Educator Support Resources – Plays and Musicals For Kids
We have multiple plays and musicals for kids available in our Online Performing Arts Studio (OPAS) (Free and at low cost).
- For Parents
- Kids can get online via Zoom and collaborate on a play utilizing one of our scripts.
- For Educators
- For use in the classroom or online learning for students to learn story structure, expression, characterization, and play building.
- Additional fees apply to organizations wishing to mount a production in front of a paying audience
Original scripts and music for kids
Plays: 40-70 minute scripts for kids by Lauren Hillman
Human Like Me
40 minute musical by Lauren Hillman
Cost: $15.00 (script) Note: Study Guide / Music: Free!
Human Like Me
Theatrix Youtheatre Society is pleased to present support in dramatic form to anyone who is interested in educating children about diversity and racism in the classroom.
Human Like Me is a 40-minute production that focuses on themes of diversity, inclusion, immigration, and anti-racism through an allegorical story.
Synopsis:
A family of humans moves to Obelopolis: The World’s Happiest Monster Metropolis. Go through the immigration experience with them and see what it feels like to move to a country that wasn’t designed for people who look like you.
This 40-minute production is an easy script with more complicated subject matter and themes making it ideally suited for cast members in grades 4-6. Requires a cast of 7-12 students, depending on doubling. Includes one musical number. Created in 2020 this script can also be used for online learning or presented with physical distancing easily maintained.
A study guide is also available for this production to help facilitate a discussion on the ideas and themes presented in this story. Educators not looking to stage their own production or work with the script in their classroom are welcome to watch the recorded performance here or here using the study guide as additional support material. There are no additional royalty charges for performances where tickets are not sold. Please credit Theatrix Youtheatre, the playwright, and composer in any productions. Contact register@theatrixyoutheatre.com if you’d like to purchase the royalties to stage a production for profit.
The One-Stop Happiness Shop
45-50 minute musical by Lauren Hillman
Cost: $15.00 Script / $5.00 Music – Study Guide: Free!
The One-Stop Happiness Shop
The One-Stop Happiness Shop was created during the pandemic and focuses on themes of mental health as well as teaching children about the concept of managing emotions.
Synopsis:
A shop has appeared out of nowhere. It wasn’t there yesterday. Run by a mad scientist and her loopy shop assistants, most would be afraid to enter, if it wasn’t for what the shop claims to sell… Happiness. When a group of children, each dealing with their own personal problems, discover The One-Stop Happiness Shop they’re certain this is the answer they’ve been looking for. A magic pill to get rid of all their problems. But they’re about to learn there’s no shortcut to happiness.
This 45-50 minute production includes four original songs and is best suited to students in grades 3-7 or a mixed age group. Requires a minimum cast of 11 students but some roles can easily be divided into more characters for a larger class size.
A study guide is also available for this production to help facilitate a discussion on the ideas and themes presented in this story. Educators not looking to stage their own production or work with the script in their classroom are welcome to watch the recorded performance here using the study guide as additional support material. There are no additional royalty charges for performances where tickets are not sold. Please credit Theatrix Youtheatre, the playwright, and composer in any productions. Contact register@theatrixyoutheatre.com if you’d like to purchase the royalties to stage a production for profit.
Original play scripts for kids
Plays: 30-45 minute scripts for kids by Deborah Solberg
FREE – Save the Salmon, Save the World
30-45 minute play by Deborah Solberg
Free of charge to download and perform.
Cost: Free!
Welcome Teachers, Parents and Educators
Theatrix Youtheatre Society is pleased to present support in dramatic form for anyone who is interested in educating children about salmon conservation and First Nation’s curriculum objectives.
Save the Salmon, Save the World is a concrete method of introducing these objectives, and children get to learn about public speaking, articulation, expression, and of course, reading. For a limited time, it is free of charge to read and perform, compliments of Theatrix Youtheatre Society and myself as playwright.
Check out these links for further study.
Salmonids in the Classroom from Fisheries and Oceans Canada (a unit and sample Lesson Plan on the life cycle of Salmon)
Salmon, the Environment and Society – An Education Module on Salmon Aquaculture in BC by Jim Wiese.
Stream to Sea Program from Big Little Science Centre
Not So Long Ago
30-45 minute play by Deborah Solberg
Cost: $15
Synopsis:
Peace is a problem-solving process.
Not So Long Ago is a fun, educational and interactive one act fairy tale; an example of how we can work out our problems to live peacefully with the spirits on earth and above.
Angel has crossed over to the other side, but wants to help her parents, the Wife and Husband, who are grieving and have to move because the country has split in two. A Fairy comes to help her help them even though no one can see or hear them.
The Kingdom of Canukland is not getting along very well. Duke BouRassy takes direction from his thumb-sucking, blanket carrying wizard, Merlinus, and Prince Mulronyd has a Dragon, named Fearless, who does not speak or breathe fire, and in fact, is very fearful.
The Maid is the narrator and describes how the Kingdom of Canukland has been split in two, Canadonia and Canadavia, and no one knows how to bring it together.
The Husband and Wife resent being forced to speak a different language, and the Husband declares
he will go to war. The Maid overhears and decides to warn the Prince.
The Angel and the Fairy wonder how they can stop it and decide to wait for the right moment to intervene.
How do they come together when they are so far apart?
The Golden Rule
30-45 minute play by Deborah Solberg
Cost: $15
Synopsis:
This original fairy tale begins with an angel who is on a mission to earn her second wing. She runs into characters who don’t see her, but clearly have a problem respecting each other.
Baby Dragon needs dragon breath, Princess has no empathy for the Peasant who needs water, and Prince just wants to play and not slay the dragon. Joker is not funny and the Wizard is at his wits end.
They team up to create the Golden Rule,which gives Angel her second wing, and they all live happily ever after.
Tillicum
30-45 minute play by Deborah Solberg
Cost: $15
Synopsis:
The title TILLICUM, is the Chinook word for FRIEND.
The play follows the friend ship of E. Pauline Johnson, Canada’s renowned poetess and emissary to King Edward, Chief Joe Capilano from the Squamish Nation including, her poems and his stories as relayed in the book: Legends of Vancouver.
This play is an excellent educational tool to teach poetry and storytelling, and the history of two of Canada’s notable First Nations storytellers.
Original musical scripts and music for kids
Musicals – 30-45 minute musicals for kids by Deborah Solberg
FREE – What Goes Around, Comes Around
30-45 minute musical by Deborah Solberg
Includes music tracks and lyrics by Yurgen Ilander, both vocal and instrumental.
Free of charge to download and perform.
Cost: Free!
Synopsis:
This is a classic tale of good triumphing over evil, and the fairies, wizard and goblin take on the Queenie meanies and Sorceress.
Important themes are learning to Walk the Walk and be our best because What Goes Around, Comes Around!
This is a delightful tale for elementary school children to try vocal and character expression,with fun songs to sing and dance to.
Snow White
40-50 minute musical by Deborah Solberg
Music and Lyrics by Yurgen Ilander & Gary Huntbach, both vocal and instrumental (sold separately).
Get Script
Cost: $15
Get Music
Cost: $10
Synopsis:
Snow White wants to be loved, but the Queen wants to be the Fairest in the Land. That means Snow White must go. And never come back. Only the Ladies in Waiting, Dwarves and animals can help Snow White determine her own fate.
This original musical adaptation scripted by Deborah Jean Solberg with music by Yurgen Ilander mirrors the real story. And it’s all in the Mirror! The mirror, as all mirrors do, tells it like it really is. Even the Queen cannot escape the mirror.
Snow White must run for her life, and just like the story says, she encounters little people in the forest. But a twist in the story about true love turns this classic fairytale into a contemporary redemption story for elementary school children to try vocal and character expression, with fun songs to sing and dance to.
Cinderella
40-50 minute musical by Deborah Solberg
Music tracks and lyrics by Stephen Bulat, Yurgen Ilander and Peter Abando (sold separately)
Get Script
Cost: $15
Get Music
Cost: $10
Synopsis:
This is the story of the girl with the shoe from a completely different perspective.
This original musical adaptation scripted by Deborah Jean Solberg with music by Stephen Bulat, Ted Yurgen Ilander and Peter Abando has a different take on the magic of the shoe.
Cinderella is a young girl, Ella, and once she becomes the servant of her stepmother and stepsisters, she is dismayed to learn that her fairy godmother is a fairy Godfather and the Mob. This hilarious rendition a salute to Princess Diana in her quest for freedom from the press.
This is a delightful tale for elementary school children to try vocal and character expression, with fun songs to sing and dance to.
Alice in Wonderland
40-50 minute musical by Deborah Solberg
Music and Lyrics by Yurgen Ilander, Gary Huntbach, Sanders Whiting (sold separately)
Get Script
Cost: $15
Get Music
Cost: $10
Synopsis:
Alice drops down the Rabbit hole into another dimension of wild and wacky characters who share their satirical view of manners.
This version is an original musical adaptation combining favorite stories from Alice in Wonderland and Alice Through the Looking Glass. It opens with a contemporary scene as children audition for roles in the play.
It follows Alice on her journey to find herself and get home. Characters include: White Rabbit, Queen of Hearts, Mad Hatter, Doormouse, Hare, Lion, Unicorn, Humpty Dumpty, Caterpillar, Cheshire Cat, and many more.
This is a delightful tale for elementary school children to try vocal and character expression, with fun songs to sing and dance to.
Babes in Toyland
40-50 minute musical by Deborah Solberg
Music and Lyrics by Yurgen Ilander, Gary Huntbach, Sanders Whiting (sold separately)
Get Script
Cost: $15
Get Music
Cost: $10
Synopsis:
This lovely tale of good over evil, thanks to children, a touch of magic and the classic tune of Victor Herbert, is all you need to celebrate the holidays. This original musical adaptation is scripted by Deborah Jean Solberg with music by Yurgen Ilander, Gary Huntbach and Sanders Whiting.
The children in Nursery Rhyme Land are at the hands of the evil Madame Barbarina who only cares about money.
Jack and Jill find a way to save Mother Goose and Nursey Rhyme Land. Together with the Gypsy, they help Madame Barbarina learn about the power of giving, and they all live happily ever after.
Charlotte’s Web
30-45 minute musical by Deborah Solberg
Music tracks and lyrics by Yurgen Ilander, both vocal and instrumental (sold separately).
Get Script
Cost: $15
Get Music
Cost: $10
Synopsis:
True to the classic, Templeton the Rat helps Charlotte the Spider save Wilbur the Pig from becoming the Christmas Ham!
Wilbur is Fern’s precious little piggy, but they live on a farm,where a pig is raised to be the Christmas Ham. The Farm yard animals let Wilbur know he is next. A spider named Charlotte comes to the rescue to let him know that he has a friend.
The magical journey begins when she spins a word into her web. This is a delightful tale for elementary school children to try vocal and character expression, with fun songs to sing and dance to.
The Velveteen Rabbit
30-45 minute musical by Deborah Solberg
Music tracks and lyrics by Yurgen Ilander, both vocal and instrumental (sold separately).
Get Script
Cost: $15
Get Music
Cost: $10
30 – 45 minute musical adaptation by Deborah Solberg
Synopsis:
Play by Deborah J. Solberg
Music, score and Lyrics by Yurgen Ilander
This is the story of a toy Rabbit who wants to be loved. Girl receives Rabbit for Christmas. Once in the nursery, Rabbit learns that in order to be loved, she might get worn and torn.
When Girl gets sick, Rabbit is thrown out into the garden. Real bunnies and fairies help Rabbit learn that she is loved. Girl sees Rabbit with the real bunnies and recognizes her by the pink ribbon. They all live happily ever after.
The Nutcracker
40 – 50 minute musical by Deborah Solberg (Script sold separately)
Music tracks and lyrics by Yurgen Ilander, adapted from the ballet by Pyotr Ilyich Tchaikovsky.
Vocal and prompt tracks for each song, plus SFX (Music tracks sold separately)
Music notation by Yurgen Ilander also available (Sold separately)
Script:
Get Script
Cost: $15
Music Files:
Get Music
Cost: $10
Sheet Music:
Get Notation
Cost: $10
Nutcracker (2005 cast) Reference Performance:
Performance
Cost: $10
40-50 minute musical adaptation by Deborah Solberg
Synopsis:
Play by Deborah J. Solberg
Music, score and Lyrics by Yurgen Ilander
The classic story of Good over Evil when Clara gets her magical Nutcracker for Christmas. She learns the true story of how “love can save the broken family.” and makes that wish for the Nutcracker. After a dramatic rescue by his sisters, Sugar Plum Fairy, he introduces Clara to his family in Candyland. A fun treat for children to act in and watch.
Drama camp lesson plans for kids
A set of lesson plans for a 5-day drama camp for kids by Deborah Solberg
Drama Camp Lesson Plans – Peter Pan
Lesson plan and script adaptation of James Barrie’s Peter Pan by Deborah Solberg.
Music tracks and lyrics by Sanders Whiting, both vocal and instrumental (sold separately).
Lesson Plan
Cost: $15
Get Music
Cost: $10
ABOUT THE CAMP CURRICULUM
Synopsis:
You may be a new teacher to the drama world, or a teacher who has been assigned drama, or you might need some new ideas. Many of the drama games are well-known and often the choice of material lies with the makeup of the group.
But over five days, kiddies can have a taste test of games, activities, bits of scenes and songs with choreography to introduce them to the very fun world of theatre. These ideas may help you in the regular classroom teach everything from language to social studies, and build self-esteem, confidence and group problem-solving.
This 5-Day lesson plan includes an original musical adaptation of James Barrie’s Peter Pan by Deborah Solberg, with music and lyrics by Sanders Whiting.
Lauren Hillman
About the playwright:
Lauren Hillman is the new Artistic Director of Theatrix Youtheatre Society. Since starting in this role Lauren has collaborated with students on the creation of eight original productions including The Snow Queen, The Twisted Tale of Robin Hood, Narnia: The Musical, As You Wish, Human Like Me, The One-Stop Happiness Shop, Clue: A Whodunnit Musical Murder Mystery, and Alice in a Winter Wonderland. She has also written and published a middle-grade novel, Outcast. Her current work in progress is a Young Adult retelling of Peter Pan focusing on the story of Neverland before Pan’s arrival and she’s looking forward to developing an original musical based on Charlie and the Chocolate Factory in 2023.
Deborah Solberg
About the playwright:
Deborah is founding Artistic Director of Theatrix Youtheatre Society, which incorporated as a non-profit, charitable performing arts organization in 1991.
- Over the last three decades, she collaborated with thousands of kids to create shows as a vehicle to learn confidence and self-expression.
- Deborah produced and directed over 100 productions, from short school touring shows to full scale musical theatre productions.
- She is playwright for over 30 original plays, with a passion for adapting classical children’s literature.
- Theatrix is a 17-time Theatre BC festival award winner.
- Young people in Theatrix programs have become professional actors, dancers and singers around the world.
How Can You Perform in Self-Isolation?
ZOOM allows up to 12 children take part in a reader’s theatre format, utilizing acting lessons from Lauren Hillman, Artistic Director. Other plays will be uploaded to this platform shortly, that will continue educational support.
ZOOM
To download and install the Zoom Application (FREE): Go to https://zoom.us/download
