The Missing Masterpiece: Reframed

It’s the evening of the grand art museum fundraiser, and just as dessert is served, the lights suddenly go out! When they flicker back on, a valuable artwork has vanished. Whodunit? Every guest insists they’re innocent while the detectives search for clues. This adaptation is inspired by the Drama Notebook play THE MISSING MASTERPIECE. Drama teacher Jen Morin used the original script as a springboard to collaborate with her students on a filmed version of the story. Bring it to life as a stage production-or use this screenplay for your own film project.

Another version of The Missing Masterpiece

Playwright Bios:

Jen Morin grew up in a whirlwind of theater and music (and soccer!). While in college as an Acting major at Syracuse University, Jen developed an interest in filmmaking and ultimately received her B.F.A. in Film/Drama. She went on to earn her M.F.A. in Film Directing from the California Institute of the Arts (CalArts). Upon returning to the east coast, Jen became a certified Theatre teacher (Massachusetts) and now teaches drama, film, and music all over the greater Boston area, specializing in working with neurodivergent performers. Jen also enjoys continuing her own education by taking classes in subjects such as West Coast Swing Dance, Improv, and Commedia del’Arte.

Jennifer Reif has taught, directed, and performed around the Pacific Northwest for decades. Her shelves are lined with children’s books and her happy place is in the woods. She loves devising creative theatre projects with kids and sharing ideas with teachers. Jennifer holds her BA in Theatre from Morningside University and also studied at Oxford University in England.

Excerpt from the Play

Mona DaVinci

Chef Boucher

Jackie Pollock

Detective Stone

Vivian Kinkade

Blaire Cunningham

Julianna Bennington

Dr. T. Franklin

Gloria Sinclaire

Camilla Sinclaire

Shiloh

Oscar DuPont

Francesca Marie Whitmer DuPont

SCENE 1 – INTERIOR MUSEUM HALLWAY – EVENING

(An easel holds a sign next to a door. The sign reads “Museum of Art Annual Fundraiser, Donor Dinner and Auction.” VIVIAN KINKADE reads the sign. BLAIRE VANDERBILT approaches her from behind.)

BLAIRE:
Oh, hello Vivian. What a surprise seeing you here.

VIVIAN:
Blaire. I thought you had to be a donor to the museum to attend this special dinner.

BLAIRE:
Don’t you remember? One of my five Picassos is on loan to the museum. I have been invited as a guest of the museum director.

VIVIAN:
Yes, well, the museum has just borrowed two of my Monets for a special exhibit. Don’t you just love art?

(They laugh together as JULIANA BENNINGTON approaches.)

JULIANNA:
Hi ladies!

(Vivian and Blaire turn to look at her coolly.)

VIVIAN:
Hello, Julianna.

BLAIRE:
I see you came to visit the big city.

JULIANNA:
Oh, I visit all the time now. Ever since my granddad died and made me his sole heir, I have been continuing to support his favorite charities and foundations. I can’t believe how much he loved art! And here I am, having never stepped in museum before this year.

VIVIAN:
How…kind of you.

(GLORIA SINCLAIRE and her daughter, CAMILLA SINCLAIRE, approach the women, who fall silent. Gloria nods to the three women before turning to Camilla.)

GLORIA:
Okay, Camilla, here we are.

(Gloria points to a painting on the wall.)

GLORIA:
Do you recognize that painting?

(Camilla studies the painting.)

CAMILLA:
Oh yes! Is that “Waterlilies” by Monet?

GLORIA:
Yes it is.

(Camilla looks at the art label, which reads “Gift of Dr. T. Franklin.” DR. T. FRANKLIN, OSCAR DUPONT, and FRANCESCA DUPONT come up the stairs. The door opens, and the museum director, MONA DAVINCI enters.)

MONA:
Welcome everyone! Please join us inside as we are about to begin.

(The guests follow Mona through the door.)

SCENE 2 – INTERIOR LARGE MUSEUM ROOM – CONTINUOUS

(The large room is set up for a catered dinner event. CHEF prepares the buffet table. At the front of the room is an easel holding a large painting draped with cloth. The artist, JACKIE POLLOCK, stands next to the easel, surveying the room. Everyone is in the room except for SHILOH. The guests find their seats. Mona walks to Jackie with a smile.)

Table 1: Mona, Jackie. Table 2: Camilla, Gloria, Dr. Franklin. Table 3: Vivian, Blaire, Julianna, Detective. Table 4: Oscar, Francesca, Shiloh. At table 2, Gloria introduces herself to Dr. Franklin.

GLORIA:
It’s a pleasure to meet you, Dr. Franklin. I am Gloria Sinclaire, and this is my daughter Camilla.

DR. FRANKLIN:
Good evening, Ms. Sinclaire. Camilla.

(Camilla gives a small wave.)

CAMILLA:
Hi, Dr. Franklin.

(Camilla thinks for a moment.)

CAMILLA:
Dr. T. Franklin?

DR. FRANKLIN:
Yes, I am –

CAMILLA:
The painting in the hallway – your name is on it.

GLORIA:
Dr. Franklin donated that painting to the museum.

DR. FRANKLIN:
I grew up wandering the halls of this museum. I do what I can to support it.

(At table 4, Oscar is texting on his cell phone, and Francesca examines her nails in boredom.)

FRANCESCA:
Can’t you put that thing away for an hour?

OSCAR:
I’m almost done.

FRANCESCA:
What are we doing here, anyway?

(Oscar puts his phone away.)

OSCAR:
Business mingling. Did you see who else is at our table?

(Francesca grabs the place card at the empty seat.)

FRANCESCA:
Do you think she’ll come? I just read that she was in hiding while she nurses her broken heart.

OSCAR:
She better come. I’ve got a lot riding on this negotiation.

(Jackie sits at table 1. Mona approaches the podium. The group quiets down. Just as Mona is about to speak, the door swings open and SHILOH makes an entrance. She pauses just inside the door as everyone looks over at her.)

CAMILLA:
Wow! Mom, it’s Shiloh! Can I get her autograph?

(Gloria shushes Camilla. Shiloh takes her seat. Francesca and Oscar welcome her to their table. Mona waits for them to sit before beginning again.)

MONA:
Good evening, and welcome to the Museum of Art. As most of you know, I am the museum director, Mona DaVinci. You all have been invited here this evening to celebrate the anniversary of the founding of this museum. We are also here to raise money for the new gallery of contemporary art. Tonight we will auction off the latest work by the up-and-coming artist, Jackie Pollock.

(Mona gestures to Jackie, who joins Mona at the podium.)

MONA:
Would you like to tell us about your latest masterpiece?

JACKIE:
This piece was inspired by the shadow and light that plays across the ceiling of my bedroom when I can’t sleep at night. I call it, “Abstract Number 37.”

(With a flourish, Mona and JACKIE remove the cloth from the painting on the easel. The crow bursts into fresh applause. Jackie bows repeatedly.)

VIVIAN:
I love it! I think I’ll bid on it.

BLAIRE:
Not if I bid higher.

JULIANNA:
Oh, you girls! I think I can give you a run for your money!

(Mona walks back to the podium.)

MONA:
Ladies and gentlemen, before the bidding begins on this masterpiece, dinner will be served. Can we please give a thank you to our caterer, Mr. Boucher. Chef gives the group a nod as they politely applaud. He mutters under his breath.

CHEF:
Chef Boucher. Chef.

(Chef turns and smiles at the group.)

CHEF:
For dinner tonight I have prepared something very fancy… Duck L’orange, haricot verts a la francaise, and beaucoup of other delicious things.

(The seated crowd ooos and ahhs. Chef bows.)

CHEF:
Bon Appetit!

(The people seated at the tables stand and move toward the buffet table.)

SCENE 3 – INTERIOR LARGE MUSEUM ROOM – LATER

(Dinner has been mostly cleared. Jackie stands to the right of her painting. Everyone else sits at their spot at a table except for Chef. Oscar and Francesca talk with Shiloh.)

OSCAR:
Shiloh, you’ve made such a splash since your debut movie. What are you working on next?

SHILOH:
I’m taking a break from the industry to spend time with my family. I also get to do things like support small museums.

(Francesca and Oscar look disappointed.)

FRANCESCA:
But you’re on such a roll right now. You’ve starred in five movies in the past three years!

SHILOH:
I know. But I need to take time off.

(Chef enters and puts a cake with white frosting on the buffet table.)

CHEF:
I have prepared a very fancy dessert for you tonight…gateau fantaisie!!

OTHERS:
Mmm.. cake….

(The lights go out. In the darkness, we hear: the guests muttering in surprise; footsteps; creaking, etc. When the lights turn on again, Jackie’s painting is gone. Jackie stands to the left of the empty easel.)

MONA:
Oh no! The masterpiece! It’s missing!

(The one guest we have yet to meet, stands and addresses the room.)

DETECTIVE:
Everyone, stay right where you are!

(The DETECTIVE pulls out his badge.)

DETECTIVE:
I’m Detective Stone. The museum board hired me as extra security.

MONA:
Oh, thank goodness.

DETECTIVE:
Nobody leaves this room until we figure out who dunnit. And I will figure out who dunnit.

(He looks around, menacingly.)

SCENE 4 – INT. INTERROGATION AREA

(Mona is being questioned by the Detective.)

DETECTIVE:
Where were you when the lights went out?

MONA:
I was seated at table 1, which I was supposed to be sharing with Jackie. But she wouldn’t sit down. She wanted to stand by her painting.

DETECTIVE:
Did you see or hear anything unusual?

MONA:
Hmmm. I head a familiar creaking, but I can’t quite place the sound.