Play Cells, 8 Skits for Young Performers

By SUSAN PEREIRA

8 skits that feature four of which are plays adapted from folk tales.

All skits have numbered script lines for easier reading, production notes and two song lyrics.

• Language: English
• Publisher: SUSAN PEREIRA
• Release date: Mar 3, 2021
• ISBN: 9789811802713

SUSAN PEREIRA

Born and raised in Singapore, Susan considers her faith, family and a healthy sense of humour most important to her. She practiced as a Relief Staff and an Afterschool Teacher for a preschool and afterschool service provider before taking time off to study life experiences from a child’s point of view. If she isn’t spending time with her friends and family, you’ll find her working on her DIY projects around the house. Her IG handle is susan.insg.

Book preview

Play Cells

8 Skits for Young Performers

Written by Susan Pereira

Features: numbered script lines, production notes & two song lyrics

Play Cells, 8 Skits for Young Performers

COPYRIGHT © 2021 BY SUSAN PEREIRA

E-ISBN 978-981-18-0271-3

Publisher Registration No: R2020100200003

CAUTION

Al material in this book is ful y protected by copyright law. Al rights, including production for schools, non-amateur production, motion picture, recitation, television, public reading, radio broadcasting and rights of translation into foreign languages are strictly reserved.

This is a work of fiction. Names, characters, places and incidents either are products of the author’s imagination or are used fictitiously. Any resemblance to actual events or locales or persons, living or dead, is entirely coincidental.

Contact [e-mail] if you wish to use any material in this publication.

First Printing Edition, 2021

CONTENTS

SAY WHAT?

6

SNEYK’S TRANSFORMATION

9

OUTMONEYED

12

COLOURS SPEAK

15

SILENT SWEEPER

18

FILTHY SONG LYRICS

24

TWO SHADES OF ORANGE

25

GREEN AWAKENING

33

HE LOVES WORKING

42

STEEL PEDAL SONG LYRICS

51

This book is dedicated to all

who believe that theatre

brings people together.

III

INTRODUCTION

I think the very process of getting ready to perform on stage forces someone to be their real authentic selves. Even if the part calls for just one line. I know for a fact that young actors carry that feeling of confidence throughout their lives.

The skits I’ve written in this book have playing times that run in the range of 10-30 mins as I’m convinced that any child’s involvement in the Arts especially on stage, goes a very long way towards building up that child’s confidence. Having confidence in one’s self is a lifeskill which in my opinion can either make or break a child’s ability to overcome all kinds of not-going-my-way moments in a child’s life.

Although I’ve seen from my own (albeit very brief) experience in the Afterschool line of work, some children may be unwilling to perform at first, but in time, they will realize through the frequent exposure of skits performed by their peers, that they too can relate to some of the characters and would have the confidence to accept a role to play.

I like to look at this book as a living cell which takes on several meanings. In this book, I’ve attempted to offer a selection of adapted folktales, spooky moments and everyday encounters covered in a film of humour and beating with a nucleus of messages for young audiences.

Numbered script lines make it much easier for children to remember who says what and when. Firstly, along with stage production notes, craft hints and ideas to hold skits on videoconferencing platforms, there are ample opportunities for young people who are not yet ready to perform but can still get in on the action by breaking into their own little cell groups to create and play with their props (which is short for properties).

Secondly as children get more familiar with skits, they would develop a greater confidence to get into longer plays which may transition to careers in the performing arts and even encourage their peers to perform plays.

IV

Thirdly, I’ve attached the production notes after each skit with helpful tips in each note so, by the end of this book, even a teacher would have an idea of putting up a skit without expensive professional equipment. So there, having clarified all the puns I’ve deliberately intended with the title ‘Play Cells’, my wish is for children everywhere to get more exposure to theatre!

V

S A Y W H A T ?

Title: Say What?

How well do you know the acronyms used on social media?

Characters:

Gary

- a ten year old boy who loves books about VR

Dad

- Gary’s Father

Scott

- the Bookland Bookstore’s Virtual Assistant

Narrator

- a male or female

Playing time

- 10 mins

Time

- Present

Place

- Bookland Bookstore Customer Service Office

Tip: Characters read out all acronyms. Get the Narrator to ask audience members to write down what they think each acronym