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A LOAN FOR COLUMBUS by Inez Carvalho is a brilliant one-act play perfect for Middle Grades looking for engaging scripts for school plays. This clever comedy takes you back to the 15th century, reimagining the famed explorer’s quest for funding. The plot centers on a bold explorer’s meeting with a skeptical bank loan officer that goes poorly, only to end with a surprising lunch date with the Queen. The rest, as they say, is history! This short, impactful piece is ideal for classroom presentations and youth theatre. Spark imagination in your students—subscribe to PLAYS Magazine now!
Give your audience a delightful fright with "A Halloween Sleeping Beauty," a unique and spooky twist on the beloved fairy tale by Jane Tesh. This engaging script is perfect for elementary school plays, offering a fun, ghoulish take where beauty becomes a curse!
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Your students will love exploring this imaginative story, bringing its quirky characters and surprising plot to life. Discover more captivating play scripts for children and inspire creativity by considering a Plays Magazine subscription for your school.
Explore the true meaning of inclusivity this season with Beyond Santa Claus by Virginia Miller McDonough. This poignant contemporary script asks a powerful question: What if you don’t celebrate Christmas? In just 10 minutes, this one-act play follows three characters as they navigate the complexities of the holiday season from a non-traditional perspective. As one of our most impactful play scripts for students, it serves as a brilliant springboard for classroom discussions regarding tolerance, empathy, and cultural diversity. Whether you are looking for plays for schools that challenge the status quo or a simple, script-based activity to foster belonging, this play offers a modern and respectful look at our multicultural world.
For educators, finding a holiday play that doesn't focus solely on traditional festivities can be a challenge. Beyond Santa Claus provides the perfect solution by centering the voices of those who often feel left out of the December narrative. It helps students understand the importance of accepting and celebrating differences, turning a simple performance into a lesson on global citizenship. By performing this piece, your students will learn that the greatest gift of the season is mutual respect and understanding for all religions and cultures.
Bring American history to life with The Presidents' Day in Court by Kathy Applebee. This clever and humorous script follows Patty O’Phurniture as she takes her disappointing date, Jim, to court for "breach of contract." To her surprise, she is confronted by the legendary figures featured on American currency. As one of our most engaging play scripts for students, this production features George Washington, Thomas Jefferson, John Adams, and Susan B. Anthony stepping off their coins to defend the values of hard work and historical achievement. It is an inventive way to combine civics, history, and comedy into a single performance. If you are looking for plays for schools that make learning about the Founding Fathers and civil rights leaders fun, this courtroom caper is the perfect verdict.
Finding high-quality plays for middle school that manage to be both educational and genuinely funny can be a challenge. The Presidents' Day in Court solves this by using a relatable (and hilarious) modern premise to introduce students to the "faces on the coins." It allows your young actors to step into the shoes of historical giants without the dry tone of a standard textbook. This script encourages students to look at history—and their loose change—in a completely new light while building their public speaking and performance skills.
Middle Grades; 5 male and 4 female; 25 minutes. A present-day lawyer who is running for Governor as “A Man Like Lincoln” comes to terms with his son’s decision on his future direction, and in the process reaches common ground in the tradition of our 16th President.
Experience the beauty of cultural exchange with Davita’s Hanukkah by Renee C. Rebman. This touching one-act play follows a group of students who celebrate Christmas as they gain a fresh, meaningful perspective on holiday customs from Davita, the new Jewish girl in town. As one of our most popular plays for middle school, it explores themes of friendship, inclusion, and the history behind the Festival of Lights. This script is an essential resource for teachers looking to diversify their seasonal performances while keeping students engaged with relatable characters and dialogue. It’s a perfect fit for any winter assembly or drama classroom seeking to foster understanding.
Finding meaningful holiday plays that go beyond the standard tropes can be difficult for educators. Davita’s Hanukkah bridges that gap by offering a story that is as educational as it is entertaining, making it a standout choice among play scripts for students. It provides a natural way for kids to discuss different traditions and the common threads that connect us all during the holiday season. By choosing this script, you are providing your students with a performance opportunity that builds character both on and off the stage.
Middle Grades; 5 male, 5 female; 25 minutes. Thanksgiving. “Re-gifting” reaches new heights as the perfect pie is passed around town, gladdening hearts along the way.
Offer a fresh perspective on a classic holiday with "The First Thanksgiving" by Robert Mauro. This thought-provoking script, ideal for elementary school plays, introduces a nuanced look at the historical feast, with a particular focus on a very unhappy turkey!
Your students will enjoy bringing this clever and funny play to life, sparking discussions and laughter. Discover more creative and educational play scripts for children to enrich your curriculum by getting a Plays Magazine subscription today.
Middle Grades; 10 female, 8 male, 9 male or female; 40 minutes. An appreciation of Kwanzaa comes to a girl who tries to boycott her family's celebration because she's in a snit; mad about something she can't even remember!
Middle Grades; 5 female; 4 male; 25 minutes. Stacey learns about purpose, ethics, and the rewards of hard work when she writes a report about "lesser known" Black achievers for a Kwanzaa contest. Discussion questions at the end include the seven principles of Kwanzaa.
Upper and Middle Grades; 12 male, 6 female, and male and female extras. 35 minutes. A story of the struggle and heroes of the civil rights movement of the 1950s and 60s, with reference to the basics of human dignity: riding a bus, using the restroom, eating in a restaurant, and going to school.
Middle and Lower Grades; 5 female, 2 male, 3 male and/or female; 20 minutes. A really clever and fun "Irish" version of the Cinderella story, complete with leprechauns and a lot of audience participation.
Upper and Middle Grades; 3 male; 3 female; 25 minutes. Petty thieves in the year 1920 rediscover the spirit of the holiday when they encounter a war widow and her young daughter.
Middle and Lower Grades; 1 male; 1 female; 8 male or female. 20 minutes. Christmas may have to be canceled because one of Santa's elves is tired of working and tired of greedy kids.
Middle Grades; 20 male and female; 15 minutes. Beloved nursery rhyme character and the Big Bad Wolf square off in a Mother Goose Land election.
Middle and Lower Grades; 6 male, 7 female, 8 male or female; 20 minutes. Will web designer's plans take all the charm out of boy-meets-girl?
Middle and Lower Grades; 6+ female; 20 minutes.Evil witches meet their match in good witch Clarice, who grows flowers and wears a sunny smile. Is there room for them all in the Witches' Council?
Middle Grades; 5 female; 1 male; 15 minutes.Trick-or-treaters let their imaginations run wild when they knock on the door of a newcomer to town.
Bring a touch of magic and laughter to your stage with The Talking Burro by Barbara Winther! This delightful one-act play for young performers tells the enchanting tale of a poor peasant boy whose life is transformed when he acquires a burro that can not only talk but also grant wishes. Full of charm and humor, this script is an excellent choice among play scripts for children and plays for students, providing a whimsical adventure perfect for school plays and youth theatre. Discover the joy of this unique folk tale! Order yours today!
Charming one-act play with a magical theme
Simple staging and appealing characters
Promotes imagination and storytelling
Great for introducing young actors to classic folk tale structures
Ideal for elementary and middle school productions
Imagine the wonder and delight on your audience's faces as they watch a burro come to life with magical abilities, all brought to the stage by your talented students! This play offers a fantastic opportunity for young actors to explore comedic timing, whimsical characters, and the timeless appeal of a good folk tale. It’s more than just a script; it’s a chance to create a lighthearted and memorable performance that sparks imagination and brings a smile to everyone's face. Let your students bring this charming story to life. Order your script from Plays Magazine today!
Middle Grades. 5 actors: 3 male, 2 female; 20 minutes. Prelude to Thanksgiving: A Pilgrim family and a Native American connect in friendship, thanks to a young girl’s generosity and spirit of diversity.
Middle & Lower Grades: 13+ actors; 7 male, 6 female, and as many extras as desired; 20 minutes. Perfect for Halloween. A large cast of zombies, bats, vampires, and werewolves try to one-up each other as they audition for a reality TV show. Is it bad to be “undead”?
Middle & Lower Grades: 5+ actors; 2 male, 3 female, extras as desired a trick-or-treaters; 20 minutes. Is that big old house at the end of the street haunted, or just misunderstood? Kids out to trick or treat learn to lend a helping hand to an older woman in need. Great message about not jumping to conclusions and learning to help others.
Upper Grades; 9 male, 3 female; 30 minutes. The American dream is alive and well as Tony and Angie work on the holiday to strike a balance between the family business and an exciting high school life.
Middle & Lower Grades. 11 actors: 7 female, 4 male; 15 minutes. Feisty young girl realizes—after all—that there’s a reason to give thanks.
Middle and Lower Grades; 11 actors flexible male and female; 25 minutes.Students attempt to recreate authentic Thanksgiving dinner—without using modern-day ingredients.
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