Playing time: 1 hour, 30 minutes

Cast of Characters

Some can be interchangeable to male/ female by giving them alternate names.

Character Name

Nicole                  The Stage Manager

Carl                       Asst Stage Manager

Frances               The Director

Jimmy                  Inn Keeper (Hiram), Wise Man 1

Nate                     Joseph, Gabriel, Shepherd

Amanda              Inn Keeper’s Wife (Huldah)

Gina                      Mary, Wise (Wo)Man 3

Sandrea              Lamb, Vainest

Emily                    Lamb, Vain

Chloe                   Youth Leader    Lamb

Daisy                    Prop Manager

Dylan                    Herod

Theresa               Wise (Wo)Man 2

Thomas               Door Dash Driver           

Structure

The Play is divided up into scenes. There are, however, no physical changes. The divisions are for directing purposes only.

Synopsis

This is the final dress rehearsal for a church’s Christmas Drama. We only see the production from the backstage. Not all is going well, but in the end the message is received to the cast if not the ‘audience’. The play they are producing is a mess. No linear logic. As in most casts, some are good actors, some are not. Don’t be afraid to play with this concept. The actors who appear backstage should not seem like they are acting. They should appear normal despite their idiosyncrasies.

The Set

The set consists of the backstage of a set for a church Christmas program. We can see the back braces and frames. On Stage Left is the door leading to the Green Room. There is a wall separating it from the main stage. The Green Room is really the Choir Room and should be labeled as such, but a sign on the door says “Green Room” The Wall on SR has a door that leads to the Pastor’s Office. This is never opened and can be painted if you wish. Label it correctly.

We had two 2-foot walls on DSR and DSL made to look like the outside of the church to give the illusion of the audience looking through the wall into the church.

There are three ‘entrances’ to the set. One from the Green room and two USC to the front of the platform. When the actors enter the set to play their scenes, they go to USC and exit left or right. The audience never sees the actual play.

SR is a podium and chair for the Stage Manager and SL is the same for the Asst Stage Manager. We actually had the light board on the stage for the ASM. DSR is a prop table. Scattered around backstage are items for the drama, 2D sheep, camels, Star of Bethlehem, etc. Make sure these are able to ‘enter’ the set through one of the three openings.