Bridge to Terabithia

8 Middle School Plays That Work Every Time

April 23, 2024 By dhcbaldwin Leave a Comment

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

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

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

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.

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

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.

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.

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

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!

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.

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!

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

The Art and Impact of Stage Readings

December 6, 2023 By dhcbaldwin Leave a Comment

Let’s consider the art and impact of stage readings. Last weekend, I had a very rare opportunity-performing! Not only did I act, but I was directed by a former student of mine, Melissa Trieweiller. Plus, I was the first person to play the role of Olga, an old nun held against her will in the Russian Gulag. This was a stage reading of a up-and-coming new play, The Gulag Girls by Shea Ketchum sponsored by Kansas City Public Theatre’s Theater Lab.

In the vast and captivating realm of theater, stage readings stand as a unique and powerful form of artistic expression. Unlike traditional plays with elaborate sets and full-fledged productions, stage readings bring scripts to life through the spoken word, allowing the audience to immerse themselves in the raw and unadorned essence of the story.

The Essence of Stage Readings

At its core, a stage reading is a live performance where actors read from a script, typically without costumes, sets, or extensive rehearsals. The primary focus is on the text itself. The actors’ voices become the vehicles for conveying the story, emotions, and character dynamics. This minimalistic approach places a spotlight on the narrative and the nuances of the dialogue. Additionally, stage readings allow the audience to engage more deeply with the words and the subtleties of the language.

The Creative Process

While the absence of elaborate staging may make stage readings seem straightforward, the creative process is intricate and demands a keen understanding of the script. In our case, we only performed/read the first act of Gulag Girls, because the second act was yet unfinished. In many ways, this made it more of a challenge for us actors.

In this particular circumstance, our job is to breathe life into our characters without knowing the whole story of the play. As you might expect, there was no blocking. Consequently, we were relying solely on our vocal delivery and emotional expression. Our director, a former student of mine, did a wonderful job guiding us and ensuring that the essence of the narrative was communicated effectively.

Shortened Rehearsal Schedule

One of the reasons I agreed to be a part of this stage reading was its rehearsal schedule. We met twice last week for three hours each time and performed the reading once. The rehearsal process for a stage reading is often condensed compared to a full-scale production. Rehearsals for stage readings requires actors to quickly develop a profound understanding of their characters, their relationships, and the overall story arc. Got any budding playwrights in your classes? Check out: Creative Writing/Playwriting Dialogue

Ladies looking over their scripts double checking the material before we performed.’

One Challenge

In our case, we did not have a completed story arc. Consequently, I had to hypothesize what might happen in the second act which would color the first one. The challenge of a stage reading lies in creating a compelling performance that captivates the audience while working within the constraints of minimal visual elements. In other words, it takes actors who are excellent at their craft to make a stage reading exciting and worth attending.

Occasionally, some of the women (including myself) had moments when we were merely reading the script. Whenever I’d realize this about myself, I’d slow down. This forced me to concentrate on what I was saying, not what I was reading. In fact, I believe it takes just as much concentration and focus to portray a role in a stage reading as a full production–maybe more.

Impact on Performers

For actors, stage readings provide a unique and enriching experience. Stripped of the usual theatrical embellishments, performers are forced to rely on their vocal skills and emotional range to convey the depth of their characters. Probably most important is the emphasis on the spoken word. This fosters a deep connection between the actor and the audience. Furthermore, the nuances of language and delivery take center stage.

For several years, my husband and I attended the Denver Center for Performing Arts Play Summits. I remember we fully enjoyed them. However, we found ourselves to be mentally exhausted afterward. We worked hard imagining the plays as they unfolded, but that was part of the fun of the experience.

My Directing of Stage Readings

If you have never directed a stage reading, I highly recommend that you do! Stage readings offer actors the opportunity to engage with a wide range of scripts and characters without the intensive time commitment of a full production. I directed two of them at a middle school–Holes (which included several teachers in the cast) , A Christmas Story and Bridge to Terabithia. Our focus was not about reading a new play, but having extra opportunities for students to participate with very little friction for them to do so. These three plays are all ready published.

Additionally, stage readings are much less expensive to produce than a full production. Depending upon the playwright and how new the play is, you could pay them a stipend for the opportunity to introduce their show or give them a portion of your ticket sales. However, they may look at the opportunity to have their show heard as payment enough.

Where can you find these new scripts? They are everywhere. Join a few theater teacher Facebook groups and ask around. There are playwrights who frequent those groups. Luckily, they are looking for theaters to product their new plays–at little to no cost for you.

Stage Readings in the School Setting

My goal in directing stage readings was to give more students an opportunity to perform. We’d only rehearse for five weekdays, then put up the production. These extra productions gave performers additional opportunities to hone their craft. They could experiment with different genres. Definitely, it gave students an opportunity explore characters they might not have the chance to portray in a traditional play.

You can keep your expenses down by directing a stage reading, too. There is no set to build, only chairs and music stands are needed. Usually, my students would dress in some sort of costume of their choosing using street clothes. However, the costume was more of a suggestion to the character than anything else.

The Art and Impact of Stage Readings

In the photo above, you’ll see a backdrop was configured for this play. This is an option for you if you want to give the play a little more life, but it is not expected.

Impact on Audiences

For audiences, stage readings offer a unique and intimate experience. The absence of elaborate sets and costumes allows spectators to use their imagination. Consequently, this creates a more personal connection with the narrative. By focusing on the spoken word audiences are encouraged to actively listen. This cleverly draws the audience into the intricate layers of the script.

Moreover, stage readings often feature new or lesser-known works, providing audiences with a sneak peek into the creative process. There’s the potential for discovering hidden gems. Additionally, the simplicity of the presentation allows for a more immediate and unfiltered connection between the audience and the story being told. This fosters a shared experience of discovery.

A Full Circle Moment

This stage reading experience was a full circle for Melissa Trierweiler and I. I’ve directed Melissa several times since she was a student of mine when she was twelve years old. Now a grown woman, it is her turn to direct me. The experience was very special for both of us.

Have you ever considered teaching or directing radio theater? Check out this post. Top Reasons Teachers Succeed When Teaching With Radio Theater

PHCoffee was our theater for the evening.

In conclusion, I encourage you to consider adding a stage reading to your school season. In the tapestry of theatrical expression, stage readings weave a distinctive thread. They emphasize the power of the spoken word and the richness of storytelling. Stage readings open the door to a realm where language and emotion reign supreme. Not surprisingly, they captivate both performers and audiences alike.

As a form of artistic exploration, stage readings stand as a testament to the enduring potency of the written word. Moreover, they transcend the boundaries of traditional theatrical conventions. So, try producing a stage reading! You never know. Perhaps there are some hidden talents in your school who think this experience would be very cool. Maybe they’ll audition for you? Got reluctant students in your class, check out this post, Ten Ways to Teach Reluctant Students in Your Theater Class.

Have you directed any stage readings? What are your opinions of them? I’d love to hear from you. Contact me at DhcBaldwin@gmail.com

8 Middle School Plays That Work Every Time

8 Middle School Plays That Work Every Time

8 Middle School Plays That Work Every Time