“What’s Done For Christ”
Written by Frederick Passmore
Copyright 2004-2018 Sheep Laughs Publications
Synopsis: An elderly lady is admitted to a nursing home. Her fruitful days of puppet ministry are coming to a close, which makes her sad…. but she is comforted as she comes to understand that a life lived for The Lord never ends, and neither does the good that was done. As she reminisces about the past, using a conversation with her beloved ventriloquist figure to talk through her fears, she discovers a wonderful secret about him that she had never realized. A nurse tending to her has her life impacted by the new patient, as she remembers coming to Christ as a child through her puppet ministry. The nurse’s regrets about not being more active for the Lord are turned to hope as a precious gift is bequeathed to her.
Note: Written specifically for a female ventriloquist/actress, this script is limited in who can perform it, but a senior or adult playing a senior will enjoy performing this script that delivers some powerful emotional scenes. The script works for either a puppet or a ventriloquist figure. You can be sure your audience will be blessed and reaching for tissues by the time you get to the end! Read a couple of sample user testimonies near the bottom of this page to see how this script has been used to impact lives and touch hearts for the Lord.
Soundtrack key: This is the type of script where your actors deliver their lines and the soundtrack supplies the background music and sound effects as the script calls for them.
Length of play: 12-15 minutes
Number of cast: 2
Category: Dramatic, Duet, Medium-Length Skit,
Price of script pdf & Skit Trax MP3: Instant download: $12.99 – Add to Cart
Price of script pdf & Physical CD: $14.99 plus shipping – Add to Cart
YOU MAY ALSO ORDER THE SCRIPT AND SOUNDTRACK AT THE BOTTOM OF THIS PAGE.
Characters: Miss Mary Hart, G. Willikers, aka “Willy” (the dummy or puppet), Nurse Wendy Daye. Also, a female voice is needed offstage to come over an intercom.
Note: This script can use a female ventriloquist for the part of Miss Hart. However, the actress need not be a ventriloquist to play the part… as you could have someone offstage on a mic provide the lines and voice for the vent figure or puppet. This is how most people do it.
Setting: The inside of a patient’s room in a nursing home. A small bed, with a table and lamp beside it. If a bed is not feasible, then a comfy chair would suffice.
Props: Puppet or vent figure, an old suitcase for it to fit it, wheelchair and desk phone.
(A general description of the script; not all details or scenes are here, but it gives you an overall picture of what it is like.)
As the play opens, a nurse is bringing in a new patient, Mary Hartt, to the nursing home in the room in a wheelchair. The new resident is an elderly lady who has lived a life of ministry using a puppet (or ventriloquist figure) to share her testimony around the world. Now, she is tired and sad that it all seems to be over. She asks the kind nurse to hand her one of her suitcases, which she opens to reveal her traveling companion, a puppet named G. Willikers, or “Willy” for short. The nurse, Wendy Daye, remembers seeing the character as a child when Miss Hartt came to her school to minister, an experience that led to her accepting the Lord. The discussion she has with Mary (and Willy) leads to her admission that she has not lived a life as devoted to the Lord as she wished for. Mary reassures her that it is never too late to let the Lord use one’s life, if they are willing.
Preview a PDF page of the script that contains the scene above by clicking here: whats_done_for_christ_sample_01
After the nurse leaves with a promise to come back soon, Mary settles in by having a talk with Willy. Even without an audience to entertain, she carries on a conversation with the puppet and expresses her feelings about not being able to perform anymore. She perceives that she doesn’t have much time left in this world, and she regrets that when she is gone, Willy will no longer have a voice or be used. She also confesses that she will miss him, as he has been her only companion for her whole life as she traveled the world to minister. Willy assures her that her work will go on, for nothing done for the Lord is truly ever finished or forgotten. He also comforts her by reminding that he is a part of her, so they can never really part. Mary talks about the dreams she has been having about being reunited with her family, and Willy confirms that she will be going home to Heaven soon. Mary discovers that the words coming through Willy are really the words of the Holy Spirit that dwells within her, giving voice to what He whispers to her own heart.
Preview a PDF page of the script that contains the scene above by clicking here: whats_done_for_christ_sample_02
As they talk, Mary begins to hear the voices of her loved ones that have gone before her, and then begins to see them greeting her with waves. She sees also angels and a bright City in the distance. Willy asks her to describe what she is seeing, and she recognizes her mother, father, and sister, who have been gone to be with the Lord for many years. Willy then says that he can see them too, and encourages her to go to them. At last, she catches a glimpse of the Lord coming to her, and as she reaches out to Him, she slowly sinks down on her pillow, with Willy leaning against her. A moment later, the nurse returns, and at first thinks Miss Hartt is sleeping until she checks her and realizes with sadness that she has peacefully passed. As Miss Hartt had signed a “Do Not Resuscitate” form upon entering, she lets her rest undisturbed. After informing the front desk, she returns to Mary’s side and speaks to her, sharing her regret that she never took up puppetry as she desired after her conversion. Although feeling it is too late, she remembers Miss Hartt’s last words to her, that it is never too late to serve the Lord. Lifting the now silent Willy, knowing that there are no living relatives that Miss Hartt could leave it to, she feels led of God to take up the ministry where Miss Hartt left off, using the puppet to entertain and encourage the patients at the home. She leaves the room with her new friend, anticipating the start of a wonderful new partnership.
Preview the section of the soundtrack that is heard during the scene above by clicking on the player below. (COMING SOON)
Read some of the testimonials about the script from just a few of the many users:
Dear Frederick,
Sending you thanks for your skits! We performed “What’s Done For Christ” last night and will do again during the Sunday service today. I played Mary while my identical twin sister Chris magically spoke the voice of “Willy” in the wings as I matched her voice with the puppet. There was much nose blowing and eye wiping as we came toward the end. Our dear friend, Connie played Wendy and we were all surprised how emotional we became doing this skit. Our pastor was out of town this weekend so I grabbed the chance to introduce an extended drama into our church. Been trying for years to have the opportunity to show the “church crowd” how powerful a drama can be and how life-changing the experience is. We plan on doing more of your skits down the road.
Thanks again!
-Karen Schiefer, Minister of Music, St. Paul’s Lutheran Church, Ellicottville, NY
Dear Frederick,
Our church, the Rathmel Baptist Church in Reynoldsville, PA, is a small country church with approximately 10-15 children attending. I have been asked to oversee youth activities, because I love working with the children, and since I have grandsons that I teach songs to for special music programs. But I wanted to do puppets and skits to bring the word of God to them.
I was searching for something special to introduce our congregation to this approach of teaching when I came across your script, “What’s Done For Christ” and God spoke directly to my heart. You see, I have a terminal illness. I was wondering who would carry on this ministry. Well, I got the answer from your script. I intend to do it for the entire church as soon as possible.
God sure does work in mysterious ways. Thank you!
-Kathy Hiller
Hello Fred,
I just wanted to let you know that I had done 4 of your skits over the weekend. I had emailed you previously letting you know, but I just wanted to let you know how well they were received!
Our middle school youth did “The Stupid Dummy’s Guide To Higher Self-Esteem”…it was awesome and our parishioners loved it! Lots of laughs!
We also did “What’s Done For Christ”…it went perfectly! I had a puppet that looked like a “grandma” and we called her Gracie. We used a high schooler for her “voice”. Again, our parishioners loved it …and it tugged a few heartstrings.
Next we had a father/son team do The Guy with the Cardboard Christ! (I did buy a cardboard Christ from the link on your website, Thank you!!!) Instead of a newspaper, Alan was reading the book The Dummy’s Guide…people chuckled at that right away. This father/son team just played off each other and it was a huge success…
For our last skit, we did the Pastor’s BBQ…EVERYONE LOVED IT! This really happened recently in our church (and still is in the works, unfortunately) so this really hit home. Our highschoolers did this one…they acted and danced to the narration It was perfect.
I am very happy that I bought the whole Skit Kit! I will be doing more of these skits within the next few months for my church and the church I work at.
We did film our skits if you would be interested in seeing them.
Thank you again!
-Deb Ransbottom
Executive Secretary
St. Raphael the Archangel Congregation, Oshkosh, Wisconsin
Okay, if you liked the story breakdown, and enjoyed the Skit Trax previews, and were encouraged by the testimonials of those that have done it, buy the complete script and soundtrack here!
Get the script PDF (to print out) and audio tracks (to burn to your own CD) here.
Price of script pdf & Skit Trax MP3: Instant download: $12.99 – Add to Cart
Get the physical CD mailed to you by ordering here. You will be taken to a page where you can print out the script PDF as well as an email containing the script PDF. Price of script pdf & Physical CD: $14.99 plus shipping – Add to Cart
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