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  • 1.  Alternatives to MTI Kids

    Posted 02-10-2025 08:44

    Hello, all! I am looking for recommendations for short musicals for fourth grade. This year we did our first one, Jungle Book Kids, with that age group and everyone loved it. In fact, we would like to do it again but cannot afford it. We are happy to pay royalties, but the larger cost of $500+ for scripts and director materials is beyond the budget,  and seems a bit wasteful since we already have those items.

    Do you have any recommendations for places to find fun musicals for fourth grade? The 30-minute time frame worked well, and material that is familiar helps. Thank you!



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    Laura Butchy
    BASIS Independent McLean
    VA
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  • 2.  RE: Alternatives to MTI Kids

    Posted 02-11-2025 03:36

    Let me know if you want an original script and score to meet your wish list, with input from your Grade 4 students: Number of characters (all kids, or add some adults?), how much singing vs. dialogue, themes, preferences, what to avoid, etc



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    [Eve] [Sutton]
    [Curriculum Designer]
    [Mortgage Meltdown: The Musical https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=54v8JiG42uU&t=16s]
    [Eve@mortmelt.com]
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  • 3.  RE: Alternatives to MTI Kids

    Posted 02-11-2025 11:38

    You might consider "The Mother Goose News Hour" which is a funny 30-40 minute Saturday Night live style show featuring familiar nursery rhyme characters.  It was recently performed by the K-12 Creation Village World School in Celebration, Florida.  The show provides the option of being performed with accompanying music and singing.  At the heart of the show lies a mystery: the disappearance of Little Boy Blue.  As the news team embarks on their quest to find him, each nursery rhyme character contributes a piece of the puzzle, making the storyline both intriguing and entertaining.  Here's a link to the script in the YouthPLAYS publisher's catalog:

    https://www.youthplays.com/play/the-mother-goose-news-hour-by-robin-blasberg-601&ref=



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    Hans Offenfrish
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  • 4.  RE: Alternatives to MTI Kids

    Posted 02-11-2025 11:38

    I have used scripts from ArtReach numerous times for my one-week summer camp. Plenty of speaking roles and ensemble. Prices are VERY reasonable - typically $100 for right to copy scripts and one performance. The owner/author is also very nice to work with. Check out their titles!

    Great Plays, Scripts, Musicals for Kids, Teachers, Schools, Theatres

    Childrenstheatreplays remove preview
    Great Plays, Scripts, Musicals for Kids, Teachers, Schools, Theatres
    Fun, easy, award-winning plays for young audiences, families. Free script samples, cast lists, sound & music cues. Instant download. Over 15,000 productions worldwide.
    View this on Childrenstheatreplays >





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    Makala Witten
    Director, Troupe 3070
    Christiansburg High School
    Christiansburg, VA
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  • 5.  RE: Alternatives to MTI Kids

    Posted 02-12-2025 07:37
    Beat By Beat Press has some great little musicals for elementary kids.  And they are very cheap with accompaniment included.


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  • 6.  RE: Alternatives to MTI Kids

    Posted 02-18-2025 09:32

    Pioneer Drama has a deep catalog, and they are inexpensive. They also have cheaper set demands. I've produced two musicals: Rainbow Fish and Wind & the Willow. Also several plays: Zombie & Juliet, Peter Pan and Not my cup of tea through them in less than four years 



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    Deidre Jackson
    Instructor
    Titusville High School
    FL
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  • 7.  RE: Alternatives to MTI Kids

    Posted 03-13-2025 14:14

    Look into the Musicals for Pioneer Drama. Very affordable. They have a few adaptations of well known books as well as some "off brand" musicals. We did their version of Beauty & the Beast and it was very much the generic version of the Disney show, but without the Disney pricetag. 



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    Jennifer McGourty
    CA
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  • 8.  RE: Alternatives to MTI Kids

    Posted 03-14-2025 09:22

    Thank you!



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    Laura Butchy
    BASIS Independent McLean
    VA
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  • 9.  RE: Alternatives to MTI Kids

    Posted 03-15-2025 13:55

    Rainbow Fish the musical from Pioneer Drama is very affordable and has great music. My kids keep asking to do it again



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    Jenni Caruso
    Theatre Director
    Conyers Creative Kids
    Conyers, GA
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    Original Message


  • 10.  RE: Alternatives to MTI Kids

    Posted 03-17-2025 09:46

    Laura, 

    Hi!  I see that you have gotten a lot of great responses.  I also want to recommend Musicals For Change. 

    Musicals For Change

    There are shows written for schools, churches, and community groups, and are written to explore current issues students face.  10% of the profits for each show go to a Non-Profit partner.  I have worked with this organization and they have my highest recommendation!

    Good luck choosing a show!
    Jen



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    Jennifer Bronder
    Theater and English Teacher
    PA
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