Bellwether Father

Fathers discuss the problems associated with fatherhood, the problem of connecting with children. Fathers must be an example, a leader. The major part of the impact of this drama comes not from the drama itself but from the song, (Bellwether by Eddie Carswell, Paul Smith, Oliver Wells and Niles Borop from Living Proof Album 1990 Dayspring Music (a division of Word Inc.), and the non-verbal acting by the actors. The non-verbal acting is key to the success of the drama and must be very well rehearsed in order that they are able to put across to the audience the message without the benefit of words.

I wrote this script fairly early in the beginning of drama in my home church at a time when the reason and rightness of drama was still under question I convinced a good friend, an associate pastor in the church, to play Jack and as rehearsals went by he came to very much pick up on the significance of the words of the song as they projected into the journey of the script. This script, and the beautiful song have permanently stayed in my mind as I have come to realize their significance.

Cast:    3

• Jack is a quiet spoken, smiling, friendly, confident person who seems to radiate support for others.
• Tom is a very quiet person who must project the uncertainty and concern in his personal life.
• Male Singer - it is critical that the singer be very expressive and that the song be delivered with great feeling.

Bible Reference:    Isaiah 40:11

Set:

• bare except for Park bench at centre stage on a raised stage area with backdrop of trees and a park behind actors

Lighting:        spot on park bench

Sound:     wireless mics if available

Song: 

• The song (Bellwether by Eddie Carswell, Paul Smith, Oliver Wells and Niles Borop from Living Proof Album 1990 Dayspring Music (a division of Word Inc.), forms the basis of this script. The song is on the Newsong website. Please support the writer and publisher by purchasing the song. If possible play the opening musical portion only at the beginning of the performance.

SFX: none

Costumes:      standard

Props:      none

Special Instructions:   none

Time:     9 (with song)

Sample of script:

Song: Play opening music only, no lyrics 

Lights slowly up showing park bench. After 30 seconds Tom walks slowly on stage from Downstage Right, looks around, paces very slowly back and forth in front of park bench, careful to stay in spotlight, looks into the distance right, into the distance left, then looks at the ground, kicks at an imaginary something, stretches, yawns. He looks around again, looks over his shoulder at the park bench as though seeing it for the first time, brushes imaginary dust off the bench, carefully sits down, crosses and uncrosses his legs three times, trying to find a comfortable position. Holds his hands in front of him, examining them, cups his chin in his hands, elbows on knees, stares blankly at the ground.
Jack strolls on stage from Downstage Right, sees Tom, smiles, waves, speaks.

Jack: Hi Tom, how ya doing. Mind if I come sit with you?

Tom: Uh, sure Jack. Come and sit down.

Jack sits down: Just sitting here enjoying the beautiful weather?

Tom: Uh, yeh, I guess so.

Jack: What's wrong Tom? You are acting like you've lost your best friend.

Tom laughs: I think you may be closer to the truth than you realize.

Jack: Want to talk about it?

Tom: I'm not sure what you can do. But I do trust you as a friend, Jack. You see I'm really mixed up. When I became a Christian about a year ago, everything seemed to be answers and solutions. God seemed to be providing guidance in my family. But recently my family situation seems more like problems and confrontations. This being a father is a tougher job than I expected.

Jack: I'm sorry to hear that things aren't going well for you right now, Tom. But you know, we shouldn't be all that surprised. As a new creation in Christ you will be under attack by the enemy. And one of the first areas Satan will attack is the family.

Tom: Well I guess I knew that this would happen. But it seems like my son and I are having more and mnore trouble communicating. Don't get me wrong, I know that it is my fault as much as Brian's. My wife says that Brian and I are too much alike, and maybe she's right. Brian tells me that he's getting tired of my lectures. And I don't want my instructions to turn into lectures but I'm at my wit's end to know what to do.

Jack: Tom, maybe you need to be less of a lecturer and more of a bellwether.

Tom: A bellwether? I'm afraid you've lost me.

Jack: Well, as I recall one of your favorite portions of scripture is Psalm 23. This psalm is all about being a shepherd, and in my experience, a big part of fathering is shepherding.

Tom: That's just the point. I always thought that the Lord, being my Shepherd, would be there to shepherd me and to guide me, especially in family matters. But lately He doesn't seem to be there. I try to tell Brian about things he needs to know. But it ends up as a lecture.