December 2023
How the Rhinoceros Got Its Wrinkly Skin
3-30+ characters, flexible casting. Approximately 5 minutes long. An animal origin story about how the rhinoceros got its wrinkly skin. Based on the Just So Stories by Rudyard Kipling.
How the Kangaroo Got Its Jump
3-30+ characters, flexible casting. Approximately 5 minutes long. An origin animal origin story about how the camel got its hump. Based on the Just So Stories by Rudyard Kipling.
How the Camel Got Its Hump
6-30+ characters, flexible casting. Approximately 5 minutes long. An origin animal origin story about how the camel got its hump. Based on the Just So Stories by Rudyard Kipling.
How the Whale Got Its Throat
3-30+ characters, flexible casting. Approximately 5 minutes long. An origin animal origin story about how the whale got its throat. Based on the Just So Stories by Rudyard Kipling.
How the Elephant Got Its Trunk
6-30+ characters, flexible casting. Approximately 12 minutes long. An origin story about how the elephant got its trunk. Based on the Just So Stories by Rudyard Kipling.
November 2023
Creative Drama Food
Creative drama lesson with a theme of food. 10 pages filled with original ideas for imagination play, storytelling, singing, dancing, and more. Excellent for preschool through early elementary.
Holiday Pageant Challenge
Holidays are not restricted to one season, so use this creative challenge any time of year to bring joy and laughter to your classroom. Students create their own holidays, including rituals, reasons, and rhymes!
Short Scenes About School
Eleven short scenes about school are perfect for elementary and middle school. Includes 10 funny scenes for pairs and one scene for three people. Also includes ideas for using the scripts and discussion questions.
A Lamb’s Tale
6+ characters, flexible casting. Approximately 10 minutes long. Simple play for very young children based on ‘Mary Had a Little Lamb.’
October 2023
SEL Scenes for Elementary –
Be Kind
Nine short scenes and discussion questions based on SEL concepts of Respect, Empathy, and Cooperation. Perfect to use in class with ages 6-11.
SEL Scenes for Elementary –
Be Well
Nine short scenes and discussion questions based on SEL concepts of Gratitude, Honesty, and Creativity. Perfect to use in class with ages 6-11.
SEL Scenes for Elementary –
Be Strong
Nine short scenes and discussion questions based on SEL concepts of Responsibility, Perseverance, and Courage. Perfect to use in class with ages 6-11.
SEL Scenes for Middle School –
Be Kind
Nine short scenes and discussion questions based on SEL concepts of Respect, Empathy, and Cooperation. Perfect to use in class with middle schoolers ages 11-15.
SEL Scenes for Middle School –
Be Well
Short scenes and discussion questions based on SEL concepts of Gratitude, Honesty and Creativity. Perfect to use in class with middle schoolers ages 11-15.
SEL Scenes for Middle School –
Be Strong
Nine short scenes and discussion questions based on SEL concepts of Responsibility, Perseverance, and Courage. Perfect to use in class with ages 11-15.
Alice in Paris-Land
13+ characters, flexible casting, approximately 15 minutes long. A fantastical story about a young girl named Alice who travels to Paris during Fashion Week, meets interesting characters, and uses her imagination to save the day.
Canine Connection
4 characters, (3 speaking, 1 non-speaking) Gender flexible. All characters are dogs. Approximately 8 minutes running time. Hilarious play where dogs run a radio call-in show. Perfect for middle and high school.
Dolphins and Grolphins and the Keys to Success
7+ characters, flexible casting. Approximately 10 minutes long. Comedy play about dolphins teaching the keys to happiness and success. Perfect for elementary students and SEL, Social Emotional Learning.
Last Chance Tuesday
9 characters, approximately 25 minutes long. Funny and touching script about friendship. Three kennel dogs dream of their forever homes. Will they be adopted?
The Little Mermaid with Music
7 Characters, flexible casting. Approximately 30 minutes long. Includes simple songs from the public domain. Based on the tale by Hans Christian Anderson.
The Pied Piper’s Odd Business
11 characters, flexible casting. Approximately 12 minutes long. Fun and twisted version of the classic story of The Pied Piper.
The Spotted Skink
3+ Characters, Flexible Casting. Approximately 10 minutes running time. Clever and witty script about two young people trying to save their town by claiming they’ve discovered an endangered species. Will they go to any length to convince people?
September 2023
Winnie the Pooh and a Library Too
9 characters, flexible casting. Approximately 20 minutes long. Winnie the Pooh and his friends help Piglet learn to read. Perfect for elementary and middle school. Focus on SEL (Social-Emotional Learning)
Pepita and the Poinsettias
7+ Characters, flexible casting, approximately 7 minutes long. Christmas play about the legend of the poinsettia by Olivia Arieti.
A Child’s Christmas in Wales
15 characters, flexible casting. Approximately 15 minutes long. Heartwarming play based on the classic Christmas story by Dylan Thomas.
Ghosting For Good
8 Characters, flexible casting. Approximately 10 minutes long. Short, black box play about two teens dealing with the cruelty of online bullying.
Shuttlecock, Whipping Top and Tick Tack Type
A play for two actors that incorporates rhythm, music and movement. Actors take on the roles of toys. Approximately 50 minutes long. Includes educational materials, drama activities, and sheet music.
Monarchs
2 characters, flexible casting. Approximately 5 minutes long. Comedy about two monarch butterflies, migration, and expectations.
The Wishing Table, The Golden Donkey and the Cudgel in the Sack
12-16 characters, flexible casting. Approximately 15 minutes long. Comedy based on the Grimm Brothers’ Fairy Tale-The Wishing Table, The Gold Donkey, and the Cudgel in the Sack. Modern touches make this play perfect for middle schoolers.
The Guest
5-10 characters. Approximately 10 minutes long. A family is trapped in a cabin in the woods during a snowstorm when a mysterious visitor appears. Should they flee the cabin for safety, or are they better off staying put?
On the Eighth Night of Hanukkah
9 characters, flexible casting. Approximately 10 minutes long. Comedy play about Hanukkah told by the candles in the menorah.
August 2023
Emotions Scenes for Early Readers
Ten short scenes about emotions for early readers or English language learners. Each script is one page long and contains a discussion prompt at the end. Sight words and rhyming make scenes easy and fun to read.
Vocal Tools for Actors
Ages 11 and up. This handout provides a fun and powerful way for your students to add depth, variety, and expression to their line delivery.
Creative Drama Home
Creative drama lesson with a theme of home. 9 pages filled with original ideas for imagination play, storytelling, singing, dancing, and more.
Creative Drama Lesson – Be You
Creative drama lesson with a theme of celebrating your unique qualities. 9 pages filled with original ideas for imagination play, storytelling, singing, dancing, and more.
Printable Classroom Art – Parts of the Theatre
Brighten your classroom with these eight graphics that identify common spaces/elements of a theatre space.
Printable Classroom Art – People of the Theatre
Brighten your classroom with these eleven graphics that identify common roles in the theatre.
Printable Classroom Art – Acting Terms
Brighten your classroom with these seven graphics that define common terms used in acting.
July 2023
Kid Superheroes on the Rise
13+ characters, flexible casting. Approximately 20 minutes long. Comedy adventure script about kid superheroes who use their imaginations and work together to fight bad guys.
Little Bigfoot
6-9 characters, any gender. Approximately 15 minutes long. Three kids encounter Little Bigfoot, a race of Sasquatch rejected because of their size, lack of hair, and “bad” behavior. Fun for middle and high school.
The One About Shoppington
8+ characters, flexible casting. Approximately 10 minutes long. Comedy script about holiday shopping. Perfect for middle and high school reader’s theatre or performance.
Yes, Indeed
4 characters, flexible casting, Approximately 10 minutes running time. Four intrepid explorers lead the audience to rediscover the value of imagination. Comedy script perfect for commedia dell’arte, clowning, or physical theatre. Great for teens.
The Hitchhiker’s Guide to the Zombie Apocalypse
12+ Characters, Flexible Casting, Approximately 15 minutes running time. Comedy script where humans try to outwit the zombies.
Hannah and Grayson
3 characters, flexible casting, approximately 10 minutes. Comedy script about two teens who encounter a witch in the woods.
Acting Participation Rubric
Simple assessment grid for grading individual students’ level of participation in acting activities in drama class. All ages.
Drama Class Participation Rubric
All ages. Drama class participation rubric for theatre arts.
Monologue Acting Rubric
Ages 11 and up. Simple grading assessment for middle school and high school monologue performances or assignments.
Monologue Performance Self-Assessment
Ages 11 and up. Easy form for students to assess their own monologue performance skills.
Monologue Writing Self-Assessment
Ages 11 and up. Easy form for students to assess their own monologue writing skills.
Duo Acting Scene Rubric
Ages 11 and up. Simple grading assessment for middle school and high school duo scene performances or assignments.
Scene Performance Rubrics
All ages. Six different assessment forms to suit a variety of different scene performances.
Drama Performance Rubric
Ages 11 and up. Evaluation form to assess individual students’ acting skills in a performance.
Theatre Performance Rubric
Ages 11 and up. Another evaluation form to assess individual students’ acting skills in a performance.
Creative Drama Exploration Rubric
Simple creative drama evaluation for young children.
Pantomime Rubric
All ages. Simple evaluation form to use when teaching a unit on pantomime.
Sample Course Descriptions for Drama Class
20 examples of how to write a course description for your drama class. Helpful for teachers of preschool through high school.
Rehearsal Notes
Print and cut these easy-to-use templates for giving both line notes and acting notes during or after play rehearsal. Great for student stage managers and actors.
June 2023
Peter Pan in Thirty Minutes
12+ characters, flexible casting. Approximately 30 minutes long. Includes songs from the public domain. Comedy adventure script based on the classic story of Peter Pan.
Peter Pan for Young Performers
13+ characters. Approximately 20 minutes long. Includes simple songs from the public domain. Early reader script based on the classic story of Peter Pan.
Peter Pan and the Lost Girl
10+ characters, flexible casting. Approximately 15 minutes long. Peter Pan meets Little Red Riding Hood in this short play by Willow Rowe. Fun for all ages.
Cold Case
2 characters, flexible casting. Approximately 3 minutes long. Funny mystery scene for middle and high school students.
A Weekend Mystery
12 characters, flexible casting. Approximately 15 minutes long. A funny mystery where strangers gather, something goes missing, and the detective is not what you think he is.
May 2023
Benchmark
4 characters, all males. Approximately 10 minutes. A funny yet sentimental script about true friendship. Perfect for middle school and high school students.
The Little Prince in Egypt
13 characters, flexible casting, approximately 15 minutes. Comedy script set about Egyptian mythology. Perfect for older elementary through high school.
Aesop Remixed
15+ characters, flexible casting, approximately 15 minutes. Comedy script that combines Aesop’s fables, “The Lion and the Mouse” and “The Tortoise and the Hare”.
Mythology Mash-up
17 characters, flexible casting, approximately 10 minutes. Comedy script that blends different Greek myths. Perfect for middle and high school.
The Nutcracker in a Flash
12+ characters, flexible casting, approximately 10 minutes. Comedy script about a fast-paced remake of The Nutcracker. Perfect for middle and high school.
The Myth of Demeter and Persephone Revisited
10-14 characters, flexible casting, approximately 10 minutes long. Comedy play script for elementary, middle, and high school about the Greek myth of Demeter and Persephone.
The Shadow of Peter Pan
14 characters, flexible casting, approximately 15 minutes. Comedy script about Peter Pan’s “Shadow” breaking free to live an independent existence. Perfect for middle and high school.
April 2023
Stopping Here
10-15 characters, flexible casting. Approximately 40 minutes long. A dramatic adaptation of four Robert Frost narrative poems.
A Candy for Kimo
1-3 characters. Approximately ten minutes running time. A Hawaiian boy gets more than candy on Halloween.
Peanut Butter Lesson
Creative Drama Lesson inspired by Shel Silverstein’s Peanut Butter Sandwich poem.
Public Domain Songs
76 Songs to Use in Your Classroom or School Performance.
Drama Awards
50 examples of awards for end-of-the-year drama celebrations.
The Wind-up Rookie
25+ characters 15 minutes running time. Flexible casting. A comedy about an epic baseball game, written in verse.
The Crossroads
6-21 characters, flexible casting, approximately 30 minutes. 10 vignettes set at a crossroads and in the woods and woven together with wit, wonder, and wisdom. Written by Jennifer Reif. (5 credits)
Benjamin the Hiding Bunny
10+ Characters. Cast size and gender breakdown are flexible. Leading narration and animal characters make this a perfect play for young children. Inspired by stories of Beatrix Potter. Approximately 15 minutes running time.
Geointerfering Inc.
4 characters, flexible casting. Approximately 10 minutes long. An absurdist comedy about the environmental crisis by Leonard Goodisman.
The Adventures of Don Marcos Sebastian Guevara Fantastico
4 Characters. Approximately 30 minutes running time. An unlikely pair teams up to defeat the school bullies in this playful script. Perfect for elementary, middle school, or school assemblies.
Mad Lib Scenes
Ten funny scenes with five suggestions for how to use them. Great for elementary through high school.
March 2023
Drama Vocabulary for Younger Students
Students match sixteen drama words to their meanings.
Theatre Vocabulary for Older Students
Students match sixteen theatre words to their meanings.
Theatre Spaces Vocabulary
Students match sixteen theatre space words to their meanings.
People in the Theatre Vocabulary
Students match twelve different types of roles in the theatre to their meanings.
Acting Vocabulary
Students match 16 different acting-related words to their meanings.
Comparing Drama to Other Genres
Venn diagram worksheet that compares drama to other forms of literature.
Drama Crossword Puzzle
Students fill in a crossword with 15 theatre terms.
Theatre Crossword Puzzle
Crossword puzzle featuring 19 theatre terms.
Character and Emotions Worksheet
Students attribute emotions to different animal character drawings.
Create Your Own Tiny Play
Fun printable activity in which students tell a story on a mini-stage.
Shakespeare Word Search
Students find 30 words related to Shakespeare.
February 2023
Drama Games Sequence
Everything you need to plan which drama games to use in class. This lesson explains the different categories of games and how to introduce them so students build on skills. Perfect for upper elementary, middle, and high school drama classes.
How to Use Drama to Teach English
This lesson provides tips for using drama with English Language Learners, and includes eight fun drama games for all ages.
Backstage Expectations Handout
Teach your students backstage etiquette for working in the theatre.
Afroyo
20+ characters. Approximately 45 minutes running time. A young black boy comes face to face with microaggressions at school.
January 2023
Why Bananas Belong to the Monkeys
14+ characters. Approximately 10 minutes running time. Fun trickster tale play script from Brazil about monkeys and bananas.
Stone Soup with Simple Songs
10 characters. Approximately 10 minutes long. Based on the folktale about sharing with strangers. Includes simple songs to familiar tunes.
How Chipmunk Got His Stripes
4 characters, 3 minutes long. Native American Legend about how the chipmunk got his stripes.
Bill of Rights Play Script
10+ characters. Approximately 20 minutes long with audience participation. Informative and playful script about the importance of the Bill of Rights to the United States.
December 2022
Holiday Stories to Act Out
List of 20 delightful wintry children’s books and ways to use them for activities and performances.
More Holiday Stories to Act Out
List of 20 more delightful children’s books and ways to use them for activities and performances.
November 2022
Alice in Wonderland Seussical Style
Flexible casting for 10+ characters. Approximately 10 minutes running time. Narration and rhyming make it perfect for elementary and middle school. Suggestions for adding more Lewis Carroll poetry to your performance.
Alice in Wonderland – Full Length
Flexible casting for 25+ characters. Traditional story and characters. Approximately 60 minutes running time.
Alice in Wonderland in 20 Minutes
Flexible casting for 10+ characters. Approximately 20 minutes running time with ideas for adding creative movement. Traditional Alice in Wonderland story, perfect for elementary through high school. Includes suggestions for adding more Lewis Carroll poetry to your production.
Alice in Wonderland for Early Readers
Flexible casting for 10+ characters. Approximately 10 minutes running time. Leading narration and rhyming make it perfect for preschool and elementary. Includes suggestions for adding more poetry to your production.
Moonlighters
4 characters, flexible casting. Approximately 20 minutes long. Holiday play script about elves who are unhappy with the working conditions at the North Pole. Fun for middle and high school.
October 2022
Santa’s Little Reindeer, The Musical
17+ characters with flexible casting. Approximately 40 minutes running time. Sheet music and a link to recorded backtracks for 8 songs are included! (10 credits)
Costume Closet Challenge
Fun costume activity that helps students to think creatively!
Suitcase of Possibility
Creative drama lesson that involves a suitcase with five items in it.
Creative Drama Magic
Magic-themed drama lesson for young children. 8 pages of songs, movement activities, stories, and more.
Remembrance Day Monologues
Remembrance Day is Canada’s day to celebrate veterans. Here are 26 monologues written by students!
Sample Assessment Ideas
Assessment comments and progress report ideas for drama students of all age groups.
Santa’s Little Reindeer Rap
8+ characters with flexible casting. Approximately 15 minutes running time. It’s Christmas Eve and Santa is sick. It’s up to one little reindeer to save the day! Raps provide an opportunity to include many children.
The Trees of Throop
5 characters. Approximately 10 minutes running time. Original holiday story with colorful characters and a message of kindness. Nostalgic and quirky. Written by Ted LoRusso.
A Simple Act of Kindness
5 characters, flexible casting. Approximately 10 minutes long. It’s Christmas Eve and an inn keeper is reminded that money isn’t everything.
September 2022
Creative Drama-Books
Book-themed drama lesson for young children. 8 pages of songs, movement activities, stories and more.
Creative Drama Lesson-Bugs
Bug-themed drama lesson for young children. 8 pages of songs, movement activities, stories and more.
BUGS
10+ characters, flexible casting. Approximately 10 minutes long. Original play script about bugs and insects perfect for primary grades.
Where in the World is Princess Poppy Script
14 characters, flexible casting. Approximately 20 minutes long. A funny mystery based on the interactive mystery of the same name, created by Jennifer Reif.
Mystery of the Stolen Treasure Play Script
12+ characters, flexible casting. Approximately 20 minutes long. A funny mystery play based on the interactive mystery of the same name, created by Jennifer Reif.
Production Meeting Checklist
7-page checklist to use to keep track of your behind-the-scenes roles and dates.
Simple Costume Chart
List of costume items for each individual actor in your play.
Light Cue Sheet
Simple light cue sheet for your lighting designer and light board operator.
Sound Cue Sheet
Simple sound cue sheet for your sound designer and sound board operator.
Prop List
Simple prop list sheet for your student prop master.
House Manager Checklist
Two-page checklist for student house managers.
August 2022
50 Things Students Can Learn from Theatre
50 ways theatre helps children and teens learn and grow.
Merlin and the Dragons
10+ characters with flexible casting. Approximately 15 minutes running time. A simple and funny play about the legend of the Sword and the Stone.
The Clearing
6-20 characters, flexible casting. Approximately 30 minutes long. 10 vignettes are set in a clearing in the woods and woven together with wit, wonder, and wisdom. Written by Jennifer Reif. (5 credits)
Whitney Darling, A Modern Peter Pan Story
7 Characters. Flexible Casting. Approximately 30 minutes running time. A modern telling of Peter Pan.
Scope and Sequence for Early Childhood Drama
Everything you need to organize and plan a year of teaching creative drama to young children.
Scope and Sequence for Planning Drama Lessons
Everything you need to organize and plan a year of teaching drama.
Attention Getters
32 ideas for getting your students’ attention in drama class or rehearsal. Perfect for all ages.
Face Off Stage Makeup Challenge
Working in small groups, students will apply makeup to fit the provided weekly theme. Students will have fun collaborating as they become comfortable and confident in the stagecraft of makeup application.
Theatre Practitioners
Drama Lesson about Stanislavski, Brecht, and Artaud. Contains background information for each theorist along with engaging acting exercises and challenges within each method.
July 2022
Theatre Spaces PowerPoint
Use this PowerPoint and helpful transcript to teach your students about theatre spaces and basic stage vocabulary. Explore the different types of stages, curtains, lights, and more.
Theatre Spaces PowerPoint Transcript
Use this PowerPoint and helpful transcript to teach your students about theatre spaces and basic stage vocabulary. Explore the different types of stages, curtains, lights, and more.
People of the Theatre PowerPoint
Use this PowerPoint and helpful transcript to teach your students about the different jobs people hold in theatre.
People of the Theatre PowerPoint Transcript
Use this PowerPoint and helpful transcript to teach your students about the different jobs people hold in theatre.
History of Costume Design PowerPoint
Use this PowerPoint and helpful transcript to teach your students about costumes and clothing throughout history.
History of Costume Design Transcript
Use this PowerPoint and helpful transcript to teach your students about costumes and clothing throughout history.
A Midsummer Night’s Dream in 20 Minutes
8-11 characters. Flexible casting. Short version of Midsummer, by William Shakespeare featuring the mechanicals and fairies. Maintains much of Shakespeare’s text. Great for elementary and middle school.
Hamlet in 30 Minutes
8-11 characters. Approximately 30 minutes running time. Flexible casting. Maintains much of Shakespeare’s text. Great for elementary and middle school.
The Tempest in 20 Minutes
10-12 characters. Abridged to a fun and manageable 20 minutes. A shipwreck brings Prospero’s enemies to the very shore they cast him on a year ago. Will he take revenge, or learn the power of forgiveness?
Puss in Boots
24 characters, very flexible casting. Approximately 10 minutes long. Based on the Italian fairy tale, Puss in Boots.
Puss in Boots for Early Readers
10+ characters, flexible casting. Approximately 5 minutes long. Based on the Italian folktale, Puss in Boots.
The Fisherman and His Wife
4-25 characters, flexible casting. Approximately 10 minutes long. Based on the classic tale, The Fisherman and His Wife.
The Big Top
10+ characters, flexible casting. Approximately 15 minutes long. Original script by Laura Rohrman and her young students.
Island 2050
7+ characters, flexible casting. Approximately 20 minutes long. In this futuristic comedy, characters pursue their dreams in search of The Golden Burrito! Original script by Laura Rohrman and her young students.
The Moon Dream
10+ characters, flexible casting. Approximately 15 minutes long. A dog dreams of going to the moon. Original script by Laura Rohrman and her young students.
June 2022
More Lines in a Pocket
Detailed instructions for the classic improv game also known as ‘Bucket.’ Included are 28 more scene suggestions and over 60 additional random lines! Best for older or advanced students.
More Scene Starters for Pairs
Here are 28 more scene starters for improvisation for younger students and 28 more scene starters for older students! Print them out and start the activity immediately.
Cinderella
8-10 characters. 11 pages in length. Approximately 10-15 minutes running time. Funny Cinderella play script.
The Emperor’s New Clothes
10-12 characters. 10 pages in length. Approximately 10-15 minutes running time. Comical playscript of The Emperor’s New Clothes.
The Three Little Pigs
5 characters. 4 pages in length. Approximately 5 minutes running time. Three Little Pigs comedy play script.
Creative Drama Lesson-Pirates
Pirate-themed drama lesson for young children. 8 pages of songs, movement activities, stories, and more.
Rainbowland
7+characters. Approximately 10 minutes running time. Colorful characters like fairies, knights, witches, and butterflies share a message of kindness. Leading narration makes it easy for young children to perform. Written by Jennifer Reif.
May 2022
Toy Store
5-30 characters (13 characters as written), approximately 10 minutes running time. When the shop owner leaves, all the toys come to life!
TJ’s Elephant
21 Characters. Approximately 30 minutes running time. Cast size and gender breakdown are flexible. In this original play, the elephant in the room is grief. A perfect way for high schoolers to explore a difficult topic with creativity and heart.
How to Teach Homeschool Drama
16-page guide to leading a homeschool drama group!
Silly Superheroes
Fun lists of silly superheroes, funny powers, serious powers, and outrageous scenarios for drama class.
Superhero Character Worksheet and Costume Design
Original superhero character worksheet and costume design tutorial.
Superhero Drama Games and Activities
13 superhero-themed drama games and activities.
Superhero Drama Lesson
Students create their own superhero characters based on traits that all superheroes share.
April 2022
Happy Birthday Beatrix Potter
13 characters with flexible casting. Approximately 20 minutes running time. Join Peter Rabbit, Squirrel Nutkin, Hunker Munker, and other animal friends as they surprise Beatrix Potter with kindness and friendship. Written by Jennifer Reif.
The Velveteen Rabbit
7-10 characters, approximately 15 minutes running time. Touching story based on the beloved children’s book, The Velveteen Rabbit by Margery Williams. Incorporates tableaus and creative movement. Adapted by Jennifer Reif.
Creative Drama Lesson-Summer
Creative drama lesson with a theme of summer. 9 pages filled with original ideas for imagination play, storytelling, singing, dancing, and more. Excellent for preschool through early elementary.
How to Coach Individual Drama Students
Helpful guide for acting coaches, and those teaching individual drama lessons.
Activities for Coaching Individual Drama Students
Fantastic collection of activities to use when working with individual drama students.
King Lear Knows Best
16 characters, approximately 25 minutes running time. Modern adaptation of Shakespeare’s King Lear, written by Olivia Arieti.
March 2022
Othello in One Hour
9+ characters. Shakespeare’s Othello in One Hour. Perfect for reading in class or performance. 3 credits.
Short Othello Scripts
6 characters, 10 minutes and 3 minutes. Short versions of Shakespeare’s Othello
Romeo and Juliet in 30 Minutes
15+ characters. 30-minute version of Shakespeare’s Romeo and Juliet. Flexible casting. Condensed script maintains integrity of Shakespeare’s writing. Perfect for middle and high school groups.
Macbeth in 30 Minutes
20+ characters. Flexible casting. 30-minute version of Shakespeare’s Macbeth. Condensed script maintains integrity of Shakespeare’s writing. Perfect for middle and high school groups.
A Midsummer Night’s Dream in 30 Minutes
13-30 characters. Flexible casting. 30-40 running time. Short version of Shakespeare’s A Midsummer Night’s Dream. Maintains Shakespeare’s text. Great for middle and high school groups.
A Midsummer To Do
19+characters. Approximately 45 minutes running time. A fresh and fun take on A Midsummer Night’s Dream. Weaves Shakespeare’s language with modern scenes.
More Shakespeare Activities
11 more pages packed full of Shakespeare lesson ideas, activities, tutorials and more!
Creative Drama Lesson-Occupations
Creative drama lesson with a theme of occupations. 8 pages filled with original ideas for imagination play, storytelling, singing, dancing, and more. Excellent for preschool through early elementary.
Occupations-Short Scenes for Early Readers
Ten short scenes about different jobs for early readers or English language learners. Each script is one page in length. Sight words and rhyming make scenes easy and fun to read.
Useful Women, A Victorian Chat Show
6 characters. Approximately 10 minutes running time. Historical and comedic script featuring exceptional women in the 19th Century. Suitable for elementary, middle and high school students, especially those studying 19th century England.
Rosie the Riveter: An American Icon
16-26 characters-flexible casting. Approximately 60 minutes running time. As the men head off to war, Rosie paves the way for the women to take over the factory and support the war effort. Bring the story of the WW2 American War Effort to life with this script by Elizabeth West. Inspired by the iconic painting and song of Rosie the Riveter.
Dolly the Polka Dotted Lama and the Mackindoo Zoo
15+ characters of any gender. Approximately 20 minutes running time. Dolly has a hard time fitting in because she looks different, but it is her uniqueness that ultimately saves the day. Comedy for all ages by Chuck Novatka.
February 2022
Body Image Lesson
Explore body image in a fun, creative, and safe way. This lesson provides playful ideas for movement, character creation, and discussion. A great way for middle and high school students to build self-awareness and self-confidence.
Wise Clytie
11+ characters, flexible casting. Approximately 10 minutes long. A Greek myth based on a water nymph who turns into a sunflower. Adapted by Linda Kohler.
Chicken Little Investigates
8+ characters with flexible casting. Approximately 10 minutes running time. Science-based tale, where characters discover gravity. Includes drama lesson plan. Adapted by Lois Wickstrom.
Huff, Puff, Grind…The Three Little Pigs Get Smart
6+ characters with flexible casting. Approximately 10 minutes running time. Science-based tale, where characters discover a problem can be a solution out of place. Includes drama lesson plan. Adapted by Lois Wickstrom.
Goldilocks and the Six Simple Machines
5+ characters with flexible casting. Approximately 10 minutes running time. Science-based tale, where characters explore scientific principles. Includes drama lesson plan. Adapted by Lois Wickstrom.
Theatre Etiquette for Younger Students
Theatre etiquette rules for elementary students.
Theatre Etiquette!
Theatre etiquette rules for middle school and high school students.
January 2022
Sally
4 characters, approximately one-hour running time. Thomas Jefferson/Sally Hemings historical play script by Leonard Goodisman.
The Census
4 characters. Approximately 10 minutes running time. Short play that deals with the history of the US census and questions about race.
Thomas, Thomas
2 characters. Approximately 10 minutes running time. Short play about Thomas Jefferson renting his slaves to another slave owner.
Brer Rabbit Tricks Brer Fox
9 characters with flexible casting. Approximately 10 minutes running time. An original take on the familiar Brer Rabbit Down the Well tale. Written by Malcom Henty.
Brer Rabbit Meets Brer Lion
4 characters with flexible casting. Approximately 10 minutes running time. Original take on a Brer Rabbit trickster tale using rhyming couplets. Written by Malcom Henty.
Mr. Man’s Candy Store, A Brer Rabbit Tale
8+ characters with flexible casting. Approximately 10 minutes running time. An original take on the Brer Rabbit trickster tale with lots of animal friends. Written by Malcom Henty.
Brer Rabbit and the Day of Learning
10+ characters with flexible casting. Approximately 10 minutes running time. An original take on the Brer Rabbit trickster tale with lots of animal friends. Written by Malcom Henty.
Brer Rabbit and Sister Swan’s Daughter
7+characters with flexible casting. Approximately 10 minutes running time. Funny and short playscript about the trickster Brer Rabbit and many other animal friends. Written by Malcom Henty.
December 2021
Cinderella Rap
8+ characters with flexible casting. Approximately 10 minutes running time. A comical take on the traditional Cinderella story, plus an ensemble that raps. This play has a theme of kindness and is excellent for primary grades by Val Neubecker.
Little Miss Muffet
4 characters with flexible casting. Approximately 5 minutes running time. Adapted by Val Neubecker.
Dorothy’s Adventure in the Magical Kingdom of Oz
12+ characters. Approximately 10 minutes running time.
Chinese New Year Zodiac Script
14 characters. Approximately 20 minutes running time. Funny and poetic play script featuring the animals of the Chinese zodiac. Animals speak in verse. Adapted by Jennifer Reif.
Escape Room-Musical Theatre
Engaging escape room activity that can be played in the classroom or online. Collaborate to crack codes and learn musical theatre vocabulary. Fun for middle and high school students. Easy prep activity lasts about 30 minutes.
Escape Room-Opening Night
Engaging escape room activity that can be played in the classroom or online. Collaborate to crack codes and learn basic theatre vocabulary. Fun for middle and high school students. Easy prep activity lasts about 30 minutes.
Escape Room-Shakespeare
Engaging escape room activity that can be played in the classroom or online. Collaborate to crack codes and learn Shakespeare theatre vocabulary. Fun for middle and high school students. Easy prep activity lasts about 30 minutes.
Creative Drama Lesson-Winter!
Creative drama lesson with a winter theme. 8 pages filled with original ideas for imagination play, storytelling, singing, dancing, and more. Excellent for preschool through early elementary.
Creative Drama Tips and Tricks
Teaching creative drama is great fun and even better with these helpful tips and tricks.
November 2021
Brain Dance
Creative movement warm-up lesson with accompanying Brain Dance video!
Play a Story
Fun lesson on creating original story titles with accompanying Play a Story video!
7 Levels of Tension
Movement-based acting technique with accompanying 7 Levels of Tension video.
Set Design Activity
Theatre activity for drama class in which students use abstract concepts to create a set design. Watch the video of this lesson here.
Elizabethan Humors
Shakespeare drama lesson on Elizabethan humors. Watch the video of this lesson here.
October 2021
The Little Match Girl
6-10 characters, flexible casting. Approximately 10 minutes long. Touching story based on the classic by Hans Christian Anderson. Incorporates dialogue and pantomime. Adapted by Jennifer Reif.
The Gift of the Magi
2 characters, flexible casting. Approximately 10 minutes long. Modern re-telling of the classic story by O’Henry. Siblings learn about the spirit of giving. Adapted by Jennifer Reif.
The Little Drummer Boy
11 characters, flexible casting. Approximately 10 minutes long. Sweet and playful merging of the Christmas Story and the Little Drummer Boy. Theme of giving from the heart. Adapted by Jennifer Reif.
The Elves and the Shoemaker
6-10 characters, flexible casting. Approximately 10 minutes long. Funny and sweet script based on the popular fairytale. Repetition makes it easy to memorize. Adapted by Jennifer Reif.
The Christmas Crisis
17+ characters of any gender. Approximately 60 minutes running time. Original holiday story where video games and technology reach Santa and his team at the North Pole.
September 2021
Emotions and Feelings Prompts
60 emotions and feeling scenarios for young actors.
Fable and Folk Tale Scenes for Early Readers
Ten short fable and folk tale scenes for early readers or English language learners.
Friendship and Fun Scenes for Early Readers
Ten short friendship and fun scenes for early readers or English language learners.
Fairy Tale Scenes for Early Readers
Ten short fairy tale scenes for early readers or English language learners.
A Haunting at Brookfield Manor
A gathering of ghost are the suspects in this haunted mystery! 13 characters (can be added to or pared down).
Murder on the Menu
A waitress, a busboy, a dishwasher and a food critic are among the list of suspects in this delicious mystery! 13 characters (can be added to or pared down).
Where in the World is Princess Poppy?
A princess has gone missing. Can the royal detectives find her in time for her wedding? 13 characters (can be added to or pared down).
Mystery of the Missing Tiger
The city is in mourning over the disappearance of the zoo’s prized white Bengal tiger! 15 characters (can be added to or pared down).
The Amusement Park Prankster
Someone has caused an incredible amount of chaos at Aqualand! Can detectives figure out whodunnit? 13 characters (can be added to or pared down).
Who Shot the Sheriff?
All was well in the town of Deadwood until someone shot the Sheriff. Who did it? 15 characters (can be added to or pared down).
Mystery of the Stolen Treasure
Pirate-themed murder mystery! 12 characters (can be added to or pared down).
Who Stole the Jell-O in the Nursing Home?
Someone has stolen Arthur Bennington’s delicious dessert right out from under his nose! Can the detective figure out who? 12 characters (can be added to or pared down).
Who Cracked Humpty Dumpty’s Shell?
Nursery rhyme themed mystery for younger students! 11 characters (can be added to or pared down).
Who Stole Poseidon’s Trident?
Greek-themed mystery in which students play a colorful array of Greek Gods and Goddesses. 13 characters (can be added to or pared down).
August 2021
Assembly Skits-Grab Bag
7 skits on a variety of topics for school assemblies or Red Ribbon Week.
Assembly Skits-Bullying
7 skits on bullying for school assemblies or Red Ribbon Week.
Assembly Skits-Drugs
5 skits on drug use for school assemblies or Red Ribbon Week.
Assembly Skits-Dating
5 skits on teen dating issues for school assemblies or Red Ribbon Week.
Assembly Skits-Gossip
4 skits on gossiping for school assemblies or Red Ribbon Week.
Creative Drama Lesson-Autumn
Autumn-themed drama lesson for young children. 8 pages of songs, movement activities, stories and more.
Pied Piper
15-19 characters of any gender. Approximately 60 minutes running time. A fresh re-telling of the folktale, written in rhyming couplets, by Elizabeth West.
July 2021
Share the Burden
4 characters, flexible casting. Approximately 10 minutes running time. Short play based on an African trickster tale by Debra A. Cole.
The Nobleman’s Bride
8-12 characters, flexible casting. Approximately 10 minutes running time. Short play about a nobleman who goes about finding a wife the wrong way. By Debra A. Cole.
Honey Cakes
7 characters, 4M 3F flexible casting. Approximately 10 minutes running time. Short play adaptation from a story in ‘The Arabian Nights’ by Debra A. Cole.
The Price of Gold
5M characters-all male cast. Approximately 10 minutes running time. This amusing short play by Debra A. Cole is a cautionary tale about greed.
Cutting the Strings
6 characters, flexible gender. Approximately 10 minutes running time. Play adaptation of a Burmese folk tale. Students play life-sized puppets!
The Wishing Pond
6 characters, 1F, 5 any gender. Approximately 10 minutes running time. Short play based on an African American folk tale.
The Honorable Woodsman
5 characters, 1M, 2F, 2 any gender. Approximately 10 minutes running time. Play adaptation of a Jean La Fontaine fable.
A Golden Peace of Mind
4 characters, 1M, 1F, 2 any gender. Approximately 7 minutes running time. Short play that teaches the value of believing in yourself!
Room in the Forest
6 characters. Approximately 20 minutes running time. Engaging play about the relationship between humans and wildlife.
June 2021
Asian Theatre History PowerPoint
Ready to use PowerPoint presentation for teachers. Download immediately and teach a simple unit on Asian theatre history.
Asian Theatre History Lesson Plan
Ready to use Asian theatre history lesson plan for teachers. Download immediately and teach a simple unit on Asian theatre history.
Renaissance Theatre PowerPoint
Ready to use PowerPoint presentation for teachers. Download immediately and teach a simple unit on Renaissance theatre.
Renaissance Theatre Lesson Plan
Ready to use Renaissance theatre lesson plan for teachers. Download immediately and teach a simple unit on Renaissance theatre.
Early American Theatre History PowerPoint
Ready to use PowerPoint presentation for teachers. Download immediately and teach a simple unit on early American theatre history.
Early American Theatre History Lesson Plan
Ready to use Early American theatre history lesson plan for teachers. Download immediately and teach a simple unit on Early American theatre history.
Vaudeville PowerPoint
Ready to use PowerPoint presentation for teachers. Download immediately and teach a simple unit on Vaudeville.
Vaudeville Lesson Plan
Ready to use Vaudeville lesson plan for teachers. Download immediately and teach a simple unit on Vaudeville.