Don't Stop The Play

Description: This is a play about children who are putting on a play. The setting is the stage. There is an invisible curtain that is pulled open and shut during the program.

All of the children take part in the opening scene. Reader parts should be assigned to teens or older children who speak clearly and read well.

Children will sing 'Don't Stop The Play' and 'I'm In The Lord's Army'. Teens and/or adults may need to help with the rest of the music.

Cast:

Consider having children march in joyfully carrying banners, drumming, etc. Maybe let them sing a song before taking places for the program.

The children are gathering for a quick rehearsal prior to the program. They are playing around with the props and pretty much ignoring their director. Bob and Jack are sword fighting. Tim is handing out swords to the others. Sue is standing by one curtain.

Director Good evening, children. May I..

Sue(interrupts) Mrs. Jackson, we have BIG trouble. Mike's supposed to do the other curtain and he's got measles! What are we going to do?

Director It's ok, Sue, we'll figure out something. Good evening, children. May I have your attention? It's nearly time for our program to begin. (Looks at the sword fighters) Guys, could you please put down the swords? I'm afraid one of you will get hurt.

Tim We've got a great idea for our program! We're going to add a sword fight.

Jack When the army comes to get Jesus, the disciples will all have swords. (strikes a sword pose) En guarde!

Bob (Jumps into position beside Jack) Get back you vile men! We'll defend our Jesus to the death!

Tim Then we'll sing (sings) I'm in the Lord's army. I'm in the Lord's Army. (childen join in) I may never march in the infantry, ride in the calvary, shoot the artilary, I may never fly over the enemy but I'm in the Lord's army.

Director Nice action, guys, but not in this play. We're telling the story the way it really happened. Please put the swords away and get ready for the program.

Jack Yes, Mam, but I still think the swords were a good idea. If we had our swords in the garden that night, no one would have taken Jesus away. We'd have fought to the death!

Director I understand how you feel, Jack, but God's Word says that we can't trust in weapons or fast horses. We can only trust in the Name of the Lord Jesus. We need to trust God just like Jesus did.

Mary (brings Jake forward) Mrs Jackson, Mrs Jackson,

DirectorYes, Mary. What is the problem?

Mary He's not a problem. He's my cousin, Jake. He's spending Easter with us. Can he be in our program?

Director (shakes Jake's hand) Hi, Jake. Welcome to the program. One of our stage hands has the measles. Would you do his part? All you have to do is follow Sue. She's the other stage hand.

Jake Sure. Where do I stand?

Director Right over there by that curtain.

(Jake walks to curtain opposite Sue. Director notices audience.)

Director Hi! I'm delighted to see you here. It's still a little early so we're going to close the curtain here for a few minutes warm up. We'll be right back with you. Jake, Susan please pull the curtains. Alison, make sure the microphone system is off. (Alison pretends to check the amplifier but leaves the microphones on)

(Jake and Susan pull the pretend curtain)

Director (speaking to children) First, we need to make sure everyone is here. Please answer when I read your name. (calls the name of each child and marks her list as they answer)

Director OK, everybody in your places. (children move to their spots) Choir, please run through the warm up exercise.

ChoirLa, la, la, la, la, la, la, la, la

Director You guys sound great! Now, who remembers what I told you would happen on the night of our program?

Jenni You said things might go wrong.

Jill And there might be some surprises.

Director That's right, and when they do, we all need to remember our song. Choir, are you ready to lead?

Don't Stop The Play
(To the tune of 'Pop Goes The Weasel')
Susie brought her bunny cage
Peter broke the door
Mary chased the rabbits
All around the floor

Moms and Dads and Grandys
Are here to watch today
Rabbits aren't important
Don't stop the play

Robert has some little spots
We're pretty sure they are
Chicken pox or red paint
There was some in the car

Moms and Dads and Grandys
Are here to watch today
Spots are not important
Don't stop the play

Polly broke her angel wing
She caught it in the door
There's spots on Robbie's face
And there's rabbits on the floor

Moms and Dads and Grandys
Are here to watch today
That is not important
Don't stop the play

Director Good job. Let's all try to remember that. If you forget what to do or do something wrong, don't stop the play. Just keep going. We have one more very important thing to do. Does anyone know what it is?

JennieWe need to pray.

Directory That's right. Jennie, will you lead us? (Jennie leads in prayer for God to bless the program)

Director Now, everybody to your places (waits for children to take places)

(Jesus is sitting on a rock. John and Peter sit together to the side of him. Other children are scattered around them.)

Director (claps hands twice) OK, everybody, on with the show! Susie, Jake, pull back those curtains!

(Susie and Jake pull back the curtain. Jake watches Susie carefully to see what to do)

Reader 1 In the last days before Jesus was crucified, he prepared his disciples by telling them about his death.

Reader 2 He told them to prepare for a time of sadness.

Reader 1 And he told them they would be happy again later.

Reader 2 They did not exactly understand. Let's watch. (points to Jesus and the disciples.

Jesus For a little while you won't see me, but after awhile you will see me.

Peter (talking to John) What does Jesus mean by saying that for a little while we won't see him, but after a while we will see him?

John He said that he is going to the Father. What does he mean?

Peter What is this 'little while' he is talking about?

John I don't understand.

Jesus Are you wondering what I mean? For a little while you will cry and be sad, but the world will be happy. You will be sad, but later you will be happy.

Reader 1 He taught them many things.

Reader 2 Afterward they remembered and wrote them down so that we can read them too.

Jesus If anyone loves me, they will obey me. I give you peace, the kind of peace that only I can give. It isn't like the peace that this world can give. So don't be worried or afraid.

Reader 1 He had so many things to teach them.

Reader 2 And the time was growing short.

Jesus I am telling you this before I leave, so that when it does happen, you will have faith in me. I cannot speak with you much longer, because the ruler of this world is coming. But he has no power over me. I obey my Father, so that everyone in the world will know that I love him. (stands up) It is time for us to go now.

(Disciples stand up and walk off with Jesus)

Jesus I have told you this, so that you will have peace in your hearts because of me. While you are in the world, you will have to suffer, but cheer up! I have defeated the world.

(Susie and Jake close the curtains)

Director That was great, children! Now take your places for scene 2.

(This is a good place for one of the children to play the piano or another musical instrument while the children take their places)

(Jesus is praying kneeling by the rock. Peter and John are a little way off sound asleep on their rocks.)

(Susie and Jake open the curtains)

(Jesus stands up and goes to wake the disciples as the reader speaks. They walk across the stage to the garden area.)

Reader 1 When Jesus had finished praying, he and his disciples crossed the valley and went into a garden. Jesus had often met there with his disciples. Judas knew where the place was.

(Judas and the soldiers come onstage from the opposite side. They walk toward Jesus playing out the action as they go. Other children can be watching in small groups.)

Reader 2 Judas had promised to betray Jesus. So he went to the garden with some Roman soldiers and temple police, who had been sent by the chief priests and the Pharisees. They carried torches, lanterns, and weapons. Jesus already knew everything that was going to happen, but he asked.

Jesus Who are you looking for?

Soldiers Jesus from Nazareth

Jesus I am Jesus

(Soldiers back away and fall over backwards as if pushed from the front)

Jesus Who are you looking for?

Soldiers (getting back up) We are looking for Jesus from Nazareth

Jesus I was with you everyday, teaching in the temple court yards. You didn't arrest me then. It must happen so that the scriptures will be fulfilled.

(Lights down on the scene. Children freeze in place and then leave quietly when the music starts)

Reader 1: Peter pulled out his sword and cut off the ear of the high priest's servant.

Reader 2: But Jesus told him to put his sword away. He said, "All who live by the sword will die by the sword. Do you think I can't ask my Father for help? If I asked, He would send an army of angels right away. But then how would the scriptures come true? It must happen this way.

Reader 3: Then Jesus was arrested and all of his disciples and followers ran away.

Choir or special, 'He Could Have Brought 10,000 Angels'

Reader 1:No one forced Jesus to die on the cross. Christ's death was a choice - made in love - for you and me.

Reader 2: He chose the cross. I have one set with diamonds on a silver chain. It's beautiful. Not a bit like that ugly wooden one He chose.

Reader 3: And His hands. Think of His hands.

Choir or special, 'The Blood Was Red'

Reader 1:They laid His body in a borrowed tomb. Teacher, Messiah, Lord. He raised the dead. Defeated death. How is it that death has taken Him away?

Reader 2:He had tried to prepare them but they could not understand.

Reader 3:Heartbroken, His followers gave up the dream.

Reader 1:They gave up on Jesus. But He did not give up on them.

Choir or special, 'I Found Jesus Alive', 'Resurrection Morn', 'Gone' or another song which tells the story of the Resurrection

Reader 2:Sin, death and the grave were defeated!

Reader 3:Jesus became the perfect sacrifice for our sin.

Reader 1:He became my sin.

Reader 2:He gave me His righteousness!

Reader 3:That was His choice.

Reader 1:And now He offers us a choice.

Reader 2:Have you chosen Him?

Song: 'Calvary's The Reason Why', 'Because He Lives' or something similar to make the move to the impact of the Resurrection in our lives.

Closing

Note: Most of the songs mentioned are on an album titled 'Easter In The South' which is put out by DayWind. 'The Blood Was Red' is on Dallas Holm's album 'Before Your Throne'



Author's note: This play may be printed, copied, performed and used to the Glory of God. If you use it in any published collection, (print, on-line, etc.) please include this URL http://www.beau.org/~vickir/drama along with the information that this and other plays are available at no charge.