Metamorphosis

Facing pressure from shop-owner parents, Principal Cooper introduces some outlandish new dress codes. Most of the girls love the idea and rush out to buy fancy new accessories. But Posie prefers to make them herself or find her accessories in thrift stores.

This short play helps students understand that individuality is to be celebrated!

The play includes discussion questions, and casting, costume and set design suggestions.

Debra A. Cole is a celebrated humanities teacher, youth theatre director, and children’s playwright with degrees in journalism, art history, and elementary education. She understands the needs of young performers and their directors and creates pieces that encourage engaging discussion, creative thought, and quirky playfulness. Her goal is that young performers discover the power and delight that theatre brings to actors and audiences alike.

Visit her website:
www.debraacole-playwright.com

Excerpt from the play:

CHARACTERS

POSIE — (F) young girl who drums to her own beat
RANI — (F) trend setter, style maven, queen bee type
MARISSA — (F) follower, minion to the queen bee
CHRSITINA — (F) follower, minion to the queen bee
PRINCIPAL COOPER — (F) seasoned educator – tired about many things

(The action takes place in modern times at a cafeteria lunch table at school.)

(Lights come up on a cafeteria lunch table with Rani, Marissa, and Christina sitting near one another. Each is wearing white clothing from neck to ankles. Marissa and Christina are seated on each side of Rani while she holds a current style magazine.)

SCENE 1

MARISSA
(pointing at page in magazine) Look at that outfit!

CHRISTINA
(pointing at the opposite page in magazine) Oh, that one is pretty too!

RANI
These are the styles that we should be wearing, girls. Anyone who is anyone will be wearing these styles.

(Posie enters stage right and walks to sit at the table with the girls. She is wearing black from neck to ankles.)

POSIE
What are you looking at? Oh! (excitedly) Is that the new article on migration patterns of the monarch butterfly? I’ve been waiting for the new data to be published.

RANI
(rolling her eyes) No. Are you even speaking English?

MARISSA
THIS is the latest issue of Girl Style. Everyone who matters reads Girl Style.

CHRISTINA
You read it, don’t you, Posie?

POSIE
(confidently) Nope. But I hope you enjoy reading it.

RANI
Posie doesn’t follow fashion. Just look at her. Clearly style is not a priority.

(Suddenly, Principal Cooper enters with megaphone.)

PRINCIPAL COOPER
(without much emotion) Attention, ladies of Mariposa Middle School. After much debate, and a little pressure from our wonderful parent group, that keeps reminding me how wonderful they are, I have decided that part of our new dress code, will be hats. (exists)

(Rani, Marissa, and Christina all squeal with delight.)

Yes, hats, girls. Your hat is your choice but be sure to make sure your hat expresses who you are. Part of growing into young ladies is to find who you want to be. On that note, it is my… (hesitation) pleasure to remind you that our own Rani Baker’s mom owns the…oh, let me read this exactly as I’ve been told to… okay…the best hat shop in town for those interested in style. That is all.

RANI
(rolls her eyes, but actually likes it) Thanks, Mom. I guess a little plug for her boutique won’t hurt anybody… except non-fashion people.

MARISSA
HATS!

CHRISTINA
Can you believe it!

RANI
No more plain outfits. Ladies, this is monumental. Our hat choices must say that we care about fashion. Time to scan the pages for tomorrow’s Hat Debut Magazine and then hit my mom’s shop.

MARISSA
Want to stay and look at hat fashions with us, Posie?

POSIE
(packing up her lunch) No but thank you. I know just what I will be wearing tomorrow. I’ve been working on it for weeks.

(lights out)