The Empty Chair: A Thanksgiving Play for Youth

Written for Thanksgiving service, this program in readers' theater format is set in a restaurant where a pastor has taken four young people out to dinner as a reward for packing Thanksgiving baskets for the needy. Although there are only five in the party, the pastor asks for a table for six. The story unfolds as the pastor explains why he has requested an extra place setting and chair. The practical format of The Empty Chair allows participants to use scripts instead of memorizing long passages. If desired, the characters may conceal their scripts within their menus. The Christian message is blended into the words of each reader as a means to get the gospel message to the audience.