July 9th has finally arrived, and that means Mr. Masters’ Absence releases today!! I’ve been waiting for weeks to tell you what this new script is all about, and I’m so excited to be able to share at last.

First, let me share the passage from Scripture that’s at the heart of this play:

Blessed are those servants, whom the lord when he cometh shall find watching…. Be ye therefore ready also: for the Son of man cometh at an hour when ye think not. (Luke 12:37a, 40)

These verses come from Luke’s version of the Parable of the Faithful Servant, and, you may have guessed, Mr. Masters’ Absence is a retelling of this very parable. The play tells much more than just this parable, however—actually, Mr. Masters’ Absence tells four of Jesus’ parables from Matthew and Luke: the Parable of the Faithful Servant, the Parable of the Unmerciful Servant, the Parable of the Talents, and the Parable of the Laborers in the Vineyard. Why these four? Each of them revolves around a servant-master (or worker-employer) relationship, so they fit together well when combined into one narrative.

Mr. Masters’ Absence not only weaves these four parables into one storyline but also transports them into a contemporary office setting. Here’s the story synopsis:

Mr. Masters, president and CEO of Masters & Co., has left on an unexpected business trip, leaving his staff to manage on their own. Conflict surges when some employees take advantage of Mr. Masters’ absence to shirk their duties and bully other workers, while a few faithful staff members do their best to keep things in order until Boss’s return. But no one knows how long he’ll be away, and not everyone looks forward to his homecoming.

Honestly, this was a tricky script to write. Combining four parables into one cohesive story was a challenge on its own, and more importantly, I wanted to be faithful to the details and the spirit of the original parables, though presenting them in a modern setting. It’s been a whole year since I finished the first draft, but after numerous revisions, I’m content with the final product and thrilled to be able to share it at last.

As for the logistics, Mr. Masters’ Absence runs about 50 minutes in performance and requires just one simple set. It’s designed for a cast of 16 characters (5 female, 2 male, and 9 that can be either), but with doubling it can be performed by as few as 11 cast members. (All the details about how you can arrange this, as well as info about costumes and props, can be found in the play’s Production Notes.)

Lastly, if you want to get into the script itself, you can read the entire first scene here: Script Sample. If you have any questions, just email us at kittywham@gmail.com or send us a message through our Contact page!

And remember, today is the last day of our special birthday sale, so don’t miss the chance to SAVE 40% on any of our scripts, including Mr. Masters’ Absence! You can browse our scripts here in our Shop. Sale ends tonight at midnight!