Drama for the Soul

By Lisa Johnson

Drama for the Soul is a compilation of plays by playwright Lisa Johnson and is the authors first published work. As the director of her churchs drama ministry, her talents are greatly utilized. This collection consists of plays and vignettes on the subjects of the resurrection, Christmas, and African-American pioneers. Some of the sketches also serve as teaching tools or infomercials for different areas of ministry.

The collection is well-suited for churches desiring to include drama in their services, school productions, or just as a great read. Mrs. Johnson writes about real-life situations that everyone can relate to, whether it is traumatic, humorous, or simply a life lesson. In her play, A Resurrected Life, a young woman experiences devastating trauma that causes her to withdraw from society and shut down. But her Aunt Callie, a feisty, devout Christian and fervent prayer warrior, refuses to let her niece go out like that. The events that take place will draw you in and send you on an emotional roller coaster! Several of the plays make use of videos as a part of the storytelling but can also be adapted for the stage. Drama for the Soul is truly that, as it inspires and gives hope to all who read it!

• Language: English
• Publisher: Xlibris US
• Release date: Nov 21, 2014
• ISBN: 9781499083064

Book preview

CONTENTS

Acknowledgements

A De-LIGHT-ful Christmas Musical

The Joy of Christmas

Access HOLYwood

Prayer Walk Sketch

Breaking the Chains

Ministry or Miss

A Resurrected Life

When You See the Blood…..

After the Resurrection

Acknowledgements

Only an awesome God would bless me with special gifts and trust that I would utilize them to bless others. For that I am truly thankful. There are so many people who assisted in bringing this project into fruition. To my family members who have either contributed financially or by encouraging me to continue on, thank you. I am especially grateful to my parents Eugenia and Robert Honeyboy Thomas for their incredible DNA. Although dad has left this world I can still hear him saying, You can do this. I have complete faith in you kid. To my church family at Breath of Life Christian Center and my pastor, Dr. Sammie Holloway, thanks for all the support and instilling in me to do all things in a spirit of excellence. To my drama peeps, the greatest drama team in the land, thanks for all of your cooperation, talents, time and always having my back. Of course I cannot forget my greatest cheerleaders, Brenda Dupree, Tina Terry and Tamara Green. These ladies have had faith in my abilities when I was not so certain. Over the years they have pushed, prodded, fussed and insisted that I seriously get something published! Well ladies, are you happy now? And saving the best for last, my wonderful husband Steve, my beautiful daughter Tamara, and my amazing granddaughter Taleah, you three have inspired me to greatness, given me much joy and laughter and enough material to write 30 more books! I love you and thank God for you always. To God be all glory!

A De-LIGHT-ful Christmas Musical

(A play in two acts)

CAST

Narrator 1

Cecily (teenage girl)

Monica (Cecily’s mother)

Narrator 2

Madelyn (adult female)

Sandra (adult female)

Chorale (6-9 adults, male and female)

Paul (Chorale member)

Kelly (Children’s choir director)

Children’s Choir

Child (Children’s choir member, boy or girl)

Mr. Benton (Church maintenance man)

Young Singers (teens, 4-6)

Young Dancers (teens, 6-8)

Soloist 1

Soloist 2

Group at Mall (shoppers, visitors)

Choir Member 1

Choir Member 2

Choir Member 3

Choir Member 4

Choir Director

John (young man, father to Daniel)

Daniel (boy, 3 to 4 years old)

Pastor

Narrator 3

ACT ONE

Scene 1

Setting: The stage set consists of a choir stand Upstage which extends across most of the stage from left to right. Most of the activity takes place Downstage. Downstage Left is Madelyn’s home, a living room and front door. Downstage Center is the MALL and Downstage Left is an outside area leading to the Mall. The opening scene begins at the church where the Music and Arts Ministry are in final dress rehearsal for their Christmas musical production. Lights come up on Narrator 1 who is standing DSC.

Narrator 1: (Scripture and Exhortation) Luke 2:6-11

⁶And so it was, that, while they were there, the days were accomplished that she should be delivered. ⁷And she brought forth her firstborn son, and wrapped him in swaddling clothes, and laid him in a manger; because there was no room for them in the inn. ⁸And there were in the same country shepherds abiding in the field, keeping watch over their flock by night. ⁹And, lo, the angel of the Lord came upon them, and the glory of the Lord shone round about them: and they were sore afraid. ¹⁰And the angel said unto them, Fear not: for, behold, I bring you good tidings of great joy, which shall be to all people. ¹¹For unto you is born this day in the city of David a Savior, which is Christ the Lord. (Exhorting and speaking to audience. Choir enters during exhortation and gets in place. Song begins after Narrator 1 ends speech) Aren’t you glad that Jesus was born? The birth of Jesus brought joy to the world! Thank God for the joy! (Exit SL)

Choir sings Joy to the World (COGIC version)

Scene 2

After song ends, lights come up SR on Monica and Cecily (mother and daughter) outside the mall.

Cecily: Mom hurry! We’re going to miss the Christmas program at the mall!

Monica: Little girl have you lost your mind? Who are you telling to hurry up?

Cecily: I’m sorry mom. I wasn’t trying to be disrespectful but some of my friends are performing and I didn’t want to miss it!

Monica: Alright, alright. You’re forgiven–this time. Now hurry and get a move on before we miss the Christmas program girlie! (They laugh as they hurry towards the mall)

INSIDE THE MALL: (Young singers and dancers enter and get in place onstage. Music begins)

SONG – O COME (Singers) At the end of song dancers and singers exit SR as Narrator 2 enters SL to CS.

Scene 3

Narrator 2: (Matthew 1:18-23 Amplified)

¹⁸Now the birth of Jesus Christ took place under these circumstances: When His mother Mary had been promised in marriage to Joseph, before they came together, she was found to be pregnant [through the power] of the Holy Spirit.

¹⁹And her [promised] husband Joseph, being a just and upright man and not willing to expose her publicly and to shame and disgrace her, decided to repudiate and dismiss (divorce) her quietly and secretly.

²⁰But as he was thinking this over, behold, an angel of the Lord appeared to him in a dream, saying, Joseph, descendant of David, do not be afraid to take Mary [as] your wife, for that which is conceived in her is of (from, out of) the Holy Spirit.

²¹She will bear a Son, and you shall call His name Jesus [the Greek form of the Hebrew Joshua, which means Savior], for He will save His people from their sins [that is, prevent them from [a]failing and missing the true end and scope of life, which is God].

²²All this took place that it might be fulfilled which the Lord had spoken through the prophet,

²³Behold, the virgin shall become pregnant and give birth to a Son, and they shall call His name Emmanuel—which, when translated, means, God with us.

(Narrator exits SR)

Choir Sings EMMANUEL. When the song ends the lights go out unexpectedly leaving the choir in the dark. Choir Member 2 speaks.

Choir Member 2: Hey! What happened to the lights?

Scene Ends

Scene 4

Lights come up DSL on Madelyn’s home. Doorbell rings and Madelyn enters SL dressed in an apron and it’s obvious she’s been cooking.

Madelyn: Now who in the world is that on Christmas Eve? I’ve got to finish my cooking. (She opens door)

Sandra: Merry Christmas! (They embrace)

Madelyn: Merry Christmas to you too!

Sandra: (looking at apron) Oh I see you getting your cook on!

Madelyn: You better know it! That’s what any real cook worth her salt would be doing on Christmas Eve. Why aren’t you…? (Stops and thinks about it, smiles sarcastically) Never mind.

Sandra: (about to get upset) what are you trying to say? Look, I am not going to let you worry me tonight. I came here for a purpose.

Madelyn: (laughing) Girl I’m just messing with you. What you need?

Sandra: Well I was at the church rehearsing–

Madelyn: Rehearsing? The day before Christmas?

Sandra: