by Chip Tudor | Feb 18, 2015
Theme: Outside of the absolute Word of God, truth is untrustworthy. (Romans 9:6-13)
Characters: Two males, two females
Length: 5 – 6 minutes
Scene/Props: This is a reader’s theater. No props or staging is needed.
Synopsis: This reader’s theater script supports the doctrine that the Bible communicates absolute truth. Outside the Word of God, truth is difficult to trust.
Excerpt:
(Readers are positioned in a line across the front platform.)
One: Truth…
Three: Is important.
Two: To say what you mean…
Four: And mean what you say.
Three: If you can’t believe what people say…
Four: How can you trust anyone?
One: How can you believe in anything?
Two: We live in a constantly changing world…
Three: With changing values.
One: Some say truth changes with circumstances…
Four: That truth is relative.
One: Not my relatives.
Three: Then maybe, truth is a matter of perception.
Two: Manipulate the words…
Four: Manage the perception.
Two: Truth then is optional…
Four: Political…
One: Practical…
by Chip Tudor | Feb 18, 2015
Theme: There’s no specific theme. It’s intended as a humorous addition to a larger Christmas program and works for any age group in a variety of settings.
Characters: Two people of any gender and age. The key is for them to have an obvious chemistry: i.e. Two siblings, parent/child, boyfriend/girlfriend, etc. (be imaginative)
Length: 5 – 6 minutes
Scene/Props: The Night Before Christmas poem, A large children’s book (use the book as a prop or make a prop book) and a comfortable reading chair.
Synopsis: A couple read the traditional Night Before Christmas poem to the audience. Dale has a business-like approach, but Carolyn keeps interrupting with questions and comments that create a humorous exchange.
Note: The more you distinguish the two characters, the more humor you’ll create. As an alternative, eliminate the chair and have them stand. Use a reading stand for the book and let the second character turn pages.
Excerpt:
(Dale and Carolyn enter together. Dale maintains an attitude of complete seriousness. He has a job to do and is all business. Carolyn also appears serious on the surface, but there’s mischievousness about her.)
Dale: As part of our celebration of the Christmas season, we’d like to read a favorite, traditional classic.
(He sits with exaggerated seriousness. Carolyn stands next to the arm of the chair as if in support. She’s serious too, but it’s a mock seriousness.)
Dale: (with much drama) T’was the night before Christmas and all through the house, not a creature was stirring not even a mouse. The stockings were hung—
Carolyn: What would a mouse be stirring?
(Dale pauses. He’s caught off guard, almost surprised as he was completely immersed in the dramatic reading)
Dale: What do mean what would a mouse be stirring?
Carolyn: Would it be coffee, eggnog, or what?
Dale: He wasn’t stirring anything.
Carolyn: I know that. It says right there the mouse wasn’t stirring. My question is: what would he stir if he was stirring. Do mice drink coffee?
by Chip Tudor | Feb 18, 2015
Theme: Christmas is about the birth of Jesus Christ and the salvation he offers.
Length: 2-3 minutes
Characters: Six different people. This one used youth
Scenes/Props: None
Synopsis: This reader theater script was used to begin a Christmas program.
(Readers position themselves as a line across the stage. The capitalized word in the first three lines is the one emphasized)
One: WHAT is Christmas?
Two: What IS Christmas?
Three: What is CHRISTMAS?
Four: Uh, would you repeat the question?
One – Three: WHAT IS CHRISTMAS!
Four: Okay…I get it.
Five: Christmas is for kids.
Six: I thought Trix was for kids.
One: Okay, you guys, let’s get cereal…I mean, serious.
Three: Yes, this conversation is getting flakey.
Five: What I mean is that kids love Christmas because they get presents.
Six: I like presents.
One: And Christmas is about the most important present of all—the gift of eternal life.
Two: But more importantly, it’s the birth of our Savior.
Three: He’s the one who brought the gift.
Five: So Christmas is not just for kids, it’s for everyone.
by Chip Tudor | Feb 18, 2015
Theme: Refusing to tithe is stealing from God
Length: 4-5 minutes
Characters:
2 males, 3 females
Scene/Props:
A department store with 3 racks of clothing. You’ll also need name brand shopping bags and one very ugly type of garment.
Synopsis:
Three teenagers shop while nearby, a security agent tries to catch a shoplifter. The kids discuss tithing versus not tithing and one teen is self-righteous when the shoplifter is caught. But in a twist, her own hypocrisy in stealing from God is exposed.
Excerpt:
(MIKE enters and approaches Alice who is shopping.)
Mike: Hi Alice. Finding any bargains?
Alice: There are no bargains in a store like this, Mike. It’s all about image.
(Mike looks at a price tag and then holds it to his head like an astrology reader)
Mike: Yes, and the image I see is bankruptcy.
Alice: (Pats him on the shoulder with mocking attitude) Don’t worry. You still have Wal-mart.
Mike: (Jingles coins in his pocket) Which means I also have change.
Alice: Awesome. You can buy a corn dog in their cafeteria.
(They move to the rack following Freda who grabs a garment and thrusts it in her bag)
Alice: Did you see that? She’s stealing!
Alice: (to Freda) Excuse me—
Agent: (stops Alice and shows his badge) Security. I’m all over it. Just act natural.
Alice: But she—
Agent: (with authority) Act natural.
by Chip Tudor | Feb 18, 2015
Theme: Spiritual growth involves regular, personal Bible Study.
Length: 3.5 – 4 minutes
Characters: 2 actors, male or female
Scene/Props: Small work table, tool belt, hammer, saw, tape measure, etc.
Synopsis:
This funny man, straight man routine communicates that discipleship involves consistent, personal Bible Study. Melvin, however, approaches it like he is undertaking a woodshop project. We added an element of humor by having the Music Minister play the straight person.
Excerpt:
Melvin ENTERS wearing a fully equipped tool belt. He carries a small work bench and a set of blue prints.
Melvin: (singing) Left a good job in the city. Working for the man every night and day…
Minister: Melvin.
(Melvin doesn’t hear. He’s totally into the song.)
Melvin: And I never lost one minute of sleeping worrying about the way things might have been…
Minister: (louder) Melvin.
Melvin: Big wheels keep on turnin, proud Mary keep on burnin. Rollin, rollin, rollin on the—
Minister: (shouting) Melvin!
(Melvin stops and looks at the Music Minister, but just has to finish.) River.
Minister: Melvin, would you mind telling me what you’re doing…besides singing very badly.
Melvin: I’m going to work.
Minister: I can see that. But what are you working on?
Melvin: The Bible. We are at church, you know. (Checks all his equipment) Let’s see. I got my hammer, tape measure, pencil. Am I missing anything?
Minister: How about a Bible?
Melvin: Oh yeah. (Pulls out a pocket New Testament and blows off the dust)
