Shrine of the Seven Iguanas: A Two-Part Audio Theater Script

By Elaine A. Powers

Shrine of the Seven Iguanas is a 2-part audio theater script for a full-length mystery, appropriate for both children and adults. The script includes parts for several male and female characters. It is educational and family friendly, well-suited for presentation by school and community theaters. The mystery is set in modern times with flashbacks to the historical Olmec period, against the backdrop of the Central American rainforest. Performance rights are included with script purchase.

• Language: English
• Publisher: Elaine A. Powers
• Release date: Sep 11, 2014
• ISBN: 9781311630339

Elaine A. Powers

I’m a native of Peoria, IL. I enjoyed the opportunity to grow up in the theater community made famous during vaudeville days: "will it play in Peoria? During my life, I have been involved in a great deal of theater and singing as well as being a biologist Eventually, I progressed to writing short scripts for the stage and full-length scripts for radio theater. Several of the radio scripts were produced in NJ and NY by various theater companies and one has been recorded and released.The greatest inspirations for my writing are my iguanas, my personal pets and the iguanas who passed through my iguana rescue in NJ. I am currently writing children’s stories as well as murder mysteries. So many stories, so little time.I live with my iguanas (4 species), tortoises, tegus, and turtle.Other books include Conversations with Dudley Dewlap: The World from a Lizard Point of View (audio theater scripts), and Curtis Curly-tail and the Ship of Sneakers. Both are available in print on Amazon.com.

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SHRINE OF THE SEVEN IGUANAS

A Two-Part Audio Theater Script

By Elaine A. Powers

Shrine of the Seven Iguanas

A Two-Part Audio Theater Script

Elaine A. Powers

Published by Elaine A. Powers

Copyright © 2014 by Elaine A. Powers.

All rights reserved.

ISBN: 978-1311630339

NOTICE: These scripts may be performed with the purchase of a copy of this book for each performer and participant in the production, and with proper credit to the author. The scripts may be performed in combination or individually. They may be performed as radio/audio theater, reader’s theater, or staged with costumes. The scripts must be performed as written.

Dedication

To my parents,

Dr. Norman E. Powers and Gladys Crofts Powers

for encouraging my creativity and teaching me

about the joy of life.

To William E. Spear, Jr. for his guidance and encouragement.

To the people of Hunterdon Radio Theater,

who gave voice to my scripts.

To the members of

the Oncology Memorial Lunch Table in Bridgewater, NJ,

who provided so much inspiration.

To my iguanas, my muses.

Table of Contents

Production Notes

Part 1: Shrine of the Seven Iguanas

Part 2: Return to the Shrine of the Seven Iguanas

Acknowledgements

PRODUCTION NOTES

These scripts may be performed with the purchase of a copy of this book for each performer and participant in the production, and with proper credit to the author. The scripts may be performed in combination or individually. They may be performed as radio/audio theater, reader’s theater, or staged with costumes. The scripts must be performed as written.

The sound effects and music cues are capitalized in italics with underlining. Some punctuation has been eliminated to assist in the flow of the reading. Acting suggestions are given in italics within parentheses with underlining.

Definitions

BITE CUE: This line interrupts the previous line.

WALLA WALLA: background crowd noises.

OFF MIC: off microphone, sounding as if from a distance and not projected directly into a microphone.

(Return to the Table of Contents)

SHRINE OF THE SEVEN IGUANAS Part 1

Characters

Ellen Burke, archeologist (dedicated scientist, workaholic)

Josh Harris, archeologist (enthusiastic, doesn't always think before acting)

Samantha, Ellen’s niece, resident of New Jersey (normal, well-adjusted iguana owner)

Charles Walla, archeology department chairperson (arrogant, condescending)

Guard

Fernando (Central American native, manipulative)

Flight Attendants 1 & 2

Old Woman (speaks Spanish)

Statue (very breathy voice, words formed on exhaled air)

Locations

Central America rainforest

Samantha’s house

State University

MUSIC: OPENING THEME

SFX: SOUNDS OF RAINFOREST, SOUNDS OF PEOPLE WALKING THROUGH VEGETATION, OCCASIONALLY HACKING AT PLANTS.

ELLEN: Do you see anything yet, Josh? This is where the GPS says it should be.

JOSH: (OFF MIC) I think there's something here.

ELLEN: I sure hope so.

JOSH: (OFF MIC) Yes, it looks like there’s some carving on this stone.

ELLEN: If we can just clear away these vines.

SFX: SOUNDS OF CHOPPING THE VEGETATION

Hey, over here. It looks like some sort of entrance. I can’t see inside. Uh, I can just squeeze through. I hope there’s not a drop off just inside.

JOSH: Be careful, Ellen. There might be poisonous snakes in there.

ELLEN: Uh. Made it. All clear – no bottomless pits or deadly vipers. Come on in, partner.

JOSH: (groans) Now I know how toothpaste feels. Turn on your big flashlight.

SFX: FLASHLIGHT TURNED ON.

ELLEN: (gasps)

JOSH: Wow!

ELLEN: This looks like an antechamber, maybe some sort of shrine. Look at the carving on the wall, Josh. What is that, a serpent? A dragon?

JOSH: I don’t think so. It looks like a lizard of some sort. See the crest of spines, the elongated toes on the hind feet.

ELLEN: Look at the length of the tail!

JOSH: It must be 5 feet long!

ELLEN: I wouldn’t want to get whacked with that!

JOSH: What’s this groove here around