Open Forum

I am doing two eight-week acting classes this fall, one for grades 2-5 and one for grades 6-8.  We will meet for 90 minutes once a week, ending with a performance for the parents on the last day. 

What I am looking for are suggestions for scripts for each group.  I'm expecting anywhere from 8-20 students in each group, so something with expandable ensembles is necessary.  I usually direct high school, so this is a new venture, so I thought you all might have some ideas for the younger group.

Thanks!

Ray

------------------------------
Raymond Palasz
Schererville IN
------------------------------

Hi Ray,

When I work with younger groups I like to use very segmented scripts that can be a full show on their own or connected to form a longer version.  A great one for flexibility is MAGIC THEATER.  There are at least two versions of that script.

For the younger kids, I often use popular children's books and script them to accommodate the number of kids I will have.  Robert Munsch has scripted out his books and did give me permission to do the same.  If you want a bit longer presentation for parents, you could also have the kids perform short poems.  Shel Silverstien has wonderful pieces for that.

Good Luck!

------------------------------
Vickie Fuller
Yardley PA
------------------------------

Hi Ray,

When you say "short," what running time are you thinking? 

Best,
Jon

------------------------------
Jonathan Dorf
Playwright/ Co-founder of YouthPLAYS/ Co-chair of The Alliance Of Los Angeles Playwrights
Los Angeles CA
------------------------------

Hey Ray! Wow, does your question take me back. Here's a little known piece of information. Years ago I found, and used, short scripts in a published " magazine" called Plays Magazine, that has been publishing for over 70 years. it was a monthly publication, paper back book in size. specifically written for young performers. In each issue the publication had several Short (not the literary cream of the crop, but useful) plays that were perfect for class work, and even performance. I used to find it in school and public libraries. I don't know if it still publishes "hard copy", but before I wrote this message I checked, and it is now available on-line at playsmagazine.com It's not the literary cream of the crop, but very useful. Good luck with your munchkins!

Anita 

------------------------------
Anita Grant
Sweeny TX
------------------------------

Have you checked out PLAYS Magazine yet? It's a great resource for skits and one acts.

------------------------------
Corinna Rezzelle
Education Director
The Jewel Conservatory Theatre
Savannah, GA
------------------------------

Hi, Raymond! Did you see Robert Kauzlaric's "Lions in Illlyria," published in the May Dramatics? Your 6-8th graders would have a fun time with that, and you could certainly expand the cast as needed (I threw together a successful staged reading of this here in Alaska using a dozen or so actors age 8 to adult, audience participation, goofy props, etc.). It's one of the best Shakespearean adaptations for young people I've seen. But a lot of the dramatic material out there for these age groups is terrible. You'd probably do better creating your own, as another writer suggested: find out what books, stories, world cultures etc. these kids are into or learning about in their other classes, and help them devise their own creative stagings inspired by that source material. Remember that parodies are considered "fair use" -- the kids could come up with their own Lord of the Rings or Star Wars or Harry Potter spoofs without running into copyright trouble, for instance -- and that classic myths, fairy/folktales (many great but little-known ones out there from India, native North Americans, etc.), and most works of literature published before 1923 are in the public domain and so fair game.

Public Domain Book Lists

Good luck! 

------------------------------
Julie Coppens
Juneau AK
------------------------------