Director’s Notes:
When I first became a Christian, I would pray about everything. I mean, every single thing – no matter how small. We forget that the Father wants to hear every little request. He delights in it. Somehow, just like the mom and dad in this sketch, we grow older and forget this. This drama focuses on this and reminds us to have child-like faith…
Cast:
John: A dad
Wendy: A mom
Katie: Kid
Props:
A couch
Christmas decorations
Boombox
Andy Williams tape (Most
Wonderful Time of the Year)
Paper (script)
Words at the end on the screen
Setting:
Katies room in the family house – Valentines day
(LIGHTS UP CENTER STAGE where Katie is writing on a piece of paper on the floor. There are Christmas decorations all around and “The Most Wonderful Time of the Year” is playing from her boom box.)
(In come Mom and Dad. They are in their pajamas…)
Dad: What in the world? Katie? KATIE?
Katie: Oh, hi Dad.
Dad: Look, Katie…. (Music is too loud so he turns it off. He’s about to start yelling at her and then looks at the CD case) What’s this?
Katie: Andy Williams.
Mom: You know who Andy Williams is?
Katie: Come on, Mom, I wasn’t born yesterday.
Dad: Wha? Anyway, do you have any idea what time it is, young lady?
Katie: Sure Dad, it’s 5:30 am.
Dad: That was a rhetorical question, dear.
Katie: What’s that?
Mom: That’s a question you’re not supposed to answer.
Katie: Then why did Dad ask it?
Dad: Never mind. Katie, what are you doing up at 5:30am and what’s with all this Christmas stuff?
Katie: I was just trying to get in the Christmas spirit, you know?
Mom: (looks up at Dad with a smile on her face) Katie honey, it’s Valentines day, not Christmas. Christmas was in December.
Katie: I know it’s in December, Mom. I was just making my list.
Mom: Oh honey, Santa doesn’t look at lists now. He’s relaxing and taking care of his reindeer and then in about 10 months he’ll hop in his sleigh and.. .(Katie cuts her off)
Katie: No, Mom, this is a list to Jesus.
Dad: Jesus doesn’t have a sleigh, Katie.
Katie: No, you don’t understand. I don’t want toys from Jesus. This is my prayer list.
Dad: A prayer list?
Katie: Yeah, I decided to make a list of everything that I want to pray about.
Mom: Honey, that’s a great idea.
Dad: (under his breath) Yeah, but not at 5:30 am…
Mom: (Gives Dad a dirty look) Can I look at your list?
Katie: Sure.
Mom: Let’s see. Wow. This is a lot of stuff.
Dad: Let me see…. Hey, you’re right. These are all things you want to pray about?
Katie: Yep.
Mom: Hmmm… Mom, Dad, Mallory, Grandma, Sparky, homework, sunshine for the game, Justin’s loose tooth, front parking space, finding Mr. Bubbles missing eye, …
Dad: Katie, some of these are fine but you can’t pray for a parking space or your teddy bears missing eye.
Katie: Why not?
Mom: Well, because, you should be praying about important things.
Katie: Important things?
Dad: What your mother is trying to say is that you should be praying for sick people in the hospital…and in Congress.
Mom: And for things like food and world peace. Important things.
Katie: But these are important things.
Dad: I know they seem to be important, honey, but God doesn’t have time to help you look for Mr. Bubbles eyeball.
Mom: Yeah, honey, I’ll help you with that.
Katie: But Pastor Ray said…
Dad: Now who knows more, Pastor Ray or Daddy? Don’t answer that… Now go to the bathroom and get a drink of water and then I want you to go back to bed. Got me?
Katie: (Kinda sad) Got you, Dad. (she leaves)
Dad: Good girl. (turns to Mom) What was she thinking?
Mom: Come on, John, she’s only 7.
(They start to walk off and fading up on the screen is:
“Don’t worry about anything; instead, pray about everything; tell God your needs and don’t forget to thank Him for His answers.”
Philippians 4: 6
Dad: Yeah, she’ll learn. She’ll learn…
(LIGHTS FADE SLOWLY)
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