McKinnest

MOMENTS THAT MATTER: A WINTER PLAY AND SKITS FOR REAL LIFE is the powerful and entertaining debut release from 17-year-old Mississippi playwright Raylan McKinnest, an award-winning thespian whose favorite parts of high school is JROTC and acting in the troupe with her fellow drama students at her high school in Jackson.

Published in November 2025 with the assistance of BePublished.org, this collection blends seasonal celebration with the real-world challenges today’s teens face - making it perfect for schools, youth groups, churches, community theaters, and family reading.

This mini-collection features four original works:

A multicultural, heartwarming stage show honoring Thanksgiving, Hanukkah, Christmas, Kwanzaa, and New Year’s, highlighting unity, growth, and the power of shared traditions. Ideal for winter programs or holiday productions.

Each skit addresses issues familiar to high schoolers and college freshmen:

• Comedy: A laugh-out-loud disaster involving dorm room assembly chaos.

• Drama: A moving story about academic pressure, fear, and honesty.

• Historical: A creative hallway encounter with iconic figures whose legacies speak to today’s youth.

Raylan writes from the perspective of a young person living real life in real time. Her characters sound like students today. Her themes reflect the world young performers are navigating right now. And her writing provides teachers and directors with meaningful content that is easy to stage and powerful to experience.

Whether used for school performances, classroom readings, youth conferences, family nights, or holiday productions, MOMENTS THAT MATTER delivers humor, heart, cultural appreciation, and unforgettable messages that linger long after the final bow.

Perfect for:
✔ Schools & after-school programs
✔ Drama teachers & theatre directors
✔ Churches & youth ministries
✔ Community centers & family events
✔ Teen readers seeking relatable stories
✔ Anyone who loves uplifting, meaningful performance pieces

Celebrate the season. Explore real life. Share stories that matter.

Available as a Kindle eBook globally, MOMENTS THAT MATTER: A WINTER PLAY AND SKITS FOR REAL LIFE by Raylan McKinnest may also be ordered as a softcover book from online and bricks-and-mortar book retailers including your favorite bookstore.