free play script with optional dance scenes

STAYING POWER

by D. M. Larson


From the published play "To Be A Star" ISBN-13: 978-1541300200


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"STAYING POWER" by D. M. Larson


BETH
Now those stars up there in the sky have staying power. I can always count on them. I can always look up and know they'll be there for me.


The stars on Earth burn out too quickly. They have a moment where they shine so bright but then poof. They're gone. A memory. Sometimes not even that.


But with the stars in the sky, I know they'll be there night after night, always there for me to make a wish. What do I wish for?


(thinks a moment)


Hope. I wish for hope. Hope for the world. Hope for peace. Hope for a future where no one is more important than anyone else and money is a thing of the past. A future where everyone is taken care of no matter how little they have.


I just want to be taken care of... cared for... that's what I hope for. That's my wish.


END OF SCENE



From the published play "To Be A Star" ISBN-13: 978-1541300200


Low cost PDF of the monologue Sellfy.com


Low cost PDF of the full play Sellfy.com


When you purchase a PDF, you may make as many photocopies as needed (but please do NOT repost the text online in any way).

Purchasing a PDF of this script gives you the rights to use for:
Auditions
Classrooms
Workshops
Camps

If you use the script in a paid performance where admission is charged or in a competition, please pay the royalty:

https://sellfy.com/p/1MQC/

This royalty covers all performances that occur within one month's time.

IMPORTANT: Please be sure to get permission from your competition for the script before performing it.


Staying Power is from the play...

To BE A STAR

by D. M. Larson Freedrama.net

Thank you to "Gone Dancing Studio" in Michigan for making this project possible.

For permission to use this script, contact doug@freedrama.net

This play is written with dance scenes in between each acting scene. The choreography for the dance scenes is up to the individual producer.  The songs are only suggestions and permission for use of the songs are not pre-arranged and granted with the permission to use the script.

CAST OF CHARACTERS (20 females/6 males):

Scene 1 - 6 females: MISSY, BETH, PENNY, IZZY, LULU, KAYLA

Scene 3 - 5 females, 2 males: JOE, LUCY, AMY, SARAH, MEGAN, CHUCK, PATTY

Scene 5 - 4 females, 4 males: MOE, GUARD, ALEXIS, BRIANNA, FRED, MORGAN, SAM, VICTORIA

Scene 7 - 5 females: ZOEY, GRACE, HANNAH, AVA, FORTUNA


TO BE A STAR SCENE 1

(Six girls are lines up waiting with camera or cell phones or paper and pens for autographs.  The 6th girl is looking at the night sky)

MISSY

I can't believe we're in the front of the line. I've been waiting forever to see these stars.

BETH

The night sky is beautiful.

PENNY

Not those stars.  Superstars.

BETH

Oh, I was thinking it might be the pretty little twinkling little stars.  Like diamonds in the sky.

IZZY

We're talking big stars.

LULU

The biggest!

KAYLA

They're coming to our dance competition. They are ready to discover the next big star.

BETH

Twinkle twinkle little star.

PENNY

Get with it or all you'll be is a little star.

BETH

You want to be a big star?

PENNY

The biggest.

BETH

Like Cygni 1749 or Centauri 396?

IZZY

What are you talking about?

BETH

Stars.

LULU

I've never heard of them.  Are they punk bands?  I don't like punks.

BETH

I'd love to visit the stars... fly through the milky way and touch a star.

MISSY

Look!  It's Meeny Manly Moe!

(PENNY, MISSY, LULU and IZZY gets excited. BETH is still checking out stars in the sky)

PENNY

I love him!

LULU

That's a star I want to touch! 

IZZY

Show me the money!

MISSY

What's that mean?

IZZY

No clue.

KAYLA

When he gets close, get a picture... I'll stand like this and...

(KAYLA tries to give her camera to LULU but she pushes it away. IZZY takes it instead)

LULU

You take the picture. I want his autograph.

BETH

Why do you all like him so much?

MISSY

He's cool.

PENNY

The coolest.

LULU

And I love his music.

BETH

But it sounds like everything else everyone is making.

IZZY

But he does it so much better.

(MISSY points)

MISSY

There.  He's coming.  He's getting closer.

LULU

Push closer.

KAYLA

Stop pushing.

(PENNY, MISSY, IZZY and LULU exit screaming with excitement)

BETH

Do you really think he'll last?  Now those stars up there in the sky having staying power.  I can always count on them. I can always look up and know they'll be there for me.  The stars on Earth burn out too quickly.  They have a moment where they shine so bright but then poof. They're gone. A memory.  Sometimes not even that.  But with the stars in the sky, I know they'll be there night after night, always there for me to make a wish. What do I wish for?  (thinks a moment) Hope.  I wish for hope.  Hope for the world.  Hope for peace. Hope for a future where no one is more important than anyone else and money is a thing of the past.  A future where everyone is taken care of no matter how little they have.  I just want to be taken care of... cared for... that's what I hope for.  That's my wish.

(Other girls return angry)

PENNY

He broke my camera!

MISSY

Took it and stepped right on it.

LULU

You should see what he wrote in my autograph book.

IZZY

He spelled that wrong.

LULU

It's still rude.

PENNY

The guy's a criminal. I should call the cops.

KAYLA

I can't believe he gets away with that.

IZZY

But he's so cute.

LULU

Isn't he?!  He touched my hand.

PENNY

No way!

LULU

When he took my pen... I felt our hands... touch...

(4 girls squeal with excitement. They notice BETH)

KAYLA

Why aren't you excited, Beth?

BETH

Well, to be honest, I got a picture with him and his autograph before you got here.

PENNY

What?!

BETH

When you all sent me ahead to hold your place in line?

IZZY

Yes, yesterday. We remember.

BETH

Early this morning, after I slept here all night...

LULU

We brought you a pillow.

BETH

He came early to practice for the dance competition.

KAYLA

Did you see his new dance too?

BETH

Yeah.

IZZY

Not fair!

BETH

You can stand in line all night next time then.

PENNY

Let's see your picture.

LULU

And the autograph!

BETH

It's time for the dance competition.  Sorry, no time.

MISSY

Please, Beth.

(MISSY and LULU follow BETH off stage)

PENNY

What are you doing, Izzy?

IZZY

Maybe I'll make a wish on a star too... seemed to work out for Beth.

PENNY

Maybe I will too.

IZZY

What should we wish for?

PENNY

Meeny Manly Moe?

IZZY

No, something better.

PENNY

What?

IZZY

I can't tell.

PENNY

You can tell me.

IZZY

It's a wish. They have to be secret.

(IZZY exits)

PENNY

A secret wish... what do I want more than anything?  To be a star! 


Scene 2

Dance Scene with a song such as Counting Stars by One Republic

Scene 3

(Scene starts with a lemonade style stand.  LUCY is sitting behind it and there is a sign that says "BURN YOUR MONEY HERE". A guy named JOE goes up to the stand)

JOE

I'd like to burn a $1,000 please.

LUCY

Stick your money in the bucket.

JOE

There... ain't you gonna burn it?

LUCY

This is a non-smoking section. I'll have to burn it later on.  Here's your receipt.

JOE

Awesome.  Everyone is going to be jealous. 

(AMY rushes in)

AMY

What are you doing?!

JOE

Burning my money.

AMY

Are you crazy?

JOE

But this is what all the stars do.  I hear Meeny Manly Moe burned over a million dollars last year.

AMY

You're no star!  You can't afford to burn money.

JOE

Not a star?  I have at least two adoring fans in that audience right now.

AMY

Your granny and mommy don't count.

JOE

I can't believe you are upset about this.

AMY

That's a lot of money.

JOE

I just want to fit in.

AMY

What a waste.  What a terrible waste.

JOE

Fine. I'll ask for it back.  She hasn't burned it yet.

(LUCY puts up a sign that says "No Refunds")

LUCY

No refunds.

(AMY breaks down crying.  JOE tries to comfort her but every time he tries to touch her she cries really loud.  He tries three times and then gives up and leaves. SARAH and MEGAN enter)

SARAH

What's the matter, Amy?

AMY

Joe just burned $1,000... just like that.

MEGAN

Well, that is the cool thing to do. 

AMY

It's horrible.

MEGAN

Those superstars have so much money, they don't know what to do with it.  So the cool thing now is to burn it. 

LUCY

I provide a receipt that proves it.  The more receipts you got, the cooler you are.

AMY

This is terrible.  There are starving people in the world and homeless and they're just burning it? 

LUCY

You don't understand. 

AMY

I understand too much.

LUCY

When you grow up...

AMY

When I grow up, I'll still think this is crazy.

SARAH

I see you got a lot of money in those buckets.

(SARAH had been sneaking around and finds buckets.  LUCY rushes to block her way)

LUCY

These buckets are private property and scheduled for burning.  Touch it and have the biggest lawsuit slapped on you...

(MEGAN has gathered some money from the buckets.  LUCY turns and MEGAN tries to look innocent)

LUCY (CONT.)

What are you doing?

MEGAN

Nothing.

LUCY

You didn't take any money did you?

MEGAN

No.

(While LUCY is distracted, SARAH starts sneaking away some money)

LUCY

I see some sticking out your pocket.

MEGAN

No you don't.

(LUCY grabs for her. MEGAN runs)

LUCY

Come back here!

(LUCY chases MEGAN and they vanish off stage)

SARAH

Grab a bucket of money, Amy!

(SARAH tries to give her a bucket)

SARAH

Here... take one.

AMY

I can't.

SARAH

But you can buy things with it... or give Joe back his money... and help homeless people too.

(LUCY returns)

LUCY

Hey!

(SARAH runs off. LUCY chases her)

AMY

I should at least get Joe's $1000 back.  That wouldn't be stealing... would it?

(AMY goes behind the stand to get the money and then CHUCK and PATTY appear. AMY hides)

CHUCK

I saw you back there.  Come on out.

AMY

Sorry... I'm on break.

PATTY

But we're in a hurry to burn some money before the dance competition.  I'm tired of carrying all this cash around. 

AMY

You sure you want to burn it?  Wouldn't it be nice to give it to someone who is hungry... or homeless?

(CHUCK and PATTY looks at each other a moment and then laugh)

CHUCK

Too funny... that's so 10 years ago.  Charity... ha!  Nobody cool does that anymore.

AMY

Why not?

PATTY

Well... it's just not what we do.

CHUCK

You sure you work here?

AMY

But isn't there something important to you?  Someone you'd like to help?  Some kind of good you want to do in the world?

PATTY

I like pretty things.

AMY

There you go... maybe you want to make the world a more beautiful place.

CHUCK

You could buy homeless pets jeweled collars?

PATTY

That would be cute.

AMY

Good. Take your money and help homeless pets... find them homes.  Open up lovely dog parks where families can play with their pets.  Wouldn't that be great to look back and know that you make the world a little more beautiful?

CHUCK

What a dreamer.

AMY

What about you?  You dream about anything?

CHUCK

Well...

AMY

Come on... you can tell me...

CHUCK

It's embarrassing.

AMY

I'll share my dream first.  Would that help?  My dream is to find love.  I want to find that special love that makes you glow inside.  Like lightening has struck your heart.  I want the kind of love that when you are together, you feel like a shooting star, hurtling through space, falling through the sky and in to that person's arms... that perfect person you can love forever. 

PATTY

How sweet.

AMY

So, what's your dream?

CHUCK

I want to see my name in lights!  Big neon lights! 

(AMY is disappointed)

AMY

Oh.

CHUCK

Maybe I should take this money and buy myself a huge neon sign.

PATTY

That could be the new cool.

CHUCK

Yeah!

(CHUCK and PATTY exit)

AMY

Don't forget about the homeless pets... an the beautiful things... making the world a more beautiful place.

(LUCY returns tired)

LUCY

I give up.  Hey, how come you didn't take any money?

AMY

It seemed wrong.

LUCY

Well, thanks for watching the rest of the money.  How about a reward?  Here's a $1,000.

AMY

You sure?

LUCY

Yeah.

AMY

Thanks! I gotta find Joe.

(AMY exits happily)

LUCY

Hmmm... all this money.  Maybe that girl is right.  Maybe this money could go to better use. Maybe it should be used to do some good. It does seem a shame to burn it.  Why not burn it on someone who needs it a lot more than they do.  Like me!  Just kidding.


Scene 4

Dance scene to a song such as "Neon Lights"

SCENE 5

(Fans gather excited. MOE tries to get through the crowd with his body GUARD trying to help him)

ALEXIS

There he is!

VICTORIA

We love you!

MORGAN

Please... over here!

BRIANNA

I touched him!

FRED

You rock man!

SAM

You're the best!

ALEXIS

Can I have your picture?

VICTORIA

Can I have your sock?

(VIOLET is clinging to his leg)

MOE

Get me out of here!

(GUARD blocks the fans and MOE gets away off stage.  FANS chase.  MOE returns after a moment with GUARD)

GUARD

I think we lost them.

MOE

I hope so or you're fired.

GUARD

They came out of nowhere.

MOE

They took my shoe... and my sock.

GUARD

Your feet smell so they're in for a shock.

MOE

Want my shoes?  Here... here's the other.

(MOE throws it off stage.  FANS scream)

GUARD

Now you've done it.

MOE

Oh no!

(MOE runs off stage.  FANS rush on)

ALEXIS

I got hit in the head by his shoe.  Everyone see that?  I think I'm bleeding.  This is so awesome!

VICTORIA

I want him to hurt me.

BRIANNA

Where is he?!

MORGAN

There!  Get him!

(ALEXIS, VIOLET, MORGAN and BRIANNA rush off. SAM and FRED go up to GUARD)

SAM

Hey, dude.  You like his bodyguard?

GUARD

Guard, gopher, babysitter... you name it.

FRED

That is so cool.

GUARD

It's a job.

SAM

Best job ever!

FRED

Yeah!

GUARD

Well... it's got down sides.

SAM

What could be bad about hanging out with the superstar of the century?

GUARD

Crazy fans for one.

(FRED is sniffing the sock he got from MOE)

FRED

I'm not crazy.

GUARD

The guy can't step outside without a hoard of fans attacking him.  He has no life.  He's always in hiding.

SAM

And you're hiding with him.  Hearing his secrets. 

GUARD

His biggest secret is that he sleeps with a teddy bear.

FRED

I'm totally tweeting that.

(FRED gets on his phone)

SAM

What?  No big secrets?  No wild illegal parties?

GUARD

He acts all cool in public. Has his fun beating and hurting fans and acting all bad, but he's actually a pretty nice guy in private.

FRED

How disappointing.

SAM

He's probably lying.

FRED

Yeah.

GUARD

Whatever.

(MOE rushes through with FANS in pursuit)

MOE

Help me!

(SAM and FRED chase MOE.  GUARD jumps in the way of the girls)

GUARD

Hold it ladies.

MORGAN

Move it, bub.  Or lose it!

GUARD

But I've got some exclusive memorabilia.

ALEXIS

What? What? Show us!

GUARD

I have here a piece of gum he chewed on the way here.

VICTORIA

I want it! I want it!

(GUARD gives it to her and she pops in her mouth)

VICTORIA (CONT.)

It's like kissing him.

BRIANNA

What else you got?

(GUARD takes out bag of chips)

GUARD

Half eaten bag of chips that he dropped on the floor and stepped on.

MORGAN

Me! Me! 

GUARD

There you go.

MORGAN

I'll sprinkle these crumbs on everything I eat from now on.

GUARD

And I have a hat that has been on his head.  There might even be a hair of his in here.

(The girls scream and fight for it. MOE enters and sees them fighting)

MOE

What is that all about?

(GUARD goes over to MOE and girls don't notice because they are too busy fighting over the hat)

GUARD

A little distraction technique I came up with.

MOE

Isn't that your hat?

GUARD

No, it's your hat.

MOE

I don't wear hats.

GUARD

They don't know that.

MOE

Now I see why I keep you around.

GUARD

I'm the best.

MOE

Ah!  Incoming!

(SAM and FRED appear)

SAM

Dude!

FRED

Score!

MOE

Run!

(GUARD and MOE run. Girls notice and scream. They all rush after MOE.  A Scooby-Do style chase scene happens of everyone running different directions and crashing and MOE trying to hide)

GUARD

Don't they ever give up?

MOE

I quit!

(Everyone stops)

BRIANNA

What?

MOE

That's it. I quit. I'm tired of you all chasing me and going crazy over me... I can't step outside without being mauled.  I used to like to take walks in the park... I haven't seen a park in years.  I just want to go to a park and feed some ducks... and watch them maul each other over bread.  What are you all mauling me over?  I don't get it.  Why can't you all leave me alone!  So I quit. I don't want to be your star anymore.  I just want to be able to get a cup of coffee, take a walk and maybe... see a movie.  And be left alone! Get it! Stop! I am not doing this anymore.

(MOE leaves)

MORGAN

He's cute when he's angry.

VICTORIA

I got his rant on my phone.

ALEXIS

Put it online.  It'll go viral for sure.

BRIANNA

Call it "Moe Quits".

VICTORIA

That video will make us famous!

ALEXIS

And then we'll have fans... chasing us.

MORGAN

Awesome!

GUARD

They'll never learn.


SCENE 6

Dance Scene to a song such as "One Way or Another"

Scene 7

ZOEY

Who do you think it going to win the dance competition?

GRACE

Everyone is so good.

HANNAH

We're going to win of course.  Have you forgot about our secret weapon?  Me!

(KAYLA does a wild dance move)

ZOEY

You go girl.

AVA

Hey. Who's that?

(They see a strange person dressed in weird clothing)

FORTUNA

Get your fortunes told.  See the future.  Know the secrets of what is to come.

ZOEY

We can see who wins.

GRACE

We should find out if we make any mistakes and then not make them.

HANNAH

Can she do that?

FORTUNA

I see what I see. Fortunes they be. Merely pay me three and hear futures from me.

AVA

Three?

HANNAH

Dollars.

ZOEY

That's why she is called a fortune teller... they make a fortune of this.

GRACE

I have three dollars.

(FORTUNA snatches it away before GRACE can change her mind)

AVA

Ask her!

GRACE

What should I ask?

HANNAH

If we win.

AVA

If we make any mistakes.

ZOEY

If we'll be stars.

AVA

Where I left my keys... I'm always losing them.

FORTUNA

I see it in the stars.

AVA

My keys?

FORTUNA

The future!  It's in the stars!

HANNAh

What stars?  We're inside.

FORTUNA

I see visions of the future... I see what fate awaits you.

GRACE

Me?

FORTUNA

All of you!

HANNAH

Me first!

GRACE

It was my three dollars.

HANNAH

You owe me five.

GRACE

True.

FORTUNA

Some of you will find beauty...

AVA

That's me.

FORTUNA

Some will find love.

ZOEY

Let that be me, please.

FORTUNA

Some will find your happy ever after.

GRACE

I so want a happy ever after.

FORTUNA

And one of you will shine brighter than the sun.

HANNAH

Oh! Oh! Me! Me!

FORTUNA

And some will lose what they found.

AVA

Oh no.

GRACE

So what does that all mean?

ZOEY

Can't you be a little more clear?

FORTUNA

For three dollars, that's a clear as I get.

HANNAH

Here's five more dollars.  Go crazy.

FORTUNA

What happens to you will depend on what you chose.  There are open doors, you are all given choices. The only way to lose it to not chose at all.  How will you shine?  How will you leave your mark?  Before you I hold your fates.  One of you will be a star, shining bright.  Come and see who it will be.

(Girls start to rush forward but GRACE stops there)

GRACE

Wait.  Is that such a good idea?

AVA

What do you mean?

GRACE

If we know who will be the star, will the rest of us give up?

ZOEY

I hadn't thought of it that way.

GRACE

Why try?  Why work hard if you know what will happen?  And why not give up if you know that the future is not a brighter one?

ZOEY

She has a point.

HANNAH

But it's right there. Our future.  Waiting to be told.

GRACE

Do you want to be the kind of person who reads the ending of the book first?

HANNAH

I hate surprises.

AVA

I love the journey... the adventure.  The discovery and the surprise ending.

ZOEY

Surprises are so much better.

AVA

Let's not look.

ZOEY

I agree.

GRACE

Ah!  It's time for the final dance.

ZOEY

We're going to be late.

KAYLA

Hurry everyone!

AVA

Let's go see who wins!  I hope it's us.

(GIRLS run off except for HANNAH and FORUTNA. HANNAH goes up to her reluctantly.  FORTUNA holds out the cards)

FORTUNA

Your fortune, should you choose to accept it.

HANNAH

How mission impossible of you.

(HANNAH reaches for the fortune and lights go black)

FORTUNA (IN DARKNESS)

Will you shine brighter than the sun?


SCENE 8

Dance scene with a song such as "Brighter than the Sun"

Scene 9

(MOE comes out on stage with an envelope with his GUARD) 

MOE

And the winner of the Dance Competition is...

(He opens the envelope dramatically)

MOE (CONT.)

Everyone!

(All the dancers cheer)

MOE

I want everyone to know that they are winners in their own way. 

GUARD

You don't have to have your name in Neon Lights to be special.  You're all special and important in your own way.

(IZZY and BETH enter)

BETH

You can shine in your own way and be a special kind of star.  One that glows with beauty and love.

IZZY

Believe in yourself and never give up on what is important to you.

(AMY and LUCY enter handing out star awards to everyone)

AMY

It's better to give then to get. Giving yourself and helping others will make you the most important kind of star.

LUCY

It brings joy to your heart to help others rather than yourself.  Give from the heart and be a star in the lives in those around you.

(HANNAH and FORTUNA enter)

HANNAH

You don't have to see the future to shine brighter than the sun.  You can be an inspiration by being the best you can be.

FORTUNA

I see a bright and beautiful future for all of you here tonight.  You have learned that you do not need magic or luck to be a star.  Being is a star is something you feel inside, not something others say you are.  Go forth like shooting stars, making the lives of those around you a little brighter.

SCENE 10

Dance scene with all dancers

END OF PLAY


Low cost PDF of the full play Sellfy.com


When you purchase a PDF, you may make as many photocopies as needed (but please do NOT repost the text online in any way).

Purchasing a PDF of this script gives you the rights to use for:
Auditions
Classrooms
Workshops
Camps

If you use the script in a paid performance where admission is charged or in a competition, please pay the royalty:

https://sellfy.com/p/1MQC/

This royalty covers all performances that occur within one month's time.

IMPORTANT: Please be sure to get permission from your competition for the script before performing it.


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