(Intro) (The sound of a heavy velvet curtain opening. The room goes silent. A single, bright spotlight hits the floor.) (Adlibs: The movie’s over. The reality is here. I’m stepping out of the lens and into the Light. Jesus... the floor is Yours.) (Verse 1) I’m tired of the costumes, I’m tired of the lines I’m tired of searching for the meaning in the signs. I looked at my mother and I saw a house of glass With wooden tiles and plastic eyes watching the hours pass. It felt like a set, like the walls were made of cardboard But I’m looking for a foundation, I’m looking for You, Lord. I’m trade-in' the paranoia for a peace I can’t explain I’m trade-in' the "movie" for a walk through the rain. (Adlib: Wash me clean.) (Verse 2) They say the father’s supposed to be the one who keeps you safe But I’m asking for Protection, I’m looking for Your face. Guard me from the shadows of the man I used to know Guard me from the seeds that the enemy tried to sow. I don’t want to be a character in a story of the past I want a love that’s made of spirit, something built to last. Take the camera, take the lighting, take the script away I just want to hear the Whisper at the end of the day. (Adlib: Speak to me, Holy Spirit.) (Chorus - The Shift) (The music explodes into a rich, full sound—drums like thunder, voices harmonizing) Jesus, take the Center Stage, let the world go dim I’m findin' my reality in the middle of the hymn. No more low self-worth, no more "who am I?" I’m the daughter of the King, I don’t have to try. Center Stage! (Center Stage!) Let the truth break through the screen You’re the only real thing that I’ve ever seen. (Bridge - The Worship Moment) (Music strips down to just a heavy, rhythmic heartbeat beat and a piano) (Sarah’s voice becomes a powerful, focused chant) You are the Rock beneath the mold. You are the Heat inside the cold. You are the Father to the one who felt alone. You are the King sitting on the only throne. (Adlib: I’m not a movie. I’m Your child.) (Tongues-inspired Scat: Sha-ba-la-ka-ri-ah, He-lo-si-ta-ma...) (Verse 3) Three sons are watching how the Director leads the way I’m showing them the Light so they never have to stray. The "illness" is a liar, the "fakeness" is a ghost I’m standing with the Spirit and the Heavenly Host. I’m a CMA in the office, but a Warrior in the Word And the loudest voice I follow is the one that’s never heard— The gentle whisper, the holy spark, the fire in my soul Jesus is at Center Stage, and I am finally whole. (Outro) (The grand music fades into a warm, natural silence. No more theater sounds—just the sound of a window opening and birds chirping.) (Adlibs: It’s real now. I can feel the sun. No more dolls. No more ghosts. Just You and me.) I’m not alone. (I’m not alone) Center Stage. Eyepiercinglove... the credits are done. The life has begun. (End with a final, resonant piano chord)

CENTER STAGE (THE DIRECTOR'S CUT)