God shows up in a wide variety of places, including places we’d never expect to find him. Plenty of people connect with Jesus through the Easter story; we’ve also seen people encounter Jesus in Lord of the Rings or even the Dogman books. Sometimes God wants to encounter someone simply through laughter, or from how their fellow actors treat them backstage.
Because of this, we’ve got a range of material. Much of it is explicitly Christian, while some of it merely gives whiffs of Heaven. Some of it is just plain fun (high-school cut of Pirates of Penzance, anyone?), because let’s face it: God is the one who invented laughter in the first place.
We strive to keep our prices affordable so that you can focus on why you do what you do, and on doing it with excellence!
Search a category or browse our full list of plays below!
All Heaven Broke Loose
Whether follower, enemy, or onlooker, the inner lives of all are cracked open in this epic-scale portrayal of Jesus’ death and resurrection.
Easter ~ 2 .5 – 3 hours ~ large flexible cast size
Clothed in Christ
The world gives us lots of identities to wear — but do any of them fit? (For free accompaniment music tailored to this skit, email us at playtime@jesterandbard.com.)
Skit ~ Pantomime ~ ELL-friendly ~ 4+ actor flexible cast size
The Day Between
We talk about the Crucifixion and the Resurrection, but there was an entire day in between the two. What do you do when everything you believed in seems to end?
Easter ~ One-Act ~ Beginner-Friendly ~ 4-7 actor flexible cast size
The Diary of Perpetua
In a world run by men, one woman wrote her own story . . .
Based on the real-life diary of Vibia Perpetua, one of history’s first known female authors.
Musical ~ Approx. 90 min ~ 11 principal roles, flexible cast size
It’s Easter
When Charlie takes his pastor’s Easter challenge literally, it’s more than his group home staff is ready for!
Dramatic Comedy ~ One-Act ~ 4-8+ actor flexible cast size
The Lamb and the Turnips
Cain and Abel shouldn’t be funny. But sometimes turnips are involved, and all bets are off. 5-actor cast can be reduced to 3 or 4 by combining God, Lamb, and Narrator roles. (No really: it works thematically.)
Skit ~ Children’s ~ 3-5 actor flexible cast size
The Light Shines in the Darkness
A unique multilingual presentation of how — and why — Jesus came on that first Christmas. (For free show-specific music and help with recording your chosen languages over it, email us at playtime@jesterandbard.com.)
Christmas ~ Pantomime ~ Approx. 25 min. ~ ELL-friendly ~ 5-12 actor flexible cast size
Mary Had a Little Lamb
Come explore Bethlehem — with your fellow sheep!
Christmas ~ One-Act ~ Immersive ~ 9+ actor flexible cast size
The Mother’s Tale
The Christmas story started way before Christmas — and lasted long after . . .
Christmas ~ Children’s ~ ELL-Friendly ~ flexible cast size
My Neighbor, Zacchaeus
Have your audience join into the story of Zacchaeus as a neighbor tells just how wicked this tax collector is!
Skit ~ Beginner-Friendly ~ ELL-friendly ~ 3 main roles, flexible cast size
A New Kind of Queen
What kind of God would ask someone to risk everything? Esther is about to find out.
Skit ~ Intermediate Level ~ Children’s ~ 3-5 actor flexible cast size
The Pirates of Penzance: High School Cut
The silliness and genius of Gilbert and Sullivan shouldn’t be inaccessible just because the music is tough! This high-school level abridged version cuts down some of the more advanced operatic work so that your students can enjoy the zaniness confidently. Free download.
Musical ~ Comedy ~ 7 principal roles, flexible cast size
The Prophet Project
The biblical prophets tell a gripping, heart-wrenching story of love, betrayal, and redemption as vast as civilization and as intimate as two lovers. Their words come to life in this visceral, symbol-rich piece.
Experimental ~ Approx. 75 min. ~ flexible cast size
Rich and the Labradoodle
Some of Jesus’ most beloved parables . . … told by anyone but experts!
Children’s ~ One-Act ~ 12-20 actor flexible cast size
Running
The Prodigal Son, but with fewer pigs and a lot more singing: Jesus’ most beloved parable is retold in the story of a woman raising her two troubled granddaughters.
Musical ~ Approx. 2 hours ~ 5 principals, flexible cast size
Today, In This Town
What if Jesus had been born right here, right now?
Christmas ~ One-Act ~ Beginner-Friendly ~ 4-12+ actor flexible cast size
The Velveteen Rabbit
A beloved classic, with a twist or two ..…
Children’s ~ One-Act ~ 9-15 actor flexible cast size
