Innovative church drama resources - scripts, ideas, and drama ministry training tools. http://www.overthetoppublishing.com sketch A youth sketch with a lesson on living in the truth and acceptance of the gifts that God provides us. http://www.overthetoppublishing.com/sketchinfo.asp?sketchid=101 2010 sketch A comedy sketch that illustrates how inconsistent we can be in exhibiting the fruit of the Spirit. http://www.overthetoppublishing.com/sketchinfo.asp?sketchid=100 2010 sketch A youth sketch about how our obsession with people or things consumes our attention. http://www.overthetoppublishing.com/sketchinfo.asp?sketchid=99 2010 sketch A missions monologue in the voice of a regular person like you and me who went to Africa and came back changed. http://www.overthetoppublishing.com/sketchinfo.asp?sketchid=98 2010 sketch A comedic sketch about an actor who is constantly "on the wrong page" of a script - the same way we all feel sometimes. http://www.overthetoppublishing.com/sketchinfo.asp?sketchid=97 2010 sketch A comedy sketch that portrays a son awkwardly approaching his father with a request. http://www.overthetoppublishing.com/sketchinfo.asp?sketchid=96 2010 sketch An Easter responsive reading that relates Christ's seven words from the cross to our lives today. http://www.overthetoppublishing.com/sketchinfo.asp?sketchid=95 2010 sketch A monologue in the voice of a skeptic who doubts Christianity and sometimes ridicules Christianity but is beginning to doubt his or her own doubt. http://www.overthetoppublishing.com/sketchinfo.asp?sketchid=94 2009 sketch A missions monologue that presents the life and passion of Samuel Crowther, the first black Anglican bishop and missionary to his own people. http://www.overthetoppublishing.com/sketchinfo.asp?sketchid=93 2009 sketch An interactive reenactment of Bethlehem at the time of the census. http://www.overthetoppublishing.com/sketchinfo.asp?sketchid=92 2009 sketch A light-hearted sketch that tells the story of blending a family through parodies of TV theme songs. http://www.overthetoppublishing.com/sketchinfo.asp?sketchid=91 2009 sketch A one-woman dramatic play that retells the story of Naomi from the the book of Ruth set in mid-twentieth century America. http://www.overthetoppublishing.com/sketchinfo.asp?sketchid=90 2009 sketch A comedy sketch about two couples who have just heard a sermon on "Love Thy Neighbor" but fail to put it into practice. http://www.overthetoppublishing.com/sketchinfo.asp?sketchid=89 2009 sketch A comedic sketch about a small group filled with Christians who are from perfect but nevertheless still the people of God. http://www.overthetoppublishing.com/sketchinfo.asp?sketchid=88 2009 sketch This is a reader's theater piece about the Lord's Supper. It can be used along with Communion or as a separate piece. http://www.overthetoppublishing.com/sketchinfo.asp?sketchid=87 2009 sketch A comedic sketch that re-casts the magi as modern professors to underscore the point that the Christian life calls for a commitment to action. http://www.overthetoppublishing.com/sketchinfo.asp?sketchid=86 2009 sketch A dinner theater based around an old-time radio show. http://www.overthetoppublishing.com/sketchinfo.asp?sketchid=85 2009 sketch A monologue by Vashti, Esther's predecease as queen. It is about standing up against oppression regardless of the cost and also illustrates how our choices are used as part of God's plan. http://www.overthetoppublishing.com/sketchinfo.asp?sketchid=84 2009 sketch A youth sketch about servanthood and loving one another. http://www.overthetoppublishing.com/sketchinfo.asp?sketchid=83 2009 film A dramatic video about people who turn to prayer in time of crisis. http://www.overthetoppublishing.com/filminfo.asp?sketchid=82 2009 sketch A missions monologue featuring Lottie Moon as she leaves behind all that she has ever known and sets off for China. Partially using Lottie Moon's own words, the monologue discusses the situation, thoughts, and feelings of nineteenth century missionaries and the desire for Kingdom work that called them halfway around the world. http://www.overthetoppublishing.com/sketchinfo.asp?sketchid=81 2008 sketch An interactive historical reenactment of a manger scene, designed to be performed multiple times with a small audience each time, inviting the audience to enter into the sights, scents, and feelings of the manger. http://www.overthetoppublishing.com/sketchinfo.asp?sketchid=80 2008 sketch A monologue set amid the ruins of Jerusalem after the Babylonian destruction of the city. A prophet struggles with the suffering he sees around him, but finds hope in God's presence with the people. http://www.overthetoppublishing.com/sketchinfo.asp?sketchid=79 2008 sketch A monologue on the issues of aging told through the metaphor of a dogwood tree through the changing seasons. http://www.overthetoppublishing.com/sketchinfo.asp?sketchid=78 2008 sketch A Comedy Murder Mystery Dinner Theater Musical http://www.overthetoppublishing.com/sketchinfo.asp?sketchid=77 2008 sketch A responsive reading based on Isaiah 6. http://www.overthetoppublishing.com/sketchinfo.asp?sketchid=76 2008 sketch A comedy sketch modeled after the parable of the Good Samaritan with a sales trainee on his or her first day encountering three customers. http://www.overthetoppublishing.com/sketchinfo.asp?sketchid=75 2008 sketch A reader's theater piece for welcoming a new year that explores the implications of the term "the year of our Lord." http://www.overthetoppublishing.com/sketchinfo.asp?sketchid=72 2007 sketch A comedic readers theater piece that shows the stresses and aggravations of "the holidays." http://www.overthetoppublishing.com/sketchinfo.asp?sketchid=71 2007 sketch In this comedy sketch, two members of the wise men's entourage - one with delusions of grandeur, the other just wanting to get the camels fed - discuss how to follow a star. http://www.overthetoppublishing.com/sketchinfo.asp?sketchid=69 2007 sketch A monologue from the perspective of the innkeeper of the Christmas story - stressed and harried by his many guests and many duties - perhaps ultimately haunted by events that happened nearly under his nose but of which he was not really a part. http://www.overthetoppublishing.com/sketchinfo.asp?sketchid=68 2007 sketch A monologue by Anna, the prophetess, just before she sees the infant Jesus brought to the temple. Widowed from a young age, she lived only by God's grace and provision. And now she has seen a vision of God's ultimate provision right there on the mountain of the Lord. http://www.overthetoppublishing.com/sketchinfo.asp?sketchid=67 2007 sketch In this monologue we see Elizabeth waiting for a child for years and years. What does she have to teach us about advent? http://www.overthetoppublishing.com/sketchinfo.asp?sketchid=66 2007 sketch A family orders fruit of the Spirit and spiritual gifts at a fast food drive-through window. http://www.overthetoppublishing.com/sketchinfo.asp?sketchid=65 2007 sketch In this advent monologue, a young girl steals a baby Jesus from a church nativity scene. But then she finds it difficult to throw it away. http://www.overthetoppublishing.com/sketchinfo.asp?sketchid=64 2007 sketch Jonah is reluctantly preaching in Ninevah. Despite his lack of enthusiasm, he catches the attention of a Ninevite. To Jonah's chagrin, everything he says attracts the Ninevite more and more. http://www.overthetoppublishing.com/sketchinfo.asp?sketchid=63 2007 sketch A member of Herod's guard reflects on the butchery he just committed in Bethlehem in killing the innocent children. http://www.overthetoppublishing.com/sketchinfo.asp?sketchid=62 2007 training Creating relationship is the heart of acting, and drama feeds on conflict. How to analyze and act from relationships and from what each character wants. http://www.overthetoppublishing.com/articles.asp?article=Actor_Training_Relationships_And_Conflict.html 2007 training To make a drama believable, conversations on-stage between actors should look and sound like real-life conversations - only better. http://www.overthetoppublishing.com/articles.asp?article=Creating_Great_Stage_Conversations.html 2007 training Concepts and exercises to help actors understand and use context and subtext in their acting. http://www.overthetoppublishing.com/articles.asp?article=Actor_Training_Text_Context_Subtext.html 2007 video A comedic sketch about two guys (one hapless and the other uptight) on a workcamp. In an encounter with a small child they learn that missions is about touching people's lives. http://www.overthetoppublishing.com/video_menu.asp?sketchid=17 2007 sketch Can you have sketch with just two words of dialog? Yes, and in just two words you can express both the joy we have as Christians and our need to share it. http://www.overthetoppublishing.com/sketchinfo.asp?sketchid=60 2007 video A funny sketch with a serious message about obedience, this sketch is about the encounter between Saul, the former persecutor of the church, sitting blind in Damascus and Ananias, the believer who is called to reach out to him. http://www.overthetoppublishing.com/video_menu.asp?sketchid=53 2007 sketch A monologue for Father's Day or any day - Jacob is crossing the desert, fleeing from Esau's wrath. He had grown up hearing the stories of Abraham and Isaac. He desired to be the one to follow in that line. He grasped for his brother's birthright and blessing, which he won but at the cost of exile. Now he is leaving God's land behind. His dream was to find the God who had blessed his father and grandfather. Little does he known that God is seeking him and will that very night be only a dream away. http://www.overthetoppublishing.com/sketchinfo.asp?sketchid=59 2007 video Kimmy is working out at a gym on a Sunday afternoon and hating it. Her friend Lori came to the gym with her but stopped outside to enjoy the beautiful day. This humorous sketch deals with the tension in our modern lives between our busyness vs. the Biblical concept of a Sabbath rest. http://www.overthetoppublishing.com/video_menu.asp?sketchid=58 2007 sketch Kimmy is working out at a gym on a Sunday afternoon and hating it. Her friend Lori came to the gym with her but stopped outside to enjoy the beautiful day. This humorous sketch deals with the tension in our modern lives between our busyness vs. the Biblical concept of a Sabbath rest. http://www.overthetoppublishing.com/sketchinfo.asp?sketchid=58 2007 sketch A monologue for Mother's Day or any day - the story of Hannah, the mother of the prophet Samuel. It is a story of God's faithfulness and graciousness. It is also a story of what being a mother means. Because she has known need and seen God provide, Hannah is keenly aware that children are God's gift. http://www.overthetoppublishing.com/sketchinfo.asp?sketchid=57 2007 sketch A father desperate to save the life of his daughter. A woman desperate for healing to restore her life. This readers theater piece is really two independent, tightly interwoven monologues of people who find that Jesus loves not just humanity but individuals, too. http://www.overthetoppublishing.com/sketchinfo.asp?sketchid=56 2007 sketch A short sketch/reading for a Maundy Thursday or Good Friday service, this is a scene of Peter, James, John, Mary, and Mary Magdalene addressing their confusion and grief to an unseen Jesus on the cross. http://www.overthetoppublishing.com/sketchinfo.asp?sketchid=55 2007 sketch Suited for American Memorial Day, July 4th, or Veterans Day, this corporate prayer can be presented as either a reader's theater or a responsive reading. It deals with how we are at our best and most live our national ideals when we live connected to God. http://www.overthetoppublishing.com/sketchinfo.asp?sketchid=54 2007 sketch A funny sketch with a serious message about obedience, this sketch is about the encounter between Saul, the former persecutor of the church, sitting blind in Damascus and Ananias, the believer who is called to reach out to him. http://www.overthetoppublishing.com/sketchinfo.asp?sketchid=53 2007 sketch The king of the book of Esther comes face-to-face with a power that dwarfs his own. http://www.overthetoppublishing.com/sketchinfo.asp?sketchid=52 2007 sketch A team of American Christians is en route to Africa when they run into ticket problems in France. As the snooty ticket agent (played with an outrageous French accent) gives them grief, they react with less than holy attitudes. http://www.overthetoppublishing.com/sketchinfo.asp?sketchid=51 2007 training Concepts and exercises to help actors communicate a sense of place. http://www.overthetoppublishing.com/articles.asp?article=Actor_Training_A_Sense_Of_Place.html 2006 sketch A dramatic monologue in which Mordecai, an elder and leader of the Jews, is frustrated that at the time of his people's great danger, he must sit and wait and turn the work over to Esther. http://www.overthetoppublishing.com/sketchinfo.asp?sketchid=50 2007 sketch A dramatic monologue in which Queen Esther debates whether to risk all that she has on a gamble to try to save God's people. http://www.overthetoppublishing.com/sketchinfo.asp?sketchid=49 2007 video A grandmother, mother, and young daughter are baking holiday cookies before going to a performance of The Nutcracker Suite. http://www.overthetoppublishing.com/video_menu.asp 2006 video Moses sits on a park bench, presses "play" on a tape recorder, and is given a mission - though not the option of whether or not to choose to accept it. http://www.overthetoppublishing.com/video_menu.asp 2006 video A sales clerk at a department store tries to serve the public but finds customers difficult and uncaring. http://www.overthetoppublishing.com/video_menu.asp 2006 sketch A grandmother, mother, and young daughter are baking holiday cookies before going to a performance of The Nutcracker Suite. http://www.overthetoppublishing.com/sketchinfo.asp?sketchid=48 2006 video A reader begins to read a scripture about Christian unity only to find his or her own body not "on the same page." http://www.overthetoppublishing.com/video_menu.asp 2006 training How to build the emotional portrayal of a character http://www.overthetoppublishing.com/articles.asp?article=EmotionalMemory.htm 2006 sketch It is twelve hours BC. A shepherd gazes at the quiet sky and reflects upon the fears and uncertainties of life. He wonders whether God has forgotten His people and His centuries-old promise of a Messiah. His monologue is joined by a readers' theater of 21st century people. Together they reiterate the cry of the ages that we need God with us. We need Emmanuel. http://www.overthetoppublishing.com/sketchinfo.asp?sketchid=47 2006 sketch A man who is estranged from his prodigal son is asked to play a wise man in a live Nativity scene. He selects an old bottle of aftershave as his frankincense not realizing it is a gift he gave his son years ago for Christmas. http://www.overthetoppublishing.com/sketchinfo.asp?sketchid=46 2006 sketch A reader begins to read a scripture about Christian unity only to find his or her own body not "on the same page." http://www.overthetoppublishing.com/sketchinfo.asp?sketchid=45 2006 sketch A sales clerk at a department store tries to serve the public. But some customers ignore the sales clerk, some are afraid to talk to her or him, and some abuse her or him. http://www.overthetoppublishing.com/sketchinfo.asp?sketchid=44 2006 training Here are some tips to make your memorization process go more smoothly and be more effective. http://www.overthetoppublishing.com/articles.asp?article=MemorizationTips.htm 2006 sketch Noah, his wife, and his son Shem discuss waiting for God to deliver them on the deck of the ark. With no land in sight and month after month of waiting on the Lord, they are getting stir-crazy and argumentative. Noah has even started talking like a pirate. This Pythonesque sketch takes an absurd approach toward the real and relevant issues of living by faith while we wait. http://www.overthetoppublishing.com/sketchinfo.asp?sketchid=43 2006 dramadevotional A drama devotional teaches acting while inviting actors to experience a Biblical narrative. http://www.overthetoppublishing.com/articles.asp?article=The_Thiefs_Family.htm 2006 sketch The high priest Caiaphas may have considered himself the hero of Holy week. He was the one, he thought, protecting the people from a dangerous teacher. http://www.overthetoppublishing.com/sketchinfo.asp?sketchid=41 2006 article Did you know there is comedy in the Bible? Why would God (or we) use humor to tell spiritually important stories? http://www.overthetoppublishing.com/articles.asp?article=GodAndComedy.htm 2006 sketch With just one word all the grief and fear that tortured Mary Magdalene during passion week simply fell away. That one word was when the resurrected Jesus spoke her name. http://www.overthetoppublishing.com/sketchinfo.asp?sketchid=40 2006 sketch This is a monologue by Peter in the Garden of Gethsemane. As he struggles to stay awake he reflects on his struggles to be faithful to Jesus. http://www.overthetoppublishing.com/sketchinfo.asp?sketchid=39 2006 video On the road to a work camp missions trip, uptight Steve gives a ride to loud, annoying Chris. http://www.overthetoppublishing.com/video_menu.asp 2006 sketch Two middle-aged parents come home from their son's funeral, wander into the son's room, and try to pick up the pieces of their lives. http://www.overthetoppublishing.com/sketchinfo.asp?sketchid=37 2006 dramadevotional A drama devotional teaches acting while inviting actors to experience a Biblical narrative. http://www.overthetoppublishing.com/articles.asp?article=JerichoDay4.htm 2006 article A dinner theater is a great way to involve your drama team in ministry beyond Sunday morning worship. http://www.overthetoppublishing.com/articles.asp?article=Putting_on_a_Dinner_Theater.htm 2006 sketch Moses sits on a park bench, presses "play" on a tape recorder, and is given a mission. http://www.overthetoppublishing.com/sketchinfo.asp?sketchid=36 2006 dramadevotional A drama devotional teaches acting while inviting actors to experience a Biblical narrative. http://www.overthetoppublishing.com/articles.asp?article=Jacobs_Triangle.htm 2006 dramadevotional A drama devotional teaches acting while inviting actors to experience a Biblical narrative. http://www.overthetoppublishing.com/articles.asp?article=Before_the_Earthquake.htm 2005