What To Consider When Choosing Play Scripts For Kids

By Anita Ortega


For many people, the highlight of the school calendar is the annual school play. This is the one time that every child can have a chance to shine, even if it's in a minor role like that of a tree or a rock. Staging the production can be a stressful experience if you're the teacher entrusted with the job but if you know how to choose the most suitable play scripts for kids, half the battle is won already.

When faced with a variety of possible plays, you first need to think about who will be watching the performance. Grown-ups and older children can appreciate a more sophisticated production. Children under about 10, however, prefer simpler shows. These shows also need to be relatively short or your young audience will get bored in no time.

It's equally important to consider what your cast will be able to handle. Young children simply won't be able to master the sophisticated monologues of Shakespeare, for instance. However, they often find simple songs and dance routines easy to remember.

Even in professional theater, the budget is a major factor in determining which production to stage. If you don't have a lot of money to work with, it's probably not a good idea to opt for an elaborate period musical because the more cast members there are, the more costumes need to be made. Think about the practicalities of creating the set and how easy it will be to create costumes with cheap and readily available materials.

A play needs a stage set and this often has to be created from scratch, so if you need an elaborate castle, for instance, you'll need to be able to create a convincing backdrop that actually looks like a castle. Furthermore, the size of the venue is important. If you have a large stage to your disposal, don't waste all that space by choosing a play that requires only five cast members. Instead, think about a musical because you'll have more than enough space to have a choir and dancers.

Many plays geared towards younger audiences contain a message that will be especially significant to these children. Therefore, you may want to decide on a serious issue that needs addressing in your school, such as ethnic diversity or bullying. You can then choose a script that has been developed around this theme.

Even though school plays are hard work, they're very valuable in helping children to prepare for life ahead. They teach essential skills such as how to work with others. They're even great for helping children develop their physical and verbal skills.

To find a suitable play script is quite easy. You can write one yourself or use an existing one. If your budget won't cover the costs of a performance license, simply check online for free scripts that will suit your needs.




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