Plays for All Year

56 pages

3 m, 2 w

Buck Howard is a successful author but his personal life has been marred by the loss of his wife. Howard blames God for this tragedy. He also begins to blame God for every minor ache and pain that comes along. Finally, God decides to confront Howard and visits him in the form of a dapper little man who is somewhat of a klutz. Everything he does seems to turn out wrong and the audience is left wondering just what kind of Deity this is. But is he the stumble john that he appears to be or is it all an act? This very funny play says something important about how ...

36 pages

8 m, 5 w, or 4 m, 9 w, extras.

This play with music recreates the life of Fanny Crosby, a special woman who blessed our world by writing the words to more than 8,000 hymns. She felt her lifetime of blindness brought her closer to the heart of God. Actual events - some humorous, others sad, a few even tragic - surrounding the inspiration for her most well-known hymns are dramatized in this easily staged portrait of the blind poetess whose words, poems, and lyrics continue to be sung by millions around the world today. Let your actors, choir, or congregation sing the suggested hymns which this remarkable woman wrote. A ...

21 pages

4 m, 5 flexible

This reader's theater script offers a fresh look at Jesus' death and resurrection. Media interviews with some of those present at His crucifixion are intertwined with Christ's seven last statements made from the cross. Contemporary language and vivid characterizations bring audiences the message that no one can remain neutral about the claims of Christ. Opportunities for music. This play is a natural for an Easter production, although it could also be used effectively for evangelism anytime during the year. About 35 minutes.

39 pages

Approx. 10 m, 10 w, much doubling possible

Frankie meets his end in an act of wanton cowardice. This offense isn't bad enough to send him to the basement, but he isn't good enough for the attic. He is assigned to Angie the Angel in the "Situation Re-Modification Department." He is given three chances to try to correct something in history that didn't go the way it was supposed to go. He messes up all three chances, but is offered a fourth chance by Herman, Angie's boss. With this one, the toughest of them all, he succeeds.

72 pages

6 m, 5 w

Early morning July 1, 1863. Gettysburg, Pa. As thousands of troops from both North and South amass for what will become one of the bloodiest battles of the Civil War, five teenagers from several local farms escape to the safety of the surrounding hills. There's the level-headed Eliza and her little sister, Justine, who's strong-willed; Georgina, whose mother has sheared her hair to make her look like a boy; and Rachel and Jeremiah, a brother and sister from a wealthier family. As they witness the horrors of battle over the next three days, the teens are force...

31 pages

7 m, 5 w, 1 boy.

Alarm bells sound when Pastor Larry Bowman and his wife, Janet, find out the leader of their denomination, Rev. Grisham, wants to visit and use their three children as role models for his newest book. As loveable as they are, young Eric, Cherie and Cody are famous for their outrageous ideas and rambunctious behavior. Their antics especially seems to grate on the nerves of one of the church's more conservative deacons. To impress Rev. Grisham, the kids build an altar to use the youngest child as their sacrifice - following the example of Abraham and Isaac, of course! Hapless, hilarious, a...

33 pages

Approx. 3 m, 8 w, 1 flex. Doubling possible.

A simple but bright orange robe, discarded years earlier and now found at a church bazaar sale, makes an incredible journey of ministry. Trisha buys the robe for twenty-five cents, and on a wild whim, wears it to meet her daughter's future in-laws. She gives the "lucky" robe to them and it provides a comic moment, one which leads to them talking again to get their marriage back on track. Soon they give the robe to Chyna, a lonely newcomer at church. Hard to miss while wearing the robe, Chyna meets new friends and she soon gives it to Jackie, who is ill. The r...

24 pages

3 m, 5 w.

A very different type of play which may easily be produced by your youth group. Depicted as happening somewhere in the future, a boy and girl enter what was known as a "church." A guide takes a small tour through this church, and strange questions are asked. After they have left, the Stone Preacher comes to life to take part in the conversation. An entertaining, yet thought-provoking play. About 30 minutes. 

0 pages

3 m, 3 w, 2 boys, 1 girl

On this last day at home before Jesus begins his ministry, the family is charged with fear, bitterness, and resentmentùall directed against Jesus. Elizabeth, an unmarried sister, resents what she sees as her brother's selfishness. Deborah, a younger sister who is married and the mother of Nathan, fears how Jesus' plans will affect Mary, their mother. Their brother James feels bitter and destructive, especially since returning home after a failed attempt to live on his own. Another brother, Juda, a teenager and shepherd, feels rejected because Jesus refuses to take Juda with him. When Je...

54 pages

Flexible casting

The skits, mimes and monologues/readings in this collection of "anytime" material have been written for easy casting, short rehearsals and maximum impact. Topics covered include missionary boxes; witnessing; the afterlife; cultivating the Christian life; allegorical tales of obedience, power, beauty and teamwork; seeing through God's eyes; and the meaning of God's names. Often, the message is driven home with laughter. Most tales are contemporary (two are set in Biblical times) and most can be cast with either men or women (several feature many women). Use th...

11 pages

4 w and the voice of Jesus.

Four Pilgrim women find their strength and faith fading as they face the incredible rigors of a harsh, wild, and unknown country known as America. Loneliness, despair, anger and fear are their constant companions. But when the women bow their heads in prayer and hear the voice of Jesus, they remember why they sought this country and give thanks after their first year in the new world. With minimal scenery, this chancel drama will enchance your Thanksgiving service.

39 pages

3 m, 4 w

What does the Bible really teach about homosexuality? How can some Christians think it’s an awful sin and others welcome gays into church leadership? Sixteen-year-old Peter thinks he is gay, and he’s still hoping it’s not true, that no one will ever have to know he even suspected it. Peter’s father is the pastor of a church, his best buddy is the leader of the youth group. The world would end if they and Ashley, a girl who’s definitely attracted to Peter, found out. But bit by bit his secret leaks out, and then he isn’t the only one facing the dilemma of being gay and Christian. This pla...

57 pages

2 to 14 flexible, with doubling.

Here's a wonderful collection. Special services include Easter, Minister/Staff Appreciation, Foreign Missions, Mother's Day and Father's Day. Also included are general plays designed to enhance any service. Is there really "The Perfect Job"? A mother learns what her most important attribute is in "The Greatest of These." Your heart will be moved in "Who Drove the Nails?" And let's just stop the "Family Feud" and get to church on time! Scripture narration and suggested hymns included. Some of these plays will make your congregation laugh and some will bring a ...

48 pages

Cast: 2 to 7 flexible.

"God's Top Ten List" presents the Ten Commandments in a fresh light. The words written on stone tablets so long ago are brought to modern situations, such as a fender-bender, parent-volunteers on a school project, remembering the Sabbath and gossiping about some things that should be left unsaid. These ten skits hold a mirror up to the audience that allows them to laugh at their own shortcomings. Emphasis is placed not so much on the "Thou shalt not's", but on the "why's." The actors will enjoy presenting the humorous and ironic situations and will themselves learn through the experienc...

51 pages

14 m, 1 w, 1 child (can be doubled to 10 actors)

The play tells the true story of Dietrich Bonhoeffer, a pastor who led the resistance to Hitler in the German church. Narrated by his friend Eberhard Bethge, the play follows Bonhoeffer from his early years as a seminary professor, to leading his students to organize an underground seminary and distribute clandestine anti-Nazi literature, and finally to his joining the secret unit of German military intelligence plotting the death of Hitler. Arrested by the Gestapo, Bonhoeffer is sent to prison, where he is visited by relatives and his fiancée in a poignant scene. In a poetic chorus, his...