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Crossroads

Proposal for Consider This, Inc.Outreach Ministry Sketch SeriesDecember 2nd, 2014

Written by:Joshua JenningsTHE SETTINGTwo neighborhoods converge at one street corner with a school bus stop. At the corner is a sign post indicating the two appropriately named streets. The neighborhoods are different in every way - politically, economically, and socially. One is affluent and "proper," but cold; the other is poor and somewhat crude, but heartfelt. The first sketch opens on this corner with the iconic signpost where the children of both neighborhoods meet to ride the bus to school. THE CONFLICTWhile there is friction and contention between the children of the different neighborhoods, it is a disdain mostly fueled by their respective parents. Some kids are told not to associate with kids from the other neighborhood by their parents, while other children are told to be more accepting. The conflict focuses on all of these kids learning to live with people different from them, (in any and every way imaginable), while coming to terms with what it means within this social construction their parents have made and within their religion and faith.Possible Topics/Storylines:-Racism-Hypocrisy-Charity vs. "Handouts"-Being a friend vs. staying away from bad influences-Love and Acceptance-Pride vs. Humility-Abusive households (physical and verbal)-generalizations and stereotypes-Suicide/cutting/self-harm -Gossip-Bullying-Parental expectations and pressuresTHE LAYOUTEach sketch focuses on a different household or group of people in this universe. One scene may take place at the bus stop, another at the school, and another in one of the familys kitchens. The characters and setting remain the same, but the theme changes. (Some themes will span the entire series while others may be condensed into a single sketch.) Size and scope vary as well. One sketch may have 8 characters and be largely for comic relief - another could only have 2 characters but be more focused on one of the themes.

THE PEOPLENumerous named, recurring characters populate this world. While one character may only have a supporting role in "Sketch 1," "Sketch 5" could be entirely focused on them. A decent analogy is the ensemble from Sesame Street. They aren't all in every bit, but you recognize them when they appear.

Character Concepts

- Mr. Maxwell- Mrs. Maxwell- Anastasia Maxwell- Molly Maxwell

- Daisy Peterson- Mr. Peterson- Mrs. Peterson- Dustin (Dusty) Peterson- Oliver

Bus Driver Grandma Teacher

- Jack CooperSketch ConceptsWelcome to the CrossroadsThe opening sketch. Grandma Pancakes in spotlight D.S. giving soliloquy to audience about the setting while bus stop bustle mimed in dim light U.S.. Lights up, Grandma joins scene. Brief character introductions all around. Bus appears and the head for school.Feeding the BirdsRework of One at a Time. Grandma Pancakes sits on park bench, feeding a large flock of birds. One of the kids enters and remarks about the number of birds, saying it cant possibly make a difference / Grandma cant feed all of them. She responds It made a difference to that one.Game TimeRework of An Hour of Your Time between Jack Cooper and his father.CapsAll the kids get off the bus at the bus stop. We hear an argument that has been going for some time between Jack Cooper and Dusty Peterson. The bullying intensifies, causing Anastasia to step up against Jack. Jack is furious that she would turn against him and gets angry. The crowd rises against him, perhaps taking it too far in search of justice. Jacks father arrives, irate at Jack. He hits Jack, to the surprise of the crowd. Everyone dissipates. Dusty notices Jacks cap on the ground and grabs it, chasing after him offstage to return it. Cut to Jack in house, furiously pacing. He finds his dads stage revolver somewhere, not sure what hes going to do with it. Dusty enters, saying Jacks mom let him in. Questions Jacks motives with the gun. Tries to take the gun, and the revolver accidently fires. Dusty hits the floor. Jack says Dustys real name for the first time in the series. Cut to black, intermission.Greener PasturesMolly struggles with self esteem in the shadow of her sister. She finds help in the unlikely form of Daisy.

Pros & ConsFlexible themes Costume dependentCharacter driven Character driven/dep.Relatable Set productionConcrete setting Age range requirementProperty of Consider This, Inc.