Director’s Notes:
Some of my dramas feature characters that are a bit over the top. In fact, they carry a particular subject to the extreme. The Attic is one of those dramas – no one really has a box of ‘miracle stuff’ but it’s these extremes that provide an awesome contrast to the real answer: If we want miracles to happen, we need to pray. James 5:16 tells us the the ‘effective prayer of a righteous man accomplishes much.’ Indeed.
Cast:
John: Needs a miracle
Katie: John’s wife
Props:
A number of cardboard boxes
A baseball cap
A bag of sticks
A scarf
Setting:
The family’s attic
(LIGHTS UP CENTER STAGE where John is rummaging through a box.)
Katie: John? John? Where are you?
John: I’m up here, honey.
Katie: In the attic?
John: Yeah.
Katie: (comes in) What are you doing up here? It’s so hot! Don’t tell me you’re getting the Christmas stuff down already!
John: Hmm? Oh, no, no. It’s only the beginning of September… I still have a couple of weeks for that.
Katie: Well, what are you looking for?
John: My miracle stuff.
Katie: Miracle stuff?
John: Yeah. You know, my m i r a c l e s t u f f….(pronounces it slowly)
Katie: I know what you said. I just don’t know why you said it. What in the world is miracle stuff?
John: You’re kidding right? Do you mean to tell me that you don’t own a box of miracle stuff?
Katie: Uh, no.
John: Wow. Well, for you unfortunate souls, miracle stuff is stuff that makes miracles.
Katie: (sarcastically) Oh, now it’s so clear to me.
John: Good. (buries his head back in the box)
Katie: John. I am your wife. Tell me right now what’s in that…
John: AHA! Here’s the first piece. (takes out a baseball cap, turns it upside down and puts it on his head)
Katie: What are you…?
John: Hold on! …. (closes eyes) Wait for it…. Hmmmm….
Katie: What are you doing?
John: Waiting for a miracle.
Katie: Really.
John: Yeah, you see, we’re having big-time financial problems so I had to find my miracle stuff.
Katie: Hence the hat, eh?
John: Yeah, it’s kinda like a rally cap. You see this hat? I had this on when I was in Minneapolis 4 years ago when the Pope visited. (Holds it up high) This hat got run over by the Pope mobile… It’s sacred.
Katie: I see. Well, the sacred rally cap isn’t working.
John: No problem. I have more miracle stuff.
Katie: I can’t wait.
John: AHA! (takes out a bag of sticks) I knew these were here!
Katie: What are they?
John: These? Well, these are my divining sticks. I bought these at the Biblical Gardens Campground in Wisconsin when I was a kid. I was told they were made from a fossilized tree from the garden of Gethsemane. I just throw them on the ground and they’ll spell out the answer to our problems. (He throws them.)
Katie: (pause) Well. What do they spell?
John: Jello.
Katie: Jello?
John: Jello.
Katie: ah.
John: Hmmm. (goes back to the box) I’ve got to have something else in here!
Katie: John? John? JOHN?! (pulls him out!)
John: What?
Katie: Did it ever occur to you that you should pray about it?
John: Pray?
Katie: Yeah, you know, quit worrying about it and pray.
John: (long pause) Yeah, sure. Now, where’s the rest of that stuff? (goes back to the box)
Katie: Argh! (storms off stage)
John: AHA! Honey? Honey!
Here it is! (he throws it around his neck as he shouts after her) The Scarf of Turan!!!
(LIGHTS OUT FAST)
END
(c) 1999 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