Release date: 29 October 2014
**BONUS: INCLUDES PRINTABLE PDF AND LIMITED RIGHTS TO MAKE COPIES FOR CAST MEMBERS**
In a series of plays written for a teen audience, “Where Your Treasure Is” explores a variety of Christian concepts, from the real meaning of trust, freedom and forgiveness, to the importance of exercising the gifts we have been given. Plays range from 8 to 70 minutes and usually require 6 or 8 actors.
DRIVE: Two apparently unrelated teens learn what it means to both trust and be trusted. (70 mins, 8 actors)
WHERE YOUR TREASURE IS: Pirates set off in search of the King’s treasure and discover the real meaning of forgiveness. (40 mins, 6 actors)
THE 5000: Three different perspectives on the feeding of the five thousand. (8 mins, 6 actors)
GIFTS: A group of teens compare the gifts they received for Christmas – physical and spiritual. (10 mins, 6 actors)
TURNING POINT: The story of King Manasseh demonstrates the importance of repentance. (30 mins, 8 actors)
IN SEARCH OF FREEDOM: A group of teens left behind after the Exodus discover the real meaning of freedom. (25 mins, 8 actors)*
THE JOURNEY: The Israelites’ journey across the desert to the Promised Land is hard, but God is always there. (20 mins, 9 actors) (An unconnected sequel to IN SEARCH OF FREEDOM.)
* Warning: While none of the plays are astoundingly correct for the time period (except perhaps Turning Point), In Search of Freedom is almost entirely composed of anachronistic speech and concepts. Fair warning. It doesn’t really take itself seriously 😉
Turning Point: Act 1
Scene 1
The end of a party. The GUESTS are in the process of leaving, but the air is still one of celebration, and many of the GUESTS congratulate MANASSEH on their way out.
Once all the GUESTS are gone, MANASSEH returns and slouches over his chair, tired but happy. Note that he gave the order for Isaiah to be murdered, but is trying to hide this from everyone, including the PROPHET.
The PROPHET melts out of the shadows, almost as though he’s been there the whole time (maybe he has). Throughout the play, the PROPHET is always super calm, controlled, collected, gentle but firm.
MANASSEH
A fabulous celebration, don’t you think?
PROPHET
Of Isaiah’s death?
MANASSEH
(pretends to be startled) Isaiah died?
PROPHET
‘Murdered’, I think, is not the same as ‘died’.
MANASSEH
Oh. Well. These things happen, don’t they?
PROPHET
Especially to those who disagree with you.
MANASSEH
What, are people still spreading those nasty rumours that I assassinate troublemakers? Who are they, I need to add their names to my list. (beat) No? Not even a little smile?
PROPHET
Lies are never funny.
MANASSEH
You mean the rumours, of course. I agree. Terrible things, lies. (awkward silence) But anyway, no. The celebration was over my special announcement. (looks at PROPHET expectantly) Oh come, you get everywhere. Surely you heard it? The Assyrians have granted us ‘Most Favoured Nation’ status!
PROPHET
Thrilling, I’m sure. Your father would roll in his grave.
MANASSEH
Oh, don’t be ridiculous. You and I both know that trying to rebel against the Assyrians was the stupidest thing in a very long list of stupid that my father did. What did it get him? Thousands of people killed, the treasury completely emptied. Even the gold from his precious temple gone to pay the ransom. My father, sir, was an idiot.
PROPHET
Your father was only human, and all humans make mistakes. But he was a God-fearing man who did right by the law.
MANASSEH
Give it a rest, Prophet. You know my opinions there, and we’ve agreed to disagree.
PROPHET
No, sire, you agreed to disagree. I merely agreed that I would cease to harangue you about it at the time.
MANASSEH
Well you’re haranguing now, so stop.
PROPHET
Sire, I really think you need to rethink your trade plans—
MANASSEH
My plans will make this nation the strongest it’s ever been! Do you know what people are willing to pay for olives? This country needs stability, Prophet, and the only way to get that is to stabilise the economy.
PROPHET
The only way to achieve stability is to return to God.
MANASSEH
Enough! We are Assyria’s favourite nation right now. The trade routes that will buy us are invaluable. I’m not tossing all that away to please some god who is jealous of other religions! Who are you to condemn those that choose a different way? If allowing my people to worship Asherah and Baal in the high places is what it takes to get peace, then that is what we will do!
PROPHET
Surely even your brand of peace does not involve sacrificing your son to foreign gods.
MANASSEH
(a little shocked) You know about that? Look, it was for show. I didn’t mean it. Amon isn’t even hurt; I passed him through the flames, it’s not like I killed him. I’m not a heathen, despite what you think.
PROPHET
And yet you participate in their rites.
MANASSEH
Prophet, I am tired, and you are ruining my celebrations. You are dismissed.
PROPHET
(hesitates) It is never too late, my lord.
MANASSEH
Hmm? Too late for what?
PROPHET
Yahweh is always listening.
MANASSEH
Get out.
The PROPHET considers speaking, but changes his mind and exits.
MANASSEH is once again left draped over his chair, but this time the celebration is gone, and he is just tired.