Use Me Up-Drama Skit

Use Me Up-Drama Skit

Themes: Black History; Oprah Winfrey; God's plans for our lives; God can use you no matter what your station in life; Prayer; How one person can make a difference in the world
Categories: Black History 
Summary:

"When Oprah Gail Winfrey was born to unwed parents in a samll town in Mississippi, the world didn't take much notice.  No one could have predicted that a small, poor, black girl would grow up to be one of the richest, most powerful and influential women in history." 

And so begins this skit, a tribute to Oprah Winfrey and the contributions to the world she has had made throughout her lifetime.  This skit takes you through 3 "scenes" in Oprah's life.  The first is when Oprah was 6 years old,  preparing to "preach" in her Grandma's church.  Though life on the farm with her Grandma was primitive, (there was no running water or electricity) Little Oprah was happy, reading and reciting poetry and scriptures.  But her world is about to change, as she finds out when a teenage version of herself shows up to "warn" her about events to come. It seems that in "not so distant years," events will change Oprah's happy childhood into one filled with hurt, anger and rebellion.  "But," says Teen Oprah, "the darkenss won't last forever, and you will survive.  Just remember, God is watching over you." The scene then changes to an angry teenage Oprah who wonders how God could allow such atrocities to happen to her.  Just as she is shouting her wrath at God for abandoning her, an adult version of Oprah in her 50's appears to tell her not to give up, and that help is on the way--her life is about to change once more.  Adult Oprah shares just a hint of what is on the way for this teen girl, giving her enough courage to face another day:  "One day the sun will shine on you so brightly, you will feel its warmth with you wherever you go."  The scene changes one last time, as Adult Oprah now comes face to face with the elderly version of herself at age 92.  Just when Oprah thinks she has finally been "used up," she is informed that even at age 92, there is still work to be done. 

By Oprah's own admission, she prayed a prayer at one time in her life:  "God, use me until I'm all used up."  This skit emphasizes that theme, and in the end, based on the successes and accomplishments Oprah as achieved, ponders the idea, "What would happen in our own lives, and in our world, if we ALL prayed such a prayer?"

 
 
Style: Drama

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Characters: 7 (5 Female, 2 Neutral)
If necessary, Little Oprah could be played by an older child, teen or adult, dressed to look like a younger child.
Length: 12-15 minutes
 
Excerpt (Sample)

 Grandma rocks in the chair, as Little O speaks, as if preaching.

Little O:

(looking at the audience but not really speaking to them) "Then I heard the voice of the Lord saying, "Whom shall I send? And who will go for us?" And I said, (her voice gets loud and firm, as she raises both hands over her head in conviction) "Here am I, Lord. Send me!"

Grandma:

Amen, child!  Amen!

Little O:

(relaxing, looks to her Grandma) Did you really like it, Grandma?

Grandma:

I really did, Oprah.  I thought it was wonderful!

Little O:

Will they like it at church on Sunday?

Grandma:

Of course they will! They can't help but like it. 

Little O:

Did I say the words just right?

Grandma:

You said them perfect.  Moses himself couldn't have said them any better.  You sure are a gifted child, no doubt about that.

Little O:

Grandma, what does "gifted" mean?

Grandma:

It means the Lord himself done reached out and anointed you with His hand. 

Little O:

What does "nointed: mean?

Grandma:

(chuckles) It just means you're special, child.  (reaching out to Oprah, she pulls her onto her lap) And it means Grandma loves you very much! (she gives Oprah a huge hug)

Little O:

I love you, too Grandma. 

Grandma:

Well, I best be headin' to the kitchen to see about supper. 

Little O:

Can I help?

Grandma:

Tell you what, give me a few minutes and then you can help me snap some beans, okay?

Little O:

Okay.

Grandma gets up from the rocking chair and exits.  As she does so, Little O also stands, and continues to practice her speech, just as she did before.  As she begins, Teen O enters from the side of the stage, watching unnoticed. 

Little O:

"Whom shall I send? And who will go for us?" And I said, "Here am I, Lord. Send me!"

Teen O:

(clapping, as she enters further on stage, near little O) I'd forgotten how good you were at that age. 

Little O:

(startled but not frightened)  I'm six.

Teen O:

I know. 

Little O:

Who are you?

Teen O:

Someone who knows you pretty well.

Little O:

But I've never seen you before. 

Teen O:

No, but I've seen you lots of times. 

Little O:

(curious) Where?

Teen O:

Out in the barn in front of the sheep.  You line them all up, or as many as will stay put anyway, then you put on a show for them, singing and dancing, and twirling around.

Little O:

(eyes wide with wonder) How do you know that?

Teen O:

Oh, I know all about you. 

Little O:

Are you a friend of my Grandma's?

Teen O:

You could say that, yes.

Little O:

(going to Teen O and looking up at her curiously) You do look kinda familiar. 

Teen O:

I should.  I'm you.

Little O:

(confused) How can you be me, if I'm me?

Teen O:

I'm the teenage version of you in 8 or 9 years.   

Little O:

What's your name? 

Teen O:

Oprah Winfrey.  I told you, I'm you.

Little O:

If you're me, then what's my favorite color?

Teen O:

Green.

Little O:

What do I keep in my secret hiding place?

Teen O:

A picture of a doll you've wanted for over a year. You keep the picture under your bed in a blue shoe box you found in the trash, and you wrote the words "Mrs. Peabody's closet" on it.

Little O:

(gasps) It is you!  I mean, me! (looking at her, curiously) You're pretty.

Teen O:

(taken aback, almost near tears) Thank you!  You know, I don't think anyone has ever told me that before. 

Little O:

Then you must be surrounded by fools. 

Teen O:

(becoming serious) Oprah, there are some things I need to tell you.

Little O:

(excited) You know what I get for my birthday this year, don't you?  Do I finally get my doll?  Or do I get that shiny green bike with the yellow tassels that are in the store downtown? 

Teen O:

I'm not here to tell you about your birthday.  I'm here to warn you.

Little O:

Warn me?  About what?