Director’s Notes:
It’s easy to imitate or try to be like people in this world. It may be a pastor, a teacher, a parent, a friend, or, in this case, a sports figure. It’s okay to look at these people and admire them, even call them personal heroes, but ultimately we need to remember that they will/can always fail us. That’s why Ephesians tells us to imitate Christ. He alone will never fail us. He’s perfect! He’s batting 1000!
Cast:
Jim: A guy who’s imitating Andre Agassi
Sarah: Jim’s girlfriend
Props:
A gym bag (Nike) and lots of Nike clothes
A tennis racket
A camera
Setting:
Family Room
(LIGHTS UP CENTER STAGE where Sarah is waiting for Jim. She is in her jogging clothes.)
Sarah: C’mon Jim. Let’s go. There’s only so much daylight left if we’re gonna get this run in.
Jim: (off stage) Hold your horses. I’m coming.
Sarah: You’ve been in there like an hour or something. Even I don’t take that long!
Jim: (off stage) It’s been only like 10 minutes! I’m coming already. (enters with gym bag) Let’s go.
Sarah: Not like that we’re not.
Jim: (Looks around the room.) What?
Sarah: Look at your clothes!
Jim: What’s wrong with my clothes?
Sarah: What’s wrong? You’re a walking billboard for Nike. That’s what’s wrong!
Jim: (Looks down and pretends not to have never noticed it) hmmm. Wow. You’re right.
Sarah: Wait a minute, do you mean to tell me that you never noticed that everything you own has a ‘Swoosh’ on it. Look at you. Your hat, your shirt, your coat, the bag, your shorts, your socks, and your shoes!
Jim: (fidgety) Yeah. Heh. Look at that. Weird.
Sarah: Whatever. C’mon let’s go. You can leave the bag.
Jim: No, I’ll bring it with.
Sarah: Come on, we’re going for a jog, not a workout.
Jim: Yeah, all the same, I’ll bring it along.
Sarah: (suspicious) What’s in the bag Jim?
Jim: Nothing.
Sarah: Give me the bag.
Sarah: Put the bag down slowly, Jim, and walk away.
Jim: Stay back!
Sarah: (she grabs the bag and there’s a struggle but she wins out) Okay, what’s in here. A camera? A tennis racket? Wait a minute! Are you trying to be like Andre Agassi????
Jim: hmmm. Well. OKAY, I ADMIT IT! So sue me!
Sarah: Hey, take it easy. I mean, he’s a fine tennis player…
Jim: Fine? FINE? He’s more than fine! He’s the greatest tennis player in the history of the game! Have you seen his returns? No one can match him! I mean look at the guy! He’s, like, well, perfect!
Sarah: So that’s it? That’s why you dress like this? I mean, yeah he’s a good tennis player and I’m sure he’s a great guy but he’s far from perfect! I mean, he’s ranked 4th on the ATP.
Jim: Fourth?
Sarah: Yeah. In fact, Pete Sampras just passed him.
Jim: Oh.
Sarah: Look Jim, it’s okay to like these guys or look up to them for their abilities but if you really want to imitate someone, I think you need to look a little higher.
Jim: You mean like Mike? (Jordan if you didn’t catch the joke 🙂
Sarah: Um, no. Higher.
Jim: (thinks and then realizes she’s talking about Christ) Ahhh… Gotcha.
Sarah: (hands him the bag) Okay, why don’t you go change so we can get this run in okay?
Jim: Yeah, okay. I’ll just do it. Get it?
Sarah: Yeah, I got it. (he leaves)
Sarah: That guy. (suddenly hears the sound of an electric razor) Jim? Jim tell me your not shaving your head!?!?
(LIGHTS OUT FAST)
END
(c) 2000 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