Director’s Notes:
You know what’s so great about the Holy Spirit? He works so wonderfully in the life of the believer. He prompts, leads, comforts, and convicts (just to name a few!) If we are quiet enough, we can hear the Spirit speak to our spirit. I can’t imagine what life would be like without His presence!
It’s a shame that people that don’t know Him can’t hear Him. Well, except in this drama, of course 🙂
Cast:
Jeff: A businessman.
April: A businesswoman.
Props:
Table
Chair
Laptop
Phone
Papers
CD or Tape with 4 sound effects on it: (I will upload these sounds soon…)
1) Spring sounds (birds, stream, etc. – about 10 seconds worth)Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â
2) Turn signal (as in Car – about 10 seconds worth)Â
3) Fire Alarm (about 10 seconds worth)
4) Door bell (about 3 ding/dong sets)
Setting:
An office.
(LIGHTS UP CENTER STAGE where April is talking on the phone. Lap top open.)
April:Â Jeff? Jeff? JEFF!? Slow down, would ya? What? Look, what? Just come in my office, ok? Ok. (hangs up)
Jeff: (Jeff enters, all flustered) April. You’re not going to believe this! It’s not my fault. It’s not my fault!
April: Jeff. Take a deep breath, ok? (He starts to talk and she holds up her finger) Deep breath, Jeff. (He takes a deep breath) Good. Now, what’s not your fault?
Jeff: You’re not going to believe it.
April:Â Let me decide that. What is it?
Jeff: The Johnson account. I lost it. It’s gone. He called me up and told me that he didn’t “knowus anymore” – that he was going to work with Branaugh. Branaugh of all people!
April: Take it easy, now Jeff. Let’s talk ab…
Jeff: Take it easy? Take it easy?! They’re going to fire me! I mean, I just lost the Johnson account! It’s our firms second biggest account (start track 1 – birds chirping/stream as April starts having a peaceful look on her face) and he walked! What’s going to happen now? We’re… (he notices the peaceful sound effects). Hey, do you hear something?
April: Oh that? That’s the Holy Spirit.Â
Jeff: Wha? Holy Spirit? What are you talking about?
April: Well, during times of trouble, when I find that I’m really stressed out, the Holy Spirit gives me peace. That’s what He’s doing now.
Jeff: The Holy Spirit, eh?(looks at her strangely)
April:Â Yep.
Jeff: And He gives you peace, huh?
April: That’s right.
Jeff: Um… ok…. look, I gotta go make a call. Ok? (slinks out)
April:Â Ok. (goes back to work and talks to self) Looks like today got real interesting, real quick.
Jeff: (comes walking briskly back in) April?
April:Â Yeah?
Jeff: Um…. (pause) (starts breaking down and yelling) What are we going to do?! I’m doomed! What am I going to tell Karl? I mean, maybe you didn’t hear me! I LOST THE JOHNSON ACCOUNT! (start track 2- turn signal) What am I going to do? Where will I…. (he notices the sound effect and he looks around, now calmer) April?
April:Â Yes?
Jeff: Do you hear that?
April:Â Yep.
Jeff: Sounds like a turn signal.
April: Yeah. That’s the Holy Spirit again. (Jeff just stares at her, uncomprehending) Well, you see, He’s a guide. He gives me direction in my life. You want to know what to do? Just ask Him for guidance.
Jeff: (long pause) Right. Okay. Well, gotta go. (walks out, looking back over his shoulder at her as he goes)
April:Â (shrugs her shoulders and goes back to work.)Â
Jeff: (a couple of seconds later, Jeff comes running in) I’ve got it! I’ve got it!
April:Â What? What have you got?
Jeff: The answer to my problem! Why didn’t I think of this before? I just won’t tell Karl anything! I’ll pretend it never happened. Better yet, I’ll tell him that I cancelled the Johnson account! I’ll say that he cheated us out of (start track 3 – Fire alarm) Wha? What’s that? Is that the fire alarm? Come on! We’ve got to get out of here!!!
April:  (shouting over the alarm) No, No, No. That’s the Holy Spirit again. He warns us of things that are wrong in our lives. He lets us know loud and clear when we’re being disobedient.
Jeff: (looks up) Okay! Okay! I get the idea! (goes stomping off the stage)
April:Â (just looks in his direction and shakes her head. Goes back to work)
(start track 4 – doorbell sound) (Jeff comes running in!)
Jeff: What’s that? What is the Holy Spirit saying? Does He want me to open up to Karl? Does He want me to go door to door and apologize? WHAT DOES HE WANT? WHAT IS HE SAYING?
April:  Um. Nothing. That’s the doorbell. The pizza guy is here.
Jeff:Â Â Oh. (pause and looks at audience) heh.
(LIGHTS OUT)
END
Alternate Ending….
April:  Um. Nothing. That’s the doorbell. The pizza guy is here.
Jeff:Â Â The pizza guy?
April:Â Â Yeah. You know, he delivers pizza. (says ‘pizza’ slowly as if talking to a child)Â
April:  (April puts her arm around his shoulders (as if to support him a bit) as they walk off. Jeff looks around kinda dazed) You know, Jeff, you really need to relax more. You’re too high strung. Let’s talk about it. Etc.
(LIGHTS OUT)
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