The political drama of this election cycle has had scenes and dialogue that were downright ridiculous or refreshingly unbelievable, but don’t be cajoled or fouled.

What we are witnessing is not entertainment.

This is history unfolding before our very eyes, and we have the most central and critical role to play.

We are familiar with the storylines. We can now focus on the major characters. And the grand finale of the one playing out requires audience participation.

Contrary to what we might think, we, the people, have the starring role.

On the national stage, we have a drama defined by its historic significance.

In one ending, the United States could have its first woman president, who happens to be a woman of color, Kamala Harris, who has been an elected official throughout her career, first as a district attorney, state’s attorney, U. S. Senator and who is currently the first female Vice President.

Alternatively, history could be made with the election of a non-consecutive two-term president, Donald Trump, who has defied every political norm, has been twice impeached (during his first term),  recently became a 34-count convicted felon, and is charged with 54 additional counts in three other pending criminal cases.

The rousing opening acts on the national stage, the Republican and Democratic conventions, are over.

What will happen in the ensuing acts during campaign stops and the debates will be anybody’s guess. One thing is certain. By the time you think you can predict what will occur, the unpredictable happens.

But how this drama ends need not depend on happenstance or unpredictability.

We can determine how it ends if we are willing to join the cast and play our critical role.

The best ending could be squandered if we remain in our seats and prefer to be spectators and bystanders, content to tune in at will and just watch the acts rather than play an active role in them.

The drama will have an ending whether we participate or not.

Most important, the ending will have a definite impact on the course of this nation and, therefore, on our lives whether we like it or not.

There is a lot at stake.

How this drama ends will determine whether our Constitution remains a legitimate governing document.

Whether economic policies and decisions will benefit all Americans or just a few and big business.

Whether there is access to needed health care services for all, including reproductive health care for women.

What about whether there will be an opportunity to reform the Supreme Court and restore the people’s faith and belief that it is the last and ultimate recourse for laws to be upheld and citizens can receive justice without the influence of arbitrary partisan politics?

When it comes to reducing crime and implementing gun safety measures, what would you like to see? The usual punitive, arcane, minimalist approach, or one that would include being proactive and implementing prevention and rehabilitation solutions?

Then there is the decades-old issue of illegal immigrants crossing our borders. Would you like to see an immigration reform bill finally pass so that issue will stop being a proverbial partisan whipping boy in a hypocritical blame game?

Donald Trump and Kamala Harris and their cast of characters in the coming days and weeks will give us a good idea of how these policy areas will unfold and what life in America will be like when one or the other becomes president of the United States.

In preparation for our climatic role, we need to play close attention, cut through all the melodrama, fake costumes and superfluous flourishes — which will include blatant lies, misinformation, disinformation, exaggeration of records — and determine the facts and take-aways to have the best ending performance.

A similar drama is playing out in the local political theater.

Missouri will be electing a U.S Senator, either retaining incumbent Josh Hawley or replacing him with challenger Lucas Kunce. There will be a new governor, lieutenant governor, Secretary of State, as well as members of the legislature. We could also have a new attorney general and state treasurer.

Just as on the national stage, it is important that we really know what the main characters stand for, the policies they support, and the new ones they are proposing.

Much of the narrative and characters in Missouri mirror those on the national stage: the Missouri Constitution; abortion ban and access to reproductive care; gun safety measures; immigration; and there are many others that hit closer home like effectively administering Medicaid services to the most needy among us.

As in the national drama, it is incumbent on us to know those characters vying for the critical positions in our state, and what they are all about.

We still can’t be just spectators in the audience.

After the national and local drama end, we cannot assume that we can leave the political theatres and will be able to go back to business as usual, that there will be no major changes in our lives.

So, why would any of us take the chance to just watch, sit back and not accept our role in what will be the most historically important performance in our lifetime?

We, the people, are the most important characters in this drama. Will we have given it our best award-winning performance when the curtains close on Nov. 5?

The greatest reward — the future direction of our nation and state — is dependent on it.