Garden State Drama Scripts - Ministry Exchange (MX)

“Garden State” Adam and Eve Dramas
Four dramas exploring Genesis 1-3

What: These are dramas written for an InterVarsity Ohio Valley Division Fall Conference. The conference title was “Garden State: the Genesis Story”, and we spent the whole weekend exploring the content and implications of Genesis 1-3 through dramas, expositions, manuscript Bible studies, prayer stations, seminars, and more.

These dramas were an attempt to explore in both humorous and thought-provoking ways some of the issues raised in these three chapters.

When: These dramas were performed on Friday night, Saturday morning, Saturday evening, and Sunday morning, respectively.

For the first three dramas, the segment of the Genesis text that the drama was based on was read dramatically by two readers just before the drama was performed. For the fourth drama, it was reversed – the drama was performed first, then the readers read the text (this time from Revelation 21 & 22). These dramatic readings can be found in the file, “Garden State Genesis Readings”.

How: Rather than try to have each actor “dress the part” (which would be problematic for the Adam and Eve actors!), we had every actor in every drama wear the same “costume” – black t-shirt, dark blue jeans, black socks (no shoes). This kept the focus on the actors / characters, not on their clothing, and quickly signaled to the audience that we were doing another drama.

Ideally, three wireless mics are need if the dramas are being performed for a large audience. For drama #2, additionally 3 corded mics are needed.

Who: These dramas were written and edited by Rick Goetsch, with writing also done by Jenna Jackson, Julie Draper, and Dustin Leimgruber.

“Garden State” Adam and Eve Drama #1
Creation – Dialogue between Adam and God

Adam comes on stage – coughing a little bit and looking around in
wonderment. He examines himself (looks at his hands, arms, touches face)
as if sensing and feeling everything for the first time and still coughing. God walks up behind him and taps him on the shoulder.

GOD: So… how does it feel?

ADAM: (cough) Well… weird… but good. I’m still getting used to the…let’s call it “air”. Is this really real? I mean I feel so… tingly??

GOD: Yeah, it’ll take a second for that to wear off… listen & look Adam… do you know where you are?

ADAM: Uh, I’m not sure. I’ve never been here before.

GOD: (pushes him a little, jovially) Exactly! You haven’t – I’ve just been creating all of it! This particular place is called the Garden of Eden, and you get run it…

ADAM: Seriously!?!? I’m in the Garden of Eden? (yelling) I’m in the Garden of Eden! Alright! (pause) What’s the Garden of Eden?

GOD: (laughs a little) Oh Adam… listen, this is where I’ve put you… take a look at this place (points out the various features as he names them, getting more and more excited and proud) the water, the grass, the trees, the food, the animals, (bursting into song) the hills are alive with the Sound of Music!

ADAM: What?

GOD: (ahem) Never mind, after your time… anyway, all you have to do is run the place, which isn’t hard at all. Basically, you name the animals, take care of the plants, eat their fruit…

ADAM: That’s it?? I get to chill, call things whatever I want, and eat whatever I want??

GOD: Well, not quite whatever you want. You see that tree right there (points to it)? You can’t eat from it, it’s the tree of the knowledge of good and evil…

ADAM: Ooh… sounds a bit ominous.

GOD: It is. Let’s just say: you eat, you die…

ADAM: And… dying’s bad?

GOD: The worst.

ADAM: Sounds kinda harsh, God.

GOD: It just is the way it has to be. Trust me on this. You got it?

ADAM: Got it – leave the tree alone. Not a problem.

GOD: Well Adam, make yourself at home, get to know the place, and if you need anything, let me know.

ADAM: Oh? Where will you be?

GOD: Don’t worry, I’ll be around. We’ll take walks together each day, and you can fill me in on all the naming and pruning you’ve been doing. (God exits)

ADAM: I can’t believe this! This is the most amazing thing ever. I have got it made… Now, what to do first? Well, I kinda enjoyed that thing I did before… let’s call it… “celebrating.” (starts singing and dancing) I’m in the Garden, I’m in the Garden, I’m in the Garden I’m in the Garden (repeats until he’s offstage)

“Garden State” Adam and Eve Drama #2
Adam meets Eve – The Mating Game

STAGE SETUP: Three microphones on stands should be arranged in middle stage, with enough room for the Adam and God action at the beginning to take place in front of them. There will need to be a curtain or divider that can be moved into position. And if the applause sign is to be used, a bush or something is needed for a stagehand to hide behind.

Adam wandering slowly across the stage, and he’s in the process of naming
animals. He seems tired and a bit bored.

ADAM: (pointing at animals – perhaps members of the audience!) Cardinal, snail, sloth, koala bear, worm, (points up in the sky) triceratops, brontosaurs, pterodactyl…

He trails off and throws his head back… exhales. He’s exhausted. God
walks up behind him.

GOD: So… how’s it going? How’s the naming coming along?

ADAM: God… I am soooo tired! I mean seriously … how many dinosaurs did you create?

GOD: Actually, they’re still trying to figure that out… Anyway, how are you feeling?

ADAM: (exhales) I don’t know… I mean, don’t get me wrong… I love the place, the food is great, the animals all seem friendly… but… I don’t know… something’s missing…

GOD: Ah… so there’s something that you need?

ADAM: I…think so… yeah, but I… (exasperated) I don’t know what! Got any ideas?

GOD: As a matter of fact, I do. (raises his hands towards Adam) Don’t worry, you won’t feel a thing…

ADAM: What? Hey!

GOD: (commandingly) Sleep Adam!

Adam slumps to the stage in a deep sleep. God bends over him, and slowly
pantomimes pulling open the flesh near one of his ribs. He dramatically
reaches in, and slowly pantomimes pulling out his rib. He “holds it up”,
looks at it, then walks offstage. He immediately walks onstage again,
rubbing his hands as if he’s just finished some work..

GOD: (He approaches Adam, kneels down, shakes him) Adam, wake up…

ADAM: (slowly comes to) Huh? What happened…?

GOD: (While helping Adam up, in a booming voice, sounding like a game show announcer) Wake up, Adam, because you just qualified for… (pause) “The Mating Game”!! (from behind a bush, a stagehand holds up and waves an applause sign) That’s right Adam, it’s time to find your lucky mate… (Turning to the audience) Let’s see who he has to choose from!

God guides Adam out of center stage, to stage left. Meanwhile, the
bachelorettes walk out, while God continues to make sure Adam looks the
other way. A divider is placed between them the bachelorettes and God and
Adam. When walking out, Bachelorette #1, who is a stork (if desired, she
can have a long orange bill sticking out where her nose would be) should
walk out first, with long-legged “stork-movements). Bachelorette #2, who
is a cow (if desired, she can have a pair of horns on her head), should
walk out next with a slow, rolling side to side gate. Bachelorette #3, who
is the Woman, comes out last, and can just walk as a woman does (!).

ADAM: (still a little groggy) Who are you talking to?

GOD: Never mind that… let’s meet the contestants! Some would say that Bachelorette #1 loves the water, but she’s much more of a wader… She enjoys flying and loves a good fish for dinner… Bachelorette #1 say hello to Adam.

B-ette#1: (in a sort of squawky voice) Hi, Adam!

Adam makes a confused, doubtful look upon hearing her voice.

GOD: Bachelorette #2 enjoys spending time with herds of friends, milking a conversation, and she looks great in polka dots… Bachelorette #2, give a greeting to Adam…

B-ette#2: (sounds like a cow mooing) Moooorning, Adam!

Adam makes another doubtful look…

GOD: Bachelorette #3 is new to the Garden, and loves long walks, meaningful conversations, and laughter. You might say she’s a little like you! Bachelorette #3, say hi to Adam…

B-ette#3: (in a somewhat seductive, attractive voice) Hello Adam…

ADAM: (looks a bit stunned, and seems immediately interested) Whoah.

GOD: OK, Adam, ask them some questions to get to know them.

ADAM: Oh, OK. Uh, bachelorette #1, what do people say your best feature is?

B-ette#1: (squawky voice) Well, that would have to be my nose… especially its wonderful orange color (turning her head sideways and pantomiming like Vanna White). Because it’s almost 2 feet long, I can scoop up as many fish as I want with it!

ADAM: (looks very puzzled, and wrinkles up his nose as he is clearly not at all attracted by this). Scooping up fish? (Looks awkwardly at God)

GOD: (Smiles and prompts Adam out of his confusion) That sounds lovely, Bachelorette #1. Well Adam, ask another question.

ADAM: OK, uh, bachelorette #2, what’s your idea of a great date?

B-ette#2: (low, mooing-style voice) Well, we’d go out to eat in a very nice pasture, chew some tender green grass, with some clover mixed in – I just love clover – and we’d just look at each other with our large, brown eyes. Then maybe we’d go and sit in some mud and, (seductively) you know… keep chewing the cud.

ADAM: (makes another funny look). Um… that’s not exactly what I had in mind. Let’s move on to the last Bachelorette. Bachelorette #3, what are you looking for in a guy?

B-ette#3: Well, to tell you the truth, I’m not exactly sure what a “guy” is, or why I should be looking for one… and since I’ve only been around, like, 5 minutes or so, I probably would want someone who could take the time to fill me in on this whole Garden thing… I guess I’d love a companion to talk to, a partner to work with… If that’s what a “guy” is, then that’s what I want.

ADAM: (excitedly and confidently) OK, God I’ve made my decision!

GOD: But, don’t you want to ask some more questions?

ADAM: No, no need, I just have a feeling about this, I can’t explain it.

GOD: Alright then, which of these lovely creatures are you going to choose?

ADAM: I choose bachelorette #3, God.

GOD: Alright, Bachelorette #3, come on down! (doing his best The Price is Right imitation).

Stork and cow shrug and amble off stage out of sight, while the Woman does
a few seconds of celebrating. If using the applause sign, have it pop up
and wave again. The Woman then steps forward past the divider, into view
of Adam. She gives a little flirty wave, while Adam is clearly awed by
what he sees, almost speechless.

ADAM: (staring at the Woman) God… she… I mean… where…

God steps over, takes one of the Woman’s hands and places it on Adam’s
chest, where he removed Adam’s rib. Adam and the Woman are now facing each
other, with God in the middle behind them. Adam looks down at the Woman’s
hand on his chest, then up at God, then finally at the Woman. He smiles
and nods… he now understands what happened.

GOD: (clearing his throat, he takes the Woman’s hand off Adam’s chest, while also taking one of Adam’s hands and joining it with the Woman’s. Both Adam and the woman bring their other hands up and join them – the picture being created is that of a marriage ceremony, God joining Adam and the Woman together) Adam… I want to introduce you to…

ADAM: (cuts in) Woman.

WOMAN: (thoughtfully) Yes… that sounds exactly right… (smiles)

ADAM: (looks at God) Thank you.

GOD: You’re welcome, Adam.

God walks offstage. After a few moments of gazing at each other…

ADAM: (smiling) Come on. Let me show you around. (Adam & the Woman walk offstage, holding hands)
“Garden State” Adam and Eve Drama #3
Temptation – The Woman and the Serpent
Adam and Eve are sitting on the ground, and the Serpent walks up. If not
using uniform costumes for all characters, dress the Serpent in a nice
business suit. There should be a representation of the Tree of the
Knowledge of Good and Evil.
Scene opens with Adam and Eve sitting on the ground on one side of the
stage, or on the edge of the stage.
ADAM: (looking offstage, or out at audience, pointing and apparently still naming animals) Panda… platypus… reindeer…
SERPENT: (approaching from offstage) Hidiho, newlyweds!
ADAM: (looking a bit bored, he stops his naming long enough to look up at the serpent, and says flatly) Hey. (Adam then looks away, and again starts pointing offstage with his stick, saying)…. Rooster… salamander…
WOMAN: (Looking a little embarrassed at Adam’s rudeness) Hello. Have I seen you around before?
SERPENT: (sitting down next to the couple) Oh, I just “dropped in” recently. Corporate shakeup… you know, all I was trying to do was offer some constructive criticism. You’d think the CEO would be grateful, but noooooo! He felt threatened, there was a power struggle, the whole thing. I got thrown out with nothing but the clothes on my back.
WOMAN: Oh, you poor… (pauses, as she doesn’t know what to call the Serpent, and looks at Adam)
ADAM: (glancing up from his naming, he looks at the Serpent, thinks a second, then names him) Serpent. (he looks away and begins naming again) … Spider… Stegasorus… another freaking dinosaur! (fades off)
WOMAN: (turning back to the Serpent) …Serpent! Well, it’s nice to meet you? Anything we can do to help?
SERPENT: Thanks. But never mind about me… (the Serpent stands up, and helps the Woman to her feet as well. Taking her arm, he starts to walk her across the stage, towards the Tree of the Knowledge of Good and Evil. As he does this, the Woman looks back at Adam, motioning for him to come along. Adam shrugs, gets up, and starts following the Woman and the Serpent at a bit of distance, but still pantomiming as if he’s naming animals) I have to ask though… have you seen all the incredible fruit around here (gesturing)?
WOMAN: Yes, it’s wonderful! I especially love the pineapples!
SERPENT: Yeah, but I bet they’re nothing compared to the amazing fruit on this tree here. (By this time he’s brought the Woman near the tree of the knowledge of good and evil)
WOMAN: (looking uncomfortable) Uh, well, we wouldn’t know about that.
SERPENT: What?! You must know about this tree! It looks ten times better than everything else here!
WOMAN: (looks over her shoulder and gives Adam a “help me out!” sort of look; but Adam just shrugs his shoulders, looks off, and says)
ADAM: Tapeworm – ugh! (shudders)… Turtle…
WOMAN: (apologetically to the Serpent) Sorry about that, he’s not very good at multi-tasking. Uh, from what I remember…God told us we couldn’t eat from that tree, or… (makes a slicing motion across her throat with accompanying noise).
ADAM: (doesn’t say anything, but now starts watching the conversation with interest)
SERPENT: (rolls his eyes). You’ve got to be kidding me. He told you that? (does a little laugh) Man, It’s always about control with him, I swear. If it’s not me, it’s you, and if it’s not you then it’s someone else. It’s sad, really; he’s so insecure. He thinks he has to use intimidation to stay on top of the corporate ladder. You won’t die. On the contrary, this will look great on your resume. “Confident risk-taker, has spirit of entrepreneurship, willing to take initiative, someone who walks on the edge!” I can see it now, you could have his position in no time! That’s what he’s really worried about. You grab that fruit, you’ll be on the fast track to promotion! And let’s be honest – you’ll be incredibly cool, too. You’ll be the first one in the Garden to have that fruit. (points at the tree)
WOMAN: (looking up into the Tree, apparently at fruit) Well, it does look awfully tempting…. And it comes in some attractive colors, too… Maybe I’ll just try one…
The Woman reaches up to the Tree of K of G/E and plucks off…an Apple
iPod, with the headphone cord wrapped around the iPod (this should have
been hidden in the tree before the sketch, obviously, in such a way as is
not visible to the audience). She holds the iPod up above her head as she
turns around to face Adam – she is clearly enraptured with this “fruit”.
Still holding the iPod in the air, she tilts it so that the earbud cord
falls and unwraps itself due to gravity. She lowers the iPod, puts an
earbud in her ear, and starts dancing to the music only she hears. Adam,
who has been observing her very closely, steps up to the Woman, who offers
him the other earbud. He takes it, places it in his ear. They both start
dancing, and turn and dance offstage, while the Serpent nods his head with
a smug look on his face…)
SERPENT: (turning to look out at the audience, with a knowing smile on his face) They have no idea… (he walks offstage after Adam and the Woman)
“Garden State” Adam and Eve Drama #4
After the Fall – Curse & (hint of) Redemption

Lights go up on Adam and the Woman posed center stage in a kind of
“American Gothic” scene, Adam with hoe or shovel, the Woman obviously
pregnant, both facing the audience looking grim. They pause there for a few
seconds to let the audience reaction die down.

ADAM: (the Woman breaks her pose to start moving towards a chair some 5 paces away stage right. Simultaneously, Adam wipes sweat from his brow, leans onto his hoe, and announces loudly) Well, I hope you know this is all your fault. If you weren’t so gullible… (turns hoe downward, seems to be planting something)

WOMAN: (stops midstride, frozen with outrage at what she just heard. She then turns towards Adam, her voice rising to argument level) Oh no you didn’t just say that! You were right there with me! I didn’t hear you say anything bad about it… and you’re the one who heard God’s command in the first place – I only got it second-hand! You should be mad at yourself… not me!

ADAM: (Snidely, as if he’s make a concession, but then he gets a jab in) Well, I guess you’re right…. After all, God did make me first. I should have known better than a woman would.

WOMAN: (shouting) Well, if that’s the way you feel, why don’t you start cooking your own meals?!

ADAM: (immediately shouting back) Why don’t you grow your own food to make those meals?!

WOMAN: (even louder) Why don’t you birth your own babies? (pause, and a visible softening, and with a strong note of concern in the her voice as she looks down at and holds her stomach) At least, that’s what we think this is, right? Another little one of… us?

ADAM: (Also visibly softening, he walks over and puts his arm around her and puts a hand on her stomach) Your guess is as good as mine… (looks at her thoughtfully for a second)… Eve. (as if trying it out…) Eve.

EVE: (Eve nods – the name feels right to her, and she repeats contentedly) Eve.

Adam moves back over to his gardening plot, bends down and pantomimes
weeding his plants. Meanwhile Eve lowers herself gently into her chair.

EVE: (Suddenly she leans forward and shouts in self-disgust) Aargh!

ADAM: (looks up, startled) What is it? More of those pains?

EVE: (angrily) No – it’s that serpent!

ADAM: (grabbing his hoe, jumping up, looking around wildly) Where! I’ll kill that snake, I swear it!

EVE: (calming him) No, no, Adam, I’m sorry. He’s not here. I’m just so angry at myself, that I listened to him. Why did I listen?

ADAM: (conciliatorily) We listened to him.

EVE: Just think of how different it would be if we hadn’t, though, honey. Just think of how it was… Fruit just falling off the trees instead of you having to scrabble in the dirt! No need for animals to have been killed to make these clothes we’re wearing. (suddenly groans, stiffens, holds her stomach – obviously a pregnancy pain this time) None of these pains, either (pointing at her belly).

ADAM: (hesitantly) Yeah… but….

EVE: What?

ADAM: Well… Do you think we wouldn’t have just found some other way to fall?

EVE: What do you mean?

ADAM: I mean, wasn’t it only a matter of time before our appetites got the best of us?

EVE: (somberly, after a pause) I don’t know.

ADAM: (somberly as well) I don’t know, either.

EVE: (after a short pause) Hey…

ADAM: What?

EVE: (quietly) Do you think he’ll give us a second chance? A way to get back to that tree of life? To eat that fruit instead?

ADAM: (very seriously) I don’t know, Eve. I don’t know…

After a pause, he turns back to work on his plot of ground as the lights go
down.