The Life of Joseph: Drama Scripts for People and Puppets

By Owen Shelley

The story of Joseph is one of amazing heights and crushing lows which throughout display a God which is ultimately in control and working all things for the good of the fledgling nation of Israel.

• Language: English
• Publisher: Owen Shelley
• Release date: Nov 29, 2012
• ISBN: 9781301496730

Owen Shelley

Owen Shelley has been a prominent Children's Missioner for over 50 years and produced a wide range of resources during this time. In 2007 he, and his son Stephen, recognised that these resources were still relevant today if only they could be updated for the modern technological age. Stephen has spent the last few years converting these resources to a digital format so that you can still have access to them.

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The Life of Joseph - Drama Script for People or Puppets

by Owen Shelley

Published by Shelley and Son at Smashwords

Copyright 2012 Owen Shelley

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THE LIFE OF JOSEPH

scripted by Owen Shelley

It is intended that this play be presented as a serial spanning ten weeks. However, the last two Acts are optional and can be left out to shorten the play. These last two acts were added to highlight the faith that Joseph had faith in God's promised deliverance (new actors/puppets can be used or simple reuse previous ones for the new characters).

List of Properties

ACT 1: Scroll, pen, lamb, feeding device (bottle?), fleece, crooks, long sleeved coat, sheaf, (dreams), writing implements and paper

ACT 2: Dog, spade, sheep, crooks, rope, long sleeved coat.

ACT 3: Camel, bucket, chain, money bag, table with food, broom, pile of dishes, handbell, Joseph's coat.

ACT 4: Broom, chain, tray with food and drink, rat, pieces of bread, bunk or stool, throne, goblet.

ACT 5: Throne, goblet, writing instrument and paper, sack of grain, chest of gold, sheepskin.

ACT 6: Scales, sacks of grain, grain scoop, money bags.

ACT 7: Table covered with dishes and food, bag, towel, silver goblet, donkey or camel.

ACT 8: Fancy coat for Benjamin, coffin, hammer, walking stick.

ACT 9: Hoe, basket, loaded donkey, table, bell, table with plates and cups, parcel, dish with food.

ACT 10: Coffin, rats, lantern, broom, loaded donkey.

List of Characters

Joseph: 11th son by Rachael Act 1 Scene 1 to Act 3 Scene 2. A 17 year old, beardless in a short sleeved, plain, dull coloured night-shirt style dress characteristic of Canaanites. Coloured or striped headdress. A simple, wide-and-long sleeved striped coat able to be put on and taken off the character on stage, is needed for Act 1 Scene 3 to Act 2 Scene 3.

Act 5 Scene 2 to Act Scene 2. A thirty to fifty year old, beardless, long white Egyptian dress, a broad circular gold collar of rank, and properly, a shaved head.

Act 8 Scene 4. Nearly 110 years old, long grey hair and beard. Long white Egyptian dress, walking stick, perhaps a cloak for age.

As it will be difficult to change dress, wigs etc. in Act 3, 5 and 8, four puppets are probably called for.

Benjamin: 12th son by Rachel - Act 1 Scene 1. An 11 year old boy in a short sleeved Canaanite dress without headdress.

Acts 5 to 8. A twenty-five to thirty year old in long sleeved Canaanite dress with headdress.

Jacob: The Patiarch - Long white beard, bushy eyebrows, long sleeved coat, headdress optional.

Reuben: Eldest son, by Leah - Black hair, moustache and short beard, short sleeved Canaanite dress, headdress. Of intermediate age.

Judah: 4th son, by Leah - Similar to Reuban but younger than Reuban and Simeon. Make him distinguishable in some way (facial hair/item of clothing)

Simeon: 2nd son by Leah - Similar to Reuban. Make him distinguishable in some way (facial hair/item of clothing)

Dan & Asher: Other sons of Jacob - Their characters are immaterial to the play and their dress will be virtually indistinguishable, (the letters, D and A could be sewn to the front of the garment of the relevant puppet). If more actors are available more sons can be added and their lines shared.

Man: Appears with a dog - Canannite labourer, similar to Joseph's brothers.

Ishmaelites (2): Bedouin Caravaneers - Black moustaches, Canaanite dress, but white headdresses.

Potiphar: Captian of the Gaurd - Middle-aged, perhaps pot-bellied, basic white Egyptian kilt. Leather helmet, narrow gold collar.

Slave of Potiphar, Offical, Overseer, Labourer, Carpenter: Egyptian kilt, bareheaded.

Jailer: Egyptian kilt, leather helmet, leather collar.

Soldiers: (at least 1, can have more if actors are available) Egyptian kilt, leather helmet, 2 leather straps crossed over chest and back.

Waiter to Pharoah: Egyptian kilt, shaved head. This could be indicated by a 5 o'clock shadow where hair would normally grow.

Steward to Pharoah: Egyptian kilt, shaved head, sleeveless vest as Joseph in Acts 3-5 but different colour.

Joseph's Steward: Egyptian kilt, head not shaved, sleeveless vest as Joseph in Acts 3-5 but different colour.

Official: Egyptian kilt, medium collars.