PLAYing in the Liturgy
A Collection of Short Plays Enacting the Seasonal Gospels
by: Leslie M. McBlair

Parables Of The Kingdom
The Faithful Steward: A Story in Narration and Mime (for Secondary Students)
The Seed: A Story in Narration and Mime. (for Secondary Students)

Advent/Christmas
My Gift: Story of the Many Wise Persons (Intermediate Students)
There’s Room Here! An Animal Nativity (Elementary Students)

Lent/Triduum
The Temptation in the Desert (Senior High/Adult)
Bearing His Cross (Senior High/Adult)
Mary Magdalene: a Monologue (Senior High/Adult)

Mothers’ Day
Mother, a Story in Mime and Dance (Senior High/Adult)

THE Faithful Steward
A Mime for the Liturgy
by Leslie McBlair

Cast of Characters:
Male Narrator: and, voices of the Steward, the Second Servant, The Shepherd
Female Narrator: and, voices of the Rich Woman, the First Servant, the Man
“The People” three to five mimes to portray the action of:
The Very Rich Woman
The Faithful Steward
The First Servant
The Second Servant
The Shepherd/The Man

The Scene: When the music begins, the two servants enter and light candles. They place a small table and chair facing the audience/congregation. The very rich woman enters and sits at the table, working on ledgers. As the narrators speak the story and the lines, the mimes act out what is said.

The Female Narrator: Once, there was a very rich woman. She owned many farms, vineyards and orchards, all overseen by a faithful steward. The Steward served his mistress many years, as he agreed to d o, and she rewarded him. One day, the Faithful Steward arrived at her office.
Faithful Steward: My Lady. I have overseen your properties and your people for many years, as I agreed to do from the beginning of our partnership. In the environment of mutual love which you provide for me, I increased the harvest, multiplied the livestock and governed the people. In return, I have become rich through your generosity and experienced God’s Spirit in each creature here.
Very Rich Woman: My Faithful Steward, you have served well because you have listened to my words, and have witnessed my ways to my people. You have advised without judging; forgiven with unconditional Love, as I commanded you; and carried my fruitfulness to every corner of my estates. You have earned the authority, riches and rewards of your station.
Faithful Steward: I come to you today to speak from my heart. I’m called to a new life, to service in another part of the Kingdom. I’m to empty myself, divest of the robes of Office and become unimportant. Then I will be able to live the life you have given me, always open to the voice of the Lord.
Very Rich Woman: When a person opens themselves to their Brothers and Sisters in the Kingdom, they exchange control for faith. This is a difficult path. You will be led to places you never wanted to go. If you are prepared for this journey, then go with my blessing.

About the Playwright:
Leslie McBlair has been active in Theatre in Tidewater over three decades. She has acted in, or directed nearly a hundred plays. She was winner of the George Washington University Competitive English Writing Award, and has published her light verse. Ms. McBlair was editor and scriptwriter for the US Department of Agriculture and wrote two film scripts for Price-Howard Productions in Rockville ,Md., one of which won 2nd place in the New York Horticultural Film Festival. She has 36 graduate hours in Old Dominion University’s Creative Writing Program.
Leslie’s favorite job was as Director of Education for a large Church. There she wrote and directed Liturgical Dramas, as well as fund-raising musicals! Her full-length play about Marilyn Monroe was a finalist in the 1988 Virginia Prize for Playwriting. She has been a member of the Tidewater Dramatists Guild since it’s inception. She specializes in plays with historical characters.