Playwriting with Young People

Learn to create your own play and make finger puppets along the way!

Click here to download the 16-page curriculum along with supporting materials (lesson plans, videos, audio files, and worksheets) in English and Spanish.

K-6 students will meet Core Standards in drama (create, perform/present/produce, respond, and connect). The curriculum is easily adaptable to support any other subject or class project.

Click here to email Education Coordinator Sharah Meservy for more information on our online, self-guided teacher training!

PRESENTING: SUPER CAT & REPTILE ROBOT
by Rachel Bublitz (excerpt, 2-4)
Catalyst Magazine

FLORA MEETS A BEE
by Morag Shepherd (K-3)
Catalyst Magazine

ZOMBIE THOUGHTS
by Jenny Kokai & Oliver Kokai-Means (4-6)
Catalyst Magazine

RIVER.SWAMP.CAVE.MOUNTAIN.
by Elaine Jarvik (K-3)
Catalyst Magazine

THE EDIBLE COMPLEX
by Melissa Leilani Larson (4-6)
Catalyst Magazine

RUFF!
by Jenifer Nii (K-3)
Catalyst Magazine

DIFFERENT=AMAZING
by Matthew Ivan Bennett (4-6)
The Salt Lake Tribune

The (very) short plays below are downloadable as PDFs and available royalty free. They were created to be performed by student actors; those marked * require a teacher to narrate. 

THE TEN MILE DAY
by the 2018/19 students
in Kelsey Hokanson’s 4th grade class
Oakridge Elementary,
with guidance from Melissa Leilani Larson & Brandan Ngo (4)

RUDOLPH THE RED-NOSED REINDEER*
by Sharah Meservy (K)

I DREAM OF A FAMILY*
by Victoria Petro-Eschler (1)

TREES ARE IMPORTANT*
by Victoria Petro-Eschler (2)

CINDERELLA*
by Sharah Meservy (3-6)

THE NORSE LEGEND OF THE MISTLETOE
by Sharah Meservy (5)

THE THREE LITTLE PIGS
by Tyson Baker & Latoya Cameron
of Pop-Up Puppet Theater (K-6)
commissioned by Utah Division of Arts & Museums
available royalty free with permission

The plays below are downloadable as PDFs and include details on securing performance rights. They were created to be performed by larger casts of either student or adult actors.

THE POST OFFICE
by Melissa Leilani Larson (9-12+)
perfect for high school one-act competition
Catalyst Magazine

CARAVAN: A HAPPY JOURNEY THROUGH WISDOM TALES OF JUDAISM, CHRISTIANITY & ISLAM
by Carol Lynn Pearson (7-12+)
available royalty free with permission
Spokane FAVS (review)

SHINE A LIGHT
by Tito Livas (5-12+)
commissioned as part of the Play at Home initiative
available royalty free with permission
click here to email the playwright

STRANDED
by Brandan Ngo (7-12+)
commissioned as part of the Play at Home initiative
available royalty free with permission
click here to email the playwright