Drama Trunk has a number of teaching resources that include original acting scripts for kids and teens. Find out more about the scripts and resources here...
The scripts included in Drama Trunk resources have been written with the age groups in mind. I have put on many plays with all of these age groups and over time came to understand the types of scripts (and the type of lines) that work well in performance with multiple skill levels (i.e. scripts and lines that less confident students will be able to handle, while providing more advanced students a strong base and character to work with and explore). Time is always limited in classes, so scripts should be able to be taken up quickly by students and provide them with an opportunity to present a performance that they enjoy.
HEROES & VILLAINS A melodrama lesson
This melodrama teaching resource comes with melodrama lesson plan activities, a melodrama short acting script (2 pages) and printable melodrama character cards. It is a perfect introduction to melodrama lesson or to add to your melodrama unit. The script:
Heroes & Villains - a melodrama
A short (2 page) melodrama acting script for 4 characters.
Script extract
The victim, lady/sir cries-a-lot is tied to a large machine. The villain, Mr/Mrs Chuckles is busily running around the stage, pressing buttons and chuckling. The villain stops and looks at the audience.
Villain: (Laughing and talking to the audience) Ha ha ha, now my evil plan is in motion. (Pointing to the machine behind them) Once I start this super-huge-evil-computer-thing all of the smart phones will be destroyed. (The villain bursts out laughing and then returns to preparations).
Victim: (crying) You will never get away with this Mr/Mrs Chuckles.
Villain: Who is going to stop me? And once I destroy all of the smart phones no one will have GPS so no one will ever find me!
Victim: Oh the horror!
FAIRY TALES PHYSICAL THEATRE Drama Unit (5 X 100 minute lesson plans)
This drama unit is suitable for years 6 to 9. The drama unit consists of 5 x 100 minute detailed drama lesson plans where students explore physical and abstract theatre through well known fairy tales. Alongside other structured drama activities contained in the lesson plans, the drama unit contains the following 3 acting scripts for in class performance (two of the scripts are performed as alternatives in one lesson):
The Beanstalk is Alive
A short (1 page) acting script for 2 characters.
Script extract
Jack approached the Beanstalk and gets ready to climb it. Jack gets a big surprise when the Beanstalk talks back!
Beanstalk: Ouch! Do you mind?
Jack: Huh!?
Beanstalk: I can feel that you know...
Jack: (shaking his head and pinching himself) Did... you just say something?
Bringing home the beans
A short (1 page) acting script for 3 characters (note: the brother has been added to the story for the purpose of mixing up script character numbers in the unit and for narrative effect in the script).
Script extract
Jack's mother and brother are at home waiting for Jack to come home. Jack's brother is looking out the window, waiting. Jack comes home with magic beans.
Jack's Brother: He's coming, he's coming.
Jack's Mother: Finally! We're nearly starved.
Jack: (Bursting through the door with excitement) You will never believe it!
Getting ready for the ball
A short (1 page) acting script for 4 characters exploring status through physicality.
Script extract
The Evil Stepmother and the Ugly Sisters are getting ready for the ball.
Evil Stepmother: (yelling) Cinderella... Cinderella!
Cinderella: (puffed) I'm here.
Ugly Stepsister: Where have you been?
MIME Drama Unit (5 X 100 minute lesson plans)
This drama unit is suitable for years 7 to 10. The drama unit consists of 5 x 100min detailed drama lesson plans where students are introduced to and explore the performance of mime through guided drama experiences, devising and script performance. Alongside other structured drama activities contained in the lesson plans, mime sketch scenarios, mime scenarios and more, the mime unit contains the following acting script for in class performance:
The Restaurant
A short (1 page) acting script for 3 characters where the students use the mime skills they have learnt during the mime unit - in a scripted scene with dialogue.
Script extract
Two people are on a first date at a restaurant. The server ruins the date.
Server: Here's some water. (The server pours Customer 2 some water)
Customer 2: Thank you.
Server: (The server looks at customer 2 while pouring water on customer 1) Oh, you're very welcome.
Customer 1: Hey! What are you doing?
STATUS and THE FRENCH REVOLUTION Drama Unit (5 X 100 minute lesson plans)
This drama unit is suitable for teens (years 8 to 11). The drama unit consists of 5 x 100 minute detailed drama lesson plans where students explore status issues from the French Revolution period and how status is shown in drama. The unit is based on historical events and is a history unit as well as a drama unit. Alongside other structured drama activities contained in the lesson plans, the Status and The French Revolution Unit contains the following 4 acting scripts for in class performance:
Status Script
A short (1/2 page) acting script for 3 characters based on the French political cartoon 'a faut esperer q'ue se jeu la finira bentot' where a peasant struggles along with an aristocrat and clergy ride on his back.
The March on Versailles
A short (1 page) acting script for 2 characters.
Script extract
It is the morning of 5 October 1789. The Queen of France, Marie Antoinette, sits in a chair, weaving a tapestry. She is approached by a royal advisor, Jean-Frederic.
Jean-Frederic: (bowing as he approaches the Queen) My lady, I've urgent news from Paris. The Marquis de Layfayette sends word that women are gathering from the marketplaces and the city armory has been ransacked for weapons.
Marie Antoinette: (stopping and looking up) The women are arming themselves? Whatever for?
Jean-Frederic: Yes. They are preparing to march.
Viva La Revolution
A short (1 page) acting script for 3 characters.
Script extract
A rural peasants hut in July 1789, when the 'Great Fear' swept across France. The mother sweeps the floor while the father sleeps on a chair. It has been a long day.
Son: (Entering with great purpose) Mother! Father! You won' believe it.
Father: (Stirs, mumbling, waking) Wha'?
Son: It's finally happenin'. The people - are gatherin'.
Facing the Guillotine
A short (1 page) acting script for 2 characters.
Script extract
King Louis XVI is about to be executed by guillotine. He has given his last confession and received a blessing by a priest. He goes to the guard, ready to be transported to his execution.
Louis XVI: I am ready to do as you command.
Guard: Well yes. I do command.
Louis XVI: Do not mock me here at my end.
JACK AND THE BEANSTALK Primary / Elementary Drama Unit and Whole Class Performance Script
This drama unit is suitable for years 3 to 5. The drama unit consists of 5 x 60 minute detailed drama lesson plans and the following whole class script:
Whole class performance script 'Jack and the Beanstalk'
The unit builds up to a whole class performance (performed in addition to the lessons and suitable for presentation to an audience). The resource includes a teachers copy of the script (with detailed stage directions) and a student copy. It is a short play (once
rehearsed, around 15 minutes long and 4 pages).
Script Characters
Jack
Jack's Mother
Milky White: a comedic role who only ever says "Moo"
The Old Man
The Giant's Wife
The Giant
The Harp
Chorus: Plenty of chorus lines
Open: 19 'open' lines to allocate to students in the chorus
SNOW WHITE Elementary / Primary Drama Unit and Whole Class Performance Script
This drama unit is suitable for years 3 to 6. The drama unit consists of 4 x 60 minute detailed drama lesson plans, the Evil Queen Drama Circle plus the following whole class script:
Whole class performance script 'Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs'
The unit builds up to a whole class performance (performed in addition to the lessons and suitable for presentation to an audience). The resource includes a teachers copy of the script (with detailed stage directions) and a student copy. It is a short play (once rehearsed, around 15 minutes long and 4 pages).
Script Characters
Narrators (4 narrators - can be split for smaller groups)
Queen (just a single scripted line)
Evil Queen
Mirror
Snow White
Huntsman
The Giant
Dwarfs (x7 - can be split)
Prince
Chorus: Plenty of chorus lines
Open: 14 'open' lines to allocate to students in the chorus
THE TEMPEST Drama Unit (5 X 100 minute lesson plans)
This drama unit is suitable for years 6 to 9. The drama unit consists of 5 x 100 min detailed drama lesson plans where students are introduced to Shakespearean language and characters through exploration of The Tempest. Alongside other structured drama activities contained in the lesson plans, the full play and more, the unit contains the amended script extracts from the play and also the Tempest Shakespeare Machine.
ROMEO and JULIET Drama Unit (5 X 100 minute lesson plans)
This drama unit is suitable for years 7 to 10. The drama unit consists of 5 x 100 min detailed drama lesson plans where students explore Shakespeare's Romeo and Juliet through performance. Alongside other structured drama activities contained in the lesson plans, the full play (in original language and a PDF) and more, the unit contains the following amended acting scripts from the play for in class performance:
The Balcony Scene
The Romeo and Juliet Drama Unit includes multiple amended versions of the famous 'Balcony Scene' which you can choose based on skill level of the group. The original version is also included.
Romeo kills Tybalt (the climax scene)
The Romeo and Juliet Drama Unit includes multiple amended versions of the climax scene of the play where Romeo kills Tybalt. The original version is also included.
Capulet's Orchard
The Romeo and Juliet Drama Unit includes multiple amended versions of the Capulet's Orchard scene where Juliet is told she will marry Paris. The original version is also included.
FREE SHAKESPEARE SCRIPTS
I also have nicely formatted PDF versions of some of my favourite Shakespeare's original plays which you can download for free. Ready to print out and go! Each play comes with a character handout for students to research the characters before they begin! Check them out HERE! Find out more about my Shakespeare Teaching Resources HERE!
Character Machine Drama Circles are a perfect way to explore a story and characters in a whole class guided (scripted) performance. Find out more about them HERE!
REVIEWING LIVE THEATRE?
Are your students seeing a play? Check out these theatre review templates. A simpler version for junior school and more detailed version for seniors.
PROMPTS GALORE
Drama Trunk also has a number of resources with prompts for script writing and scene creation. You can check them out HERE!
Tips for putting on a play with young children
If you are putting on a play with young children and interested in some tips, check out my post HERE!
Happy drama teaching!
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