Director’s Notes:
Let’s face it – life’s rough. Jesus never promised a walk-in-the-park but, instead, He said that life was going to be full of trouble but He’s here to help us through it. What a great thing to know! Life is always throwing the unexpected in our face and yet, to God, it’s not unexpected at all.
It’s good that He’s in control, isn’t it?!
BTW, I really dig these Twilight Zone-type dramas. Folks love ’em. You will need two different Twilight Zone audio files. Simply right click on each link and choose “Save Target As…”
Twilight Zone theme (with Rod Sterling) click HERE.
Twilight Zone theme (instrumental) click HERE.
Cast:
Dave: A husband
Teri: Dave’s wife
Props:
Bills
Big envelope
newspaper
Chairs
Twilight Zone theme with words.
Mail
Setting:
The family room
(LIGHTS UP CENTER STAGE)
(Dave and Teri and sitting at the table eating lunch. Dave is reading the paper while Teri is looking through the mail.)
Teri: You know what’s scary?
Dave: Godzilla?
Teri: What?
Dave: Godzilla. You know, destroying Tokyo and there are these guys running and pointing up and shouting “Aiieee! It’s Godzilla!”
Teri: (pauses) You’re such a geek.
Dave: And proud of it.
Teri: Anyway, you know what’s scary?
Dave: Besides Godzilla?
Teri: (glares at him)
Dave: Sorry. What? What’s scary?
Teri: The amount of completely useless mail we get.
Dave: That is scary.
Teri: I mean, it’s one lousy credit card application after another and… oh wait, here’s our tax info from our accountant. (She opens it)
Dave: Ah, cool. We should be getting a good chunk of change back.
Teri: (looks at it) Uh, Dave. We’re not getting a good chunk of change back.
Dave: Really? How much are we getting back?
Teri: Uh, we’re not getting anything back. We owe $2000.
Dave: (grabs the file and goes nuts) You’ve got to be kidding!?! $2000?!?! What happened? We can’t afford $2000! Where are we gonna get $2000?!?! I didn’t expect this at all! We were supposed to get money back! We’ve been ripped off! The government is trying to rip us off! (Teri is saying “Dave… Dave…” now trying to stop him) I can’t believe this!!!! I work my tail to the bone. I bet it’s that Howard Dean – Arrggghhh!…
Teri: DAVE! Stop it! (Dave freezes). We’ll figure it out and… Dave? Dave? Oh wow. This is soooo weird.
(Play Twilight Zone audio with Rod Sterling speaking. Teri walks around Dave, poking at him, quite incredulous.)
Teri: (waves hand in front of his face) I just said ‘stop’ and he did. Cool! What if I could get him to start over and not freak out so bad? It’s worth a shot. (collects herself and speaks to him) Start over.
Dave: (unfreezes) Ah, cool. We should be getting a good chunk of change back.
Teri: (looks around amazed) Uh, yeah. But, um, it looks like we’re not getting a good chunk of change back.
Dave: Really? How much are we getting back?
Teri: Uh, We owe $2000.
Dave: (grabs the file and starts crying) $2000? $2000!?! Oh no! What are we gonna do? We’re doomed! Doomed I tell you! We don’t have $2000! We’ve been cursed! We’ll have to sell a car to pay for this! We might have to sell the house! Our kids! How much are our kids worth? Oh, we’re doomed! Whaaaaaa!
Teri: DAVE! Stop it! (Dave freezes). Ack! Now THAT I didn’t expect! Okay, well, it’s gotta get better than that. (collects herself again.) Start over.
Dave: (unfreezes) Ah, cool. We should be getting a good chunk of change back.
Teri: Uh, Dave, we’re not getting a good chunk of change back.
Dave: Really? How much are we getting back?
Teri: We owe $2000.
Dave: (Looks up) Can I see that?
Teri: Uh, sure. (hands it to him)
Dave: (looks at it) Hmmmm. Well, this is unexpected. But, things like this happen. I mean, life IS unpredictable. I guess we’ll just have to pray about it and trust that God will provide for us.
Teri: What? Really?
Dave: (hands it back to her) Yep, God’s in control.
Teri: Wow. Okay great. I thought I was going to have to tell you to stop (Dave freezes) and then you would get all…. Dave? Oh no! I said “Stop!” What am I gonna do now? (cringes and closes eyes) Start over?
Dave: (unfreezes) Ah, cool. We should be getting a good chunk of change back.
Teri: Uh…. we’re not getting a good chunk of change back.
Dave: Really? How much are we getting back?
Teri: We owe $2000.
Dave: (Points at the envelope and Throws his newspapers into the air and runs off the stage screaming “AIEEEEE! $2000!!!!” and waving his arms around wildly…)
Teri: (watches him go and looks at the audience) Now THAT was scary.
(Play Twilight Zone instrumental track as lights go OUT FAST)
END
© 2004 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