The Long Road to the Garden - Easter Plays for Small Churches

THE LONG ROAD TO THE GARDEN

FULL READY SCRIPT — PART 1 (≈30 minutes | 3,500+ words)

(Palm Sunday → Rising tension → Upper Room → Last Supper → Judas exits → “Let us go.”)

Style: Reverent Easter drama with emotional depth, simple staging, scripture-guided reflection
Cast: Flexible (12–18; doubling-friendly)
Part 1 Performance Time: ~30–35 minutes depending on pacing, pauses, and choir transitions
Note: Part 1 ends in a soft transition (no blackout). Part 2 begins with the walk into the night.

CAST (Part 1)

• NARRATOR 1 (primary guide / Scripture reader)

• NARRATOR 2 (optional; can double as Religious Leader 2)

• JESUS

• PETER

• JOHN

• JUDAS

• MARY MAGDALENE

• MARY (Mother of Jesus) (optional but recommended)

• RELIGIOUS LEADER 1

• RELIGIOUS LEADER 2 (optional; can be Narrator 2 doubling)

• ROMAN WATCHMAN

• SERVANT 1

• SERVANT 2

• DISCIPLES / CROWD / WOMEN FOLLOWERS / ENSEMBLE (6–10; can also function as a soft choir)

STAGING & PROPS (Simple)

Set Zones

• Center Stage: “Jerusalem street / road” (Palms + cloths)

• Stage Right: “Temple walkway / leaders’ observation” (bench or small platform)

• Stage Left: “Upper Room” (table + chairs/stools)

• Downstage Center: Bible stand/lectern (optional)

Props

• Palms/branches (or cloth strips)

• Cloths for road

• Table items: cups, bread basket, one larger cup

• Basin + towel (foot washing) (can be mimed if needed)

• Small lamp prop (optional)

• A small bag or folded cloth for Judas (symbolic; minimal)

Sound/Lights (Minimal)

• Start warm daylight; gradually cool/dim toward the upper room

• Use silence intentionally

• Optional ensemble “hum” transitions (10–20 seconds max)