Aaron’s Classic RT Book!

Stories on Stage

Scripts for Reader’s Theater

— FIRST EDITION —

Edited and Adapted by Aaron Shepard

2003 California Collection Selection (California Readers)

General Info
Reviews and Comments
Contents

Stories on Stage is the premier collection of scripts for reader’s theater. Unlike almost all other collections, its scripts are adapted exclusively from contemporary books and children’s magazines, ideally suiting it to making that “literature connection.” (Scripts in most other collections are original works by the scripter or adapted from works in the public domain.)

Twenty‑two scripts present books and stories by twenty‑one authors—authors such as Roald Dahl, Louis Sachar, and Nancy Farmer. Each work is selected for its dramatic quality, literary value, and appeal to young people. Genres include multicultural folktales, fantasy, and humor.

Recommended grade levels start at 2 and continue through the highest grades, with the focus on 3 to 9 (U.S. system). Innovative scripting provides roles for a maximum number of readers while enlivening the performance.

All the scripts may be freely reproduced and performed for any noncommercial purpose. The book’s large format and sturdy binding are perfect for easy photocopying and script assembly.

Aaron Shepard is the award-winning author of numerous children’s books and magazine stories, as well as three books on reader’s theater, Stories on Stage, Folktales on Stage, and Readers on Stage. He spent five years as a professional actor in reader’s theater, performing in schools and conducting workshops for teachers, librarians, and students. He now hosts Aaron Shepard’s RT Page, the Web’s most popular reader’s theater destination, with visits from thousands of teachers and librarians each week.

The H. W. Wilson Company
Paperback ~ 1993

Reviews and Comments

“Reader’s theater, a key in the literature-based curriculum concept, gets a boost from this collection. . . . The scripts are simple and direct, multicultural, and easily reproducible for classroom use.”—Ilene Cooper, American Library Association Booklist, Jan. 1, 1994

“An intriguing, well-rounded collection. . . . The tone and content of source material is effectively preserved.”—Horn Book Guide, July–Dec. 1993

“A well-written collection. . . . These scripts will inspire young actors to read the books.”—Penny Peck, Bayviews (Association of Children’s Librarians), Nov. 1993

“Give kids a script and watch them act. . . . Shepard’s talent as a storyteller shines out in his adaptations.”—Jan Lieberman, TNT: Tips & Titles of Books, Fall 1993

“What? Don’t have time to write up your own scripts for reader’s theater? Not to worry. Aaron Shepard will get you started with his stellar scripts—perfect for duplicating, handing out to your students, and bringing to life. This is one must-have book.”—Judy Freeman, Author, More Books Kids Will Sit Still For

Contents

About This Book

About the Scripts

About Staging

The Legend of Lightning Larry

By Aaron Shepard

GENRE: Tall tale
CULTURE: U.S. (Western frontier)
THEME: Aggressive nonviolence
GRADES: 3-6
ROLES: 22+
TIME: 8 minutes

Harriet

By Florence Parry Heide
From Tales for the Perfect Child

GENRE: Humor
CULTURE: Contemporary (U.S.)
THEME: Whining
GRADES: 2-5
ROLES: 6
TIME: 3 minutes

Millions of Cats

By Wanda Gag

GENRE: Fantasy
CULTURE: ——
THEME: Moderation; pride vs. humility
GRADES: 2-5
ROLES: 9+
TIME: 6 minutes

Mr. Bim’s Bamboo

By Carol Farley

GENRE: Fantasy
CULTURE: East Asia
THEME: Tradition vs. modernity
GRADES: 3-6
ROLES: 8
TIME: 6 minutes

Talk

By Harold Courlander and George Herzog
From The Cow-Tail Switch

GENRE: Tall tale
CULTURE: Africa, West
THEME: Rigid vs. flexible thinking
GRADES: 3-9
ROLES: 15-16
TIME: 4 minutes

The Jade Stone

By Caryn Yacowitz

GENRE: Folktale
CULTURE: China, ancient
THEME: Artistic process; artistic integrity
GRADES: 3-6
ROLES: 11+
TIME: 10 minutes

Jumping Mouse

By Hyemeyohsts Storm
From Seven Arrows

GENRE: Teaching tale
CULTURE: Native American (Plains)
THEME: Spiritual development; individualism
GRADES: 3-6
ROLES: 12-13
TIME: 12 minutes

Three Sideways Stories

By Louis Sachar
From Sideways Stories from Wayside School

GENRE: Humor
CULTURE: Contemporary (U.S.)
THEME: Linear vs. non-linear thinking; quality vs. quantity
GRADES: 3-6
ROLES: 9
TIME: 12 minutes

The Bean Boy

By Monica Shannon
From California Fairy Tales

GENRE: Fantasy
CULTURE: California, colonial
THEME: Determination; helpfulness
GRADES: 4-6
ROLES: 8
TIME: 8 minutes

Savitri

By Aaron Shepard

GENRE: Myth
CULTURE: India, ancient
THEME: Strong woman; determination
GRADES: 4-9
ROLES: 10
TIME: 10 minutes

The Flame of Peace

By Deborah Nourse Lattimore

GENRE: Myth
CULTURE: Aztec (ancient Mexico)
THEME: Peacemaking; courage
GRADES: 4-6
ROLES: 15-16+
TIME: 10 minutes

The Devil and Mother Crump

By Valerie Scho Carey

GENRE: Folktale
CULTURE: U.S.
THEME: Strong woman; little vs. big guy
GRADES: 4-9
ROLES: 8-10
TIME: 10 minutes

How Tom Beat Captain Najork and His Hired Sportsmen

By Russell Hoban

GENRE: Humor
CULTURE: Contemporary (Britain)
THEME: Structured vs. informal education
GRADES: 4-7
ROLES: 10
TIME: 10 minutes

The Kid from the Commercial

By Stephen Manes
From It’s New! It’s Improved! It’s Terrible!

GENRE: Humor
CULTURE: Contemporary (U.S.)
THEME: Commercialism; media manipulation
GRADES: 4-7
ROLES: 5
TIME: 5 minutes

Tapiwa’s Uncle

By Nancy Farmer

GENRE: Realistic fiction
CULTURE: Africa, Southeast
THEME: Cultural diversity
GRADES: 4-7
ROLES: 7+
TIME: 10 minutes

Mr. Twit’s Revenge

By Roald Dahl
From The Twits

GENRE: Humor
CULTURE: Contemporary (Britain)
THEME: Revenge
GRADES: 4-9
ROLES: 6
TIME: 8 minutes

McBroom’s Fourth of July

By Sid Fleischman
From McBroom’s Almanac

GENRE: Tall tale
CULTURE: U.S.
THEME: Lying
GRADES: 4-9
ROLES: 4
TIME: 4 minutes

The Fools of Chelm

By Steve Sanfield
From The Feather Merchants

GENRE: Folktale
CULTURE: Judaic (East Europe)
THEME: Rigid vs. flexible thinking
GRADES: 4-9
ROLES: 8
TIME: 10 minutes

The Princess and the Snails

By Christie Harris
From Mouse Woman and the Vanished Princesses

GENRE: Myth
CULTURE: Native American (Pacific Northwest)
THEME: Kindness to animals; pride vs. humility
GRADES: 5-7
ROLES: 12+
TIME: 16 minutes

* * *

Worlds of Fantasy

The following three scripts can be performed either separately or as a unified program of about 50 minutes.

Death’s Dominion

By Piers Anthony
From On a Pale Horse

GENRE: Fantasy
CULTURE: Contemporary (Central America)
THEME: War
GRADES: 8 and up
ROLES: 5
TIME: 10 minutes

Westwoods

By Eleanor Farjeon
From The Little Bookroom

GENRE: Fantasy
CULTURE: ——
THEME: Rigid structuring vs. intuitive action
GRADES: 8 and up
ROLES: 8-13+
TIME: 18 minutes

Captain Cully

By Peter S. Beagle
From The Last Unicorn

GENRE: Fantasy
CULTURE: Britain, medieval
THEME: Idealism vs. compromise
GRADES: 9 and up
ROLES: 8+
TIME: 16 minutes

* * *

Appendix: From Story to Script

Resources

This info is for the First Edition. Don’t miss the Second Edition!