Director’s Notes:
Using God’s name ‘in vain’ is more than merely using it followed by an expletive. As Christians, we can use it inappropriately when we convieniently use Him as an excuse to get out of an uncomfortable situation. Unfortunately, I can remember a few times, in my younger years, when I broke up with a girl because “God didn’t want us to date” or “He wants me to be unattached for a while.” Was this God’s will? No – I just wanted out of the relationship.
Cast:
Jenny: A girl
Mark: Jenny’s boyfriend (for the moment)
Dave: Mark’s friend
Props:
A couch
A remote
A cassette tape of someone going through channels every couple of seconds (if available)
Setting:
Mark’s livingroom.
(LIGHTS UP CENTER STAGE where Mark and Jenny are sitting on a couch. Mark is casually flipping through TV channels.)
Jenny: Mark? Are you listening to me?
Mark: Hmmm? (not listening to her)
Jenny: Mark? I’m going to leave…
Mark: Hmmm? (still not listening to her)
Jenny: (Tests him) Here I go, Mark. I’m leaving…. and never coming back… Here I go…. MARK!
Mark: What?
Jenny: Would you put that stupid thing down? (takes remote and turns off TV) I’m trying to talk to you!
Mark: I was listening!
Jenny: No you weren’t! All you were doing was flipping through channels like some zombie. Look, you’re drooling and you don’t even know it.
Mark: Hey, come on now…
Jenny: No, you come on! I thought this was our date night?
Mark: It is! You know, dinner and a movie.
Jenny: Dinner?!? You call corndog’s and jello dinner?
Mark: Look, Jenny…
Jenny: If I didn’t know better, I would have thought you’re trying to get rid of me.
Mark: (Mark doesn’t say anything)
Jenny: Oh no. Is that it? Are you trying to break up with me?
Mark: Look, Jenny, I really don’t know how to say this…
Jenny: Just say it.
Mark: I don’t think God wants us to date anymore.
Jenny: Excuse me?
Mark: Yeah, I think God wants me to break up with you.
Jenny: God wants this?
Mark: Yeah.
Jenny: Why does God want us to break up?
Mark: Well, He just wants me to spend more time with Him and stuff.
Jenny: Really?
Mark: Yeah, and He might want me to also date other people too. You know, as a witness for Him.
Jenny: I see. What else is God telling you?
Mark: That we’re just too different.
Jenny: He wants us to break up because we’re different? We’re both Christians, Mark.
Mark: Yeah, but you’re a democrat.
Jenny: What?
Mark: And you’re a little too short.
Jenny: (dumbfounded) Ah, I see. So exactly how is God telling you this?
Mark: You know, He talks to me and through his Word.
Jenny: Through his Word, eh? Well, let’s check it out? What book?
Mark: Er, Deuteronomy I think.
Jenny: Ok, Deuteronomy. What chapter?
Mark: Uh, 10
Jenny: Verse?
Mark: 5?
Jenny: (Reads the verse. It has nothing to do with anything. You can actually pick any Old Testiment verse here.)
Mark: Hmmm. Maybe Exodus?
Jenny: Exodus, yeah. Well, speaking of Exodus, I’m OUTTA here! (she storms off and bumps into Dave as he enters. She growls at him.)
Dave: Hey. (Note: all the dialogue here to the end is very deadpan…)
Mark: Hey.
Dave: Break up with her?
Mark: Yeah.
Dave: God’s will?
Mark: Yeah.
Dave: Yeah. I had to do the same with Sandy… and Tina…. and Jackie.
Mark: God’s will?
Dave: Yeah. (long pause) So, what’s on TV?
Mark: Dunno. (Starts flipping through channels as lights fade).
(LIGHTS OUT SLOWLY)
END
(c) 1999 Dave Marsh
Hello and welcome to Stage Right, the online drama ministry of EXW. My name is Dave Marsh and there are a few things you should probably know about me. First, I’m not a ‘theatre guy.’ I’ve never quoted Shakespeare (at least seriously), and I’ve never played Daddy Warbucks in Annie. Second, I received my ‘training’ in writing, directing, and acting at a church called Willow Creek (in Illinois.) Third, I’m an online games producer by trade but my real passion is found in telling others about Christ through contemporary church drama.
I have a few opinions about drama in the church as well. I think that contemporary drama is both underutilized and misunderstood. I believe it is something like 5-10 years behind contemporary worship. When many churches think about using drama, it usually involves the Passion Play or a children’s Christmas musical. Many people don’t have the opportunity to experience what are called ‘slice of life’ dramas. These dramas may last only 3-4 minutes long but create a powerful (and many times humorous) illustration on any given Sunday. I also believe that any church, no matter what size, can use drama effectively, giving God glory, and inspire/convict normal folks like you and I to walk closer to God
So, what’s Stage Right all about? It’s about offering you the advice and resources you need to help you create and act in contemporary Christian dramas. I’m no expert, but I’ve seen lives changed as I continue to strive for excellence in this area, constantly praying that God would use me to tell others about how to live for Him. Over the coming weeks and months, I hope to provide you with articles about creating a drama philosophy, working with your pastor, developing a team, writing short effective scripts, directing actors, and acting on stage. I also look forward to hearing from you, taking suggestions on topics that you feel should be covered
Over the last 3 years, I’ve written over 45 dramas that are easy to memorize, require few actors, and are highly humorous and relevant. These dramas are available to you for free and will be added to this site over the course of the next few months. You can currently download all of these dramas from my personal site (www.dave-marsh.com) and can contact me personally if you wish (dave).
I look forward to serving you here at EXW and want to thank Steve for asking me to jump on board.
In His hands
Dave Marsh