SOME WORDS WITH A MUMMY by Craig Sodaro
Unwrap a hilarious mystery with Some Words With a Mummy by Craig Sodaro! This entertaining one-act play script for students brings to life Edgar Allan Poe's classic tale with a comedic twist. When a group of students and a quirky professor decide to revive an ancient mummy, they get more than they bargained for – a talking, opinionated mummy with a lot to say about modern life! An excellent choice among play scripts for children, this script is perfect for school plays looking for a blend of humor, mystery, and a touch of the macabre. Get ready for laughs and ancient wisdom! Order yours today!
Features
Humorous adaptation of a classic Edgar Allan Poe story
Engaging plot with comedic dialogue
Fun and memorable characters, including a talking mummy
Great for developing comedic timing and character acting
Ideal for middle school and junior high productions
Imagine the uproarious laughter as your students bring a centuries-old mummy back to life, only to find he has a very modern opinion on everything! This play offers a fantastic opportunity for young actors to explore the lighthearted side of mystery and the humor in unexpected situations. It’s more than just a script; it’s a chance to create a wildly entertaining performance that will have your audience talking long after the curtain closes. Spark curiosity and a love for quirky tales with this unique production. Order your script from Plays Magazine today!
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NELLIE'S FISHY FATE by G.S. Cadette
Introduce your Middle Grade students to the timeless fun of classic theater with NELLIE'S FISHY FATE by G.S. Cadette. This wonderful, old-fashioned melodrama provides energetic and engaging scripts for school plays that require no complex setting or costumes. The story, set at the turn of the century, asks: Will two dastardly fiends succeed in their plot to swindle the wealthy widow Mrs. Vanderhoff out of her fortune, or will they cry, “Curses, foiled again!”? The high-energy, over-the-top acting required is perfect for building confidence and comedic timing. Don't miss out on this stage favorite—become a PLAYS Magazine subscriber today!
- A fun, old-fashioned melodrama designed for high audience engagement.
- Excellent script for teaching exaggerated character and comedic acting styles.
- Clear, balanced casting with 4 male and 4 female roles.
- Short 30-minute runtime is perfect for class periods or drama competitions.
- Ideal for Middle Grade students (Upper Grades could also enjoy).
Are you looking for a guaranteed audience pleaser? Nothing beats the sheer fun and boisterous charm of melodrama! This script provides a rich theatrical experience that allows students to fully embrace the "Egad!" and "Gadzooks!" of theatrical history. This is one of the most entertaining and effective scripts for school plays to develop young talent. Secure your access to NELLIE'S FISHY FATE from PLAYS Magazine today!
Middle Grades; 4 male, 4 female; turn-of-the-century; 30 minutes.
Egad! Gadzooks! A wonderful fun old-fashioned melodrama. Will two fiends succeed in their plot to swindle wealthy widow Mrs. Vanderhoff out of her fortune, or will it be “Curses, foiled again”?
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BE-SWITCHED by Roger Kise
Looking for fresh, funny scripts for school plays that students love? BE-SWITCHED by Roger Kise is a brilliant, 10-minute comedy that puts a contemporary spin on classic fairy tales. The plot: A Wicked Witch gets an extreme, hilarious makeover courtesy of the team of stylists on a popular daytime talk show. This clever spoof is perfect for engaging Middle and Lower Grade students with fast-paced humor and a modern, relatable setting. It's an instant hit for any drama club or classroom. Ready for a switch-up? Access this script instantly when you subscribe!
- A hilarious modern spoof of classic fairy tale characters and TV talk shows.
- Short, 10-minute running time—perfect for competition, drama festivals, or class time filler.
- Large, flexible cast size (5 female, 1 male, 2 male or female roles).
- Ideal for Middle and Lower Grades.
- Royalty-free performance rights for all current subscribers.
Say goodbye to complicated sets and long rehearsals! This script is a teacher's dream, offering maximum theatrical fun with minimal commitment. Its short length and large, flexible cast mean you can easily involve many students and give your actors plenty of opportunities to shine. Students will love the over-the-top characters and timely humor, making this one of the most popular short scripts for school plays. Find your next laugh-out-loud performance and order yours from PLAYS Magazine today!
Middle and Lower Grades; 5 female, 1 male, 2 male or female; 10 minutes.
Fairy-tale subject (Wicked Witch) gets extreme makeover, courtesy of the team of stylists on popular daytime talk show.
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A LOAN FOR COLUMBUS by Inez Carvalho
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!
- Historically-inspired comedy perfect for Middle Grades.
- A short, 25-minute runtime ideal for festivals or class work.
- Features a small, focused cast of 2 male and 2 female roles
- Setting: 15th Century.
- Royalty-free performance rights for all current subscribers.
Give your middle school students a chance to blend history and humor with this highly accessible drama. A LOAN FOR COLUMBUS makes a pivotal historical moment feel fun and relatable, offering teachers a reliable, small-cast resource for performance. It’s an excellent way to introduce historical biographies while developing comedic timing and stage presence in a concise format. Order your access to this fantastic script from PLAYS Magazine today!
Middle Grades; 2 male, 2 female; 15th century; 25 minutes.
Bold explorer’s meeting with a bank loan officer goes poorly, but ends up in a lunch date with the Queen. And, the rest is history.
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A HALLOWEEN SLEEPING BEAUTY by Jane Tesh
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!
Features
- Suited for Middle and Lower Grades
- Flexible cast: 4 male; 4 female; 14 male and/or female
- Compact 15-minute running time
- A humorous and spooky narrative ideal for Halloween productions
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.
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DEAR JOURNAL by Judy Culp
DEAR JOURNAL by Judy Culp is more than just a performance piece—it’s an invaluable tool for upper grades looking for versatile scripts for school plays and drama workshops. This exciting collection of monologues, dialogues, and one-liners provides a unique, highly flexible foundation for teaching and performance. Designed to introduce the powerful act of "journaling" to a class or a whole school, this resource opens the door to creativity, self-expression, and student-led content creation. Unleash your students' dramatic potential and subscribe to PLAYS Magazine today!
Exciting collection of monologues, dialogues, and one-liners.
Highly flexible and adaptable for various presentation needs.
Perfect for use as a drama workshop piece introducing the concept of journaling.
Selections can be combined with new, original pieces written by students on timely issues.
Royalty-free for performances by current subscribers.
Bring fresh, student-driven drama to your classroom without the hassle of rigid structures. DEAR JOURNAL provides the foundation for powerful student-led performances, helping you meet curriculum goals while inspiring young actors to explore relevant issues. This adaptable format ensures you have a reliable, engaging, and powerful tool that empowers both teachers and students to create meaningful, memorable theater. Order your access to this incredible script for school plays from PLAYS Magazine today!
Upper grades; few to many actors; 10 minutes to 1 hour.
An exciting collection of monologues, dialogues, and one-liners that can be used as a flexible drama workshop piece, introducing “journaling” to a class or a whole school. Author Judy Culp writes, “This piece is highly adaptable: It may be used as is; users may pick certain selections for presentations; or certain selections maybe combined with new original pieces written by students on timely issues.”
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THE SHOP GIRL'S REVENGE by Robert Downing
Upper and Middle grades; 4 female; 3 female; 1890s; 25 minutes.
A turn-of-the-century melodrama, complete with maiden-in-distress, moustache-twirling villain, and hero in disguise. . .all swirling around a pile of missing money and a long-lost daughter. And of course, it's curses, foiled again!
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THE HIP HOP HARES by Jane Tesh
Lower Grades; 4 female, 2 male, and many extras; 10 minutes.
Bunnies swing into action with a modern beat as last-minute order puts a crunch on the Easter egg factory.
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THUNDERMUFFS by Cindy Blobaum
Middle and Lower Grades; 4 male; 3 female; 15 minutes.
Mitchell, who likes peace and quiet, comes in conflict with the rest of his family who love the noise of a good storm. Good lessons about weather safety. Can they find a way to live in harmony?
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AMAZING GRACE by Christina Hamlett
Upper Grades; 3 female; 1 male; 20 minutes.
A quirky, fun romance: Karen's grandmother was always trying to fix her up with a nice young guy, and it seems as if Grandma Gracie's still at it—even at her own funeral!
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GENUS DE MILO by Christina Hamlett
Upper Grades; 2 male, 2 female; contemporary Gothic; 25 minutes.
Blood relatives join young couple and future mother-in-law for a late-night bite.
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THE PREHISTORIC FOLLIES by Jane Tesh
Middle and Lower Grades; 3 male, 2 female; male and female extras; 10 minutes.
Cheer for your favorite extinct reptile—and learn some interesting dinosaur facts along the way!—in this clever play about an Ice Age talent show.
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THE SCHOOL FOR PRINCESSES, by Irina Kuznekov
Middle grades; 5 female; once upon a time; 25 minutes.
A new student at an exclusive medieval boarding school for daughters of kings and queens learns important lessons about about being at peace with yourself and respecting differences in others.
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THE FASTEST THIMBLE IN THE WEST by Claire Boiko
Middle Grades, 15 female and 21 male, 30 minutes (cast may play more than one role). A rollicking, large-cast musical melodrama complete with orphans, an evil lawyer, poetry-loving cowboys, and a long-lost sea captain, all set in the Old West.
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THE FISHERMAN, HIS WIFE, AND THE SEA OF DREAMS by Bruce Berger
Middle and Lower Grades; Radio play for reading; 2 male, 3 female, and 1 male or female for narrator; 10 minutes.
A never-satisfied wife and a talking fish help teach a lesson in being grateful for what you have, in a fun tale that’s nothing to carp about.
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THE PRESIDENTS' DAY IN COURT, by Kathy Applebee
Middle Grades; 7 male, 3 female, and 5 male or female, plus as many extras as desired; 20 minutes.
When Patty O’Phurniture’s date with Jim doesn’t meet her expectations, she sues in court for breach of contract, and is confronted by the historical feats of George Washington, Thomas Jefferson, John Adams, Susan B. Anthony, and others who are pictured on American coins.
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THE JUNK FOOD KING by Glenda Slater
Middle and Lower Grades; 1 male, 1 female, 7 male or female; 20 minutes.
The out-of-shape King gets help from the Prime Minister, a dietician, and physical trainer to slim down, get in shape, and eat more healthful foods. Complete with a song in rap—just say no to pie, cake, greasy burgers, and sugary shakes!
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PERAMBULATING PIE by Mary Thurman Pyle
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.
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DO IT WITH DEWEY by Jane Tesh
Lower Grades; 9 male or female; 10 minutes.
Using tried-and-true system, bookworms make quick work of straightening out a mess in the library. Perfect for National Children's Book Week.
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THE FIRST THANKSGIVING by Robert Mauro
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!
Features
- Suited for Middle and Lower Grades
- Cast: 4 male, 2 female, 1 male/female (turkey)
- Concise 15-minute runtime
- A humorous and insightful approach to the Thanksgiving story
- Requires a Plays Magazine subscription to download
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.
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THE KING'S CREAMPUFFS by Martha Swintz
Middle and Lower Grades; 5 male, 4 female, many male and female extras; 30 minutes.
Wicked witch steals the royal creampuff recipe, upsets the King, and causes havoc in the royal kitchen.
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A MIDSUMMER NIGHT'S SLEEPOVER by Elizabeth Boiko Burdick
Middle Grades; 3 male, 3 female, 17 male or female; contemporary; 20 minutes.
Perfect for a large cast, this modern retelling of one of Shakespeare's greatest comedies is full of love and romance, mischievous dealings, and intrigue.
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THE POLKA DOT THIEF, by Amy Paulson
Middle Grades; 5 male, 3 female, and 1 male or female; 15 minutes.
Police follow a trail of gum wrappers to try to figure out the "whodunit" of a "sticky" crime!
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ONCE UPON A CALIFORNIA CHRISTMAS by Kate Falconer
Upper Grades; 3 male, 2 female, 1 male or female; 1870s; 25 minutes.
Join a merry holiday gathering at the Perry Mansion in Southern California, where water rights, the immigration "problem," and other concerns of the day are being discussed. As for the predictions that were foretold by the I Ching and the visiting Archduke, see if you recognize how many of them actually came true!
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SHOP TILL YOU DROP! by Donna Hall
Upper Grades; 10 female; 3 male; 1 male or female, and extras; 3 scenes, 15 minutes each.
High school students take center stage in this three-pack of plays about thinking of others at holiday time; creative gift-giving from the heart; and innovative sales techniques when jobs are one the line. Perform one, two, or three scenes, as time permits.
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VOICE AND COUNTERVOICE: THE BLIND DATE by Judine Brey
Upper Grades; 4 female, 2 male; 15 minutes.
Ever wonder what your date is really thinking? An innovative and amusing play about a blind date that bounces back and forth between what's said and what's thought.
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DESPERATELY SEEKING PRINCESS by Christina Hamlett
Upper Grades; 2 female, 2 male; 25 minutes.
Will a real European prince find true love through an ad he placed while on a trip to New York? A bittersweet courtship in the age of business travel, speed dating, and cell phones.
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THE RELUCTANT COLUMBUS by Harold Cable
Middle Grades; 3 male, 3 female, 6 male or female; 30 minutes.
The story of how a guy who loved maps and a guy who didn't want to be a prince teamed up to find gold in the West, and prove the earth is round. . .all with a little help from their zany friends.
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DANITA'S DISGUISE by Susan Lee
Lower Grades; 4 male, 3 female; 10 minutes.
Young actors will have loads of fun trying on all sorts of costumes and performing in this Halloween play with a simple setting and easy-to-find props. A little creativity can go a long way!
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THE PICKWICK PAPERS, By Charles Dickens and adapted by Lewy Olfson
Step into the world of Mr. Pickwick and his delightful companions with this charming adaptation of Charles Dickens's classic, The Pickwick Papers, by Lewy Olfson! Perfect for school productions and youth theatre groups, this play script brings the humor, heart, and iconic characters of Dickens to life on stage. It's an ideal choice for educators and directors seeking engaging play scripts for children and plays for students that offer both comedic relief and valuable performance experience. Don't miss out on this timeless tale! Order yours today!
Features
Faithful adaptation of Charles Dickens's beloved novel
Engaging characters and humorous situations
Designed for easy staging by school groups
Excellent resource for drama teachers and youth theatre directors
Ideal for introducing students to classic literature
Imagine the joy and laughter filling your theatre as your students bring the eccentric adventures of the Pickwick Club to life! This script offers a fantastic opportunity for young actors to develop their comedic timing, explore rich characters, and truly shine on stage. It's more than just a play; it's an educational and entertaining journey into the heart of Victorian England, fostering a love for theatre and classic stories. Empower your students with a truly memorable production. Order your script from Plays Magazine today!
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MERE MIRROR by Roger Kise
Middle and Lower Grades; 3 male, 6 female, 4 male or female; 20 minutes.
A modern, fun take-off of Snow White (without the dwarfs) featuring a wicked stepmother who finds that vanity comes with a high price.
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THE SHADY LADY OF GOPHER JUNCTION by Celia Crispin
Upper Grades; 1 female, 7 male; Old West; 30 minutes.
Innocent stranger Miss Purity Goodside meets up with Sheriff Joe Wallace and Deputy Sagalong Donovan in this fun tale, as mysterious double agent foils dastardly desperados.
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SECRET ADMIRERS by Frances Dowell
Upper Grades; 3 female, 3 male, as many extras as desired; 25 minutes.
Platonic? Hardly! Will offbeat hero of a band triumph over cute basketball star? A play of crushes, stereotypes, and young love.
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CSI: MOTHER GOOSE LAND, by Jane Tesh
Middle and Lower Grades; 7 female, 6 male, male or female for Cat, King's Horses, King's Men; 10-15 minutes.
Did Humpty Dumpty fall. . .or was he pushed? A large-cast mystery featuring a host of familiar fairy tale characters.
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ROWDY KATE by Claire Boiko
Middle Grades; 14 male, 6 female; the Old West; 35 minutes.
When the Mayor invites schoolmarms to town to help bring respectability to a small corner of the old West, the good old boys have plenty to say about it. It turns out that if anyone is going to get married around these here parts, Rowdy Kate is goin' to be the first!
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CINDER-RILEY by Claire Boiko
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.
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MOTHER GOOSE HAS TALENT by David Ely
Middle and Lower Grades; 34 male and female; 25 minutes.
A wonderful spoof of a make-believe television show—complete with funny advertisements—with nursery rhyme characters participating in the competition and solving the mystery of the missing sheep.
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THE MISSING LIST by Melinda Williams
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.
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CUPID'S WEBSITE by Liz Boiko Burdick
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?
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THE GOLD MINE AT JEREMIAH FLATS by Robert A. Anderson
Upper & Middle Grades, 3 female, 3 male, 1 male or female; 30 minutes. A fun melodrama, featuring a dastardly villain, a daughter and her mother in total distress, a kind hero, and a promising gold mine. Curses, foiled again!
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THE MIRACLE OF SPRING by Helen Hanna
Middle & Lower Grades; 3 male, 6 female, 19+ male or female; 15 minutes. A large-cast play to welcome Spring and learn about the environment. Petulant King Bartholomew bans Spring, only to realize in a dream courtroom drama that he has upset the cycles of the seasons and destroyed the food supply.
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LOUISE, by Saki and adapted by Tracy Wells
Upper and Middle Grades; 19 actors: 8 female, 5 male, and 6 male/female. 30 minutes. An oh-so-fun British comedy about a forgetful aunt who thinks she has left her niece somewhere in London during an outing. While retracing her steps, she runs into all kind of situations, discovering at the end that her niece has been home the whole time. Anyone for tea?
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EDITED by David LaBounty
Middle Grades. 7 actors: 4 male, 3 female (or any combination desired); 25 minutes. A take-off on a television game show where contestants are given key words and a short amount of time to write poetry and prose, with judges eagerly waiting to “edit” them out of the show.
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RICHARD GRAWN IS GONE by Georgia Tuxbury
Upper and Middle Grades; 5 male, 2 female; 20 minutes.
Message to the bride-to-be from her groom's kidnappers: "When we get the money, you get your honey!"
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THE WITCHES' BREW by Carol D. Wise
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?
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TRAPPED by Carol D. Wise
Middle Grades; 3 male, 4 female, 4 male and/or female. 20 minutes.
What happens when seven people, including an overly cheerful retired teacher, an obnoxious (and nauseous) kid, a chatty cellphone user, and an odiferous fisherman get stuck in an elevator.
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GINGERBREAD MEN by Michael Kerr
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.
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HELP WANTED by Amy Green
Middle Grades. 7 actors: 3 male, 2 female, 2 male and/or female; 25 minutes. Zany cast of characters—including a banana-cream-pie-wielding robot—tries to thwart evil mad scientist’s plans to destroy the world.
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ARMADILLO'S CHOICE by Pamela Love
Middle & Lower Grades: 6 actors: male/female; 10 minutes. Animals meet in the desert and learn to respect their differences, without asking each other to change the way they are.
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GIVING UP THE GHOSTS by Bunny Schulle
Middle & Lower Grades: 4+ actors: 1 male, 1 female, 2 male or female and as many extras as desired; 10 minutes. Friendly ghosts find they are a bit out of practice when it comes to scaring Halloween trick-or-treaters.
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THE REAL UNDEAD OF CREEPY COUNTY by Jane Tesh
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”?
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THANKSGIVING AT RUBINO’S, by Helen Louise Miller
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.
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STRICTLY PURITAN by Helen Louise Miller
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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