Director’s Notes:
In Matthew 5, Jesus tells us to let your “‘Yes’ be ‘Yes,’ and your ‘No,’ `No’; anything beyond this comes from the evil one.” Jesus is bringing up an issue of integrity. Where do you stand on this issue? Is your word as good as gold? Can people rely on you if you tell them that you will do something?
This drama shows that anywhere, even within our family, if we say we will do something, we need to do it.
Cast:
Dan: A husband
Jackie: A wife
Skip: Dan’s friend
Props:
2 phones
A wrapped present
A list (use the script)
A couch (or a couple of chairs put together)
A putter and a golf ball
A remote
A doorbell sound
A newspaper
Happy music (I used ‘Lucy and Linus’ – Peanuts theme)
Setting:
The family room
(LIGHTS UP CENTER STAGE where Dan is sitting on the couch, reading the morning paper. Jackie comes walking in…)
Jackie: Morning, Dan.
Dan: Morning, honey. Hey, do you know who starts their vacation today?
Jackie: (rolling her eyes) You do, dear.
Dan: (grinning) Why yes I do!
Jackie: And do you know who has a list of things that need to be done?
Dan: (grin is gone in a flash) You do, dear.
Jackie: (grinning) Why yes I do! … Do you mind?
Dan: (shruggin) Nah, not at all.
Jackie: Okay, I’ll go over it each one so you can soak them in. (pulls out a list)
Dan: Fine. Go ahead, hit me with it.
Jackie: Okay, first I need you fix the screen door. It keeps banging shut.
Dan: Okay. Will do. Anything else? (stands up)
Jackie: Hold your horses, vacation boy. (takes his shoulder and sits him back down) Just a couple more things. Can you clean up the den. It’s a mess.
Dan: Sure.
Jackie: I also need you to call Virginia Power and check on that bill. I swear I sent it to them.
Dan: Virginia Power. Got it.
Jackie: Finally I need you to go pick up those steaks for tonight.
Dan: Tonight?
Jackie: Yeah, tonight. You know, your boss and his wife are coming over…
Dan: Oh yeah. Forgot about that. Steaks. No problem.
Jackie: Thanks, Honey. I’ve got to go to work. Here’s the list. (extends the list to him)
Dan: Oh, I don’t need a list (being macho here)
Jackie: (continues to extend the list and looks at him knowingly)
Dan: (mumbling and attempting to smile) I need a list… (takes the list) Have a good day.
Jackie: Bye! (she leaves)
Dan: (looks at the list and jumps up and declares…) Well, better get started!
(lights fade out to black. Start Happy music and fade lights back up after 3 seconds)
Dan: (Dan is putting a couple of golf balls across the carpet. He shouts triumphantly…) Tiger Woods ain’t got nothin’ on me!
(lights fade out to black and back up after 2 seconds)
Dan: (Dan is watching a soap opera and talking to the T.V. with remote in hand) Come on Roman. Don’t you see that that’s Marlena’s evil twin sister and she’s in love with Bo? Oh, who writes this gibberish…. I wonder what will happen next…
(lights fade out to black and back up after 2 seconds)
Dan: (Dan is on the phone. Skip is off stage on a phone as well) What are YOU doing? (like the Whassup commercial – laughs)
Skip: What are YOU doing? (laughs)
Dan: What are YOU going? (laughs)
(lights fade out to black and back up after 2 seconds)
Dan: (Dan is shaking a wrapped present (presuming his) and you hear glass and things rattling around in there) Oh, that doesn’t sound good…
(lights fade out to black and back up after 2 seconds)
Dan: (Dan is asleep on the couch when Jackie walks in)
Jackie: (smiles and shakes her head) Honey, honey wake up. I’m home.
Dan: Huh? Oh, hey. How was your day?
Jackie: Good. How was your first day of vacation?
Dan: Good. Fun. (yawning)
Jackie: Did you fix the screen door?
Dan: Oh, yeah. I forgot about that. Sorry.
Jackie: Did you clean up the den?
Dan: Oh, man! (smacks his head) Totally forgot.
Jackie: Dan! What about calling Virginia Power?
Dan: (just looks at her)
Jackie: Did you do anything you promised to do?
Dan: Um, well, er (suddenly the door bell rings. Dan jerks to his feet. Their eyes go wide.)
Jackie: Daniel Robert Thomas, tell me that you picked up those steaks!
Dan: (pause then a pained look on his face) Grilled cheese, anyone?
(LIGHTS OUT FAST)
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