New Lessons

June 2020

The Spoiled Princess
7 characters. 1M, 6F. Approximately 12 minutes running time. Short play by Debra A. Cole about a spoiled princess who learns a valuable lesson.

The Royal Ball
8 characters, flexible casting. Approximately 10 minutes running time. Modern fairy tale play about a greedy cat who wants to be the only guest at the royal ball.

The King’s Rice Pudding
6 characters, 2M 4 Flexible. Approximately 10 minutes running time. Short slapstick comedy about a group of villagers who want to impress their king by Debra A. Cole.

Gullible Grace
8 characters, 2F, 6M. Approximately 12 minutes running time. Various suitors try to outdo one another by telling a Princess outrageous lies.

Bubble Wrap Princess
6 characters, flexible casting. Approximately 10 minutes running time. Funny fairy tale play about overprotective parents.

May 2020

Good Knight Sweet Prince
6 characters, 3M, 3F, gender can be flexible. Approximately 10 minutes running time. A modern twisted fairy tale by Debra A. Cole.

New Traditions
5 characters, 2F, 2M, and 1 flexible. Approximately 10 minutes running time. Short play by Debra A. Cole about a Princess who doesn’t want to be rescued.

Royal Reflections
6 characters. 2F, 1M, 3 flexible. Approximately 10 minutes running time. A spoiled rotten princess learns a valuable life lesson.

Onion Boy
8 characters, 3M, 3F, 2ANY. Approximately ten minutes running time. A comedic new fairy tale play by Debra A. Cole with the theme of kindness.

Onion Boy
7 characters, flexible casting. Approximately 12 minutes long. Short play by Debra A. Cole about a witch who has cursed the village.

The Spoiled Princess
7 characters. 1M, 6F. Approximately 12 minutes running time. Short play by Debra A. Cole about a spoiled princess who learns a valuable lesson.

Murder at the Museum
A murder happens at the opening of a new exhibit! 16 characters (can be added to or pared down).

Murder Under the Big Top
A trapeze artist has fallen to his death. A slippery substance on the trapeze bar, and plenty of guilty suspects leads the detective to believe this wasn’t an accident! 15 characters (can be added to or pared down).

Poisoned in the Garden
A wealthy old woman is found poisoned in her garden. There are lots of clues and suspects, but only one real murderer! 17 characters (can be added to or pared down).

Once Upon a Murder
She’s made people mad for years, and now someone has finally killed Goldilocks! 12 characters (can be added to or pared down).

Who Catnapped Cleopatra’s Cat?
Someone has catnapped Cleopatra’s beloved pet. Can detectives figure out whodunnit? 13 characters (can be added to or pared down).

Mystery of the Stolen Statue
A billionaire hosts a fancy dinner party, and someone steals her new statue worth ten million dollars. Everyone looks suspicious. Who did it? 15 characters (can be added to or pared down).

Missing Starlet on the Movie Set
Hollywood-themed mystery! 16 characters (can be added to or pared down).

Who Destroyed the Mona Lisa?
Someone has defaced what would have become the most famous painting in the world! Can the detective figure out who? 11 characters (can be added to or pared down).

Who Kidnapped the Alien from Area 51?
It turns out that aliens are real, and someone has stolen one from a famous Air Force base in Nevada! Can the detective figure out who? 11 characters (can be added to or pared down).

Who Murdered the Gingerbread Man?
Someone has finally caught…and murdered the Gingerbread Man! Students play a variety of suspicious characters in this interactive mystery. 12 characters (can be added to or pared down).

April 2020

Distance Learning Drama Activities
18 pages of distance learning drama activities and with links to over 100 videos.

Play Report Worksheets
Three printable worksheets for students to fill out after watching a stage play.

March 2020

Master Criminals Instructions and Activities
Instructions for the Master Criminal Role Play Cards. 7 pages. TEN activities with detailed instructions to use with your group!

Master Criminals Role Play Cards
40 different crimes that are ready to be printed out and laminated as cards to use over and over with your students.

Master Criminals Warm-ups
7 drama warm-up exercises to use with a crime scene, or murder mystery drama unit.

Master Criminals Improv Scenarios
30 funny improv scene starters to use with a crime scene, or murder mystery drama unit. PLUS, a list of 14 fairy tale crimes for use with mock trials.

February 2020

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.

January 2020

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!

December 2019

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.

Fall 2019

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.

July 2019

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.

June 2019

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.

May 2019

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.

April 2019

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.

March 2019

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.

February 2019

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.