Director’s Notes:
“Easter. So What? What does it mean to me today?”
Perhaps someone you know has asked you these very questions. Many people don’t understand what the empty tomb means to them. Of course, it means that Jesus is alive and we now have hope for an eternity with Him. It also means that the same Jesus who had power over death has the same power to transform our lives.
The family in this drama learns the hard way that they haven’t taken the time to think about what the empty tomb means to their lives today…
Cast:
John: The father
Wendy: The mother
Adam: The son
Katie: The daughter
Props:
A photo of the Garden Tomb. You can find it HERE!
A big map
A camera
A camcorder
A pair of sunglasses
Other stuff that makes you look like a tourist
Setting:
Jerusalem: Outside the Garden Tomb
(Lights up center stage where there is an image of the Garden tomb on the screen. Wendy and John come walking up. They are dressed like any other tourist couple, laden with cameras, maps, etc…)
John: (a little winded) Ah, this is great! Whew! Come on Wendy!
Wendy: Okay, okay. I’m coming. Boy, it’s so hot around here!
John: What do you expect? This is Jerusalem (puts his fists on his hips like Yul Brenner) So Shall it be written! So shall it be done!
Wendy: Honey, We’re in Jerusalem, not Egypt.
John: Oh yeah. Heh. Must be the heat! Come on kids! Let’s get a move on! (kids start walking up)
Wendy: (looking around and panicking) John, do you have the camera? I can’t find the camera?
John: Wendy? Wendy! It’s right here. I’ve also got the camcorder.
Wendy: Have you seen my…
John: Yes. They’re on top of your head. (points out her sunglasses) You know, you really need to relax and just enjoy our vacation. Speaking of camcorder. (pulls it out and starts taping) And here come our lovely children. Hello children!
Adam: Come on Dad. Enough already.
John: Hey. Come on. Be a good sport. Smile you guys!
Kids: (fake smiles)
Katie: Dad, don’t you think that 12 tapes of Jerusalem are enough?
John: No way. Not enough for the best vacation ever!
Adam: That’s what you said last year about the trip to the Arctic.
John: (looks at Wendy) I did?
Wendy: Afraid so dear.
Katie: And you said it the year before when we walked the entire wall of China.
Adam: And you said it the year before that when we went to Bargain Bobs Alligator Safari.
John: Okay, Okay! I get the hint. Just humor the old man.
Kids: We have!
Adam: Where are the rides, Dad?
John: What? What do you mean?
Adam: You said this vacation was going to be like going to Disney World. Where’s the rides?
Katie: Yeah! Where’s the characters? I have this autograph book and I haven’t seen Mickey, Minnie, or even King David for that matter!
John: Wait a minute. When I said it was going to be like Disney World, I meant that we were going to have lots of fun and hang out together and do a lot of walking.
Kids: (complain loudly)
Wendy: All right now. That’s enough. (takes map from John) Let’s look at the map and see where we are and what we haven’t done. (John looks over her shoulder)
Adam: Impossible.
Katie: There’s nothing left. We’ve done EVERYTHING!
Wendy: Afraid not. Looks like we’re standing outside…
Wendy and John: (super excited) …The GARDEN TOMB!!!!
Adam: Yippee.
Katie: Pinch me.
Wendy: Oh come on. Show some enthusiasm. This is the Garden Tomb!
Adam: Okay. Fine. Garden Tomb. So what? What does it mean to me?
John: What?
Adam: I mean, what does it mean to me today?
John: Uh, well. Let’s see. The fact that Jesus was buried here and He rose from the grave means that, er, we as people can, you know, (turns to wife) Help me out here honey.
Wendy: Well, it means that because Jesus is no longer in the tomb, we now are able to, you know, talk to Him and, well, um…(trails off)
Adam: (after a moment of silence) That’s what I thought. Come on Katie, let’s go do some fun stuff.
Katie: (Adam and Katie begin to walk off) Cool! Let’s go stick pieces of paper in that wall again!
John: (starts to call out for them but stops himself. He looks at Wendy and the image of the Garden Tomb. He feels guilty for not knowing what the Tomb meant.) We should, uh, you know. (Points to where the kids left)
Wendy: (feels just as guilty and is relieved to go. She folds up the map) Yeah. Right. Sure…
(They walk off the stage, glancing back a bit before going out…)
(LIGHTS OUT SLOW)
END
(c) 2001 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