Easter

16 pages

6 m, 4 w (2 are nonspeaking), 2 flexible

Jesus’ last words on the cross profoundly changed those who heard them. He continued to teach us how to live even in the final moments of His life as He hung on the cross in the agony of His execution. His lessons of forgiveness for the offender, salvation for the sinner, and trust and love for family and friends guide our daily lives. In this play, each character hears a phrase from Jesus' final utterances and reflects on its importance. Two narrators unify monologues delivered by characters whom Jesus affected during the course of His life. All characters a...

23 pages

13 m, 4 w, extras.

When King Herod of Jerusalem wakes up the third day after the crucifixion, he is startled to learn that the disciples have stolen the body of Jesus. But still something does not seem right. Then he figures it is time to hire private-eye Friday, Good Friday, to find out the truth about this Jesus. Herod had a chance to know the truth, but wouldn't believe. Now, he and the audience will learn the truth about "The Resurrection, 33 A.D." This investigation will at last lay to rest any false theories concerning what really happened to Jesus of Nazareth after the c...

9 pages

2 m, 1 w, 1 child, 2 readers.

Amos is a simple carpenter doing work for the Romans. It's steady work but his wife, Ruth, and son, Samuel, hate it. Interspersed with scriptural readings, this play has an explosive ending when the family learns that man, Jesus, has been condemned to die. A centurion pounds at the door, ready for Amos' finished work. Amos slowly picks up a large cross. About 20 minutes.

44 pages

5 m, 6 w, 1 flexible.

Several people who come back from Heaven to tell others about their lives on Earth, and the changes they experienced through God's love and grace. The stories tell of the spirit of forgiveness and salvation that the Lord offers all of us. As Penny says, "Remember, there's a celebration at the end of the road. And it goes on forever." About 70 minutes. 

19 pages

3 m, 5 w.

A clever and effective play for youth. Jennifer and Justin go to Grandmother's for Easter. Jennifer can't wait to show off her new clothes at church. The director of the Easter pageant persuades Jennifer to take the part of an angel, wearing a simple robe and sandals. The role changes her attitude. In the meantime, her shoes disappear and are returned by a little girl who said her father took them so she could go to the Easter service. Performance time: 20 minutes.

24 pages

4 m, 2 w, 1 child, voice.

An incarcerated Barabbas is being attacked on three different sides: a Roman soldier set on avenging his brother's death, a crazy man he has to share a cell with, and his own memories of a life full of anger and doubt that has plagued him for as long as he can remember. If the soldier doesn't kill him, he is painfully aware of his own impending crucifixion just a few days away. In the middle of all this turmoil, a voice of reason and hope presents itself in the form of a cranky old cleaning woman. She reaches out to Barabbas, but unfortunately, her mission of...

46 pages

4 m, 4 w, 1 girl.

To Grandma Molly, Easter means a time of rejoicing and for her fullest joy, Molly needs her children about her in worship at church. But she finds that isn't easy. She grieves over her daughter's lack of interest, the unbelief of her son-in-law, and the worries of her son and daughter-in-law over their teenagers. Allen, a widower, is understanding for he has "crumbling walls" in his family too. Together, Molly and Allen gather up the fragments and go on, for nothing can completely spoil Easter, the time of the empty tomb. About 90 minutes.

12 pages

1 m, 1 w, 1 flexible

Al McCarty is an elderly construction worker on his first trip with his wife Lisa since his retirement. They’re camping in Montana, and though it’s been his dream to fish there, Al is bored. He misses his coworkers and the noise of the construction trucks. He’s even gone so far as to fix a toilet in the men’s restroom. When an angel in white overall appears telling him “It’s time,” Al is nonplussed. He demands the angel prove he has heavenly powers, and while they’re waiting for the “order” to go through, the angel gives Al a few options for his passing—from ...

25 pages

1 m, 1 w. (If more speakers are available, the parts can be distributed)

The 14 Stations of the Cross are brilliantly re-interpreted for modern audiences in these readings. Each Station is written to be whole in and of itself, and thus different Stations may or may not be used in each production. The goal of this play is to "Help us to share in the Passion of our Savior, to sense how those twisted streets of Jerusalem run through the streets of Los Angeles and Calcutta. To intuit how the wood that made the cross may buttress the fragile walls of our own homes, to feel how the steel that made the nails may make bullets and and bayo...

24 pages

10 m, 2 w, 5 flex, 2 teens, 4 extras, doubling possible.

In the bowels of hell, Satan schemes with his computer-wielding intelligence officer, Abaddon, and his cohorts Sin, Death, Hell, and Grave. Their mission: to kill the Carpenter, the one who has been thwarting Satan's plans for the humans. Only Satan is aware of the Carpenter's true identity, for his unwary accomplices are simply pawns in his vengeful battle against Yahweh who kicked him out of heaven. You will get the behind-the-scenes look at Jesus' battle with spiritual wickedness through His life and death and finally His defeat of the spirits of darkness ...

44 pages

11 monologues and duets (up to 9 w)

These eleven monologues and duets, presented through nine women, tell the emotional events of Jesus’ Crucifixion and the miracle of his foretold Resurrection. Chronologically arranged, they closely follow the Passion story in interweaving the women’s relationships with Jesus and with each other. Each piece, however, may stand alone, whether in a liturgical role during a worship service, or as part of a program. "Seeking Jesus" assists us in seeing these women as individuals. They are mothers, wives, sisters, daughters, disciples – just as women of today. Leng...

17 pages

4 w.

Have you ever wondered about some of the people who were responsible for crucifying Jesus? After all, what kind of people could kill our Lord? The pain and guilt felt by two women, the anger of a third, and the joy announcing the resurrection by the fourth are dramatically brought to life in this play by famous Christian playwright Alberta Hawse. A play that shows human frailty and faith in the shadow of the most important event on earth. About 20 minutes.

43 pages

2 m, 3 w, 1 g.

The story of a physician who loses his respect and self-confidence in the face of Jesus' great healing powers. Embittered, the doctor strikes Jesus at His trial. Soon he finds his arm limp and lifeless. Although his family begs him to go to the cross while Jesus still lives, the physician refuses until, with thunder crashing over the house, his wife declares, "Now it is too late." Later, when the physician and his family learn that Jesus has risen, they realize it is never too late to seek forgiveness and be healed through prayer. About 60 minutes.

28 pages

4 m, 2 w, 4 flexible parts.

The days just before Jesus' crucifixion are recreated in stunning detail as Jesus is questioned by high priests at the temple, then later arrested through Judas' deception. When He is finally led away to the crucifixion, we feel the emotions of those involved including James, John, Judas, the priests, and Mary Magdalene who is left holding His robe. Performance time: 30 minutes.

62 pages

3 m, 6 w, 8 flexible roles, 12 extras as the jury

The Easter story is retold through many different viewpoints in this fascinating contemporary courtroom drama. It places three of the Passion narrative's characters on trial for their role in the crucifixion of Christ: Judas Iscariot, who betrayed Jesus; Caiaphus, the Jewish High Priest who presided over Jesus' trial; and Pontius Pilate, the Roman Governor who sentenced Jesus to death. The prosecution calls on their witnesses: a person who represent Matthew, writer of the first gospel, as well people to represent Mark and John. Through questioning, each tells...