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  • 1.  Children's Play

    Posted 07-08-2025 15:25

    As long as we're asking for ideas, what's your favorite children's play (to be performed for children)? Looking for something with about 12 - 15 parts. Not looking for a musical.



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    James Thomas Bailey
    Director of Theatre Arts
    Justin-Siena HS, Napa CA
    Artistic Director, CSz Los Angeles
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  • 2.  RE: Children's Play

    Posted 07-09-2025 09:23

    The Mother Goose News Hour is a fun, large cast play.  The kids love it because they know many of the nursery rhymes that are incorporated in the script.  It's a Saturday Night Live style comic play where a host of familiar characters are reporting on the whereabouts of a missing Little Boy Blue.  Here's a link to an excerpt:

    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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    Original Message


  • 3.  RE: Children's Play

    Posted 07-09-2025 09:24

    "Miss Nelson is Missing" is one of my favs! It's a classic children's book, it's funny, and it's relatable! 



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    Suzanne "Mama" Craig
    PK - 5 Theatre
    Lipscomb Academy
    Nashville, TN
    Suzanne.Craig@Lipscomb.Edu
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    Original Message


  • 4.  RE: Children's Play

    Posted 07-10-2025 16:58

    My all time favorites include "I Didn't Know That" (the Guinness world records would need to be updated) & "Flashback", which has some simple songs that could be omitted. Both have flexible casts - I did them with 6 actors & with a full class. Probably better for grades 3-8. "Magic Theatre" (there are several) is great for K-3 & have flexible casting & simple songs, too. I think Dramatic Publishing has the rights. 



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    Jacquie Thompson-Mercer
    Retired, Bakersfield High School
    California Educational Theatre Association
    Emeritus Member, California Thespian Board
    Bakersfield, CA
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    Original Message


  • 5.  RE: Children's Play

    Posted 07-11-2025 14:02
    Hi James,
     
    I have a one-act called "Olyander Rabbit Moves to the Rain Forest".  It has previously been performed by a 2nd grade class, as well as by a middle school class who 'toured' it for the local elementary schools.  
     
    Here's the synopsis:
     
    A rabbit named Olyander comes to live in the tropical rain forest.  Two animals; Mac, a macaw, and Lemmy, a ring tailed lemur, do not want an "outsider" coming to live in their forest, and they plot how to "convince" Olyander Rabbit to leave, but each plan back fires, harming only themselves.  From this they learn several important lessons:
    a.  acceptance/tolerance of people who are different than you / from different cultures
    b.  don't be mean to others, it will only backfire on you in the end, and
    c.   make up your own mind if you like someone, despite what some of your peers think
    There is a surprise "interracial" marriage proposal at the end and everyone lives in harmony forever after. The play also teaches flora and fauna of the tropical rain forest.
     
    There is a version is for 13 actors, and there is also a version for 28 actors.  Either can easily be adapted for any amount of actors by distributing or combining lines.  If you are – or anyone reading this is - interested, please email me at CruiseTechies@gmail.com and I'd be happy to send you a copy.  No royalties – but I'd love to see some photos if you produce it!  :-D
     
    Break a leg, 
     
    Lyz


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    Lyz Rand, EBMS

    Lighting Designer, StageDoor Theatre, Conifer CO

    CruiseTechies blog https://www.cruisetechies.com/cruisetechies-blog

    8 FREE Action Steps: Level Up Support and Funding for your school theatre
    https://www.presett.org/8actionsteps.html

    www.CruiseTechies.com
    CruiseTechies@gmail.com

    Land lubbers:
    www.PRESETT.org
    Conifer, CO
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    Original Message


  • 6.  RE: Children's Play

    Posted 07-14-2025 14:25

    I LOVE Still Life With Iris by Steven Dietz. There's a full-length version and a 60-minute cut.



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    Cassy Maxton-Whitacre
    Theatre, Film, and Communications Instructor
    Shenandoah Valley Governor's School
    Fishersville, VA
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    Original Message


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