Tips for Student Performers

Handout of ten tips for students who are putting on a play!

Memorization Strategies

12 techniques for helping your students memorize their lines. 11 pages.

Snow White and the Seven Entrepreneurs

14 characters; 9M, 2F; 3 Either; Flexible casting; 19 pages in length. Approximately 20 minutes running time. A fractured fairy tale written by Robin Blasberg.

A Walk Before Breakfast

14 characters; 4M, 5F; 5 Either; Flexible casting; 18 pages in length. Approximately 20 minutes running time. A fairy tale comedy written by Vicki Riba Koestler.

The Fiddler’s Bride

12+ characters. 2M, 1F, 10 Either; Flexible Casting; 12 pages in length. Approximately 10-15 minutes running time. An adaptation of a Grimms’ tale written by Olivia Arieti.

Snow White, Who Is Also Called Becky…

8 characters. 2F, 1M, 3 Either; Flexible casting; 13 pages in length. Approximately 15 minutes running time. A twisted fairytale for kids and teens written by Jack Helbig.

Little Hood Riding Brat

6 characters. 2F, 1M, 3 Either; Flexible casting; 13 pages in length. Approximately 15 minutes running time. A twisted fairytale for teens written by Jack Helbig. (Contains adult language.)

Chinese New Year Script

4 characters, 3 minutes running time. Simple script in which a student from China explains the Chinese New Year to three friends.

Chinese Proverbs

39 Chinese proverbs to use in drama class, or with your ESL students! Includes introduction and three activities.

Tips for Student Performers

Handout of ten tips for students who are putting on a play!

Memorization Strategies

12 techniques for helping your students memorize their lines. 11 pages.

20 More Short Practice Scenes

20 more one-page scenes for pairs or three actors!

Trapped in a Video Game

Engaging drama lesson with a video-game theme!

Social Media

Five different social media characters argue over who does the least harm. 7 characters, flexible casting. Approximately 10 minutes running time.

Super Me

A bullied teen gets unexpected help from his/her superhero alter-ego. 5 characters, flexible casting. Approximately 10 minutes running time.

The Spy Next Door

Short play about a group of students who think their teacher is a spy! 5 characters, flexible casting. Approximately ten minutes running time.

Truth or Dare

14 characters. Flexible casting; 16 pages in length. Approximately 15-20 minutes running time. A West African folktale (with classroom materials) adapted by August Mergelman. (3 Credits)

Greek Theatre History PowerPoint

12 slide PowerPoint drama lesson on ancient Greek theatre. Ages 12 and up.

Greek Theatre History Drama Lesson

Ancient Greek Theatre History drama lesson plan that accompanies the Greek Theatre History PowerPoint presentation. Ages 12 and up.

Roman Theatre History PowerPoint

12 slide PowerPoint drama lesson on ancient Roman theatre. Ages 12 and up.

Roman Theatre History Drama Lesson

Roman Theatre History drama lesson plan that accompanies the Roman Theatre History PowerPoint presentation. Ages 12 and up.

Spider Besider

16 characters. Flexible casting; 15 pages in length. Approximately 15-20 minutes running time. A Native American folktale (with classroom materials) adapted by August Mergelman. (3 Credits)

Fancy Nancy & the Ants

14 characters. Flexible casting; 16 pages in length. Approximately 15-20 minutes running time. A West African folktale (with classroom materials) adapted by August Mergelman. (3 Credits)

Persephone

15+ characters. Flexible casting; 11 pages in length. Approximately 10-15 minutes running time. A Greek tragedy with Japanese Kabuki staging (with classroom materials) adapted by August Mergelman. (3 Credits)

The Magpies

16 characters. Flexible casting; 14 pages in length. Approximately 10-15 minutes running time. A Greek comedy for teens (with classroom materials) adapted by August Mergelman. (3 Credits)

By Jove

10 characters. 4F; 6M; 15 pages in length. Approximately 15-20 minutes running time. A Roman comedy (with classroom materials) adapted by August Mergelman. (3 Credits)

A Merry Interlude at Camelot

15 characters. 4F; 3M; 8 Either; Flexible casting; 14 pages in length. Approximately 15-20 minutes running time. A Medieval comedy (with classroom materials) adapted by August Mergelman. (3 Credits)

Mum’s the Word

10 characters. 1F; 3M; 6 Either; Flexible casting; 13 pages in length. Approximately 10-15 minutes running time. An English folk comedy (with classroom materials) written by August Mergelman. (3 Credits)

The Vixen

11 characters. 4F; 5M; 2 Either; Flexible casting; 17 pages in length. Approximately 15-20 minutes running time. A Renaissance comedy (with classroom materials) written by August Mergelman. (3 Credits)

Couth

9 characters. 3F; 3M; 3 Either; Flexible casting; 17 pages in length. Approximately 15-20 minutes running time. A Spanish Golden Age comedy (with classroom materials) written by August Mergelman. (3 Credits)

Pantalone’s New Pantalones

10 characters. 1F; 3M; 6 Either; Flexible casting; 13 pages in length. Approximately 10-15 minutes running time. An English folk comedy (with classroom materials) written by August Mergelman. (3 Credits)

The Honest Impostor

10 characters. 5F; 5M; 14 pages in length. Approximately 10-15 minutes running time. A comedy for teens (with classroom materials) written by August Mergelman. (3 Credits)

The Weaver Girl & the Cowherd

21 characters. 14 pages in length. Approximately 10-15 minutes running time. An Asian puppetry play (with classroom materials) written by August Mergelman. (3 Credits)

The Dragon & the Pearl

15 characters. 3F; 3M; 9 Either; Flexible casting; 16 pages in length. Approximately 15 minutes running time. A Chinese Theatre play (with classroom materials) written by August Mergelman. (3 Credits)

Polly Peachum & the Pirates

10 characters. 5F; 5M; 17 pages in length. Approximately 15 minutes running time. A comic opera (with classroom materials) written by August Mergelman. (3 Credits)

Lady Scottish Play

10 characters. 3F; 2M; 5 Either; Flexible casting; 14 pages in length. Approximately 15 minutes running time. A melodrama for teens (with classroom materials) written by August Mergelman. (3 Credits)

Penny from Heaven

14+ characters. 4F; 5M; 5+ Either; Flexible casting; 10 pages in length. Approximately 15 minutes running time. A vaudeville comedy for teens (with classroom materials) written by August Mergelman.

The Cat Noir

22 characters. 5F; 7M; 10 Either; Flexible casting; 15 pages in length. Approximately 15 minutes running time. A canine Cabaret play (with classroom materials) written by August Mergelman. (3 Credits)

Trade Trade Secrets

10 characters. 8F; 2M; 13 pages in length. Approximately 15 minutes running time. A comedic revue (with classroom materials) written by August Mergelman. (3 Credits)

Jackie & the Beans Talk

27 characters. 3F; 3M; 21 Either; Flexible casting; 18 pages in length. Approximately 15-20 minutes running time. A modernist comedy (with classroom materials) written by August Mergelman. (3 Credits)

North Paws

10 characters. 1F; 3M; 6 Either; Flexible casting; 12 pages in length. Approximately 10-15 minutes running time. An epic style play (with classroom materials) written by August Mergelman. (3 Credits)

A Fly In The Eye

15 characters. Flexible casting. 4 pages in length. Approximately 5 minutes running time. A comedy for children and teens about a scientific experiment gone wrong by Barbara Henderson.

Rainforest Murder

14+ characters. Flexible casting. 5 pages in length. Approximately 5-10 minutes running time. An action-packed adventure for children and teens by Barbara Henderson.

The Magic Necklace

24+ characters. Flexible casting. 5 pages in length. Approximately 5-10 minutes running time. A magical comedy for children and teens by Barbara Henderson.

Right Foot, Wrong Shoe

2 characters. 2F; 2 pages in length. Approximately 1-5 minutes running time. A scene for teens about potential humiliation written by David-Matthew Barnes.

The Hula Hoop Girls: Sibling Rivalry

2 characters. 2F; 3 pages in length. Approximately 1-5 minutes running time. A scene for young girls about siblings written by David-Matthew Barnes.

The Amazing Rat

6 characters. 2M, 4F; Flexible casting. 9 pages long. Approximately 5-10 minutes running time. A sci-fi rodent comedy written by Evan Baughfman.

Why Crocodile is so Snappy

5 characters. Flexible casting; 6 pages long. Approximately 5 minutes running time. A comedy about the crocodile written by Evan Baughfman.

Why Pig Likes the Mud

8 characters. 1M, 7F; Flexible casting; 5 pages long. Approximately 5 minutes running time. A germaphobic barnyard comedy written by Evan Baughfman.

Sally the Stone

7+ characters. 2M, 4F, 5 Either; Flexible casting; 7 pages in length. Approximately 10 minutes running time. A play about kindness written by Sally Schnarr and Ken Urso.

A History of Messy Rooms

12 characters; 4M, 5F, 2Either; Flexible casting; 11 pages in length. Approximately 10 minutes running time. An historical comedy about bed-making written by Wade Bradford.

Terri and the Turkey

9 characters; 4M, 3F, 2Either; Flexible casting; 5 pages in length. Approximately 1-5 minutes running time. A Thanksgiving comedy about the perils of being a turkey written by Wade Bradford.

How the Beetle Got Her Colors

19+ characters; 2M, 1F, 16 Either; Flexible casting; 36 pages in length. Approximately 45 minutes running time. A musical play about Latin folktales written by Carlos Perez.

Anansi and the Moss-Covered Rock

7+ characters. Flexible casting; 8 pages in length. Approximately 10 minutes running time. An African folktale about Anansi the Spider adapted by Jenifer King.

The Rough-Face Girl

10-30 characters. 5+F, 3+M; 10 pages in length. Approximately 10-15 minutes running time. A Native American Cinderella story adapted by Jenifer King.

Deer Mouse Vs. The World

16 characters; 10M, 6F; Flexible casting; 11 pages in length. Approximately 10-15 minutes running time. A comedic, Southeast Asian fable for children written by Gemma Goodwin.

Rapunzel

11 characters. 3M, 4F, 4 Either; Flexible casting; 17 pages in length. Approximately 15 minutes running time. A fairytale adaptation by Corinna Rezzelle.

The Missing Unicorn

5 characters. 1M, 4F; 4 pages long. Approximately 5 minutes running time. A magical comedy written by Evan Baughfman.

Wanted: An Ethical Prince

13 characters. 5M, 2F, 5 Either; Flexible casting; 4 pages in length. Approximately 5 minutes running time. A comedy about a competition to marry a princess by Jasmine Rodgers.

The Christmas Child

6+ characters. 3M, 2F, 2+ Either; 7 pages in length. Approximately 10 minutes running time. A story for children about a Christmas miracle adapted by Corinna Rezzelle.

The New School Marm

7 characters. 4F, 3M; 20 pages long. Approximately 20 minutes running time. A comedy for teens about outsmarting greedy developers written by August Mergelman.

Angels and Pastrami

4 characters. 2M, 1F, 1 Either; 12 pages long. Approximately 10-15 minutes running time. A short drama about homelessness written by Bruce Karp.

THE POE PLAYS

23 characters. 15F, 8M; Flexible casting; 24 pages long. Approximately 20-30 minutes running time. A detention horror comedy for teens written by Quinn Baldwin.

Unintent

11+ characters. 4M, 3F, 4 Either; Flexible casting; 15 pages in length. Approximately 15-20 minutes running time. A drama about guilt for teens and adults written by Ryan Morris.

The Boy In the Picture

14 characters. 5F; 4M; 5 Either; Flexible casting. 34 pages in length. Approximately 30-45 minutes running time. A fantasy about choices written by Sashi Mendis.

Hamlet and the Magic Beanstalk

11 characters. 5M; 6F; Flexible casting; 59 pages long. Approximately 60-75 minutes running time. An adaptation that combines Hamlet with Jack and The Beanstalk written by Kioomars Ghanbari Azar and Masoud Shakarami. (10 credits)

The King’s New Child

6 characters. 2M, 2F, 2 Either; Flexible casting. 6 pages long. Approximately 5-10 minutes running time. A fantasy written by Evan Baughfman.

Fruitcake: The Gift That Keeps On Giving

3 characters. 1M; 1F; 1 Either; Flexible casting; 3 pages in length. Approximately 5 minutes running time. A short comedy about holiday gift-giving written by Donald A. Reasoner Jr.

A Christmas Surprise For Daddy

6 characters. 2M, 4F; 9 pages in length. Approximately 10 minutes running time. A Christmas comedy for children and teens written by Olivia Arieti.

New Truck for Paulie

6 characters. 4 M, 2 F. 92 pages in length. Approximately 90 minutes running time. A powerful family drama set during the Vietnam War written by Sean O’Connor. (10 credits)

Catch the Waves

18-26 characters. Flexible Cast; 46 pages in length. Approximately 45-50 minutes running time. A space comedy for teens written by Patti Veconi. (10 credits)

Making the Grade

2 characters. 2F; 34 pages in length. Approximately 30-40 minutes running time. An engrossing drama about two sisters written by Pete Hartley. (5 credits)

Baba Yaga

25+ characters. 1M, 7F, 17+ Either; 50 pages in length. Approximately 50-60 minutes running time. A comedic folktale for children and teens written by Jack Helbig. (10 credits)

Hercules and the 12 Tasks

30+ characters. 5M, 2F, 23+ Either; 7 pages in length. Approximately 5-10 minutes running time. A Greek play for a large cast by Jasmine Rodgers.

Sympathetic Magic

17 characters. 8M, 9F, Flexible casting; 12 pages in length. Approximately 10-15 minutes running time. A comedy about the life of Pythagoras written by Terence Patrick Hughes.

A Trip to the Forest

9+ characters. 3M, 3F, 3+ Either; 4 pages in length. Approximately 1-5 minutes running time. A short, family play for kids and teens by Jasmine Rodgers’s Class.

Battle of What Bridge

3 characters. 3M; 5 pages in length. Approximately 3-5 minutes running time. A Renaissance comedy for teens or adults by playwright, Elizabeth Rapoza.

Bequest

5 characters. 2M, 3F; 12 pages in length. Approximately 10-15 minutes running time. A nature comedy for teens written by Thomas J. Misuraca.

Kidnapped by Pirates

3 characters. 3F; 6 pages in length. Approximately 5-10 minutes running time. A Renaissance comedy for teens or adults by playwright, Elizabeth Rapoza.

My Lips are Sealed

2 characters. 2F; 3 pages in length. Approximately 1-5 minutes running time. A scene for teens about gossiping written by David-Matthew Barnes.

One Stupid Moment

2 characters. 2F; 3 pages in length. Approximately 1-5 minutes running time. A scene for teens about a humiliating encounter written by David-Matthew Barnes.

A Very Odd Harvest Play

10 characters. 5F, 3M, 2 Either; 22 pages in length. Approximately 15-20 minutes running time. A mythological/intergalactic comedy for teens by playwright, Elizabeth Rapoza.

Alzheimer’s Diary

2 characters. 2F; 21 pages in length. Approximately 20-25 minutes running time. A drama about a daughter and her ill mother written by Steve Gold.

Camp Soggy Lake

5 characters. 2M, 3F; 12 pages in length. Approximately 10-15 minutes running time. A nature comedy for teens written by Thomas J. Misuraca.

Detention is Detention is Detention

3 characters. 1M, 2F; 18 pages in length. Approximately 15-20 minutes running time. A comedy about male/female relationships written by Suzanne Dottino. Strong language.

Idols

11+ characters. 6F, 5M, 2+ Either; 13 pages in length. Approximately 10-15 minutes running time. A one-act comedy for teens about obsession written by Donald Arneson.

Niseag

3 characters. 2M, 1F; Flexible casting; 15 pages in length. Approximately 15-20 minutes running time. A Loch Ness comedy for teens written by Donald W. Falconer. Some strong language.

Bella Napoli

2 characters. 1M, 1F; 13 pages in length. Approximately 10-15 minutes running time. A comedy set in 1930’s Italy written by Steve Gold.

Pool Party

7 characters. 7F; 27 pages in length. Approximately 20-30 minutes running time. A party planning dramedy for teens written by Patti Veconi.

Poulter Guise

15+ characters. 3-6M, 12-14F; Flexible cast; 28 pages in length. Approximately 30-45 minutes running time. A supernatural comedy for teens by playwright, Elizabeth Rapoza.

School Work

9 characters. 5M, 4F; Flexible cast; 19 pages in length. Approximately 20-25 minutes running time. An extraterrestrial comedy for teens by playwright, Elizabeth Rapoza.

Have A Hoppy Holiday

2 characters. 3 pages long. Approximately 1-5 minutes running time. A comedy for children about the loss of a pet by playwright, Scot Walker.

Doctor Mercury

16 characters. 8M, 8F, Flexible Cast; 8 pages in length. Approximately 5-10 minutes running time. A time-travelling comedy for children written by Terence Patrick Hughes.

Olla and Ollie

4-20+ characters., Flexible Cast; 25 pages in length. Approximately 20-30 minutes running time. A fantasy adventure for children and teens written by Leonard Goodisman.(5 credits)

Weird World of Weather

21 characters. 2M, 3F, 16 Either. 8 pages in length. Approximately 5-10 minutes running time. A comedy for children about the unpredictability of the weather by Barbara Henderson.

A Day in the Life of Bear

5 characters; 3M; 2F; 7 pages in length. Approximately 5-10 minutes running time. A comedy based on Goldilocks and the Three Bears written by Andy Pavey.

Boomerang

3 characters; Flexible cast. 2 pages in length. Approximately 1-5 minutes running time. An Australian folk tale adaptation written by Janea Dahl.

The Enormous Turnip

29 characters; Flexible cast. 3 pages in length. Approximately 1-5 minutes running time (depending on casting). A Russian folktale for children with study guide adapted by Janea Dahl.

The Firefly and the Ants

8 characters; Flexible Cast; 5 pages in length. Approximately 5 minutes running time. A comedic fable written by Andy Pavey.

The Fox and the Crow

7 characters; Flexible Cast; 11 pages in length. Approximately 5-10 minutes running time. A comedic adaptation of the fable written by Andy Pavey.

The King is in Double Trouble

13 characters. 7M, 6F; 16 pages in length. Approximately 15-20 minutes running time. A medieval comedy for children and teens written by Terence Patrick Hughes.

The Miser and His Gold

6 characters; 2M, 2F, 2 Either; 9 pages in length. Approximately 5-10 minutes running time. A comedic adaptation of the fable written by Andy Pavey.

Three Fish Friends

6 characters; Flexible casting. 3 pages in length. Approximately 1-5 minutes running time. An adaptation of an Indian Panchatantra fable written by Neha Bhatt.

A Midsummer Camp’s Dream

19 characters. 10M, 9F, Flexible cast; 47 pages in length. Approximately 45-50 minutes running time. A modern Shakespeare comedy for teens written by Terence Patrick Hughes. (10 credits)

The Tempest

19 characters. 11M, 6F, 2Either; 53 pages in length. Approximately 45-60 minutes running time. A comic Shakespeare adaptation written by Terence Patrick Hughes. (10 credits)

The Ever Changing Story

10+ characters. 5M, 5F, Flexible Cast; 5 pages in length. Approximately 5 minutes running time. A comedic journey along America’s West-Coast for children written by Terence Patrick Hughes.

Dog, Cat, and the Red Bird

6 characters. Flexible cast; 3 pages in length. Approximately 1-5 minutes running time. A short play for children about acceptance by Shaneisha Dodson.

The Hula Hoop Girls: American Capitals

2 characters. 2F; 3 pages in length. Approximately 1-5 minutes running time. A scene for young girls about studying written by David-Matthew Barnes.

The Little Grey Cloud

4 characters. Flexible casting. 5 pages in length. Approximately 5 minutes running time. A story about making friends for young children written by Sashi Mendis.

Valentine’s Day Drama Activities

Fourteen fantastic drama activities that will delight you and your students!

In the Box

5-19 characters. 2M, 11F, 6Either; Flexible Casting; 14 pages in length. Approximately 10-15 minutes running time. A spoof on television for kids by playwright Elizabeth Rapoza.

All is Fair in Show Business

6 characters; 4F, 2 Either; 17 pages in length. Approximately 10-20 minutes running time. A comedy for teens written by Barry M. Putt, Jr.

The Wicked Old Witch

12 characters. 4M, 7F, 1Either; 11 pages in length. Approximately 10-15 minutes running time. Lyrical fairy-tale that can also be performed as a puppet show.

One-liners

Sixty+ extremely short jokes to perform!

50 Skits for Kids

50+ royalty-free scripts for kids and teens!

Stereotypes Lesson-Playing Tag

Drama game and lesson on stereotyping!

African American Inventors

African American History Month drama activity featuring 14 inventors!

New royalty-free Script Library with hundreds of plays added!