The Rain Dance
| Category: | Physical Comedy & Slapstick |
|---|---|
| Category: | Cultural |
| Props: | None |
| Notes: | The Chief should perform an elaborate, silly dance with chanting. The Scouts should be skeptical at first, then impressed when rain starts. The ending gets a great laugh. You can have backstage helpers make rain sounds or toss water. |
([Chief] stands center stage. [Scout 1] and [Scout 2] enter, looking hot and tired.)
[Scout 1:] It hasn't rained in three weeks! The lake is getting low!
[Scout 2:] We need water for camp! What are we going to do?
[Chief:] (stepping forward mysteriously) I know what to do. I will perform the ancient rain dance!
[Scout 1:] (skeptical) A rain dance? Does that really work?
[Chief:] (offended) Of course it works! My grandfather taught me this dance, and his grandfather before him! It has brought rain for generations!
[Scout 2:] Well, we've got nothing to lose. Go ahead!
([Chief] begins an elaborate dance, hopping on one foot, then the other, waving arms in circles, chanting.)
[Chief:] (chanting) Oh-WAH-tah-goo! Oh-WAH-tah-goo! Bring the rain from sky so blue!
([Scout 1] and [Scout 2] watch, trying not to laugh.)
[Chief:] (continuing dance) Rain rain, come today! Wash our troubles all away!
([Chief] spins around, claps hands above head, stomps feet.)
[Chief:] Oh-WAH-tah-goo! Oh-WAH-tah-goo!
([Chief] finishes with a dramatic pose, arms raised to sky.)
(Brief silence. Everyone looks up at the sky.)
[Scout 1:] (shrugging) Well, it was worth a try...
(Suddenly, the sound of thunder rumbles. Everyone looks surprised.)
[Scout 2:] Wait! Did you hear that?
(Thunder again, louder. Wind sounds.)
[Chief:] (proudly) See! The rain dance ALWAYS works!
(Sound of rain starting - light pitter-patter. Everyone looks up, amazed.)
[Scout 1:] It's actually working! It's raining!
(Rain sounds get heavier and heavier.)
[Scout 2:] Wow! This is amazing!
(Rain sounds become VERY heavy. Thunder crashes loudly.)
[Scout 1:] Uh... Chief? Can you make it stop now?
[Chief:] (uncertainly) Stop?
(Rain sounds become torrential. Wind howling.)
[Scout 2:] YES! Stop! This is too much rain!
[Chief:] (nervously) Well... my grandfather never actually taught me how to STOP the rain...
[Scout 1:] WHAT?!
(Everyone starts getting soaked. They're miming being hit by heavy rain.)
[Chief:] He only taught me the RAIN dance! Not the STOP RAIN dance!
[Scout 2:] (yelling over storm sounds) DO SOMETHING!
([Chief] tries dancing in reverse, but rain continues.)
[Chief:] (panicking) It's not working! The spirits are angry!
(Thunder crashes extremely loudly. All three start running around trying to escape the rain.)
[Scout 1:] (running offstage) HEAD FOR SHELTER!
[Scout 2:] (running offstage) FORGET THE LAKE! IT'S FLOODING!
([Chief] stops before exiting, looks up at the sky.)
[Chief:] (yelling to sky) Sorry! My mistake! You can stop now!
(Rain continues. Thunder booms.)
[Chief:] (running offstage) Next time, I'm just checking the weather app!
(Freeze. Blackout, with rain sounds continuing.)