Marian Scadden

White Fire

Genre: Fantasy

Audience: Young Adult

When Delsina returns with water to her home and mentions a stranger was asking about them, her peaceful family reaches for their weapons while her oldest brother, Talem, picks her up and runs. She watches as the stranger who carries fire in his hands burns her home and family. As they make their journey away from Sethrum, Man of Fire, Talem reveals to Delsina who she really is; what he, Talem, must do; and how Delsina must stay hidden. Under such duress, Delsina discovers her power, and hopes to use it against her enemy before he uses fire against her, Talem and others she meets, including the anaries--miniature dragons that were thought to be extinct.

Short Scripts for 2-3 Kids

Genre: Plays

Audience: Children's

Kids take center stage.
Young actors can have fun performing 15 short (2-5 min.) plays with a sibling, cousin or friend, in the living room, backyard, or wherever the opportunity exists.
Many of the scripts in the collection are humorously based on well-known tales with twists so they can be performed by a cast of 2 or 3. Four of the plays can be performed by more.
Basic stage terms & notes are included.
Some of the scripts are: Brownilocks and a Bear; Billy Goats Gruff and the Troll; The Troubles of Little Bo Peep and Little Miss Muffet.
The scripts that can have more performers are: Jack and the Beanstalk; The Three Little Pigs; Peter and the Wolf; and Hermes the Mischievous.

Short Scripts for 4-6 Kids

Genre: Plays

Audience: Children's

Let the performance begin! Each of the 15 scripts have a running time of approximately 2-8 minutes. Small groups of children can select a script, rehearse and have fun as they perform for others. The plays are great for a classroom performance by students or a living room performance by siblings, cousins and friends. Some of the scripts are adapted from well-known tales and some are original. Here are a few titles: The Little Red Hen, The Bremen Town Musicians, The Crows and the Snake Eggs, The Gingerbread Man, Town Mouse and Country Mouse, Sleeping Beauty.

72 Silly & Short Monos* For Kids (or Whoever): *"monos" is short for "monologues"

Genre: Plays

Audience: Children's

These 72 monologues have 100-200 words, perfect for short performance pieces in class, in a talent show, or in the living room. There's a variety of genres, none too serious, ranging from contemporary to sci-fi to fantasy. The topics are an eclectic assortment, appealing to many interests. For instance, there's The Chef, a child TV star who makes unique cookies; the kid who's called a butt who finds a hilarious way to diffuse the situation; and who hasn't asked, "Where's the remote?" Here are some of the titles of the monologues: Algebra, Yuck; Blood; Candy Store; Destroy the Invaders; Football; Grocery Shopping; I Just Want Chocolate; In Trouble for Talking; Me Vs The Fly; No Chocolate for Me; Pirate Treasure; Running; The Secret Frog; The Shampoo of Death; Trivia for Sale; Zap. The book also includes a few basic stage terms, tips for performing monologues and tips for memorizing. Follow the instructions at the end of the book to receive the monologues in printable form.

5 Fun Plays for Kids to Perform

Genre: Plays

Audience: Children's

Treasure Island, a stage play for children

Genre: Plays

Audience: Children's

This play for children to perform is humorously based on the book by Robert Louis Stevenson. There are the usual characters such as Jim Hawkins and Long John Silver; and then there are others, such as Long John’s Parrot, Poly-Narrator who takes on several small parts, and some strangely-named pirates. As Poly-Narrator says, “Avast there. A’fore we can present our little presentation, we must have a disclaimer. This here presentation of Treasure Island is based on the book by Robert Louis Stevenson. Do you know what it means when a performance is said to be based on the book? Not much, that’s what. Oh, it might have some of the same names; maybe a few of the same events, but usually not much like the book at all. So, I’m here to declare that if you want the real version of Treasure Island, read the book. Our presentation of Treasure Island is only based on the book.” The play is only about 35 minutes, which means a lot was cut from the novel. For instance, much of the bloodshed - as exciting as that is in the story - was cut. RUNNING TIME: 35 minutes. CAST: 8m. 1f. 16 either, Extras, Doubling possible.

Parables, a Musical

Genre: Plays

Audience: All Ages

This musical is based on several parables told by Jesus Christ—the lost coin, in which Deborah does everything to find one lost coin; the prodigal son, in which Seth wastes his inheritance and hopes only to become the servant of his parents; the hidden treasure, in which James and Chloe find a treasure in a field and are willing to sell all they have to gain it; a pearl of great price, in which a pearl merchant finds a beautiful pearl that he sells all to purchase; the lost sheep, in which a loving shepherd searches for as long as it takes to find a lost lamb—woven together in the lives of a group of people living in and around Jerusalem. Deborah begins by gathering her friends and neighbors, and joyfully asking, “How can I describe the kingdom of God?” There are 16 original songs, some sung by individuals to whole group songs; varying in feeling from serious to joy and fun. Even the sheep get their own song. Running Time: 1 hr 50 min. Cast: 6 female; 6 male; 26 + either, doubling possible.
To produce this play, you must first receive written permission in advance of production.

Four Fables of Aesop Cuatro Fabulas De Esopo

Genre: Plays

Audience: Children's

Four Fables taken from Aesop are adapted into a play for children to perform. The fables are: The North Wind and the Sun, The Tortoise and the Hare, Belling the Cat, and The Ants and the Grasshopper. In the North Wind and the Sun, the North Wind challenges the Sun to a contest of strength. There’s another contest in The Tortoise and the Hare when Tortoise is displeased with Hare’s bragging ways. In Belling the Cat, a group of mice must figure out how to protect themselves from the cat. When the Grasshopper plays while the Ants work, he learns a big lesson about the importance of work. Each story is infused with both Spanish and English for actors 8-11 to expand their language-learning. NOTE: Permission required to perform this play. Contact info at end of book.

Ruby Lou and the White Gold Saloon

Genre: Plays

Audience: All Ages

Ruby Lou and the rest of the town only drink White Gold (except for three people who drink Black Gold without a straw); it’s the best thing west (and east, some say) of the Mississippi. A stranger comes to town with Purple Nugget for everyone to try and he won’t take “no” for an answer, even if it means forcing the town to change. But he didn’t know he was up against Ruby Lou. Will the town go thirsty or will the stranger get them to try something new? RUNNING TIME: 35 minutes. CAST: 10m. 15f. (some can be either), Extras. FLEXIBLE CAST: 18-25+

It Could'a Been

Genre: Plays

Audience: All Ages

A children’s play with music highlighting three tall tales: Johnny Appleseed, Sal Fink and Febold Feboldson. Johnny has a wolf for a friend, takes on some rough and tumble woodsmen and woman, but loves more than anything to give away apples and apple seedlings to passing pioneers. Sal Fink is the daughter of keelboatmen Mike Fink and just as tough and extremely big-hearted. She saves a family from a bear and saves herself from some river pirates. Febold Feboldson is by himself on the great plains of Nebraska and will go to the trouble of changing weather just to get a few neighbors. Several songs to familiar tunes are part of the show. RUNNING TIME: 23 minutes. CAST: 10 m. 9 f. 29 Either. FLEXIBLE CAST: 10-48.

The Annual Conference of the Genii in Regards To the Peculiar World of Humans

Genre: Plays

Audience: All Ages

This play for children, based on the Arabian Tales, is about a group of genii who get together each year to discuss and laugh about the behavior of humans. Ali Baba and Sinbad come up in conversation as well as Baba Abdalla, and the Fisherman. The genii become characters and animals in the stories they tell. RUNNING TIME: 35 minutes. CAST: 3 m. 1 f. 25 Either. FLEXIBLE CAST: 16-29+

Digging for Leprechaun Gold

Genre: Plays

Audience: All Ages

The lazy human, Fergal, doesn't want to work and she won't have to if she can catch a leprechaun and get his gold. Fergal has to use a lot of brain power to catch Ba, a tricky Leprechaun. Ba dances with his sheep friends, warns other leprechauns about Fergal, and looks for the best spot to bury his gold. Fergal tries to catch Ba with the box trap, the vase trap, and just staring at him. Will Fergal get Ba? And if she does, will Ba escape? This interactive show is based on the Irish tale The Field of Boliauns. Aye, 'tis.
RUNNING TIME: 45 min
CAST: 1 m, 1 f, but can be played by 2 m or 2 f, with audience participation

Fables: including:The Grasshopper and the Ants, Armadillos in the Road, The Foolish Lion and the Clever Rabbit

Genre: Plays

Audience: Adult

Three fables from around the world are retold in this play-Aesop's Grasshopper and the Ants; Armadillos in the Road, an original Texas fable; and The Foolish Lion and the Clever Rabbit (from India). In the Grasshopper and the Ants, the grasshopper only wants to play all summer long but the busy ants know they have to gather food for their colony. While the grasshopper tries to disrupt their work, the ants stay focused and the grasshopper, when winter comes, learns a lesson about work. The teacher armadillo and her young students are on a field trip, moseying along. No one's in a hurry as they explore their surroundings but when the teacher shows them the road, she turns downright mean. The young armadillos learn why (no armadillos are hurt in the making of this play). In the final tale, a lion is terrorizing everyone. He's killing the animals for fun now and not just food. The clever rabbit thinks up a plan which will save the rest of the wildlife.
RUNNING TIME: 30 min.
CAST: 4 m. 4 f. 9 either
FLEXIBLE CAST: 17+

Just So, It Happened

Genre: Plays

Audience: All Ages

Based on Rudyard Kipling's “How the Elephant Got His Trunk” and “How the Camel Got His Hump”, this play has a delightful cast of animals. The curious young elephants are disturbing everyone in the forest with their non-stop questions. But when they ask a crocodile a question, changes happen. The camel is being lazy and all the other animals must work harder because of it. Can the Djinn affect a change? Three original songs: Just So, It Happened; What Does the Crocodile Have for Dinner; That Camel. RUNNING TIME: 35 minutes. CAST: 2 m. 2 f. 29 Either. FLEXIBLE CAST: 14-33+

Everybody Knows That

Genre: Plays

Audience: All Ages

Princess Ada realizes that everyone knows things that she just doesn't know. So she strikes out to learn for herself. When she comes upon Alexandria Dragon playing in mudpuddles, Ada starts to realize that perhaps the people don't know what they think they know. It's up to Ada and Alexandria to stop a conflict from brewing. Original songs: Everybody Knows That; Let's Make a Plan; Everybody Knows That (finale).
RUNNING TIME: 30 minutes. CAST: 3m. 6f. 9 either. FLEXIBLE CAST: 18+.

Three-3-III

Genre: Plays

Audience: All Ages

In these tales of three, the three pigs must outsmart three wolves; the three billy goats Gruff have three trolls to deal with (and one of the goats is female so she’s Betty Goat Gruff); and the three bears face Goldilocks and her sisters Curlilocks and Purplelocks. Luckily, the news team—Bronkite, Crinkley, and Lather—keep us informed of the happenings in the wild. And the sign carriers are in their own little world. Original songs include: Three is a Magical Number; Haggle, Haggle, Bargain; New Story, New Story!
RUNNING TIME: 40 minutes
CAST: 3 m. 5 f. 22 Either
FLEXIBLE CAST: 15-30

Boxes

Genre: Plays

Audience: All Ages

The parents are at it again and they've kicked their kids out of the house to go play. Several groups of children are trying to think of something to do when they come across some boxes on the ground. For each group, the boxes become something different--canoes, race cars, rockets, etc. Ali sees it all and knows it's imagination at its best! Original songs include Think of Something and Imagination. Props for this play are incredibly simple: around 10 boxes and 4 balls.
RUNNING TIME: 30 minutes
FLEXIBLE CAST: 21-36+

The Tremendous Traveling Melodrama and Vaudeville Show

Genre: Plays

Audience: All Ages

This play is about a traveling performing troupe that has come to town. The owners get everyone organized; the actors make some changes; the stagehands go spread the word through town; and the townspeople arrive. What a show as the villains take on the heroes and the vaudevillians perform in between acts. The audience joins the townspeople in cheering, sighing and booing for the hero, villains, and heroine. Original songs: We’re Traveling Performers; Don’t Give Me a Home; Again a Successful Show.
RUNNING TIME: 30 minutes
CAST: 9 m. 10 f. 6 Either (many roles can be changed to be either)
FLEXIBLE CAST: 19-25+

Four Fables of Aesop: The North Wind and the Sun, The Tortoise and the Hare, Belling the Cat, The Ants and the Grasshopper

Genre: Plays

Audience: All Ages

This comical play starts with Anthula, a young Greek girl, who has just returned from the marketplace where she listened to a man named Aesop tell some interesting stories, mainly about animals. She’s not sure she understands the morals, so she tells the stories to the audience. The Sun is confident and laid-back compared to the blustery North Wind. Incredibly slow Tortoise is a pure gentleman who gets upset at Hare’s boasting. Leader Mouse plans and plots to get the mice into the kitchen for food but the plans tend to unravel. Sarge-Ant may be tough on the Prive-Ants but they all know it’s so the colony can survive the winter; and Grasshopper just wants to play. Characters can be costumed in replicas of ancient Greek chitons (tunics and cloth belts over shirts and shorts will do) or fitted with costume pieces that match their personalities. Written for children to perform, Four Fables of Aesop can also be performed for children by teens to adults.
RUNNING TIME: approx. 45 minutes (time can be shortened by doing fewer stories).
FLEXIBLE CAST: 7-25.

The Other Art: Theater Skills to Help Every Child (Home Edition)

Genre: Nonfiction

Audience: All Ages

(This is the Home Edition; there is also a School Edition of this book.) In this easy DIY theater manual, parents, grandparents & others can enrich a child's life with theater skills that boost esteem, confidence, and creativity. This step-by-step home edition was designed for an adult and child - or a few children - to enjoy together. Each lesson has two short activities, an enrichment game and a true story of children in theater. Just open the book and begin!

The Other Art: Theater Skills to Help Every Child (School Edition)

Genre: Nonfiction

Audience: All Ages

(This is the School Edition; there is also a Home Edition of this book.) In this easy DIY manual, teachers with little to no theater experience can teach theater skills to their students that boost esteem, confidence, and creativity. This step-by-step school edition was designed with teachers in mind. Each lesson has two short activities, an enrichment game and a true story of children in theater. Just open the book and begin!

The book focuses on Voice Control, Creative Movement, Expression, Concentration, Imagination, and Stagecraft. Those teaching from the pages do not have to be thespians to manage the games and activities. Children do not have to go on to a life on the stage to benefit from the skills learned. There are lifelong lessons such as being a good audience member, which is what most of us will be most of the time; learning to speak up, which is necessary when delivering an oral report or a report to a committee; and acting confident, such as in a job interview. Appendix A is "Why Teach Theater" and lists studies and resources on the difference theater can make.