DO YOU WEAR A MASK? 61083
by Karen Janiczek

GENRE: Light Drama
TIME: 5 minutes
CAST BREAKDOWN: 4F, 4M, 2 youth
THEME: Honesty; Imperfection; Community
CHURCH YEAR SEASON: Any
SUGGESTED USE: Couple's Retreat; Church Retreat; Kickoff for Small Groups

CHARACTERS:
JANE and TOM––A married couple, the leaders of a small church group
TEEN 1 and TEEN 2––Their children
SIX OTHER ACTORS––Other couples in the small group

SYNOPSIS: As members of a small church group gather, they cover up their real daily concerns until one member dares to speak the truth.

PROPS: 8 masks for the adults (could be made of paper plates and Popsicle sticks);
Optional chairs; Optional cake container
COSTUMES: Contemporary. Some characters may wear work clothes.
SOUND: 8 cordless microphones
LIGHTING: General stage
SETTING: Living room and the porch outside it
SCRIPTURE: Romans 2:9–13; Philippians 2:1–2

DIRECTOR'S TIP: Have each actor create a body shape and voice that reflect the "real" self and another body shape and voice that reflect the "masked" self. Have them all walk around the room, going back and forth between the two selves as impulse leads them. When you add the masks, they will simply complete a transformation that is already visible in the performance.

 


JANE: Hurry dear, it's almost time for everyone to arrive.

TOM: Don't rush me! I just got home from work and I want to relax. This is my house and I want to watch some TV. I told you to cancel tonight.

JANE: I know you did, but I couldn't call everyone up at the last moment and cancel. We are the leaders and we have to be here for these people. Kids turn down that music!

TOM: We have to be there for these people? They are a bunch of perfect couples. No one ever seems to have any problems. Only us, and of course we can't say anything about what goes on here 'cause we're the leaders. Kids, your mother told you to turn down that music!

TEEN 1: Oh Dad, shut up! I can't hear it if it's turned down. I'm expressing my inner self when I have the music loud!

TEEN 2: Your inner self? I hope it's better looking than your outer self!

TEEN 1: Shut up! Have you looked in a mirror lately?

TEEN 2: Huh, huh, huh, very funny. You are such a dork!

JANE: We don't say dork in this house. Now hurry it is almost time.

Entering from another part of the stage. Couple #1.

GARY: I can't believe that you said that to my mother!

CARYN: She had it coming to her! She thinks she can dictate what we do in our house. Well, she can't! If you'd have stuck up for me, I would never have said anything.

GARY: Quiet! They'll hear you. (They lift up their masks and hold it in front of their faces.)

JANE: Oh dear, someone is here. Tom, please turn off the TV and answer the door.

TOM: (Grumbling to himself) I really hate it when these people invade our house. (Opens door and puts up his mask) Hello! Gary, Caryn, come on in. It's great to see you.

GARY: Great to see you too, Tom.

They hug each other and start to pantomime talking.
Enter couple #2.

MICHELLE: I'm exhausted! I had such a horrid day at the hospital. If I even look at another sick person I'm going to scream!

MIKE: You? Mine had to be worse. I was in court all day and we didn't even win. I hate judges! I hate…

TOM opens the door. Mask up on everyone.

TOM: Mike, Michelle, come on in. You look great. Bet you both had great days at work today. You look all refreshed and ready to tackle the world.

CARYN: Oh Michelle I need to pick your brain. I think I am getting sick and I need an expert's advice.

Enter couple #3.

BOB: Don't you tell anyone that I made this cake. I don't want the guys to think that I'm a sissy cook!

TRISH: Come on Bob, get over it! You cook better than me! Why lie?

Everyone puts on his or her mask.

TOM: Trish and Bob, come on in you two. Oh Trish, that cake looks delicious! I wish I were married to you. You are the best cook around.

TRISH: Thanks Tom, actually…(Mask starts to come down)…it was nothing. (Mask goes back up)

BOB: I'm glad that everyone could come. I always look forward to us getting together.

Everyone agrees. People are in small groups around the stage.

CARYN: So Michelle, what do you think I'm getting? I hope it's not one of those 48 hour bugs.

TRISH: Jane, your house is always so clean and your kids are so sweet and perfect. I don't know how you do it. I can't even get my kids to clean their rooms. You have such a perfect family.

JANE: You can't? Funny…I …(Mask starts to come down)

BOB: Jane, dear…(Looks at her hard as JANE'S mask goes back up.)

GARY: So Mike, win any cases lately?

MIKE: Well actually…I am in the middle of a huge case and I think that I may…(Mask starts to come down) I may…lo…(Mask goes back up) win!


JANE: Michelle, actually I need to tell you that my kids are not so sweet. (Her mask starts to slowly come down as she talks) My house is not always so clean…in fact it is usually so dirty until the afternoon of group. And (Mask is all the way down) you might as well know, we are not the perfect family! Tom and I fight, just like everyone else and our kids are not perfect!


Everyone stops and looks at JANE.

JANE: I'm sorry if I've shocked everyone, but I'm tired of pretending. I'm tired of putting on my church mask every time we meet. I guess I just want us to be real around everyone. That is why we are meeting as a group. To help each other, to be there for each other when things aren't going so well and to rejoice with each other when things are good.


Everyone looks at each other and then their masks start to slowly come down.

TOM: Jane is right, we need to be real with each other. I know, let's start again. Hello, my name is Tom and this is my wife Jane, welcome to our house.

Lights out.

Performance and photocopying rights:
Your purchase of this script grants your church unlimited use of these sketches within your programs and worship services. You may photocopy the script for each cast member in your church. Scripts and performance rights are not transferable between churches and cannot be resold. You may not use the sketches for any commercial or fundraising purpose, and usage rights do not extend to video, radio, television or film.

Copyright © 2002 by Karen Janiczek