1. Have these skits and plays been “tested” at an actual church or school?

Yes! Each skit or play has been performed before a “live” audience. You can trust that the “bugs” have been worked out of InkSpirations scripts, and what you find on this site is the product of rehearsals, performances, rewrites, and edits.

2. Do these skits and plays reflect any specific doctrinal, theological, or church ““brand”?

InkSpirations scripts are nondenominational. Click here to read our statement of faith.

3. You have many different kinds of drama on this web site. Do you have a short definition of the various kinds to help me understand how they differ?

Yes. I have seventeen categories of dramatic literature on the InkSpirations web site, as well as four more creative ideas for sermon and drama integration, for a total of twenty-one ways to bring Christian storytelling onto the your church stage. Click here to read a brief description of the InkSpirations dramatic categories.

4. How are the scripts downloaded, and when?

After you have purchased the script, and your credit card has been approved, you will see a screen that lists the name(s) of the script(s) you’ve just purchased.  The titles of the script(s) are now download links. When you click on the title(s), your script(s) will download to your computer.  The download(s) are PDF file(s).  If you have trouble opening the PDF file(s), you can contact us. 

5. What happens if I have trouble with the downloaded script? Can I have one emailed to me?

Yes, simply email us, telling us what script you want, and we will email the script to you. Go to our “Contact Us” page to find our contact information. 

6. How many copies of the scripts can I make?

You may make as many copies of the scripts as you want!  

7. Can I send copies of the scripts I’ve purchased to my friends at other churches?

It would be better to tell your friends about the website and script so they could purchase a script for themselves. 

8. Can I change the gender of the scripted cast to suit my specific cast members?

Yes. You may make gender changes to suit the needs of your cast.

9. Can I change the content of a script to suit my particular audience, if needed?

Yes. You may make whatever changes you feel necessary.

10. Can these scripts be used at camps or other settings?

Yes! These scripts use minimal sets and little or no technical specifications. Many of them were especially developed for outdoor settings.

11. We’re a small church. What category of scripts would be easiest for us?

Many of the scripts are ideal for two or three players. All the various categories of drama in the InkSpirations library have pieces suited to small churches. Browse the InkSpirations library and read the descriptions; you will be delighted with your many options.

12. I’ve written some scripts myself. Will you read them, and give me some ideas?

Unfortunately, I have so many demands on my time, and I am not able to edit and respond to the work of others. I recommend that you send your work to some of the Christian publishers who specialize in dramatic literature. May God bless your efforts. The world needs more Christians with good stories to tell. Keep writing!

13. What is your formal training? How did you write all these scripts?

I began writing skits when I was 14 years old at Girl Scout camp. I wrote those ridiculous campfire skits that made the counselors howl. One skit led to another, and I ended up working my way through college as the “Director of Children’s Theater,” for the city recreation department in Corona, CA. One play led to another, and soon I finished my Bachelor’s Degree in Theater and English, then I completed my Elementary and Secondary Teaching Credentials, and began my career as a drama teacher at Tuffree Middle School in Placentia, CA. Three years later, I completed my Master’s Degree in Education, followed by the Master’s Degree in Theater, with a specialization in script-writing. I also graduated from the Scriptwriting Institute in Hollywood, CA, where I learned the fine art of writing movie scripts. In 1974, I began my lifelong ministry as Professor of Theater Arts and Literature at Hope International University in Fullerton, CA, where it has been my privilege to inspire and equip new generations of dramatic writers to “tell the old, old, story,” through the cutting-edge lens of their culture.

14. I really want to use drama at my church, but I’m just learning. Will you help me? ……

Yes!

• First, find the people who are animated and confident. Believe me; they can act.
• Second, select a simple skit from the InkSpirations library of over 120 selections.
• Third, link up with your senior pastor and design a “storytelling moment” together. Click here to explore the category of InkSpirations scripts called, “Skermons,” and read the information on that page.
• Fourth, rehearse the simple skit you’ve chosen with the actors and technicians, so that it is as smooth as you can make it.
• Fifth, place an ad for a “New Drama Ministry” in your church bulletin on the same day as you perform your skit.
• Sixth, place an “interest table” at the entrance, with sign-up cards and flyers about your new ministry; warn them that they will have to audition, and describe what you want them to do. Usually a song, dance, dramatic and comic monologue is enough. They must audition; you wouldn’t have a soloist who couldn’t carry a tune!
• Seventh, call all the people in for an “audition.”
• Eighth, use people with different skills to do different kinds of drama. Some are great “choral readers,” others are great for “mime,” (especially if they have studied dance or can’t memorize!) Others are great for skits, others are better in “reader’s theater.”
• Ninth, pace your rehearsals and cast members. Don’t rehearse with the same crowd every week. Don’t think every actor can do everything. Temporarily “retire” your performers after each performance; then, call them when you need their particular talent again. With this approach, the whole church becomes your “drama team,” and you only use them a few times a year. Nobody “burns out.”
• Tenth, rehearse only a week or so before you are on, and rehearse on Sunday, before or after the church service, when they are there anyway. Don’t call people out midweek! If you do, you will “kill” your cast.
• Finally, have fun with your cast and crew. Fellowship together apart from rehearsals or performances!

15. What can I do if my pastor doesn’t want to use drama in his sermons?

Always work in submission to your pastor. Never become an adversary. Start small, with an “oral interpretation,” or a “choral reading,” of scripture, then slowly add a “monologue,” once he learns to trust you. Remember, he is responsible for delivering the Word of God, to your congregation, and it could be that he is afraid drama will turn it into a variety show. Use respect in every encounter with him. Click here to read an article I’ve written entitled, “Mind your P’s and Q’s With the Senior Pastor.”

16. How do the sermon and the drama work together? ……

The drama works together with the sermon in the following three ways:

• Pre-sermon preparation – the drama sets up the question; the sermon answers it
• Mid-sermon illustration – the pastor sets up the conflict; the drama illustrates it
• Post-sermon application – the drama illustrates the pastor’s sermon points

The dramatist and the pastor can make a powerful storytelling team. For more information on integrating the sermon and dramas, click here to explore the category of InkSpirations scripts called, “Skermons.”  The “Skermon” category is not the only category where the skit “sets up,” “illustrates,” or “applies” the pastor’s message; all the scripts in the various InkSpirations categories will do that. It all depends on how the pastor decides to use the drama. Browse through the descriptions of the InkSpirations categories with your pastor. Select scripts with which he is comfortable. As your pastor becomes more comfortable integrating drama, you will be able to use more complex scripts.

17. When we perform these scripts, do we have to credit you as the author in the program?

Yes. If you produce a printed program, please add the words, “by Cora Alley, christianskitsource.com” in at lease 14 point type on the front cover.

18. Can we sell DVDs of our performance of your material?

Yes!

19. Do we have to have the technical equipment your skits call for in order to do them?

No. The special lighting and sound specifications are ideal if your facility has all those “bells and whistles”; however, most churches don’t, so improvise and skip the “special effects.” The only indispensable ingredient in church drama is you! Yes, you are key to the success of drama in your church. If you care, then God is there! The rest, is only show business.

20. Can we translate the scripts for another language or culture?

Yes! If you do that, please send us a copy!  We will discuss the possibility of posting your translation on this site for others to use.  

If you didn’t find your question in this list, please email it to me. I will respond to your question as soon as I can. You can find my email on our “Contact Us” page. 

May God bless you as you tell His story dramatically!