Thanks Dad by Robyn Berdino
Genre: light-hearted Time: 5 minutes Cast Breakdown: 1F, 1M Theme/church season: Father’s Day Synopsis: an adult daughter writes a heartfelt card to her Father. Both enjoy reminiscing about her growing up years. Characters: Daughter, Female age 25-35 Dad, Male age 45-55 Props: Table and chair for the daughter, Rocker/recliner/chair for Dad Costume: Modern Dress Sound: two wireless mics Lighting: two spots, making it more clear that they are in two different houses. Or general, if spots are not available. Setting: two separate houses Director’s tips: Lines should go quickly when there is interaction between the Dad and daughter. Facial expressions are very important (whether reminiscing, smiling, upset, etc). Script: (the daughter is sitting at a table on one side of the stage, with card & pen, getting ready to sign a father’s day card. The father is sitting in a rocker/recliner/chair on the other side, as if reading the card while the daughter is writing) Daughter:
OK, here we go again…father’s day…the perfect card…and this year, it only took an hour to pick it out!…not bad.
(dad sits down with a pile of mail, and opens the card) (writing on card, speaking aloud while writing) Daughter: (writing) Dear Dad… Words cannot begin to express what I feel. From the time I was a small child, I’ve always felt secure in your love. The comfort that came from climbing into your big lap, and feeling your strong arms and rough hands hold me tight. The gentle kisses on my scraped knees. Seeing you kneel Thanks Dad Page 1 Copyright Robyn Berdino, permission to publish given to DramaShare 2004
beside my bed to pray, then pulling my covers up tight around my neck. You made me laugh, the way you were able to chase off monsters and twirl me around. You made time just to play. I now know how tired you were after working all day, but you would always pick up a crayon, and come into my world. Dad:
Unfortunately, I think it was mom who liked to color
Daughter: (writing) I know when I was older I wasn’t the ideal teenager. I got into a little trouble…I blew it a few times. (stops writing, thinking aloud) OK, well more than a few. Dad:
Are you kidding, you were nuts! Your mother pulled me back from the brink more times than I care to remember.
Daughter: (writing) We both made a lot of mistakes. But you affirmed me, Dad. You were there with me. You praised the things I did well, and the things I didn’t, well, most of the time you said nothing…but I knew you were disappointed. Dad:
What an amazing gift, a child’s selective memory!
Daughter: (writing) And it made me love you because you cared. I never told you that, but I wanted you to care. You cared how I would turn out. You cared who my friends were. You wanted the best for me. Even though you drove me absolutely crazy at the time! Daughter: (stops writing, just thinking aloud) You know, I remember a time when I was a teenager, and out to dinner with this guy that Dad wasn’t crazy about. Dad:
Oh, I hope she’s forgotten that restaurant incident…definitely went over the brink that time!
Daughter:
I guess he thought we’d been alone long enough, so he just showed up at the restaurant, and plopped right down beside me.
Dad:
What’s a dad to do?
Daughter:
I was humiliated! The guy left after a few minutes, (sarcastically) I can’t imagine why!
Dad: (smug) He was one scared young man… Daughter:
And dad just smiled, and acted so smart. I was furious!
Dad:
I didn’t think she’d ever forgive me…
Thanks Dad Page 2 Copyright Robyn Berdino, permission to publish given to DramaShare 2004
Daughter:
After a couple very long, very silent days, we gradually worked our way back to each other. (continues) It probably wasn’t one of the smarter things he did. But even though I couldn’t stand what he did, I now know he did it for me. (resumes writing on card) You could always see the big picture, Dad. (thinks again) And today I can say I am grateful that I didn’t marry that guy! (writing) Fortunately that stage didn’t last forever. I’m grown now, and I married a man just like you, Dad. He puts up with me the way you did. And I’m a Mom now, Dad, a Mom. Some days it surprises me! I am responsible for two precious little lives. And dad, you showed me how. When I am discouraged, I think of how we had a tough day together, and how unkind words flew, but you were always there. You never gave up. You’d come into my room, and sit down on the floor beside my bed, and listen to my ranting! (in thought) Sometimes, you could rant pretty well yourself!
Dad:
Oh, honey, forgive me for all the lectures when I should have been listening. . . . accepting you.
Daughter: (writing) But you were quick to apologize. You wouldn’t let the night end without doing your best to patch things up. You saw a potential in me that no one else did. I pray that I’ll see that unique potential in each of my children. (continues) You’re amazing, Dad. And when I tuck my two little boys into their beds at night, we thank God in heaven for blessing our lives with you. I know God is who He said He is because you told me, and I trust you. I know God’s forgiveness because you so freely forgave. You taught me of God’s faithfulness by loving Mom and being true to her over all these years. You taught me the importance of others, by continually giving of yourself. And Dad, you taught me to enjoy life, to notice the smallest things, and to count each of them as God’s blessings. (continues) Thanks, Dad. Happy Father’s Day. (lays pen down) Dad: (tearful, quietly) No, thank you…
Thanks Dad Page 3 Copyright Robyn Berdino, permission to publish given to DramaShare 2004
