yellow pages.
How much do you charge for a performance?
All of our bookings are on a love offering basis. For all Sunday morning bookings, however, we ask for a $500 honorarium.
What denomination is NLDC affiliated with?
NLDC is an inter-denominational ministry. We are accountable to Tennessee Valley Comunity Church an inter-denominational church located in Cleveland, TN. TVCC is pastored by president and founder of New Life Drama Company, David Woodrow. Pastor Woodrow has trained teams of young people to preach the gospel through sketch drama since 1983 and has experience in teaching, acting, and directing both educational as well as professional theater. He combined his training with the education he received in Bible college to write short sketches based on biblical principles.
How many people are on a team?
Each drama team consists of 5 - 7 young people ages 18 - 25 (except in the Summer where some students may be 16 or 17 years old).
Do you minister to smaller churches?
Absolutely! Our teams have minstered in services for as few as 5 and as many as 2,000. We want to be a blessing no matter how small the church is.
What are your beliefs?
You can read a detailed description of the NLDC Statemnet of Beliefs here.
Do your teams arrive with their own bedding?
No we do not.
When we schedule NLDC, what exactly are our obligations?
To have NLDC minister at your church/ministry, we ask for:
- Places to Stay for the team
- Meals for the team
- A love offering or honorarium (with a small travel fee due in advance)
I'm interested in scheduling, but can I see a performance first?
We would love for you to visit us! NLDC has teams that travel all over the nation all year long. To see when a team will be in your area, visit our itiinerary page.
Do you have a video?
Yes. We have a short promotional video which you can watch as well as some of our sketches by clicking here.
I'm intersted in enrolling with NLDC, but what do I have to do to join?
To enroll with NLDC you must send our Admissions Department a completed application before we can initiate the application process. For more information on the application process, clck here.
Where do your students come from?
Our students come from various parts of the country from all different denominational backgrounds. We occasionally welcome foreign students to join with us for a short period of time as well.
How old do I have to be to enroll with NLDC?
To join NLDC full time, we only accept applicants who are at least 18 years of age and/or have graduated from high school or earned their GED. To join NLDC in the summer, all applicants must be 16 years of age at by June 1st.
Is there an audition process to enroll with NLDC?
We require an audio or video audition which is explained in its entirety on our Application for Enrollment.
How much does it cost to enroll with NLDC?
Full time tuition is a mere $850 for your first year and $600 for each additional year (up to two more years). Summer tuition is only $500.
If I am accepted into NLDC, when will I start?
Exact dates are different each year, but NLDC usually accepts new full-time students in late March and late August. Summer students usually arrive in early June.
If I am accepted into NLDC, how long of a commitment do I have to make?
Full time NLDC students are asked to make commitments in one year intervals up to three years.
Who writes your sketches?
Our teams write all of our own material. These sketches go through a directing process where our Senior Pastor, David Woodrow, finalizes and approves the sketches to be performed.
Can my drama team perform your sketches?
Yes you can! Many of our sketches are for sale at the NLDC Storefront. You can view our entire catalog of scripts and training materials there.
Are your sketches copyrighted?
No they are not. It is our belief that since the Holy Spirit has given us these scripts to win the lost and encourage the church, everyone should be allowed the oppotunity to use them royalty free.
How many sketches does each team know?
That depends. Since each team is different, it is hard to give a specific number. However, it can be safely assumed that each team will have over 50 sketches in their repartoir.
Do your teams use microphones?
NLDC teams do not usually need microphones for small to medium sized audiences. It is requested that, for larger audiences, microphones are made available to the team.
Does your performances require sets, lighting, etc.?
No. Each team travels with a small prop crate which contains smaller props such as glasses, jackets, etc. It may be necessary for the team to use chairs in their sketches. If this is the case, we ask that a few folding chairs be provided.
How are your teams assembled?
NLDC Pastoral Staff prays over each team - where they should travel and with whom.
Where do your teams travel?
NLDC travels consistently to each of the 48 contiguous United States each year at different times. Our teams usually stay in the southern states during the winter and travel further north in the summer. To see when a team will be in your area, visit our itiinerary page.
Is the team accompanied by a chaperone?
No. NLDC holds each team member to a high standard of integrity in our ministry's code of conduct. In addition, NLDC Staff members frequently visit teams on the road to address any personal issues that may arise.
What is the team environment like?
We believe that we are all part of something greater than ourselves - a team. For that team to function at its best, each member must be willing to do what is necessary for the benefit of the team. This giving and receiving of each other's gifts and talents produces a body that is unified with one purpose and goal. That goal is to further God's Kingdom.
Does your ministry do mission work?
The Great Commission is to be fulfilled by all believers. It is our desire to make disciples of all nations and through the art form of drama we have the opportunity to cross all cultural and language barriers. From preaching and drama on the streets to feeding the needy, nations all across the globe are impacted through this exciting ministry. NLDC ministers on the mission field once or twice a year to places such as Europe, Africa, Central America and South America. For more information on NLDC Missions, click here.
