One of the highlights of the school year is the school play. This is when every child, even the most introverted one, can blossom and have a moment in the limelight. However, while students and parents love the excitement, it can be difficult for the teacher who has to make the production happen. Your job will be much easier if you know how to choose the most suitable play scripts for kids.
It's very important for the production to be suitable for the target audience. If the show is to be performed mainly for young children, you need to choose something that is short enough to hold their attention and that has lots of colors and movement. Parents and audiences of high-school age will prefer a production that is a little more sophisticated.
You also need to consider the skills and developmental level of your actors. If they are very young, they'll do best with a script that consists of short sections of dialogue. These are easier to learn and to remember than long monologues full of big words.
Your budget will be one of the main deciding factors when choosing which production to stage. When you need to keep things economical, it's often better to opt for a smaller production that's set in contemporary times. It tends to be cheaper and easier to simply buy costumes from the discount store or to let the cast wear clothes they already have than to try and create something from scratch.
Another consideration is the venue where the play will be performed. A small, intimate production with a cast of less than ten will simply 'disappear' on the stage of an auditorium seating a thousand people. Likewise, a musical with chorus lines won't work if it's staged in a classroom. Look at the venue and see how easily you'll be able to create a convincing set too. If you're planning on staging a fairy tale, for instance, it can be extra atmospheric if it's performed on an outdoor stage surrounded by trees and shrubs.
You may also want to consider the message you want the production to convey. If bullying is a problem in your school, the play may be a great opportunity to educate the kids about the consequences of not treating others with compassion and respect. Diversity is a great theme to use too.
Your young cast will not only learn from the message contained in the play. Simply being involved in the production will teach them a host of skills. It encourages them to use their bodies and voices and to improve their communication skills. Furthermore, they can learn important life lessons and may even discover a hidden talent.
There are many different places where you can look for suitable scripts, from the local library to online. You may even want to try your hand at writing a new script, either on your own or in collaboration with your cast. If you decide to stage an already existing story, be sure to check the legal aspects such as performance rights before you make your final decision. Luckily there are many free plays available for you to choose from.
It's very important for the production to be suitable for the target audience. If the show is to be performed mainly for young children, you need to choose something that is short enough to hold their attention and that has lots of colors and movement. Parents and audiences of high-school age will prefer a production that is a little more sophisticated.
You also need to consider the skills and developmental level of your actors. If they are very young, they'll do best with a script that consists of short sections of dialogue. These are easier to learn and to remember than long monologues full of big words.
Your budget will be one of the main deciding factors when choosing which production to stage. When you need to keep things economical, it's often better to opt for a smaller production that's set in contemporary times. It tends to be cheaper and easier to simply buy costumes from the discount store or to let the cast wear clothes they already have than to try and create something from scratch.
Another consideration is the venue where the play will be performed. A small, intimate production with a cast of less than ten will simply 'disappear' on the stage of an auditorium seating a thousand people. Likewise, a musical with chorus lines won't work if it's staged in a classroom. Look at the venue and see how easily you'll be able to create a convincing set too. If you're planning on staging a fairy tale, for instance, it can be extra atmospheric if it's performed on an outdoor stage surrounded by trees and shrubs.
You may also want to consider the message you want the production to convey. If bullying is a problem in your school, the play may be a great opportunity to educate the kids about the consequences of not treating others with compassion and respect. Diversity is a great theme to use too.
Your young cast will not only learn from the message contained in the play. Simply being involved in the production will teach them a host of skills. It encourages them to use their bodies and voices and to improve their communication skills. Furthermore, they can learn important life lessons and may even discover a hidden talent.
There are many different places where you can look for suitable scripts, from the local library to online. You may even want to try your hand at writing a new script, either on your own or in collaboration with your cast. If you decide to stage an already existing story, be sure to check the legal aspects such as performance rights before you make your final decision. Luckily there are many free plays available for you to choose from.
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