The Wizard of Oz for Young Performers

This 20-minute version of The Wizard of Oz has all the charm and characters from the classic story, but leading narration makes it a perfect choice for young children. Dorothy and her friends travel along the yellow brick road where they encounter munchkins and witches and finally meet the Wizard of Oz.

About the playwright:

Jennifer Reif has taught, directed, and performed around the Pacific Northwest for decades. Her shelves are lined with children’s books, and her happy place is in the woods. She loves devising creative theatre projects with kids and sharing ideas with teachers. Jennifer holds her BA in Theatre from Morningside University and also studied at Oxford University in England.

More Wizard of Oz Scripts:

Dorothy’s Magical Adventure in OZ
The Wizard of Oz in 30 Minutes

Excerpt from the play:

CHARACTERS:

Narrator
Auntie Em
Uncle Henry
Dorothy
Glinda the Good Witch
Wicked Witch of the West
Munchkins (Options: Add or subtract Munchkins as necessary.)
Munchkin 1
Munchkin 2
Munchkin 3
Scarecrow
Tin Man
Lion
Guard (Option: Guard can also play The Wizard)
Wizard of Oz
Flying Monkeys(Options: Add more Monkeys or eliminate as needed.)
Monkey 1
Monkey 2
Toto
(Non-speaking character. Can be an actor, stuffed animal, or puppet.)
Ozabouts
Ensemble characters who help transition between scenes. They might operate puppets, dance, help establish a setting, create sound effects, etc. (Optional. Non-speaking)
Casting Considerations:
Feel free to add or subtract Munchkins, Flying Monkeys, and Ozabouts. The Wizard can also play the Guard if you like.

Scene 1
Kansas

At Rise: A simple stage representing a Midwest farm. Auntie Em is searching for Dorothy.

Narrator
Our story begins on a farm in Kansas. Auntie Em has been searching everywhere for Dorothy.

Auntie Em
Dorothy! Dorothy! Where are you, child?

Narrator
Uncle Henry heard Auntie Em calling and said…

Uncle Henry
(Entering) Good Heavens, Em! What’s all the hollerin’ about?

Auntie Em
It’s Dorothy. She’s off daydreaming again.

Uncle Henry
Aw, let her be. What’s the harm in a little daydreaming?

Auntie Em
What’s the harm? There’s work to be done.

Narrator
She was right. Rain or shine, there was always work to be done on farm. Just then Dorothy strolled in and said…

Dorothy
(Enters) Aren’t the clouds beautiful?

Narrator
Auntie Em replied…

Auntie Em
Where have you been, Dorothy?

Dorothy
Just down by the barn, thinking how nice it would be to fly away.

Auntie Em
There you go, daydreamin’ again-such nonsense.

Narrator
But Uncle Henry knew the value of dreaming. He asked Dorothy…

Uncle Henry
Where would you go if you could fly away?

Dorothy
I’d travel somewhere far away from here. Maybe over the rainbow.

Narrator
Just then, Henry noticed the storm clouds rolling in and said…

Uncle Henry
Nobody’s traveling anywhere today. That looks like a cyclone!

Auntie Em
Hurry up, everyone! Let’s get down into the cellar. (Henry and Em exit in a hurry.)

Narrator
Auntie Em and Uncle Henry ran for shelter, but Dorothy remembered she’d left her dog Toto in the house.

Dorothy
Oh no! I can’t leave Toto! (She runs in opposite direction.)

Narrator
Dorothy ran to the house as quickly as she could to rescue Toto, but in the Midwest, storms can stir up quickly. And on this day, the cyclone swooped up Dorothy’s house, spinning and swirling it in the air, and carrying it far, far away.

Storm Scene Change
There are several possibilities for showing the storm transition. Consider playing instrumental music and/or storm sound effects. The goal is to know that a cyclone carries Dorothy and her house far away. Consider casting a group of ensemble characters called “Ozabouts” who help with scene changes in a choreographed way. Here are some ideas for a stormy scene change into Munchkinland.

1. Ozabouts hold the ends of the clothesline and swirl across the stage.
2. Ozabouts toss stuffed farm animals or puppets around as if they are flying in the wind.
3. A picket fence or other set pieces might be on wheels and spin around the stage.
4. A picket fence or door might end up on stage with the legs and ruby slippers underneath.
5. A large cardboard box painted like a house might be tossed or spun around by the Ozabouts to represent Dorothy’s house in the tornado.
6. The cyclone might be represented by twirling ribbons or fabric or even a projection of a tornado.
7. The cyclone can be as simple as Dorothy spinning around during the narration and stopping center stage.

Scene 2
We’re Not in Kansas Anymore

At Rise: We are now in the colorful world of Munchkinland. Munchkins are hiding.

Narrator
Suddenly, everything was still. Dorothy’s wish had come true. She was indeed, over the rainbow.

Dorothy
Oh Toto, I don’t think we’re in Kansas anymore.

(Munchkins giggle and pop up, unseen by Dorothy.)

What was that?

(Munchkins giggle again and dash about, unseen by Dorothy.)

Who’s there?

Narrator
Just then, Dorothy saw the most magical sight.

(Magical Sound effect as Glinda, the Good Witch of the North enters.)

Glinda
Hello, my dear. Are you a good witch or a bad witch, which?

Dorothy
I’m not a witch at all. I’m a girl.

Glinda
What is your name?

Dorothy
I’m Dorothy Gale, from Kansas. Who are you?

Glinda
I’m Glinda, the Good Witch of the North.

Dorothy
But you’re beautiful.

Munchkins
Giggle

Dorothy
There’s that sound again.

Glinda
That’s just the Munchkins. They are grateful that you’ve killed the Wicked Witch of the East.

Dorothy
Me? I haven’t killed anyone.

Glinda
I’m sure it was an accident, but your house landed right on top of her. See? Those are her feet.

Dorothy
Oh dear! I’m so sorry. I didn’t mean to.

Glinda
Don’t be silly! The Munchkins are very grateful. You have set them free!
Come out, my friends! The Wicked Witch is dead!

(Munchkins enter cautiously.)

Munchkin 1
Are you sure?

Glinda
I am sure.

Munchkin 2
Are you positive?

Glinda
I am positive.

Munchkin 3
Are you absolutely positive?

Glinda
Yes. She is absolutely, positively, undeniably, and reliably dead.

Munchkin 1
3 Cheers for Dorothy!

Munchkins
Hip Hip Hurray! Hip Hip Hurray! Hip Hip Hurray!

(They begin to celebrate, perhaps circling Dorothy and dancing. Scary sound effects as the Wicked Witch of the West enters. Munchkins hide again.)

Narrator
Just as they began to celebrate, the skies grew dark, and another witch came flying in.

Dorothy
I thought you said she was dead.

Glinda
That was her sister, the Wicked Witch of the East. This is the Wicked Witch of the West.

Wicked Witch
Where is my sister?

Glinda
There she is. (Pointing to feet and ruby slippers.)

Wicked Witch
Aargh! Who did this?

Dorothy
I’m so sorry. It was an accident.

Wicked Witch
You will pay for this little girl! Now give me those ruby slippers.

Narrator
As the Wicked Witch reached for the ruby slippers, she was zapped by their magic!

(She tries to take the slippers, but they zap her. She screams and she retreats.)

Wicked Witch
I’ll get you, Dorothy. And your little dog, too!

Narrator
And with that, the Wicked Witch flew away! Dorothy was frightened and said…

Dorothy
Oh dear, I think I’ve made a terrible enemy.

Glinda
Indeed, you have. But the ruby slippers will protect you.

(Glinda points to the ruby slippers, and the munchkins help her put them on. They also take her other shoes, so she doesn’t have to carry them.)

Narrator
As the munchkins helped Dorothy put on the ruby slippers, she remembered that she couldn’t return home the way she had come. After all, her house had been dropped here by the cyclone. Then the munchkins suggested…

Munchkin 1
Maybe you should go see the Wizard.

Dorothy
Wizard?

Munchkin 2
The Wonderful Wizard of Oz.

Munchkin 3
He lives in the Emerald City.

Dorothy
How do I get there?

Munchkin 1
Did you bring a broomstick?

Dorothy
No. I told you, I’m not a witch.

Munchkin 2
Then you’ll have to walk.

Dorothy
Which way do I go?

Munchkin 3
Just follow the yellow brick road.

Dorothy
Follow the yellow brick road?

Glinda
That’s right. Just follow the yellow brick road. And never let those ruby slippers off your feet.

Dorothy
Thank you all.

Munchkins
Goodbye! Good luck!

(Transition along the yellow brick road until Dorothy arrives in a field where she meets the Scarecrow. Once again, consider having the Ozabouts help with this transition.)