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BACK STAGE ARGUMENT
MAIN POINT
There is a difference between doing acts of service and "being" a servant. The
test comes - and the difference is revealed - when servanthood goes unnoticed or
unappreciated. Christ not only came to serve, he took on the very nature of a servant. And
he called his followers to do the same. In this brief, self-illustrative sketch on
servanthood, two stage crew members actually perform the drama as they argue and complain
over setting up for one.
CHARACTERIZATION
Erin and Mike are friends who serve together on the
church's "behind-the-scenes" setup team. If you have regular people who do such,
it might be effective to actually use a couple of them and use their real names. Even in
their conflict and direct negative comments they retain a kindredness that is never in
doubt.
Erin is the protagonist, quick-tongued and sarcastic, but not nasty.
Resist the temptation to make her caustic. She should be played so that the audience can
relate with her poking fun at the self-aggrandizement of sophisticated actors.
Mike is more laid-back and patient. But below the surface, he at times
feels unappreciated, though he wouldn't say so under normal conditions. Since he most
likely does more behind the scenes than most, he doesn't have much use for those who
complain. Play him like the gentle-giant big brother.
DIRECTOR'S NOTES
1) The characters should spend most of their time facing each other from
opposite ends of the couch, so that the audience is looking at their profiles. They
shouldn't look in the audience's direction except for sweeping gestures skyward, keeping
their obliviousness to the audience intact until the very end.
2) If individual lapel microphones are used, try having the characters
say their lines in various degrees of vocal whisper, to enhance the sense of their being
behind the scenes and not intended to be heard. They can raise their voices some -
"shouting" breathily - during the more intense lines, and even shushing each
other a time or two when they do, and then returning to a whisper.
3) If a larger piece of furniture (such as a couch or loveseat) cannot be
used, try using two individual pieces, like overstuffed chairs or a chair and a table with
a lamp on it.
4) Make the lines after Mike and Erin realize they're being watched very
pronounced and self-conscious, perhaps forcing awkward smiles at each other and glancing
nervously several times at the audience as they exit. The more awkward they seem, the
better.
5) Use some music in the background as the sketch begins, as though a
transition in the service were taking place.
RELATED SCRIPTURES
Jesus used the theme of servanthood to underscore some of his most defining statements
about the nature of the flesh versus godliness: see Matthew 20:20-28, 23:8-12 and Mark
10:35-45. Isaiah 42:1 tells of one who would come serving, and Matthew, the gospel writer,
applies this to Jesus (Matthew 12:18). Jesus also defined himself as coming for
servanthood, and set an example when he washed his disciples' feet (John 13:1-17). See
also Luke 9:46-48, Luke 17:7-10 and Philippians 2:3-11.
RELATED THEMES
Beyond the obvious uses illustrating servant-heartedness, the sketch can be used when
dealing with conflict between friends, tension and resolving rifts or dealing with
offenses. It would find an enthusiastic audience at a training session or retreat for
ministry team members, especially those who do the behind-the-scenes work of the church.
Try it as a tool for recruiting new ministry team members.
