Recycled People Parts

What if people could be “upgraded” through recycling—longer arms, new skin color, a better body? That’s the absurd world imagined in Recycled People Parts, a clever and convicting drama that explores how society values appearance over God-given worth.

When Andrew is hauled off to be “re-engineered,” it seems harmless… until the truth comes out: he, like all of us, was already made perfectly—in God’s image. This skit tackles racism, self-worth, and identity through humor, heart, and hard-hitting truth.

Cast: 5 m or f

• Bobbie
• Tony
• Carter
• Sammy
• Andrew, short and non-athletic

Bible Reference: Genesis 1:27

Set: standard

Sound: wireless mics if available

Song: none

Lighting: standard

SFX: none

Props:

• bags of papers and cans, (Bobbie small bag, Tony large bag)

Costumes: standard

Special Instructions: none

Time: 20

Sample of script:

Bobbie, with small bags of papers and cans, comes on stage followed by Tony, who has a large bag in his hands.

BOBBIE:
Hey Tony, whatcha doing? What’s that you’re hauling to the big blue recycling bin?

TONY (puffing):
Oh, hey, Bobbie. Hauling out an arm, a couple of legs for recycling.
What’s that you’ve got for recycling, Bobbie?

BOBBIE:
Papers, coke cans.
(does a double-take)
Say what? Arms and legs? For recycling?

TONY:
Yeh, well, they aren’t exactly what I wanted, so I thought—hey, might as well upgrade some of my people.

(Carter comes on stage hauling Andrew.)

TONY:
Heavy load there, Carter!
Oh, I see—it’s Andrew you’re bringing to be recycled.
Too bad, Andrew just didn’t work out, huh?

CARTER:
Oh hi, Tony.
Well, it wasn’t so much that Andrew didn’t work out—more I just kinda got tired of the way Andrew was, you understand what I mean, I’m sure.
So, sending Andrew back to the recycling plant. Maybe he’ll be made into a 6’9” basketball player. Maybe.

TONY:
Now that’s an excellent idea, Carter!
You know, I can see Andrew as a basketball player. Long legs, big muscles, athletic body.
Maybe while Andrew is in for upgrade recycling, you should think about blond hair.
Blond hair is really the in thing with basketball players right now, seems like.

CARTER:
It was my lucky day, running into you here, Tony!
I never would have thought about the hair.
You know, I am so impressed with the new—(spells out)
I – M – G – O – D recycling program they’ve opened here in town.

BOBBIE:
What are you talking about?
The I – M – G – O – D recycling program?

TONY:
Surely you’ve heard about it, Bobbie.
Been in all the papers, TV.
New company just moved into town—I – M – G – O – D.
Can’t remember what it means...

CARTER:
(jumping in)
I – M – G – O – D means: Implement More Geegaws On Demand.

BOBBIE (incredulous):
More “Geegaws”?
You mean like ornaments… on demand?