In Search Of

A conversational and thought-provoking drama about the search for purpose in life and the difficulties of making the right choices. The story follows Ralphie, who is frantically searching through a pile of objects, looking for something—but he doesn’t know what. His frustration draws the attention of several friends (Tracy, Dawn, Billie, Andie, and Dorothy), who engage in a lively discussion about the search for truth, meaning, and direction in life.

Cast: 6 m or f

• Ralphie
• Tracy
• Billie
• Dawn
• Andie
• Dorothy

(Additional actors may be used in non-speaking roles.)

Bible Reference: Jeremiah 29:11
"For I know the plans I have for you,” declares the Lord, “plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future."

Set: bare

Sound: wireless mics if available

Song: none

Lighting: standard

SFX: none

Props:

• pile of "things" including tattered old doll

Costumes: likely traditional

Special Instructions: none

Time: 12

Sample Script

(Ralphie is on stage, digging through a pile of things. Tracy comes on stage.)

Ralphie: This is driving me absolutely around the bend!

Tracy: What is Ralphie?

Ralphie: The searching.

Tracy: Searching?

Ralphie: Yes, and it is incredibly frustrating.

Tracy: What is incredibly frustrating?

Ralphie: The searching.

(Ralphie continues pulling everything apart as the searching goes on. Dawn and Billie come on stage, watching what is happening.)

Dawn: This would be what?

Tracy: Ralphie is searching.

Billie: No kidding. But for what?

Tracy: Not sure, but it is frustrating.

Dawn: For Ralphie as well, or just for the rest of society?

Ralphie: This is driving me crazy!

(Billie looks at Ralphie, makes a face, and in a low “voice of doom” says…)

Billie: You are not . . . alone.

Dawn: Mind telling me what’s behind all this havoc?

(Andie and Dorothy come on stage.)

Ralphie (a cry for help): I am searching.

Dorothy: The whole world is searching.

Tracy: Oh yeh? What for?

Andie: Truth. . . . . Identity. . . . . Meaning. . . . . Logic. . . . . Where we came from. . . . . . Where we are going. . . . . . Candy bars.

(Billie, in a fake game show host voice…)

Billie: Which of those did not seem to go together, boys and girls?

Andie: It’s true though. Like I said, the whole world is searching. People spend so much of their lives looking for direction in their lives, they simply have no time and energy left . . . to live.

Dawn: So you are saying that searching is wrong?

Ralphie (frantic): Searching must not be wrong, . . . or all is lost!

Billie: Ralphie, didn’t your momma warn you about spending too much time in the hot sun with no hat on?

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