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How to Use PLAYS MagazineHow to Use Plays Magazine

Select a play (or even just a scene) that students will find interesting and appropriate for their age and reading level. Assign parts or let the students choose which parts they would like to play. Arrange desks in a circle or have students sit around a table so they can see and "play off" each other. For some plays, you (the teacher) may want to play the narrator or another major role, and have the students take more minor parts. This allows the play to move along, keeping students’ interest up and providing them with a subtle example of how a script should be read.

As students advance, gaining confidence and stage presence, they can read their parts--with scripts in hand or parts memorized--in front of their class, for other classes, or the entire school.

Many homeschooling parents and students make a point of getting together with others to socialize, discuss books and other topics, and to put on plays. One group we've talked with has actually acquired a building for plays and other gatherings. Likewise, plays satisfy the growing need for activities in which students of all ages can participate after the school day is done. Through play reading, kids can gain confidence in themselves and improve presentation skills, which will be invaluable throughout life.

Plays are meant to be presented--from simple "round-table" readings to full-blown presentations with costumes, scenery, lighting, and music. But no matter what your schedule or budget will allow, don't be afraid to put on a play with minimal props and limited costumes. . .your script, well-rehearsed actors, and the audience's imagination will fill in a lot of the details. For an evening of theater, some teachers and drama coaches present two, three, or four of our plays at a time. Of course, the more plays and more detailed the costumes and sets, the more students you can involve in the production.

Plays is also used by middle- and upper-grade teachers to jumpstart meaningful conversations about topics current and/or relevant to their students. Because the roles they take are only imaginary, students can talk about characters' actions objectively, without self-consciousness, exploring issues that might otherwise be difficult to talk about. Historical plays are often used to provoke discussions about actions and feelings that relate the past to the present, bringing history to life and making current events more meaningful. To aid in this process, many teachers add discussion questions, or ask students to develop questions and answers on their own.

Our "Dramatized Classics" offer a way to introduce students to great works from literature. Seeing a novel, short story, or play come alive in one-act format often spurs students on to read the original work, and they're able to derive greater meaning from it as a result.

We hope these few suggestions will help you integrate Plays into your curriculum or program. Please let us know how you use our magazine; we're eager to share your ideas with the thousands of our subscribers who value the importance of a good play to the education of our students.

Rights and PermissionsRights and Permissions

Manuscript Submissions Submission Guidelines

PLAYS is always in the market for exciting, interesting, well-written, and age appropriate material. We accept material on spec from first-timers as well as well-established professional authors, with no promises that we will be able to buy or use the submission in PLAYS. All submissions must be in hard copy following our submission guidelines.

• Guidelines

  PLAYS Magazine publishes approximately 50 wholesome, one-act plays each year. We are in the market for good scripts to be performed by young actors in lower, middle, and upper grades. Of particular interest are comedies, farces, dramas, mysteries, and melodramas for year-round use, as well as plays for such holidays and special occasions as Halloween, Book Week, Black History Month, Thanksgiving, Valentine's Day, Mother's Day, Washington's Birthday, etc. We use only secular plays for Christmas and other religious holidays, and publish no plays on religious themes.

  
  

  In addition, we are looking for plays addressing environmental and human rights issues; historical and biographical plays; fairy tales and folk tales; skits; contemporary plays; and dramatized classics. (Query first for dramatized classics; stories adapted must be in the public domain.) We publish no music or musicals, but plays may include original words to be sung to familiar tunes.

  
  

  Plays must be simple to produce, with minimal requirements for costumes, stage sets, and lighting. One setting is preferred, and when more than one is required, the scene changes should be kept to a minimum. Please note: Characters should not use incorrect grammar, dialect, or profane language.

  
  

  Payment for all manuscripts is made on acceptance. Rates vary, according to the length of a play and age level for which it is appropriate. The magazine buys all rights.

  
  

  All submissions must be accompanied by a self-addressed envelope, large enough and with sufficient postage for the manuscript's return. Always keep a copy of your manuscript. If you do not wish the manuscript returned, enclose first-class SASE for editorial reply. Mail submissions to Liz Preston, Editor, PLAYS, 897 Washington St. #600160, Newton, MA 02460.

• Manuscript Style

  The following should appear at the beginning of each play:

  
  

  List of characters

  Indication of time in which the play is set

  Description of the setting (if there is more than one scene, the setting should be described at the start of each scene

  An "At Rise" description of what is taking place onstage and which characters are onstage when the curtain rises

  
  

  The manuscript should be followed by Production Notes, including number of characters; playing time; costumes; properties; setting(s); and special lighting and sound effects.

• Manuscript Length

  High School: 15 to 20 typed pages (20 to 35 minutes playing time)

  Middle Grades: 12 to 15 typed pages (15 to 20 minutes playing time)

  Lower Grades: 6 to 10 typed pages (8 to 15 minutes playing time)

  Skits and Curtain Raisers: 8 to 10 typed pages (10 to 15 minutes playing time)

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