SHADOWS OF THE FOREST by RKWhite Copyright 2014 / RKWhite ...
SHADOWS OF THE FOREST by R.K.White Copyright 2014 / R.K.White All rights reserved.
These plays are free to print and to use in the classroom or for workshops and treaties, provided any performance is for non-profit. This ebook may not be re-sold or given away to other people. For commercial re-production of any of these works, it must be first authorized by the author by emailing [email protected]
Thank you for respecting the hard work of this author.
SPECIAL THANKS To my love & partner in crime Shannon Wright for all your help and encouragement putting this series together. Especially during times of formatting frustrations! Also to Stagecoach for providing a practise arena and platform to perform new works.
CONTENTS
Letter from the author
How to use this book
E x t ra c t fro m S h a d ows o f t h e Fo re st
Characters
S h a d ows o f T h e Fo re st
L E T T E R F RO M AU T H O R I have been teaching drama to children for over six years. In that time I’ve found myself plagued by a severe lack of plays that are
adaptable to an ever fluctuating number of students. Kids join up, kids leave half way through a term; this can make it quite a challenge with casting, let alone finding a suitable script. So over the years I have taken to writing my own material - that the kids would enjoy AND could be easily adjusted if students were to come and go during a term – and these plays are the result. They have been met with tremendous positive feedback from both children and parents. Break a leg!
R.K.White
HOW TO USE THIS BOOK Line Learning & Distribution A teachers’ worst nightmare. Nothing is more stressful for a director than it being the week before a performance and having students that still don’t know their lines. Generally speaking, as a drama teacher, you’re only seeing each student once a week and you can’t be there to make sure lines are being practised at home.
With this in mind, I keep lines simple and avoid getting bogged down in heavy writing. This keeps the dialogue moving, the pace up, and the energy high!
CASTING The script layout is divided into three columns. The first column is the Character Speaking, the second column is for keeping track of which actor is delivering each line and the third column is for dialogue and movement.
FIXED CHARACTERS Whilst wanting a flexible formula to work with when writing for kids, I felt it necessary to have a few Fixed Characters. These characters are the basis on which the story was built. These roles should go to the more reliable students who are likely to see it through to the end of term.
INTERCHANGEABLE CHARACTERS Interchangeable characters are easier to replace than Fixed Characters and have lines that can be easily distributed however you see fit. You can keep track of lines by simply writing the name of the actor in the middle column under Actors’ Name. I recommend holding on to one or two of these interchangeable lines for children starting the class term late or to reward those who have worked hard and would like more. Still have students desperate for more involvement? Why not have them create a short introduction to the play they are about to perform? Sometimes this is all it takes to make a student feel important.
Each play is close to ten minutes in length and characters are unisex unless stated otherwise.
FIXED JORDAN Jordan is confident and stubborn. It was Jordan’s idea to run away from home and he/she likes to be in charge. JESSE Jesse looks up to Jordan’s confidence and often follows Jordan’s lead. He/she is a little timid and not the adventuring sort.
INTERCHANGEABLE SHADOWS Shadows are mischievous loving, shape-shifting creatures that love to play tricks. Some Shadows approach Jesse and Jordan wearing a disguise (see below). SHADOW MAMA BEAR, SHADOW PAPA BEAR, SHADOW BABY BEAR SHADOW WOLF, SHADOW WITCH
CASTING NOTE SHADOWS and SHADOW disguises (i.e SHADOW MAMA BEAR, SHADOW WOLF) are not separate characters and should be played by those cast as SHADOWS. It may be helpful when distributing lines to give the repeated lines to the same people. For example: “ They’re running away. From whom? From what? From home.” appears multiple times within the script.
TIPS When SHADOWS call out “Fun! Fun! Fun!” this is a cue that they are about to start some mischief. Jesse and Jordan cannot see the SHADOWS unless they are in a disguise. They should act like they are unable to see the SHADOWS until the very end.
CHARACTERS
ACTORS’ NAME
DIALOGUE & MOVEMENT
SHADOW
ALL
TIP: Have children creeping out from hiding places on different parts of the stage. PROLOGUE
SHADOW
Once upon a time!
SHADOW
You say you’ve heard it before?
SHADOW
Don’t be deceived by first perceptions.
SHADOW
This tale, will drop your jaw!
SHADOW
Ever been walking alone at night In a deep dark wood, so cold? And felt like eyes were watching you, Waiting for you. Listen and you’ll hear us.
ALL
SHADOW
The breeze!
SHADOW
The squeaks!
Shadow
The Trees!
SHADOW
The shrieks!
SHADOW
You won’t see us without our will But we’re watching. Just waiting. Listening. To you!
SHADOW
ALL
Someone’s coming! The SHADOWS can hide or disguise themselves as twisted trees. They watch with curiosity and provide a scary soundtrack as JESSE and JORDAN enter. JORDAN wears a backpack and carries a bag of bread crumbs. She leaves a trail as she walks.
JORDAN
Hurry up.
JESSE
Where are we going?
JORDAN
Away. Far away from home.
These plays are free to print and to use in the classroom or for workshops and treaties, provided any performance is for non-profit. This ebook may not be re-sold or given away to other people. For commercial re-production of any of these works, it must be first authorized by the author by emailing [email protected]
Thank you for respecting the hard work of this author.
SPECIAL THANKS To my love & partner in crime Shannon Wright for all your help and encouragement putting this series together. Especially during times of formatting frustrations! Also to Stagecoach for providing a practise arena and platform to perform new works.
CONTENTS
Letter from the author
How to use this book
E x t ra c t fro m S h a d ows o f t h e Fo re st
Characters
S h a d ows o f T h e Fo re st
L E T T E R F RO M AU T H O R I have been teaching drama to children for over six years. In that time I’ve found myself plagued by a severe lack of plays that are
adaptable to an ever fluctuating number of students. Kids join up, kids leave half way through a term; this can make it quite a challenge with casting, let alone finding a suitable script. So over the years I have taken to writing my own material - that the kids would enjoy AND could be easily adjusted if students were to come and go during a term – and these plays are the result. They have been met with tremendous positive feedback from both children and parents. Break a leg!
R.K.White
HOW TO USE THIS BOOK Line Learning & Distribution A teachers’ worst nightmare. Nothing is more stressful for a director than it being the week before a performance and having students that still don’t know their lines. Generally speaking, as a drama teacher, you’re only seeing each student once a week and you can’t be there to make sure lines are being practised at home.
With this in mind, I keep lines simple and avoid getting bogged down in heavy writing. This keeps the dialogue moving, the pace up, and the energy high!
CASTING The script layout is divided into three columns. The first column is the Character Speaking, the second column is for keeping track of which actor is delivering each line and the third column is for dialogue and movement.
FIXED CHARACTERS Whilst wanting a flexible formula to work with when writing for kids, I felt it necessary to have a few Fixed Characters. These characters are the basis on which the story was built. These roles should go to the more reliable students who are likely to see it through to the end of term.
INTERCHANGEABLE CHARACTERS Interchangeable characters are easier to replace than Fixed Characters and have lines that can be easily distributed however you see fit. You can keep track of lines by simply writing the name of the actor in the middle column under Actors’ Name. I recommend holding on to one or two of these interchangeable lines for children starting the class term late or to reward those who have worked hard and would like more. Still have students desperate for more involvement? Why not have them create a short introduction to the play they are about to perform? Sometimes this is all it takes to make a student feel important.
Each play is close to ten minutes in length and characters are unisex unless stated otherwise.
FIXED JORDAN Jordan is confident and stubborn. It was Jordan’s idea to run away from home and he/she likes to be in charge. JESSE Jesse looks up to Jordan’s confidence and often follows Jordan’s lead. He/she is a little timid and not the adventuring sort.
INTERCHANGEABLE SHADOWS Shadows are mischievous loving, shape-shifting creatures that love to play tricks. Some Shadows approach Jesse and Jordan wearing a disguise (see below). SHADOW MAMA BEAR, SHADOW PAPA BEAR, SHADOW BABY BEAR SHADOW WOLF, SHADOW WITCH
CASTING NOTE SHADOWS and SHADOW disguises (i.e SHADOW MAMA BEAR, SHADOW WOLF) are not separate characters and should be played by those cast as SHADOWS. It may be helpful when distributing lines to give the repeated lines to the same people. For example: “ They’re running away. From whom? From what? From home.” appears multiple times within the script.
TIPS When SHADOWS call out “Fun! Fun! Fun!” this is a cue that they are about to start some mischief. Jesse and Jordan cannot see the SHADOWS unless they are in a disguise. They should act like they are unable to see the SHADOWS until the very end.
CHARACTERS
ACTORS’ NAME
DIALOGUE & MOVEMENT
SHADOW
ALL
TIP: Have children creeping out from hiding places on different parts of the stage. PROLOGUE
SHADOW
Once upon a time!
SHADOW
You say you’ve heard it before?
SHADOW
Don’t be deceived by first perceptions.
SHADOW
This tale, will drop your jaw!
SHADOW
Ever been walking alone at night In a deep dark wood, so cold? And felt like eyes were watching you, Waiting for you. Listen and you’ll hear us.
ALL
SHADOW
The breeze!
SHADOW
The squeaks!
Shadow
The Trees!
SHADOW
The shrieks!
SHADOW
You won’t see us without our will But we’re watching. Just waiting. Listening. To you!
SHADOW
ALL
Someone’s coming! The SHADOWS can hide or disguise themselves as twisted trees. They watch with curiosity and provide a scary soundtrack as JESSE and JORDAN enter. JORDAN wears a backpack and carries a bag of bread crumbs. She leaves a trail as she walks.
JORDAN
Hurry up.
JESSE
Where are we going?
JORDAN
Away. Far away from home.
