SermonStudio

Characters

Mary Magdalene

Mary, mother of James and Joseph

Salome, mother of James and John

Mary, mother of Mark

Claudia, wife of Pilate

Julia, Claudia's maid

Mary, mother of Jesus

Mary, sister of Martha

Martha

Mark

John

Pilate

Lazarus


Props

Scene 1 -- wine carafe or pitcher with four small cups on tray

Scene 2 -- Roman helmet on bench

Scene 3 --ano props

Scene 4 -- basket with vials and bottles, rolls of linens or sheets, and basket filled with jars and dried herbs

Scene 5 -- wooden trays and bowls placed on various benches


Costumes

The women's dresses should be simple one-piece robes. The headdresses are simple cloths, about one and one-half yards long. The colors should vary from dark blue or green to shades of rust and brown. Mary Magdalene wears a royal blue robe. The women in Scene 4 dress in black. Claudia wears a white robe with a jeweled belt and a pale blue chiffon scarf fastened to the shoulder and also a jeweled headband. Julia, Claudia's maid, wears a simple tunic with sash and a ribbon around her hair. Mark wears a simple tunic with a short robe. John and Lazarus wear tunics with long robes and turbans. Pilate wears a tunic with pleats, reaching to the calf of the leg, a short leather breastplate, and a cape fastened at one shoulder. All wear sandals. Pilate has lacings up his legs.

Since there is no actual stage setting, more emphasis is placed on the costumes.


Setting

This play can be staged in front of the altar. Players enter from the sides of the altar. Benches or stools should be placed in front as needed. In Scene 3, Claudia tells about her dreams from the lectern, and in Scene 4, Mary Magdalene also gives her opening address from the lectern.


Time

Each scene takes approximately fifteen to twenty minutes.


Synopsis

Women Of Calvary can be presented as one play or as five short scenes for use during Lent. No setting is required and costuming is simple. Women Of Calvary can be presented in the chancel.


Scene 1: The Upper Room -- After serving the Passover meal, Mary Magdalene; Mary, the mother of James and Joseph; Salome, the mother of James and John; and Mary, the mother of Mark, sit on the roof discussing the meal and what happened. Mark arrives to tell of the capture of Jesus.


Scene 2: In The Courtyard -- Claudia, the wife of Pilate, is agitated by the news of Jesus' arrest. She sends her maid, Julia, for news. Claudia tells of her dreams and she confronts Pilate by stating that he is condemning an innocent man to death, for which he will never be forgiven.


Scene 3: The Way To Golgotha -- Salome is comforting Mary, the mother of Jesus; they have heard the news of Jesus being taken before Pilate. Mary, the mother of James, and Mary, the mother of Mark, arrive with the latest news, and John comes to tell her that Jesus has been condemned and is on the way to Golgotha.


Scene 4: On The Way To The Tomb -- Mary Magdalene tells of her early days before she met Jesus, how he healed her, how she became a follower, and then she tells of events up to his death on the cross. She is waiting for Salome and Mary, the mother of James, who will accompany her to the tomb.


Scene 5: The Waiting Place -- Mary and Martha are preparing the evening meal and discussing the previous visit of Jesus. They discuss Lazarus and his return from death because of Jesus. Lazarus arrives to tell them what has happened in Jerusalem, ending with the taking of the body to the tomb. In the midst of their sorrow, Martha remembers what Jesus told her: "I am the resurrection and the life. Those who believe in me, even though they will die, will live" (John 11:25-26). The play ends on the affirmation of Martha.