5 Fun Plays for Kids to Perform Vol. III: Modern Tales

By Marian Scadden

There are animals, magic and mystery in these contemporary tales for children, 8-11 years old, to perform. The scripts have a running time of about 30 min, with flexible casting of 18-25, & opportunities for doubling or expanding. Please note that although these scripts are in one place, they are not royalty-free; information to get permission to produce these plays is at the end of the book. This collection includes:
1. At the Zoo
The animals are the focus here as the humans move around them. Pesky the Penguin has escaped his enclosure again and the Zookeepers are trying to find him. The flamingoes, monkeys and tigers try to help him as they also protect themselves from children who tease them and others who throw food on the ground. They also pose for those who are kind. Between the people and the animals, it’s a fun time. Running time: about 35 min. Cast: 1 female, 22 either, doubling possible.
2. Boxes
When groups of children must go outside by order of their parents, they’re not sure what to do when there’s not TV, video games, or books. But when each group stumbles upon some boxes, the imaginations soar. Includes 2 songs. Running Time: about 30 min. Cast: 18 male, 18 female, doubling possible.
3. Christmas Magic: Among the Elves; Among the Children
The Elves are getting it all together before Santa heads out but things don’t seem to be together at all. It’s up to the Supervisor Elf to get everyelf and everything organized. It’s hectic! The children are siblings and cousins, all together for a special overnight stay with the grandparents on December 24, but it’s difficult to sleep. And there’s that one grumpy cousin who’s too old for Santa. Includes 3 songs. Running Time: about 40 min. Cast: 5 male, 8 female, 19 either, doubling possible.
4. The Dropped Note
In this mystery featuring the siblings Daisy and Doodle Duncan, the Host leads the audience along as she gives details that they need. The Host also allows the audience to make some of the choices for Daisy and Doodle. The cast has to be well-rehearsed and ready to take the paths the audience chooses. Running Time: about 30 min. Cast: 1 male, 3 female, 1 either.
5. It’s Elementary
This mini-musical has a missing class pet and a lot of would-be detectives in the class. They have to questions suspects, look for clues, and chase the thief. With characters such as Nanette Draw, Shirley Combs and Tracey Richards and songs such as I Have an Alibi and The Chase, both the cast and the audience will enjoy themselves. Includes 4 songs. Running Time: about 30 min. Cast: 3 male, 8 female, 8 either, doubling possible.

• Language: English
• Publisher: Marian Scadden
• Release date: Feb 6, 2021
• ISBN: 9781005250348

Marian Scadden

Marian Scadden reads a lot, and likes to write in theater-esque and other genres, such as Young Adult fantasy, Middle Grade stuff, and Picture Books. She loves playing board games with her family, especially when she wins. Marian graduated in Children's Theatre from Brigham Young University decades ago, more or less. Writing books and plays is not quite as long as that. She started writing plays so she wouldn't have to pay royalties when directing them; she started writing picture books to see if she could and she advanced to novels in 2009 when she participated in National Novel Writing Month. It's kind of exciting.

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5 Fun Scripts for Kids to Perform Vol. III: Modern Tales

by Marian Scadden

Smashwords Edition

Copyright 2020 Marian Scadden

Smashwords Edition, License Notes

This e-book is licensed for your personal enjoyment only. This e-book may not be re-sold or given away to other people. If you would like to share this book with another person, please purchase an additional copy for each recipient. If you’re reading this book and did not purchase it, or it was not purchased for your use only, then please return to Smashwords.com and purchase your own copy. Thank you for respecting the hard work of this author.

Producing any play in this collection

No part of this playbook may be reproduced, stored in a retrieval system, or transmitted in any form, or by any means, including photocopying, electronic, mechanical recording, or otherwise, without the prior written permission of Marian L Scadden Enterprises.

Persons or entities that wish to produce any play in this collection must receive written permission in advance of production from Marian L Scadden Enterprises, 503-877-6842, [e-mail], www.PerformancesClassesBooks.com

Table of Contents

Note: Although these plays are gathered in a collection, you may not perform any of them before an audience — even if the performance is free — without written permission. Please see information at the end of the book.

1. At the Zoo

The animals are the focus as the humans move around them. Pesky the Penguin has escaped his enclosure again and the Zookeepers are trying to find him. The flamingoes, monkeys and tigers try to help him as they also protect themselves from children who tease them and others who throw food on the ground. They also pose for those who are kind. Between the people and the animals, it’s a fun time. Running time: about 35 min. Cast: 1 female, 22 either, doubling possible.

2. Boxes

When groups of children go outside by order of their parents, they’re not sure what to do when there’s not TV, video games, or books. But when each group stumbles upon some boxes, the imaginations soar. Includes 2 songs. Running Time: about 30 min. Cast: 18 male, 18 female, doubling possible.

3. Christmas Magic: Among the Elves; Among the Children

The Elves are getting it all together before Santa heads out but things don’t seem to be together at all. It’s up to the Supervisor Elf to get everyelf and everything organized. It’s hectic! The children are siblings and cousins, all together for a special overnight stay with the grandparents on December 24, but it’s difficult to sleep. And there’s that one grumpy cousin who’s too old for Santa. Includes 3 songs. Running Time: about 40 min. Cast: 5 male, 8 female, 19 either, doubling possible.

4. The Dropped Note

In this mystery featuring the siblings Daisy and Doodle Duncan, the Host leads the audience along as she gives details that they need. The Host also allows the audience to make some of the choices for Daisy and Doodle. The cast has to be well-rehearsed and ready to take the paths the audience chooses. Running Time: about 30 min. Cast: 1 male, 3 female, 1 either.

5. It’s Elementary

This mini-musical has a missing class pet and a lot of would-be detectives in the class. They have to questions suspects, look for clues, and chase the thief. With characters such as Nanette Draw, Shirley Combs and Tracey Richards and songs such as I Have an Alibi and The Chase, both the cast and the audience will enjoy themselves. Includes 4 songs. Running Time: about 30 min. Cast: 3 male, 8 female, 8 either, doubling possible.

End Notes

~Getting Permission to Perform the Plays

~Minimal and Flexible

~Questions? Just Ask

~More Collections

~About the Author

AT THE ZOO

CHARACTERS:

Zookeeper 1, meticulously organized

Zookeeper 2, somewhat organized

Rushing Kids 1 & 2, always in a hurry and never stopping to look

Grandma, sweet, matronly

Grandchild 1 & 2, loud and spoiled

Photographer, conceited and impatient

Photographer’s Assistant, good-natured

Boisterous Kids 1, 2, 3, & 4, rowdy and obnoxious

Apes 1, 2, & 3, expressive, playful

Tiger

Tiger Cubs 1 & 2, playful

Pink Flamingos 1, 2, & 3, graceful, tend to group

Pesky Penguin, good-natured, mischievous

SETTING: Animal pens are suggested with posts and ropes. The ape pen is upstage center with several platforms for climbing and sitting on. Center right is the tiger pen with one or two low-level platforms. Center left is the flamingo pen which includes a pond, suggested by a small children’s pool. A signpost down right points out other areas in the zoo; signs for Birds, Elephants, and Bears point right; signs for Polar Bears and Penguins point left. A signpost down left points to other areas: signs for Exit and Gifts point right; signs for Reptiles and Food point left. There is a bench down left, next to the signpost . A trash can with wadded up paper sits just left of the apes.

AT RISE: Animals are in pens and enthusiastically make noises and play: Apes play tag; Flamingos play in the water; Tigers wrestle. Zookeepers enter from left with clipboards in hand as though going through a check off list; Animals become quiet and watch Zookeepers.

ZOOKEEPER 1: (looking at clipboard) Are the animals ready?

ZOOKEEPER 2: (looking at the animals) It looks like it.

ZOOKEEPER 1: (checking list) Fed?

ZOOKEEPER 2: (thinking about self) Yes.

ZOOKEEPER 1: Water?

ZOOKEEPER 2: Yes.

ZOOKEEPER 1: Clean cages?

ZOOKEEPER 2: (pause) You mean the animals! I thought you meant me. Yes, they are fed and have water and their cages are clean.

ZOOKEEPER 1: Great!

ZOOKEEPER 2: (looking at list) Are the grounds clean?

(Zookeeper 1 and Zookeeper 2 look around; both grab a piece of trash on the ground and throw it away)

ZOOKEEPER 1 & ZOOKEEPER 2: Yes!

ZOOKEEPER 1: Then let’s open!

ZOOKEEPER 2: Wait a minute.

ZOOKEEPER 1: What?

ZOOKEEPER 2: Did you count the penguins this morning?

ZOOKEEPER 1: Oh, no. I forgot.

ZOOKEEPER 2: (into radio; crossing left) I’m going to count the penguins while you open the gates.

ZOOKEEPER 1: (into radio; crossing right) OK, but radio me if Pesky Penguin is missing again.

ZOOKEEPER 2: Roger!

(Zookeeper 1 and Zookeeper 2 exit)

ANIMALS: (conversing noises as though discussing something)

PENGUIN: (enters from right; waddling quickly through and exiting left, making shushing noises)

(Animals begin to play again; Rushing Kid 1 and Rushing Kid 2 run on from right and talk fast)

RUSHING 1: Let’s go see the snakes!

RUSHING 2: Okay!

(RUSHING 1 and 2 run off left; Grandchildren enter pulling Grandma by the hands)

GRANDCHILD 1: (crossing to the ape cage) Grandma! Look at the monkeys.

(Apes settle down and watch the people; Grandma starts to go to the ape cage)

GRANDCHILD 2: (crossing to the tiger cage) Look at the baby tigers with their mom!

(Cubs stop wrestling and lay down; Tiger watches people and reacts to the comment of mom if male. Grandma starts to go to the tiger cage; Apes play a little and watch a lot)

GRANDCHILDREN: (crossing to the Flamingo cage) Look at the pink flamingos!

(Flamingos go to opposite side of their pen; Grandma stays at the tiger cage)

GRANDCHILD 1: Grandma, come here and look at the flamingos.

GRANDCHILD 2: (crossing to and pulling on Grandma) Yeah, Grandma. You’ve got to see the flamingos. Isn’t pink your favorite color?

GRANDMA: Yes, it is. How nice of you to remember.

(Cubs wrestle again)

GRANDCHILD 1: (crossing to the ape cage) But you said when you were our age you liked to watch the funny monkeys.

GRANDMA: That’s true, I did.

GRANDCHILD 2: (pulling Grandma to the apes) Then you have to come watch them.

(Flamingos spread out again but watch people; Grandma & Grandchildren all stand there and the Apes do nothing)

GRANDCHILD 1: They’re not very funny.

GRANDCHILD 2: Let’s watch the tiger cubs play.

(Grandchildren go to watch Tigers who do nothing)

GRANDCHILD 1: Aren’t you coming, Grandma?

GRANDMA: (going to tigers) Yes, yes.

GRANDCHILD 2: (crossing to food sign) I’m hungry. Are we going to eat soon?

GRANDCHILD 1: (crossing to food sign) Didn’t you say the zoo has the best French fries?

GRANDMA: Yes, I did and yes, they do.

GRANDCHILDREN: (jumping up and down) Can we get some now? Can we? Can we? Please.

GRANDMA: Of course. (crosses to bench and sits down to look in purse; Flamingos come over to watch) Let me see. Oh, here’s some money for each of you but this is to last the whole day! (she hands each Grandchild a ten-dollar bill)

GRANDCHILD 2: Wow!

GRANDCHILD 1: Ten dollars each!

GRANDCHILD 2: Can we spend this on anything?

GRANDMA: Yes, but after it’s gone there is no more.

GRANDCHILDREN: (hugging Grandma) Thanks, Grandma.

GRANDCHILD 1: (trying to pull Grandma off the bench) Come on. Let’s go get some fries.

GRANDCHILD 2: I want to buy something at the gift shop. (starts right)

GRANDMA: Hold it! (Grandchildren stop) You are both to stay together. I do not want either of you to get lost.

GRANDCHILD 1: Aren’t you coming?

GRANDMA: I’m going to sit here for just a minute. You can go together to the food first and then you can look in the gift shop. I’ll wait for you here.

GRANDCHILDREN: Okay, Grandma. (they exit LEFT)

(Animals play; Grandma goes to watch the apes; Photographer and Assistant enter from right; the Assistant is loaded down with camera stuff: bags, tripod, film, etc. which Assistant sets down at center; Apes watch; Photographer scrutinizes Animals; Cubs stop playing; Flamingos turn their backs on Photographer)

PHOTOGRAPHER: No, I don’t think I want to start here. This just doesn’t have the right atmosphere. Come along. (exits left)

ASSISTANT: (gathering up camera equipment) Okay. Okay. uhhh, oaf. Okay. I’ve almost got it.

PHOTOGRAPHER: (reenters) Come on! (exits)

ASSISTANT: (stumbling after Photographer) Okay. I’m coming. Ugh!

GRANDMA: (to apes) You look very