Director’s Notes:
So, as we grow as Christians, the folks we hang out with begin to change. It’s inevitable (and understandable) that we spend more time with friends from our church and see our non-Christian friends less often. Of course, you see the problem – we can’t barricade ourselves behind the church or our select friends. Without compromising our convictions, we need to be a witness to our friends and, especially, not be judgmental! Anyway, this drama throws a humorous look at that.
Cast:
Jeff: A judgmental guy
April: His bored wife
Props:
A deck of cards
A paper
2 chairs
A table
Setting:
Kitchen
(LIGHTS UP CENTER STAGE)
(Dave is holding up a card from a Bible Trivia game and reading it to a very bored April…)
Jeff: Okay, here’s an easy one! What is the name the cave that Sampson went to live in after getting revenge on the Philistines?
April: (rolls eyes) I have no idea.
Jeff: Come on! You’re not trying! It’s easy!
April: (throws out an answer) Jellystone.
Jeff: (shakes head in disappointment) Etam. Come on, you know, Judges 15:8.
April: You call that easy? How in the world would I know that?
Jeff: Now, now, just cause you’re losing (looks at sheet) 2500 to 150. Okay, my turn!
April: No, I think 4 hours of Bible trivia is enough. (pleads) Come on, let’s go over to a friends house or something. It’s Saturday night!
Jeff: Why don’t we just stay home?
April: Come on! I want to go out. I’ll get my address book. (goes off screen to get it)
Jeff: (shouts off screen) You just don’t want me to break the Bible trivia record!
April: (off screen) No, I just don’t want to lose my mind. (comes back in with book) Okay, here it is.
Jeff: (sighs) Fine.
April: (looks in address book) Okay, John and Debbie.
Jeff: (thinks) Uh, no, I don’t think so.
April: Why not?
Jeff: I just never know what to say to John – we have nothing in common. And Debbie, well,…smokes like a chimney. Cough cough cough. I just can’t take it.
April: (sighs) fine. (looks at book) Margo and Tim.
Jeff: Oh, the movie people.
April: What?
Jeff: They let their kids see R rated movies. The last thing I want is their kid telling our little Jason how folks die in Pulp Fiction. No way.
April: (looks at him) Fine. What about Raymond and Sandy.
Jeff: Beer boy.
April: (shakes head) What?
Jeff: Beer boy. I saw him at Food Lion buying like what seemed 3,000 cases of beer. What if people saw us go over there and thought that we were there for some big beer party?
April: But…
Jeff: (shakes head) Beer boy… no no no.
April: (getting frustrated) Jim and Carol
Jeff: (quickly) Went to jail for a year.
April: (more frustrated) Tom and Vicky
Jeff: (starts raising voice) Voted for Clinton.
April: (raises voice) Jenny and Rich
Jeff: (louder) Kids go to public schools.
April: (almost yelling) Christy and Jack
Jeff: (yelling back) Virginia Tech fans. (btw, this is a rival college football team here in VA)
April: (stands up) Argh! You drive me crazy! (leaves)
Jeff: Oh, come on honey! We can have fun here! We can, uh, finish our game! I’ll tell you what – I’ll take out the questions written in Hebrew!
LIGHTS OUT FAST
END
(c) 2003 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