If You Build It...
| Drama
by Dave Marsh
May 18, 2008
|
A drama about building God's house - our lives
Director's Notes:
I was recently asked by a good brother in Montana to write a drama that took a concept from the book of Haggai that our own lives and bodies are God's house and what are we doing to build it? After a couple of emails, we decided that I should take a drama that I had already written (If you build it...) and alter it to fit his needs.
This is a good example of things that you can do with the dramas on this site. Look for similar themes and change around the situation a bit to suit your needs. If you're having trouble doing that, that's okay. Fire me off an email and I'll see what I can do. :0)
Cast:
Claire: Works at the church
Johnny: An architect
Nancy: Another architect
Props:
Some blueprints (or rolled up paper)
A couple of business cards
A portable phone
A door frame
Setting:
A living room
(LIGHTS UP CENTER STAGE where Claire is talking on the phone.)
Claire: ...and then I went into the family room to watch my soap. Yeah, right. Oh he left the show. Yeah, they replaced him with his evil twin. Right. So anyway, I hadn't heard from Janine for about 15 minutes and that's dangerous for a two year old. So I called for her and heard her in my bathroom. Yeah, tell me about it. I rushed up there but it was too late. Lipstick. Head to toe. Did I what? I couldn't! I was laughing too hard. (knock on the door) Look, there's someone at the door. I gotta go. Okay, bye. (Opens door)
Claire: Can I help you?
Johnny: No, the question is, can I help YOU? Johnny O, architect. (Hands her business card)
Claire: (reading card) "If you build it, they will come?"
Johnny: Nice slogan, eh?
Claire: Sure. Um, I'm not sure what I can do for y...
Johnny: Do you know a Jean Smith?
Claire: Well, yes, she's in my small group.
Johnny: And did you not mention to the same Miss Smith that you were working on building God's house?
Claire: Um. Well, yeah I did... but you don't understand...
Johnny: I understand perfectly. That's why I'm here. I'm the architect you need to build God's house.
Claire: Wait a minute. I don't need an architect...
Johnny: You don't need an architect? Why, poor woman, of course you do. (Dumps all the blueprints on her).
Claire: What are these?
Johnny: Blueprints of course. Every church I build has to start out with blueprints. We'll use these to lay the foundation for the church, the cornerstone, if you will. Heh heh. Christian humor.
Claire: Blueprints? But you don't understand. I'm not building what you think I am.
Johnny: Hmm. Well, yes, that's all very interesting but you see, these are blueprints. (starts talking to her like she's a child) We need these to build the church. B-l-u-e-p-r-i-n-t-s.
Claire: I know what these are.
Johnny: Okay, well, let's find out some other things. (pulls out his tape recorder). August ?, 2000. I'm at the home of a Mrs. Jones.
Claire: Johnson.
Johnny: Sure, whatever. (turns it off) Let's start off simple. What kind of church is this going to be?
Claire: Look. You don't seem to understand, it's not a church I'm building!
Johnny: Ah, I see. You're one of those fancy new contemporary churches. Okay, what do you call it? A worship center? A community cathedral? A multipurpose celebration tent? What?
Claire: No, it has nothing to do with what I call it.
Johnny: And what architectural style will it be? Victorian, post Modern, Art Deco, what?
Claire: It's not any style! And it's not a church! Would you listen to me please?!!!
Johnny: (starts recorder) Woman is extremely agitated by simple questions...(talks to her) Yes?
Claire: Look, I'm not building a church. I'm building God's house.
Johnny: And the difference is?
Claire: I'm building up who I am. I'm turning my body and my life into God's house. His spirit lives in me and I need to do the things that please Him and build my relationship with Him.
Johnny: Your body and life are God's house, eh?
Claire: Exactly.
Johnny: (speaks into recorder) Woman is delusional. Recommend good councilor. (talks to her) Are you sure about that?
Claire: Oh yes, quite sure.
Johnny: I see, well, Mrs. Jones, I'm afraid that I must be going. I don't think that you completely understand what it takes to build a God's house. Goodbye (grabs blueprints and walks out)
Claire: (dumb founded ) Well, that was interesting. (Nancy (with blueprints) in hand passes Johnny on the way up) (Claire starts to close the door and sees Nancy walk up)
Claire: Can I help you?
Nancy: No, the question is, can I help YOU? Nancy B., architect. (hands her card)
Claire: (rolls eyes) Oh no, here we go again...
(LIGHTS OUT FAST)
END
(c) 2000 Dave Marsh
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This is the debut album by EXW friend Paul Langford. Paul is a Chicago based singer, arranger, keyboardist, producer and conductor. Paul has a career that spans 14 years. Paul's work includes arranging for groups like GLAD, Voices of Liberty, VoiceTrek, The Chicago based "Caroling Party" and Day of Discovery Singers. His arranging has appeared on recordings side by side with greats like Gene Puerling and David Maddux, and he has sung with Don Shelton, Bonnie Herman and Bob Bowker, among others.