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Anne of Green Gables

8 Middle School Plays That Work Every Time

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8 Middle School Plays That Work Every Time

Teachers often ask me for  middle school play titles.  So, let’s talk about this today, 8 middle school plays that work every time.  I hope this list will help you as you consider what you’d like to direct in the next school year.  Having directed hundreds of play and musical for over 38 years, I have a vast experience in this subject. It is my goal to provide all the details and links that lead you to purchasing a preview of the scripts. 

Before you begin reading this post, please know that I am a purist.  I don’t do direct cute bunny or zombie storis, if you know what I mean.  Frankly, I think a teacher shouldn’t cater to the emotional level of the students but have high expectations of them.  What could be better than a play based on a classic novel or one with historical significance?

Here are a few I recommend you read and consider. I’ve listed these scripts in no particular order. 

8 Middle School Plays That Work Every Time

8 Middle School Plays That Work Every Time

Anne of Green Gables adapted by Sylvia Ashby.

  • Drama/Comedy
  • 9 M and 7 F plus extras
  • 120 minutes in length

Synopsis: A refreshing, contemporary telling of the classic story. Stern Marilla and her warm-hearted brother Matthew hoped to adopt a boy to work on their farm. But the orphanage sends young, befreckled Anne by mistake, and their lives will never be the same. Her warmth and wit affect everyone around her – even, eventually, the cold Marilla. We follow Anne through her rebellious years, her transformation into a young woman, and her romantic pairing with Gilbert. This play has been charming audiences around the world. Read more about this script here: Ten Reasons Why Everyone Produces Anne of Green Gables

8 Middle School Plays That Work Every Time

Tom Sawyer adapted by Tim Kelly

  • Drama/ Comedy
  • 9 to 11M., 12F  plus extras
  • 90 minutes in length

The child in all of us never gets tired of reliving again and again the antics and adventures of Tom, Huck, Becky Thatcher and all the rest of Mark Twain’s beloved characters. All the familiar characters are here—Huckleberry Finn, Aunt Polly, Becky Thatcher, Widow Douglas, Muff Potter, Cousin Mary and menacing Injun Joe. The action flows well, and scenes fly by in a lively fashion: the classic “fence-painting” scene, the school lessons from strict Mr. Dobbins, the eerie murder of Doc Robinson in the graveyard at midnight, the pirate journey to Jackson’s Island where buried treasure proves very dangerous, Tom’s side-splitting “funeral,” Tom’s courtship of Becky and other scenes from the immortal classic. If you want a study guide for Tom Sawyer which includes a set design lesson, check out: Drama Lesson Tom Sawyer

8 Middle School Plays That Work Every Time

8 Middle School Plays That Work Every Time

Number the Stars  adapted by Douglas Larche

  • Drama
  • 7 M and 7 F, extras
  • 80 minutes in length

During the German occupation of Denmark in World War II, the Nazis closed down Jewish-owned businesses and began to round up the Jews for relocation to concentration camps for the final solution. Danish freedom fighters of all ages risked everything in daring, hurried attempts to rescue the entire Jewish population. In this stirring play, young Annemarie and Kirsti Johansen face soldiers, interrogations, fierce dogs, personal danger, the loss of loved ones and their own fears as they try to help their friend Ellen Rosen escape across the ocean to Sweden and safely.

Courage, faith, ingenuity and even their fledgling acting skills eventually win the day. All the drama, pathos, adventure, terror and humor that have made Number the Stars a national best seller (and winner of the Newberry Award and the American Library Association Book of the Year Award) come to life in this powerful adaptation.

8 Middle School Plays That Work Every Time

Bringing History to Life

If you are looking for a week’s worth of drama class lessons for the first week of school, check out: First Week of School Drama Lessons

Dramamommaspeaks resource for middle school drama teachers

Orphan Train by Aurand Harris

  • Drama/Comedy
  • 6m., 7w., 6 boys, 6 girls, or 11 (1m., 1w., 3 boys, 6 girls) with doubling.
  • 65 minutes in length

The play tells the story of nine orphans on an “orphan train” that left New York City on May 28, 1914. The train travels to Midwestern towns in search of homes, any homes, anywhere for the orphaned and unwanted children. There’s Mary, Evie, spunky Pegeen, Annie and Little Lucy, a quiet one. Other orphans include Frank (who later becomes Frankie, a small girl), Raymond, Lucky and Danny the song-and-dance boy. And there are the men and women hoping for children. The lonesome whistle wails as the train chugs between encounters of anxiety, laughter, wistfulness, rejection and acceptance. Eight stories unfold, each a memorable surprise. The Orphan Train is a charming heart-warmer and all we expect from one of legendary playwrights for children, Aurand Harris. The staging creates a highly theatrical story, moving, amusing and always tellingly human.

8 Middle School Plays That Work Every Time

More Middle School Plays

The Princess Who Became King 

  • Drama
  • 6w, 14m, 5 any gender (youth)
  • 90 minutes in length

From the author of the very popular Anne of Green Gables. Freely adapted from an Indian tale, this spritely comedy serves up a blend of love, adventure and intrigue. On the eve of their wedding, Ravi and Parijata flee from their homes because their fathers are feuding — due to the schemes of an ambitious Guru. Parijata’s father is the terrible tempered Raja; Ravi’s father is the foolishly superstitious Sultan. On a dangerous forest journey, the Princess loses her amazing performing monkey, Zmarti, and is kidnapped by Gumba, a cloddish thief. After numerous chases and mistaken identities, the play ends in happy reunion and reconciliation and a surprise coronation! This play can be produced with colorful, elaborate scenery, or with almost no scenery at all.

8 Middle School Plays That Work Every Time

 

Story Theater stories from Grimm Brothers and Aesop adapted by Paul Sills.

  • Drama/Comedy
  • When I direct this play, I split up the stories and used as many students as I needed for each one.
  • 90 minutes in length

Mr. Sills started in New Haven and wound up on Broadway with this group of famous fables from the Grimm Brothers and Aesop. Here you will meet again Henny Penny, the Golden Goose, Venus and the Cat, the Fisherman and His Wife, the Robber Baron, the Bremen Towson Musicians, and other favorites. The fables require talented actors with expressive bodies. And make no mistakes about the quality: this is top-drawer adult theatre.

8 Middle School Plays That Work Every Time

8 Middle School Plays That Work Every Time

The Little Princess adapted by June Walker Rogers

  • Drama
  • 6m 13F
  • 90 minutes in length

Sara Crewe is one of the most beloved fictional heroines, and June Walker Rogers has brought her to life in this funny, sad, wonderfully imaginative adaptation. Audiences will identify with Sara as she begins her adventures in “Miss Minchin’s Select Seminary for Young Ladies”; laugh with her as she brings happiness to others; weep with her as her fortune changes from rich girl to poor orphan; and rejoice with her when strange events bring still another reversal of her destiny. This is a lovely play!

8 Middle School Plays That Work Every Time

The Emperor’s New Clothes

  • Comedy
  • 11 actors, flexible (many of the roles can be played by men or women).
  • 50 minutes

A bright, crisp, well-tailored dramatization of the Hans Christian Andersen tale. Snip and Tuck, two swindlers posing as tailors, weave a jolly trick on Emperor Velvet, who is willing to sacrifice his castle, friends—even his Empress Velveteen and their children, Prince Terry Cloth and Princess Polly Ester—to buy the most luxurious new clothes available. As you might expect, the “tailors” pull the wool over everybody’s eyes until a homespun boy has the courage to speak the unadorned truth, and all the fools are uncovered at last—and the swindlers are turned over to Shroud, keeper of the (shh-whisper) dungeon. The cleverly patterned characters and silky smooth plot will keep your audiences in stitches. Sharon A. Cole brought the characters to life with strong but humorous personalities that your cast members will love playing. Every role is a gem.

8 Middle School Plays That Work Every Time

The Bridge to Terabithia Adapted by author, Katherine Patterson

  • Drama
  • 3 Male 6 Female
  • 90 minutes in length

This powerful adaptation, supported by a lyrical score, focuses the humor, warmth and emotional intensity of Katherine Paterson’s Newbery Award winning novel.

Jesse, alienated from the pragmatism of his family and rural Virginia culture, draws and dreams of becoming something special. Then the new girl, Leslie, who just moved in from the city and the ultimate outsider, opens a world of imagination, art and literature for him

Together they create Terabithia, a fantasy kingdom where they are safe from those who don’t understand them. Their friendship grows as Jesse’s world expands. However, when tragedy strikes, the strength gained in Terabithia takes Jesse forward on his own and lets him share the magic of his dreams

Lastly, I wanted to include one of my favorites to direct around Halloween.  It’s just fun!

8 Middle School Plays That Work Every Time

It’s a Howl! by Tim Kelly

  • Comedy
  • 8 M and 14W
  • 90 minutes in length

Teenager Jane Hastings inherits remote and creepy Wolfbane Abbey. It’s a combination school and clinic for students who have trouble “adjusting.” No wonder – they’re werewolves! To begin with, the doctor who runs the Abbey decides Jane must be driven out of her mind so he can be trustee. This isn’t as easy as it sounds – even though the place is filled with more horrors than a wax museum. With two friends, Jane does her best to sort out the Abbey’s problem and “curse.” The characters are great fun to play in this fast-paced spoof, including bewildered police, a werewolf hunter, weird students, a gypsy who spends most of her time in a scary laboratory, and a reporter from a scandal magazine. And that’s just for openers…don’t forget the vampire. Not surprisingly, laughs collide with screams and the ending has plenty of bite.

Looking for a few other plays that might be successful with your students? Check out: The Ten Reasons Everyone Produces The Best Christmas Pageant Ever

Looking for bundles of drama lessons for middle school?  You know I’ve got you covered. Bundle Volume 3 Middle School Drama Units

Whew!  That’s quite a list.  Have you directed any of these plays?  I’d love to hear about your experiences. Email me at DhcBaldwin@gmail.com

Click here:  We’re Live! Radio Theater #101

Woman behind DramaMommaSpeaks

The Majority of Drama Teachers do this and You Should Too!

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studenst-reading-play

Music Rehearsal for Willy Wonka, Jr. Apex Home School Enrichment Program  2014

Note:  Recently, I wrote several pieces concerning reading and literacy for Litpick.com.  This is a re-publish of the latest article. 

I’m not a Wizard, but I can do Magic and so Can You!

Teaching has its up and downs, but one of the most rewarding experiences of teaching is seeing a student’s eyes light up once some learning connects with them. I like to teach “magically” if I can. I bet a lot of teachers do, too!

I don’t wear a wizard’s robe and pull out a magic wand —I have no idea how that is done. I mean when a student learns something when they don’t think they are doing anything, but having fun. Teaching and learning become effortless and almost enchanting!

I use many drama games and exercises in my classroom. I’m especially fond of Viola Spolin’s book Improvisation in the Classroom. But that’s not today’s subject…. (my right brained-ness kicked in there for a moment). Sorry.

I find that when I am teaching a concept that a student is focused upon and I am using a particular activity to demonstrate the concept, the learning becomes “like butter”—smooth, enriching and tasty. (Okay, I do have a fondness for butter I will admit, but you get the point.)

Drama Class and Reading

Reading skills can be strengthened through drama. No joke! Sometimes students don’t realize when they enroll in my classes that we will read aloud in class—that’s a given. And we read A LOT. Of course we read the occasional theatre textbook chapter, but mostly we read plays. I mean, obviously we read plays, right? Also, we perform the readings, so the words become memorized easily.

Families can do this at home, too! The benefits of reading plays aloud are varied, but suffice to say that if a group gets together and reads a play, a child’s reading skills will be honed.

Dialogue

Oh my gosh, play dialogue is so fun to read aloud! It’s far better to read a play aloud than to read it silently. That’s because it was created to be spoken. A playwright depends upon his characters’ dialogue to tell a story. That’s the whole point. Playwrights work for months, maybe years, to find and create just the right meaning in a sentence.

Presently, I am preparing to direct a summer youth theatre camp production of Tams Witmark’s Music Library version of The Wizard of Oz musical. Here is a tidbit of dialogue from the production:

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WICKED WITCH:

They’re gone! The ruby slippers! What have you done with them?

Give them back to me, or I’ll—

GLINDA:

It’s too late! There they are, and there they’ll stay!

Awesome, don’t you think? The dialogue is precise, rhythmical and exciting. A playwright’s goal is to express a particular message, right? She wants the audience to continue listening to her play. Her dialogue must be excellent. There can be no excess words, very few challenging words or word pronunciations that an audience member must struggle to understand.   Since theatre is live, it is essential that the play is engaging right from the first word. When one is not enjoying a book that she is reading, she can put the book down. But at a play? The confused person might just walk out of the performance. Eeek!

Form

Young readers love to read scripts aloud once they understand the form. It’s a little daunting, you must admit. There are no markers—no “he said” or “she yelled” In particular moments, emotions are written in for the actor to use. Generally, a playwright leaves it up to the director and actors to convey the required emotion. That’s more interesting for everyone involved. It allows the director to create her own concept of the play—sort of like painting a picture using her own thoughts about the story. That’s more interesting for everyone involved.

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Usually, I read aloud the stage directions so that the students can create the atmosphere or plot in their minds. The plot of a play must be very clear to understand although surprises are always welcome. That’s what makes for excellent theatre, I think.

Once when my class of middle school students read aloud the “Tom Sawyer” play, I purposely stopped us at an exciting moment—scary Injun Joe hid behind a tree and overheard Tom and Huck discussing the big bag of money they found. Many of the students were reluctant readers. I heard groans of “Oh man, Mrs. B. can’t we continue reading?” But instead, I handed out paper and pencils and asked them to draw what they thought would occur next. I’m a tricky teacher….

Research

In researching this article, I came upon a tremendous website–Readingrockets.org. who says it much better than I can.

  1. Listening to others read develops an appreciation for how a story is written and familiarity with book conventions, such as “once upon a time” and “happily ever after”.

  2. Reading aloud demonstrates the relationship between the printed word and meaning – children understand that print tells a story or conveys information – and invites the listener into a conversation with the author.

  3. Listening to others read develops key understanding and skills. Reading aloud demonstrates the relationship between the printed word and meaning – children understand that print tells a story or conveys information – and invites the listener into a conversation with the author (Bredekamp, Copple, & Neuman, 2000).

  4. Reading aloud makes complex ideas more accessible and exposes children to vocabulary and language patterns that are not part of everyday speech. It exposes less able readers to the same rich and engaging books that fluent readers read on their own, and entices them to become better readers. (Fountas & Pinnell, 1996).

Libraries

How does a family select the right play to read together? I’d suggest checking out a public library. They have a fountain of plays to read including many versions of classics such as Anne of Green Gables, Peter Pan, Charlotte’s Web or Huckleberry Finn.

If reading an entire play script seems overwhelming, look into reader’s theatre scripts. They are short, concise, edited well and give the “nugget” of the story. They are a great stepping off point for young readers to pique their interest, giving them a feeling of success before they tackle the complete novel.

Reading Experts

Children’s literature consultant Susie Freeman states, “If you’re searching for a way to get your children reading aloud with comprehension, expression, fluency, and joy, reader’s theater is a miracle. Hand out a photocopied play script, assign a part to each child, and have them simply read the script aloud and act it out. That’s it. And then magic happens.”

Aaron Shephard

One of my favorite authors of reader’s theatre scripts is Aaron Shephard. Check him out at http://www.aaronshep.com/rt/. He has adapted a treasure trove of stories, many multicultural, including original ones of his own. I have used a host of his scripts including Legend of Lightning Larry with an ESL drama club, The Legend of Slappy Hooper with a creative dramatics class, and the beloved Casey at the Bat with an introduction to theatre class plus various other scripts.

So, the next time on a really hot summer day your family is stuck indoors and has exhausted every other avenue of entertainment or learning, pick up a play script! I promise you a magical and great time of reading.

There you have it:  this is what the majority of drama teachers do and you can too.  I can’t wait to hear how things go for you.  Do write me.

Contact me at dhcbaldwin@gmail.com or DeborahBaldwin.net

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To purchase a copy of my book, Bumbling Bea go to Amazon at https://www.amazon.com/Bumbling-Bea-Deborah-Baldwin/dp/1500390356

 

Ten Reasons Why Everyone Produces Anne of Green Gables

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Ten Reasons Why Everyone Produces Anne of Green Gables

Let’s talk about the ten reasons why everyone produces Anne of Green Gables. Facebook groups are beginning to chat about suggestions of good plays and musicals to produce. I am even a member of a chat group which talks real details such as how to make Pinochio’s nose grow in Shrek or how to transform the Beast in Beauty and the Beast.  Yes, that’s what we theater teachers discuss a lot.

I can’t help but notice the teachers who work in conservatory school districts in small town America.  Let’s face it–you can’t produce Chicago in those towns or even The Laramie Project. Theater is hard enough to sell to a community without it being any more contraversial than an innocuous theme such as bullies.  I understand the need for something conservative.

Classics such as Tom Sawyer, Alice in Wonderland, The Wizard of Oz, the Disney franchise will go over well in a conservative community.  I’ve directed all of the aforementioned.  My favorite to direct?  Anne of Green Gables, the play adaptation by Sylvia Ashby.

Ten Reasons Why Everyone Produces Anne of Green Gables

Ten Reasons Why Everyone Produces Anne of Green Gables

Anne of Green Gables is a perfect play for your company.  Not only have I directed it, I’ve produced it as well. In fact, many schools and companies produce the play. As you can tell, I know its ins and outs.

There are certain shows that are guaranteed winners for a company.  Anne of Green Gables ranks up there with The Diary of Anne Frank, The Miracle Worker, Alice in Wonderland, The Best Christmas Pageant Ever  just to name a few.

Ten Reasons Why Everyone Produces Anne of Green Gables

Ten Reasons Why Everyone Produces Anne of Green Gables

There are many reasons to include it in your season, but suffice to say you will make happy a lot of your potential audience members and your regulars.  In particular, I recommend Sylvia Ashby‘s adaptation. It is published by Concord Theatricals.com Ashby understands the challenges most schools and community theaters face as far as budget, casting and theatrical space.

The strengths:

1. The cast  is comprised of both males and females, BUT two of main characters are females.  Hallelujah

2. There are roles for adults and children of many ages. Nine females and seven males. If you need to pad the cast a little, it’s easy to do with more children in the school scenes.

3. The costumes can be as easy or complicated as your costume budget allows. Simple long skirts, long sleeved high neck blouses and lace  for the women work well.  Males can wear long pants, boots, a button down shirt with no collar and a cap or hat. You can add bloomers for the girls (which is easy to do and just darling) and knickers for the boys (which again is just so cute), but that’s up to you and your budget. If you want some more advice about the critical steps in costume design, check out: Critical Steps in Producing a Play or Musical: Costumes

4. There are a couple of costume issues–Anne’s hair turns green at one point, but that’s not too difficult to accomplish. We’ve used wigs. She also falls into the stream, so you can get her wet or just imply it by spraying her arms with water and maybe her hair.

5. There are several scenes with many characters on stage at once which means more time for everyone to have fun. I’m all about keeping everyone busy–so the more I can get my cast on stage, the better!

6. It’s a good length, about 120 minutes. This is not too difficult for middle school students to accomplish as well as high school.

7. The set can be as elaborate are you require (I’ve seen it produced on a revolving stage.) or simple. I have directed it with the house up center and the other various locales down stage of it. If you need extra advice about set design, check out: Critical Steps in Producing a Play or Musical: Set Design

Ten Reasons Why Everyone Produces Anne of Green Gables

 

 

 

 

 

 

8. There is a need for a boat.  One time a father went crazy on me and built an entire boat (yes, you read that right), but really, that’s not needed. You could do the scene with a bench on a small platform on casters.

9. In a school setting I directed it with two  Marillas and three Annes (one for each age we see as she grows up).  This plan was terrific for a number of obvious reasons.  It gave more females the opportunity to perform leads and lessened the number of lines they had to memorize.

10. The themes of family and friendship which radiate throughout the plot.  It is suitable for all audiences. If for no other reason, you should produce this play because an entire family will attend it.  It’s a huge crowd pleaser!

There are no cons against producing the play, in my opinion.

Direct a Classic!

girl reading

As we know, we are bombarded with everything which distracts us more than enriches us– the internet is the biggest culprir and all it holds.  I think the more we can get our students and the community in general to see classic books adapted into plays and musicals  the better. If you produce an adaptation of a classic novel such as Sense and Sensibility, you will be in like flint with your community.

If you think you can be a little less conservative, I always first suggest To Kill a Mockingbird or The Giver. If you are a community theater, find out which books the students study and produce play adaptation of those books.  For instance in according to Edu.com, most high school students read these books. 

In my opinion, we are losing the love of the written word. We are becoming habitual internet users.  I’m just as much at fault with this one as anyone else, except I’ve found an answer to my problem.

File:National Theatre at Home logo.jpg

I’m a member of the National Theater at Home streaming service.  It has done wonders for my imagination. Whenever I view one of their productions,  it feels like a vitamin has been injected into my brain.  The classics are the best vitamins, I’ve found.

The next time you are looking for a play that will become a guaranteed winner for your  audience, select Anne of Green Gables.  You’ll be glad you did!

What is a play or musical which sells out every time you produce it?  I’d love to hear about it.  Email me at DhcBaldwin@gmail.com and let’s chat!

Woman behind DramaMommaSpeaks