Director’s Notes:
It’s easy to get caught up in the world and forget what is really important and where our priorities should be. We can also start blaming each other for our own lack of self-control and accountability. This is one of my favorites since many times it hits close to home…
Cast:
Jack: A normal husband and father
Sandy: Jack’s wife
Vicki: A friend of the family
Props:
Table/desk
The game of Life
Bowl of chips, etc.
Setting:
Jack and Sandy’s kitchen
(LIGHTS UP CENTER STAGE – Jack, Sandy, and Vicki are playing the board
game “The Game of Life.)
Vicki: You guys, I can’t remember the last time I played this game. I must have been, like 10 or something.
Sandy: Yeah, they really updated the box and everything (holds it up). It’s like a doctor used to make something like $20,000 when it first came out in the 70’s.
Jack: (jokingly) Hey, look, are you two gonna yap all night. Let’s finish the inevitable – you know, where I crush you in my suburban-money-hungry grip.
Sandy: You are an absolute joy to play with, dear.
Vicki: You know, Jack, it’s not whether your win or lose it’s…
Jack: (cuts her off) how badly you win. Yeah, I agree. Now spin. Sandy it’s your turn.
Sandy: Okay, okay. Let’s see. Okay, a 4. (moves her piece). Strike oil. Collect $300,000! Wow! (looks at Vicki) Okay, banker, hand it over!
Jack: (Producing a collect card). Not so fast there, Speedy Gonzalez. I’d like half of that please.
Sandy: Argh. What do you want with it anyway? You’ll just blow it on junk.
Jack: What do you mean? I’m not the one with the spending problem…
Sandy: What do YOU mean?
Jack: Well how about those Precious Moments figures you bought?
Sandy: Hey, it’s not my fault…you told me to start a hobby.
Vicki: Uh, guys?
Jack: Yeah, I said start a hobby, not buy so many that we had to have a $15,000 addition put on to store the things!
andy: Hey, look who’s talking. Who bought that Corvette? A Corvette’s really practical in a family of 5. And, if I remember correctly, we needed a new dishwasher at the time.
Jack: Yeah, well, that wasn’t my fault. It was that car dealer friend of yours. He practically made me buy it.
Vicki: Uh, guys?
Sandy: Made you buy it? Friend of mine? You know, I think somebody here has a problem with owning up and taking responsibilities for their own actions and I don’t think it’s the people who have a full head of hair.
Jack: What? Well, I, uh, look we…
Vicki: Guys!? C’mon now, this is a game. It’s supposed to be fun. Now, c’mon, let’s play.
Jack/Sandy: Uh, yeah, sorry, etc.
Vicki: Okay, Jack, your spin.
Jack: (Spins.) 6. (count’s em off). Let’s see – A baby boy is born. Collect presents. (looks at the ladies) That’ll be $500 each please.
Sandy: Here you go. Poor kids gonna need something.
Jack: What do you mean by that?
Sandy: Well, you know, it’s gonna be rough since he won’t see his father very much.
Jack: (holds up the piece) Hey, I’m gonna see this little guy a ton! We’re gonna do all the great Dad things I do with my kids now.
Vicki: Um, guys?
Sandy: What, like watch Daddy work late? Or watch Daddy bring home a full briefcase?
ack: Hey, as soon as you decide that you don’t like your lifestyle let me know.
Vicki: Guys??
Sandy: It has nothing to do with that.
Jack: It has everything to do with that.
Sandy: Hey, all I’m saying is that if you’re gonna take care of that kid, you’d better get your priorities straightened out.
Vicki: Bye. (frustrated. Gets up and leaves. Jack and Sandy don’t even notice.)
Jack: My priorities? Have you taken a look at that Bible of yours? It has enough dust on it to choke a horse!
Sandy: Hey, I’ve got to take care of the kids all day, not to mention picking up for you and washing your clothes and shopping for food.
Jack: Oh, that’s good. Groceries before God. Those are good priorities.
Sandy/Jack: (frustrated, they are biting back more words when they notice that Vicki is gone.)
Jack: Hey, where’d Vicki go?
Sandy: I have no idea.
Jack: Yeah, well. (looks at game). This is, uh, an interesting game, this game of Life.
Sandy: Yeah. (long pause) Maybe it hasn’t changed that much in twenty years after all.
(LIGHTS OUT SLOWLY)
END
(c) 1998 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