Summary:  A dialogue between Judas and Mary (sister of Lazarus), in which Judas reveals his family background and his reasons for his hatred of the Romans. Could be used as a pre-Easter script.
Style; Dramatic.    Duration:  15min?
Scripture:  John 12: 1-8
Actors: 1M, 1F

Summary: A dramatic monologue in which Mary pours out her agonised heart at the foot of the cross.
Style; Heavy drama.   Duration:  10min
Actors: 1F

Summary: The story recounted by one of the two travellers who encounter Jesus on the road to Emmaus after His resurrection. 
Style: Dramatic.     Duration: 10min
Scripture: Luke 24: 13-35
Actors: 1M

Summary: The repentant thief shares the agony of his last moments in crucifixion.
Style: Heavy drama.    Duration:  10min
Actors: 1M

Subject: The sorrow of the crucifixion. Good Friday reflections by eight people who knew Jesus intimately.
Style: Dramatic. Duration: 10-15 mins
Actors: 4M, 4F (+ optional non-speaking extras)

Summary: The following are three monologues narrated by centurions mentioned in the Gospels and the Book of Acts. 
Style: Dramatic.       Duration: Each one is 5-10 mins.
Actors: Three males
Note: These could be played in sequence, or used over three occasions in the Easter period. 

Summary:
After the death of Jesus a certain centurion may have written to another centurion, whose servant had been healed by Jesus and this is what he may have said.
Style: Dramatic.           Duration: 5min
Actors: 1M

Summary: Based on John 3, this play follows Nicodemus as he progresses from a self- righteous proud Pharisee to become a follower of Jesus Christ. It has humour at the right time and deep convicting grief which finalizes in joy at the risen Lord. We are taking liberties in concluding that he became a believer; however, the fact that he defended Jesus before the Sanhedrin and he and Joseph claimed the body of Christ points in that direction. Also, historic tradition says he was baptized later on. Nicodemus begins with a gruff total rejection of Jesus, but God works thru the Holy Spirit, his family, and the scriptures to change the stony heart of this Pharisee. The play covers the time from the first miracles of Christ to His resurrection. First written for marionettes, it proved to be a powerful tool for conviction. 
Style: Dramatic, with light touches. Duration: 60min(?)
Actors: 5M, 2F, 1N

Summary. A story involving four people at the time of the crucifixion. Two have just left the Passover feast in Jerusalem; when they reach an inn they start to discuss Jesus' death. And two Roman soldiers who arrive at the inn also discus the event. An innkeeper listens intently to their discussion.
Style: Dramatic.   Duration: 10min
Actors: 5M

Summary: Anything can happen on an Easter morning.
Style: Dramatic.  Duration: 10min
Actors: 2F, 4M, 1VO
Scripture – LUKE 24: 1-12

Summary: In this Narrative monologue in several parts, Pilate writes his report to Rome on the events leading up to the crucifixion of Jesus. Interspersed with readings and hymns.
Style: Dramatic.     Duration: 30min(?)
Actors: 1M

Summary: A Resurrection play that consist of a group of 10 monologues that blend into a sort of choral speaking ending. Each inanimate object speaks out as a witness of Christ's presence here on earth and His death. Each inanimate object (except the donkey) tells of the part they played and how they felt as they participated in their God-given assignments.
Style: Dramatic/Heavy.   Duration: Approximately 60 minutes.
Actors: 1F (Donkey), 9 interchangeble M/F.

Summary: A Good Friday/Easter drama based on the trial, crucifixion and resurrection of Jesus, as experienced by Pontius Pilate. The whole play takes place in one location, Pilate’s palace. 
Style: Dramatic.   Duration:  About 25min. 
Actors: M, 1F, plus 7+V
Scriptures: Matt 26 – 28, Mark 14 - 16, Luke 22 – 24, John 18 - 20

Summary: Three women enter the garden tomb early on Easter Sunday morning, carring spices to embalm the body of Jesus but not knowing how they will be able to get into the tomb.

Style:  Dramatic.   Duration: 3min.
Actors:  3F, 1VO

Summary: A version of the Last Supper for younger people. It is based on the scripture from Matthew 26: 26-56.  It is from the point of view of a mother telling her daughter a story.

Style:  Dramatic.    Duration: 15min
Actors: 2F, 4M +V

Summary: Two angels with Jesus at the Garden of Gethsemane and through the Resurrection.  
Style: Dramatic.  Duration: 5-10min
Actors: 2M/F, 2:3F
Scripture: Based on Matthew 26 - 28

Summary: A dramatic poem which is an allegory on John 1:1-12. It is particularly suitable - but not exclusively so - for Easter. "The Writer" was originally presented as a dance-drama, with a Narrator, Dancers, and music compiled for the performance. A copy of the poem narrated by the author with music accompaniment can be viewed on YouTube, https://youtu.be/3d01Jaf1OjQ

Bible Reference: "The Writer" is based on John 1:1-12, which could be read before the performance.

Summary: A full-scale Easter passion play, beginning with the Palm Sunday entry into Jerusalem, and continuing to the resurrection of Jesus. Suitable for either an outdoor production (as originally performed) or the theatre/church. The script is designed to allow scenes to take place in multiple places around the set. Some of the scenes are very short. These are generally linking scenes, which provide time for actors in other scenes to move to other spots.
Style: Dramatic.   Duration: 90min-120min.
Actors: 35M, 6F, 1M/F, +V (some parts can be doubled)

Summary: This two-act play centers on the last week of Jesus’ earthly ministry. This presentation is designed to emphasize that there is a “cost” to discipleship, and that cost depends in large measure on the individual’s relationship with the Lord Jesus Christ. In this drama, five different persons must face the ultimate question of how they will relate to the Son of God and whether or not they are willing to pay the price.
Style: Dramatic.     Duration: 90-120min
Actors: 22M, 5F

Attachments:

R Cody Phillips-The Cost.pdf

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553 kB

A musical drama for Easter
Summary: A musical Easter drama for a large cast and choir. Told from the viewpoint of a shepherd, it chronicles the life of Jesus from his birth through his crucifixion, burial and resurrection ending on a triumphant note of glory.
Style: Dramatic.    Duration: 90min?
Actors: 20M, 11F, 5M/F, 2C, 1VO, +Various

Click on the link below to read or download the full script.

Attachments:

Christ the shepherd.docx

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21 kB

A musical drama for Easter

Summary: This full-length script traces the life of Jesus from his birth to his crucifixion and resurrection.
Style: Dramatic.   Duration: 90min?
Actors: 13F, 24M, 3M/F, 3VO, 2C

Read or download the full script by clicking on the link below.

Attachments:

Christ the servant, Christ the king.odt

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39 kB

Summary: Two people who have just left the Passover feast in Jerusalem   start to discuss Jesus' death when they reach an inn. Two Roman soldiers who arrive at the inn also discus the event. An innkeeper listens intently to their discussion.
Style: Dramatic.    Duration: 10min
Actors: 5M

Summary: As well as portraying the crucifixion, this play also looks at the question of suffering and demonstrates that though terrible things happen in this world, this does not mean that we have an uncaring God who cannot sympathize with our suffering: Jesus lived amongst us and shared our pain.
Style: Dramatic.   Duration: 12min.
Actors: 2M/F, 5M

Summary: This play covers the period of Holy Week from Palm Sunday, Holy Thursday, Good Friday and Easter (Resurrection) Sunday.  This play has a Biblical emphasis in terms of how Old Testament prophecies concerning the end of Jesus’ ministry and death are fulfilled in the Gospel account, mostly in the book of Matthew. There is also an evangelistic thrust which relates to how the life of Jesus impacts both nominal Christians as well as unchurched non-Christians with the reality of God’s love for them.
Style: Religious drama with comedy/fantasy elements.
Duration: Approximately one hour.
Cast Size: About 34, but people would have the flexibility to play more than one role.
Scripture references: Matthew 21: 1-11, Zechariah 9:9, Zechariah 13:7, Matthew 26: 26-30, 32-41, 69-75, Matthew 27: 11-25, Isaiah 53: 4-8, 10, Matthew 27: 27-33, Luke 23:28, Matthew 27:41-42, Luke 23:39-43, Matthew 27: 45-48, John 19:30, Mark 15:39, Matthew 28: 1-8.

To read the full script, please click on the link below.

Attachments:

The Gospel Adventure-Holy Week

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90 kB

Summary: A court case in which witnesses to the crucifixion of Jesus are questioned regarding the later disappearance of the body.
Style: Dramatic.    Duration:  7min
Scripture: MATT 27:62 -66 and 28:11 - 15
Actors: 1M/F, 4M

Summary. A crucifixion drama set to the song "No hay nadie come tu" by Marco Barrientos. We have used this very effectively outdoors.
Style: Dramatic.  Duration:  9min
Actors: 6+M, 2M/F

Summary: Based on Luke 22 and John 13 & 14, this five scene script can be used for just Jesus washing his disciples' feet (scenes 1-3) and/or instituting the Lord's Supper.
Style:  Dramatic.    Duration: Scenes 1-3 run about 5-6 minutes, 5 and 6 are 3 minutes each.  Scenes 1 -3 can be produced as a stand-alone skit as well as 4 & 5 as a stand-alone.
Actors: 13M

Summary: A reflection by Mary Magdalene on her discovery at the empty tomb.
Style: Dramatic.   Dur: 3min
Actors: 1F

Summary: Various people present at the crucifixion react to what they have seen. This is suitable as a Readers' Theatre presentation. (Inspired by a sermon my father, Rev. James T. Ramdall,preached when I was a child.)
Style: Dramatic.   Duration: 15min
Actors: 6M, 3F, 1VO + various voices

Summary: A briefly told account of the resurrection and Jesus' various appearances to his disciples. This would work well as an acted reading, or readers' theatre.
Style: Dramatic.    Duration: 8min
Actors: 1F, 3M, 2M/F + Various non-speaking parts.

Summary: Two women wonder what will happen to their friend Mary Magdalene, now Jesus has been crucified. (Note: Language is that of British working class women.)
Style: Dramatic.   Duration: 12min
Actors: 2F

Summary: This play would work well at Easter time as it portrays the crucifixion. It also looks at the question of suffering and demonstrates that though terrible things happen in this world, this does not mean that we have an uncaring God who cannot sympathize with our suffering: Jesus lived amongst us and shared our pain. The Bible passage used at the end of the play is the NIV version of Isaiah 53:3-6, an Old Testament passage understood by Christians to predict the suffering of Christ and his atoning death. [This author has several other excellent plays at www.freechristianplays.tumblr.com]
Style: Dramatic          Duration: 20min
Actors: 5M,2M/F

Summary: An Easter skit. What effect did Jesus have on Pontius Pilate? Drawing from the 4 Gospel accounts, with some imagination of a conversation in Pilate’s household on Resurrection Sunday.
Style: Dramatic   Duration: 12min
Actors: 2M,1F

Summary: A short sketch in which a judge gives his summation to an imaginary jury about who Jesus was, based on Jesus’ own words on the cross.
Style: dramatic           Duration: 5 min
Scripture: Jesus’ words from the cross as recorded in Luke 23, Matthew 27 and John 19.
Actors: 1M/F

Puppets at Easter 

Summary: Focusing on Thomas at Easter and after the Resurrection.
Style: Light-hearted.  Duration: 5min
Actors: 1N, + puppets
Scripture: John 20:19-20

Summary: These three dramas – Palm Sunday, Good Friday and Easter Sunday – were written for a children’s activity morning.  A large white sheet with a strong light source behind it is needed, so that the children’s shadows are shown miming the actions, while the narrator reads out the poem. Shapes such as a cardboard donkey, palm fronds may also be used.
Style: Dramatic.  Duration: Short.
Actors: Any number

Summary: An Easter bible reading set to “rap” music.
Style: Dramatic. Duration: 2min
Actors: Any number
Scripture: John 18:28-40

Summary:  A monologue, in which the disciple Thomas reflects on his time with Jesus, and the events following the resurrection.
Style: Dramatic.   Duration:  12min
Actors: 1M
Scripture: John 20: 19-31

Summary:  Two sets of characters, modern day and from the time of Jesus, are forced to reassess their lives by the events of the first Easter.
Style: Light-hearted.  Duration: 12min
Scripture: John 20: 1-18
Actors: 3M, 1F

Summary: A monologue from one of those whom Jesus met following his resurrection on the road to Emmaus.
Style: Dramatic.   Duration:  10min
Actors: 1M/F
Scripture: Luke 24: 13-35

Summary: Using David Dimbleby's Question Time programme (UK TV), we bring up arguments about the Resurrection of Jesus. The pupils from Churchill Community College took up a 'write a drama for Easter' challenge. This is what they came up with.
Style: Dramatic.   Duration:  5min
Actors: 4M, 1F

Summary: A light-hearted radio news report from the events of Palm Sunday.
Style: Light-hearted.   Duration:  6min
Actors:  4M/F

Summary: Two women discuss Mary Magdalene and the events of the first Easter.
Style: Dramatic.   Duration: 10min
Scripture:Mark 16:9-11, John 20:14-18 and parallels
Actors: 2F

Summary: A short sketch based on the Roman Centurion’s experience of the crucifixion.
Style: Dramatic.   Duration: 5min
Scripture: The crucifixion accounts in Luke 23 and Matthew 27.
Actors: 1M, 1F

Summary: It takes a personal encounter with Jesus for Thomas to believe Christ has risen.
Style:  Comedy/drama.  Duration:  10min
Actors: 5M

Summary: A suburban couple are upset when their donkey goes missing. They get a surprise when they hear a commotion at the end of the street.  Keywords: Palm Sunday
Style: Light-hearted.  Duration: 5min
Actors: 1M, 1F

Summary: A modern-day take on Palm Sunday, with a shopaholic wife, a long-suffering husband and their household pet.
Style:  Light-hearted.  Duration:  6min
Actors: 1M, 1F

Summary: This is a true story in the form of a passion play, but the setting has been changed to modern times, and some events have been added or rearranged for dramatic purposes. The play is modern dress, designed to be suitable for school performance.
Style: Dramatic   Duration:  60min +
Actors: 38M, 19F, 5M/F, 1VO, 1N, +Various

To read this script, click here.

Summary: This is a sketch about the Resurrection, from the point of view of the Roman soldiers assigned to guard duty outside the tomb. There are three scenes, with an appropriate Bible reading between each one, giving time for scene changes. The letter included in Scene Three is an alleged report of the trial and death of Jesus sent by Pilate to Rome, and is included in an apocryphal book, ‘the Acts of Peter and Paul’. Keywords: resurrection. Style: humorous.  Duration: 20 min.
Actors: 7M, 1M/F
Scripture Reference: Matthew 27:62-65; Matthew 28:1-15;Luke 24:9, 11, 36-48

Summary: An allegory on the Easter story, with God depicted as a Pet Shop owner.
Style: Drama.  Duration:  8min
Actors: 1 Narrator

Summary: Mary receives a surprise visit from a Roman soldier one year after the crucifixion of Jesus.
Style: Dramatic.   Duration: 5min
Actors: 1M, 1F

Summary: A shopaholic wife returned from a buying binge and a bored husband find their day is turned upside down when their beloved Daisy is taken by a stranger.  Keywords: Palm Sunday
Style: Light-hearted.  Duration: 6min
Actors: 1M, 1F

Summary: Two women proclaim the resurrection news. Keywords: resurrection
Style: Drama.  Duration: 2min
Actors: 2F

Summary: Mary, mother of Jesus, is struggling with the torture of her son.  She cries out to God with her struggles, and then asks for God's help to remain strong. Keywords: Easter, death, resurrection, suffering.
Style: Drama:  Duration: 3min
Actors: 1F

Summary: This Readers Theater piece, focusing on the Easter story, is an examination of spiritual callings through Joseph of Aramethea and his decision to bury Jesus. (Originally staged with back cyclorama and back lighting, creating silhouettes to the audience). Keywords: Easter, calling, spiritual gifts, ministry, doubts, fear.
Style: Dramatic.  Duration: 15min
Actors: 3M, 2F, 2M/F
Scripture reference:  raising of Lazarus through the Passion and appearance of Jesus to the Apostles in Acts.

Summary: A short play suitable for a youth group or drama group to perform in Church.The play is set as a modern day hearing into the events that allowed the ‘Jesus Cultists’ to claim that Jesus was resurrected from the dead.  The Commander of the Guard is called to give testimony and be cross-examined  - insofar as a Roman soldier could be cross examined in a Jewish court.
Keywords: Easter, Empty Tomb, Resurrection, Jesus, Roman Guards, Asleep, Stone rolled away,  Conspiracy, Stolen body,
Style: Drama
Actors: 1M 3 M/F
Props:  include, four desks, chairs, a modern day Army Sergeants uniform, a Judges wig and gown.
Duration: 7-10 mins
Scripture Reference: Matthew 27:63 and 28:11 – 15

Summary : A sketch in five small scenes, each portraying a stage in the life of Barabbas. It was performed for, and by children, and is to illustrate that sin, if not dealt with, goes from bad to worse and hurts not only ourselves but those around us. I’d like to think that Barabbas was a changed man after Jesus took his place on the cross; only eternity will tell! Keywords: Barabbas, Easter, punishment, rebellion, sin, cross.
Style: Drama.  Duration: 10min
Actors: 7M, 2F, 3-5M/F, +V

Summary: Two characters discuss the significance of eggs at Easter in a humorous way. Keywords: Easter, eggs, new life.
Style: Lighthearted. Duration: 4min
Actors: 2 puppets

Style: Lighthearted.  Duration: 4 min
Actors: 2 puppets
Summary : Two characters discuss the significance of the cross on the hot cross bun in a humorous way. Keywords: Easter, cross, hot cross buns.