The Jewell Ellen Smith Home Page
Christmas plays : Easter plays : Southern author : Novelist : Short Stories : Columnist
INTRODUCTION
Jewell Ellen Smith (1915-1998) was the author of over 30 (Christian) plays for Easter and Christmas, most of which are available below by clicking on their names. Drawing on her experience growing up in rural Arkansas and as an Army wife and mother (winner of the Alabama Mother of the Year award in 1987), Jewell designed these plays for church and drama groups who want to present the timeless truths of Christ's birth and resurrection. The plays were performed from the 1970's to the 1990's at Fort Rucker, Alabama (near Enterprise). The plays are usually in a "play within a play" format; the sub-play, which takes place during Jesus' ministry, illustrates and dramatizes the story being told in the main play. Some plays include music, either from standard hymnbooks, or that she herself wrote. All Scripture quotations are from the King James Version.
Jewell was the author of a murder mystery, Great Jehoshaphat and Gully Dirt! Published in 1975, this fast-paced but down-to-earth novel is a delight for adults and young people alike.
Jewell was also the author of a variety of short stories and columns. Sunbonnet Soliloquy was published for years in the Hedgehopper, the magazine of the Fort Rucker Officer's Wives Club. Practical advice for families is mingled delightfully with story-telling.
Resources and Information for the plays:
· Nonprofit groups may perform any of these plays without further paperwork or payment. Jewell's children like to keep track of when and where these plays are performed, so we ask that you e-mail Jewell's older son David, DSmith1204@aol.com, if you plan to perform one. If you have any questions about any of the plays or need copies of the music, please also e-mail us.
· Scripts which include music may be quite large, and may take some time to "come up" in your browser (Internet Explorer, FireFox, etc.) unless you are on a "broadband" connection.
· To save a copy of any script you are viewing on your computer for later review and printing, if you are using Internet Explorer, click "Favorites", "Add to Favorites", click on the box next to "Make Available offline" if it does not already have a check mark in it. The next time you want to look at the script, launch Internet Explorer, tell it to "work offline", then under the File menu, click on the name in your list of Favorites. This will allow you to peruse the script and print out as many copies as you need without having to be connected to the Internet. If the script includes music, however, the music is actually in separate files, which may not be downloaded along with the script. In this case, it may be best to just print the whole script out, words and music, while viewing it on your screen and you are still connected to the Internet. You may then use a copy machine to make as many copies as you may need.
· Many of these writings are also available in Acrobat® PDF format. If you want to view and download these PDF files, you will need at least version 4 (for Windows and the Macintosh) of the Adobe (Acrobat) Reader, available for free by clicking HERE. It may take some time for these files to download to your computer, so do not be alarmed if your screen appears to go blank for some moments after you click on one of these files. Using the Adobe Reader, you can download the entire play including the music, save to a specified location on your computer, and print out as many copies as you wish without being on the Internet.
· Information for drama groups on obtaining copies and rights to perform plays
· Suggestions for performing plays Suggestions in PDF format
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Please note that any e-mail from "(somebody) @plays-by-jewell.org" is spam and did not originate with us. Replies to "(anyone) @plays-by-jewell.org" will not be received by them. We are not responsible for this e-mail.
Plays for Easter:
A Highway in the Heart A Highway in the Heart (PDF)
Jesus demonstrates to John the Baptist and his followers that He is engaged in a helping and teaching ministry to the people of Galilee.
The Dream of Claudia Procula The Dream of Claudia Procula (PDF)
Based on the scripture passage in which Pontius Pilate's wife, Claudia Procula, asks her husband, unsuccessfully, to not crucify Jesus.
The Sons of Thunder Remember The Sons of Thunder Remember (PDF)
The story of the Resurrection as told in Mark and Luke; Apostles James and John recall some of Jesus' miracles.
The Rim of the Chariot Wheel The Rim of the Chariot Wheel (PDF)
The story, in Acts, of Phillip's encounter with and conversion of the Ethiopian Eunuch. The Last Supper, from Matthew, is acted in pantomime.
Seven Wise Women, Three Foolish Seven Wise Women, Three Foolish (PDF)
Ten well-known women from Bible passages relate their stories, including three who had an encounter with Jesus.
The Precious Names The Precious Names (PDF)
Ten different names, found in the Bible, appropriate for describing Jesus and His ministry, with a contemporary setting. The script includes sheet music for several hymns and the complete Handel's Hallelujah Chorus, so it may take some time to download.
Stories Told At a Feast Stories Told at a Feast (PDF)
Matthew, author of the Gospel of the same name, collects material for his book from other dinner guests who recall their encounters with Jesus.
At the Gate Called Beautiful At the Gate Called Beautiful (PDF)
The story of the man healed of lameness by Apostles Peter and John. He tells two Roman soldiers of his seeing Jesus' ministry at the Temple on several occasions; the soldiers ask to become Christians.
A Banquet in Bethany A Banquet in Bethany (PDF)
A week before He is crucified, Jesus is given a banquet in His honor. At the banquet, Mary, sister of Martha and Lazarus, anoints His feet with spikenard and wipes them with her hair.
Beside the Heart-Shaped Sea Beside the Heart-Shaped Sea (PDF)
Zebedee, father of the apostles James and John, no longer wants his sons to return to being fishermen when he realizes the divinity of Jesus Christ.
The Beautiful Garden The Beautiful Garden (PDF)
The Easter season is more than an occasion for pink rabbits, egg hunts, and new clothes. For each individual it can become a glorious festival of rejoicing in the Christian Faith and Hope.
Based on the passage, in Matthew, in which Pilate "washes his hands" of responsibility for Jesus' crucifixion.
With A Timbrel Too With a Timbrel Too (PDF)
Sally and Julia come in from playing and ask Sally's grandmother to read Bible stories. As Grandmother begins reading four separate stories involving women, each comes to life on stage.
A play about Luke's writing of his Gospel of the same name. Jesus' raising from death of the daughter of Jairus is convincingly portrayed, as is his appearance to the Disciples in the Upper Room after His resurrection.
The Fish and the Honeycomb (PDF)
This PDF version of the above is very large (16K) and recommended only for those with a high-speed Internet connection.
The Golden Crown The Golden Crown (PDF)
Zimri, a devout Jewish silversmith, wants to make a golden crown for Jesus, King of the Jews. He learns that Jesus came to wear a crown not of gold, but of thorns, and to bear our burdens on the cross.
The Grass Withereth The Grass Withereth (PDF)
The aged Apostle John, facing exile on Patmos, begins writing the Gospel of the same name. Included are some very dramatic scenes from that Gospel, including the raising of Lazarus from the dead.
The Devils of Magdala The Devils of Magdala (PDF)
Mary Magdalene's heart is possessed by seven demons, who are exorcized by Jesus Christ. Mary is the first person to see Jesus after the Resurrection.
The Touch of the Robe The Touch of the Robe (PDF)
The Crucifixion and Resurrection as witnessed by Roman soldiers (see Matt. 27.54).
At the Sign of the Cross At the Sign of the Cross (PDF)
The Crucifixion and Resurrection from the viewpoints of Simon of Cyrene, who carries Jesus' cross for Him, and Cleopas, to whom Jesus appears on the road to Emmaus.
Plays for Christmas:
"Dear Caesar Augustus..." "Dear Caesar Augustus..." (PDF)
The innkeeper who allowed Mary and Joseph to use his stable to sleep since there was "no room in the inn" is dissatisfied after being woken overnight repeatedly by people like the Shepherds and the Wise Men. At first he considers writing a letter of protest to Caesar Augustus, but changes his mind and considers writing instead a letter of thanks when he realizes that "God has come to his house."
Christmas Comes to Gus McGraw Christmas Comes to Gus McGraw (PDF)
Miserly Gus McGraw has a complete change of outlook as a result of unexpected Christmas-Eve visitors named Joseph Crawford, his wife Mary, and their newborn infant Emmanuel. No Biblical costumes are necessary.
The Strange New Star The Strange New Star (PDF)
The story of the Shepherds and Wise Men, centering on the star which guided the Wise Men to Bethlehem.
The Unpainted Masterpiece The Unpainted Masterpiece (PDF)
Leo, an escaped convict, originally imprisoned unjustly, is converted from atheism to Christianity as a result of playing the part of Leonardo daVinci, who is painting a picture of the Infant Jesus, surrounded by Mary, Joseph, Shepherds, and Wise Men.
The Vital Signs The Vital Signs (PDF)
Tells the age-old Christmas Story a new way, by showing how the ancient prophets of Israel foretold--in prophecies filled with signs and wonders--that God would send the Messiah. It also shows how these vital signs came true when the Christ Child was born in Bethlehem.
Stories of the Holy Night Stories of the Holy Night (PDF)
Illiterate Charley Boy McLeod, who is holding captive one Professor DuPont, is read the story of the birth of Jesus. As a result, he frees DuPont, who in turn promises to return and teach him to read.
STORIES OF THE HOLY NIGHT STORIES OF THE HOLY NIGHT (PDF)
An adaptation of this play by Sharon Lalor, 2007
The Adoration The Adoration (PDF)
Jan van Bol, an elderly painter, begins to paint a life-size picture of the story of the birth of Jesus. As he paints, the painting "comes to life."
Three Dreams and a Dance Three Dreams and a Dance (PDF)
King Herod's attempt to kill the Infant Jesus is foiled as a result of dreams: of the Wise Men, who are warned not to go back to Herod and tell him where the Infant is, and of Joseph, who is warned to take the Child to Egypt.
Christmas at Hungry Bear Mountain Christmas at Hungry Bear Mountain (PDF)
Lizzie Darden, who has had a "falling out" with God after several tragedies, discovers the true meaning of Christmas and faith through the annual Christmas pageant at her small community's church.
Plays and Writings for Children and Youth:
The Bible, Our Forever Book The Bible, Our Forever Book (PDF)
A play illustrating the origin of the Bible, and how it has been preserved and translated.
The Baby in the Bulrushes The Baby in the Bulrushes (PDF)
A Bible story pantomime for children, illustrating the story of the infant Moses being placed in a boat made of bulrushes in order to hide him from those who sought to kill him.
God's Word is Forever God's Word is Forever (PDF)
A youth group stages a play based on the life of Jeremiah, testifying to the permanence of the Bible.
God Protects His Word God Protects His Word (PDF)
A 'skit' of the above play by Elizabeth Blomgren.
The Legend of the Star of Bethlehem
A legend of the origin of the Star of Bethlehem in short-story form.
The Legend of the Star of Bethlehem Play The Legend ... Play (PDF)
An adaptation of this story, in play form for children, by Beverly Mowe. Note: the PDF version is very large, recommended only for broadband connections.
Sunbonnet Soliloquy columns:
Other Writings By and About Jewell:
Novel: Great Jehoshaphat and Gully Dirt!
A "hillbilly who-done-it" murder mystery, set in rural Arkansas in the early 20th century, and reproduced in its entirety.
Great Jehoshaphat and Gully Dirt! (PDF)
Newspaper article: "Playwright takes fresh approach..."
Explains the history of Jewell's plays.
An essay on the Smith family history; Jewell finished this less than a month before her death.
Cyrus the Great Camel Cyrus the Great Camel (PDF)
A Christmas short story about Cyrus, a camel who goes with the Three Kings to worship the infant Jesus.
A note by daughter Nan Kemp:
Writings by Smitty:
Some writings of Jewell's late husband William H. "Smitty" Smith, who wrote for the Army Aviation Digest after his retirement as a Lieutenant Colonel in Army Intelligence:
The True Coward The True Coward (PDF)
A short story about a duel in New Orleans.
Panic Point! Panic Point! (PDF)
An essay on keeping your cool in a pinch.
Jewell's son Wiley and his family are doing medical missionary work in Belize (in Central America).
Jewell's daughter Nan Kemp is a member of the Choir and runs the bookstore at Trinity Episcopal Church, in Tulsa, Oklahoma.
Jewell's son David is an Elder at Central Presbyterian Church in Mobile, Alabama, and the (main) webmaster for this page. Click HERE for information about his residence at Westminster Village in Spanish Fort, Alabama.
For further information, questions, or comments, send E-mail to Jewell Smith's older son, Dr. David Smith, at DSmith1204@aol.com, or write him at:
500 Spanish Fort Boulevard #96,Spanish Fort, AL 36527-5006 U.S.A.
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