What is a classic?
When we hear “classic,” we might think “old” but that is not always true. A classic story or play might represent a certain genre, or it might be a story that has made an important contribution to literature or theatre. Classics come from all different cultures and time periods. This collection of classic plays are stories that are in the public domain and have made a great impact on storytelling. They have all stood the test of time and their messages still ring true today.
Peter Pan
Whitney Darling, A Modern Peter Pan Story
7 Characters. Flexible Casting. Approximately 30 minutes running time. A modern telling of Peter Pan.
Peter Pan and the Lost Girl
10+ characters, flexible casting. Approximately 15 minutes long. Peter Pan meets Little Red Riding Hood in this short play by Willow Rowe. Fun for all ages.
Peter Pan in Thirty Minutes
12+ characters, flexible casting. Approximately 30 minutes long. Includes songs from the public domain. Comedy adventure script based on the classic story of Peter Pan.
Peter Pan
27 roles, flexible casting, approximately 30 minutes long. An abridged version of Peter Pan by J.M. Barrie.
Peter Pan for Young Performers
13+ characters. Approximately 20 minutes long. Includes simple songs from the public domain. Early reader script based on the classic story of Peter Pan.
The Shadow of Peter Pan
14 characters, flexible casting, approximately 15 minutes. Comedy script about Peter Pan’s “Shadow” breaking free to live an independent existence. Perfect for middle and high school.
Alice in Wonderland
Chaplin in Wonderland
15+ characters, flexible casting. Approximately 10 minutes long. Charlie Chaplin takes a trip down the rabbit hole to Wonderland. A fast-paced comedy that incorporates pantomime.
Mad Tea Party
12 characters. 12 minutes running time. Short play based on ‘Through the Looking Glass.’
Alice in Wonderland for Early Readers
Flexible casting for 10+ characters. Approximately 10 minutes running time. Leading narration and rhyming make it perfect for preschool and elementary. Includes suggestions for adding more poetry to your production.
Alice in Wonderland Seussical Style
Flexible casting for 10+ characters. Approximately 10 minutes running time. Narration and rhyming make it perfect for elementary and middle school. Suggestions for adding more Lewis Carroll poetry to your performance.
Alice in Wonderland in 20 Minutes
Flexible casting for 10+ characters. Approximately 20 minutes running time with ideas for adding creative movement. Traditional Alice in Wonderland story, perfect for elementary through high school. Includes suggestions for adding more Lewis Carroll poetry to your production.
Alice in Wonderland Experience
10+ characters. 20-40 minutes. A step-by-step guide to help you create your own immersive, promenade-style Alice in Wonderland performance piece. 25 pages filled with creative ideas, scenes, and practical suggestions. Great for elementary through high school. Royalty-free for educational use.
Alice in Paris-Land
13+ characters, flexible casting, approximately 15 minutes long. A fantastical story about a young girl named Alice who travels to Paris during Fashion Week, meets interesting characters, and uses her imagination to save the day.
Alice in Wonderland – Full Length
Flexible casting for 25+ characters. Traditional story and characters. Approximately 60 minutes running time.
Lewis Carroll Poems
Fourteen Lewis Carroll poems that lend themselves well to performance.
Jabberwocky
10 characters, flexible casting. Approximately 5 minutes running time. Comedic recitation of the classic Lewis Carroll poem. Works for ages 8-18!
Brer Rabbit
Br’er Rabbit’s Christmas Play Script
4 characters, 4 minutes long. Two-page script for rambunctious boys!
Brer Rabbit Meets Brer Lion
4 characters with flexible casting. Approximately 10 minutes running time. Original take on a Brer Rabbit trickster tale using rhyming couplets. Written by Malcom Henty.
Brer Rabbit and Sister Swan’s Daughter
7+characters with flexible casting. Approximately 10 minutes running time. Funny and short playscript about the trickster Brer Rabbit and many other animal friends. Written by Malcom Henty.
Mr. Man’s Candy Store, A Brer Rabbit Tale
8+ characters with flexible casting. Approximately 10 minutes running time. An original take on the Brer Rabbit trickster tale with lots of animal friends. Written by Malcom Henty.
Brer Rabbit Tricks Brer Fox
9 characters with flexible casting. Approximately 10 minutes running time. An original take on the familiar Brer Rabbit Down the Well tale. Written by Malcom Henty.
Brer Rabbit and the Day of Learning
10+ characters with flexible casting. Approximately 10 minutes running time. An original take on the Brer Rabbit trickster tale with lots of animal friends. Written by Malcom Henty.
Beatrix Potter
(The stories of Peter Rabbit may have been adapted from Brer Rabbit stories. We encourage teachers and students to learn about the origins of Brer Rabbit and the meaning behind the stories.)
Peter Rabbit
7 characters; 4F; 3M. 7 pages in length. Approximately 5-10 minutes running time. An adaptation of the classic tale written by Andy Pavey.
Peter’s Big Adventure
7 minutes long, parts for 7 actors. Ages 7-10. Adaptation of the classic story by Beatrix Potter.
Benjamin the Hiding Bunny
10+ Characters. Cast size and gender breakdown are flexible. Leading narration and animal characters make this a perfect play for young children. Inspired by stories of Beatrix Potter. Approximately 15 minutes running time.
Happy Birthday Beatrix Potter
13 characters with flexible casting. Approximately 20 minutes running time. Join Peter Rabbit, Squirrel Nutkin, Hunker Munker, and other animal friends as they surprise Beatrix Potter with kindness and friendship. Written by Jennifer Reif.
Velveteen Rabbit
Velveteen Rabbit by Jennifer Reif
7-10 characters, approximately 15 minutes running time. Touching story based on the beloved children’s book, The Velveteen Rabbit by Margery Williams. Incorporates tableaus and creative movement. Adapted by Jennifer Reif.
The Velveteen Rabbit by Andy Pavey
9 characters; 2M; 7Either; Flexible casting; 13 pages in length. Approximately 10-15 minutes running time. An adaptation about a well-loved stuffed animal written by Andy Pavey.
The Real Deal
18 characters. 12 pages in length. Approximately 15 minutes running time. An adaptation of The Velveteen Rabbit written by Cathleen Freedman.
Rudyard Kipling – Just So Stories
How the Rhinoceros Got Its Wrinkly Skin
3-30+ characters, flexible casting. Approximately 5 minutes long. An animal origin story about how the rhinoceros got its wrinkly skin. Based on the Just So Stories by Rudyard Kipling.
How the Kangaroo Got Its Jump
3-30+ characters, flexible casting. Approximately 5 minutes long. An origin animal origin story about how the camel got its hump. Based on the Just So Stories by Rudyard Kipling.
How the Camel Got Its Hump
6-30+ characters, flexible casting. Approximately 5 minutes long. An origin animal origin story about how the camel got its hump. Based on the Just So Stories by Rudyard Kipling.
How the Whale Got Its Throat
3-30+ characters, flexible casting. Approximately 5 minutes long. An origin animal origin story about how the whale got its throat. Based on the Just So Stories by Rudyard Kipling.
How the Elephant Got Its Trunk
6-30+ characters, flexible casting. Approximately 12 minutes long. An origin story about how the elephant got its trunk. Based on the Just So Stories by Rudyard Kipling.
King Arthur
King Arthur and the Queen of Hearts
9 characters. 5 minutes running time. King Arthur uses a homing pigeon to find himself a girlfriend!
Merlin and the Dragons
10+ characters with flexible casting. Approximately 15 minutes running time. A simple and funny play about the legend of the Sword and the Stone.
A Merry Interlude at Camelot
15 characters. 4F; 3M; 8 Either; Flexible casting; 14 pages in length. Approximately 15-20 minutes running time. A Medieval comedy (with classroom materials) adapted by August Mergelman. (3 Credits)
Mark Twain
Buck Fanshaw’s Funeral
3 characters. 1F, 2M. Approximately 10 minutes running time. Comedic short play based on a Mark Twain tale. Very funny use of language!
The Burglar Alarm
4-10 characters, flexible casting. Approximately ten-minutes running time. Comedy based on a Mark Twain story.
Learn German with Ollendorff!
6 characters, 3F, 3M. Approximately 12 minutes running time. Ages 12 and up. Short version of a full-length Mark Twain play.
Tom Sawyer and the Picket Fence
Approximately 8 minutes long. 7 characters. Short play adaptation of the classic Mark Twain story!
Snowbound
8-14 characters, 2 F, 6-12 M. Approximately 12-15 minutes running time. Dark comedy based on a Mark Twain tale.
The Man That Corrupted Hadleyburg
12 characters. 4 F, 8 M. Ages 12 and up. Approximately 50 minutes running time. Full-length play based on a Mark Twain story. (5 credits)
The Prince and the Pauper
18 characters. 9F, 9M; Flexible casting; 21 pages in length. Approximately 30 minutes running time. An adaptation of Mark Twain’s novel written by Peter Mitsopoulos.
Agatha Christie
The Hollow
8 characters. 3M, 5F. 13 pages in length. Approximately 10-15 minutes running time. An adaptation of Agatha Christie’s murder mystery.
Go Back For Murder
6-8 characters. 11 pages in length. Approximately 10-15 minutes running time. An Agatha Christie murder mystery.
Cards on the Table
11 characters. Flexible casting. 12 pages in length. Approximately 10-15 minutes running time. An Agatha Christie murder mystery written by Lexi Sekuless.
Robin Hood
Robin Hood
10 characters; 5M, 1F, 4Either; Flexible casting; 14 pages in length. Approximately 10-15 minutes running time. A comedic adaptation of the English folktale by written by Andy Pavey.
Robin Hood Rap
11+ characters. Approximately 5 minutes running time. Robin Hood meets hip-hop for children!
Robin Hood and the Wedding of Doom
14+ characters. Flexible casting. Approximately 30 minutes long. Comedy Robin Hood melodrama script.
Robin Hood and the Unnecessary Rescue
27+ characters. Approximately 35 minutes running time. Comedic version of Robin Hood (sequel to Robin Hood and the Wedding of Doom).
Miscellaneous
The Greatest Of Expectations
2 characters. 1M, 1F. 6 pages. A futuristic tale for teens with Charles Dickens written by Steven Lancefield.
Don Quixote
6 characters; 2F; 2M; 2 Either. 8 pages in length. Approximately 5-10 minutes running time. A comedic adaptation written by Andy Pavey.
The Curious Case of Benjamin Button
7 characters; 5M; 2F; 6 pages in length. Approximately 5-10 minutes running time. A comedic adaptation about aging written by Andy Pavey.
Animal Farm
8+ characters; 3M, 5+Either; Flexible casting; 8 pages in length. Approximately 10 minutes running time. A comedic adaptation of George Orwell’s story by written by Andy Pavey.
Barnyard (an Animal Farm Story)
9 characters. 40 pages in length. Approximately 30-45 minutes running time. A play for older teens written by Richard Broadhurst. (5 credits)
Dorothy’s Magical Adventure in Oz
12+ characters. Approximately 10 minutes running time.
The Poe Plays
23 characters. 15F, 8M; Flexible casting; 24 pages long. Approximately 20-30 minutes running time. A detention horror comedy for teens written by Quinn Baldwin. (3 credits)
Treasure Island
18 characters. 28 pages long. Approximately 30 minutes running time. Radio play version of the classic book by Robert Louis Stevenson. (5 credits)
Doc Faustus
19 characters. Approximately one-hour running time. Comedic modern adaptation of Doctor Faustus by Christopher Marlowe.
Robinson Crusoe
12 minutes long. Parts for 20+ actors (flexible cast). Best suited for ages 8-12.
The Three Musketeers and the Very Pretty Diamonds
27 characters. Flexible casting. Approximately 40 minutes running time. An English French farce with sword-fighting and attitude!
In Order of Cast Size
The Greatest Of Expectations
2 characters. 1M, 1F. 6 pages. A futuristic tale for teens with Charles Dickens written by Steven Lancefield.
The Burglar Alarm
4-10 characters, flexible casting. Approximately ten-minutes running time. Comedy based on a Mark Twain story.
Go Back For Murder
6-8 characters. 11 pages in length. Approximately 10-15 minutes running time. An Agatha Christie murder mystery.
Don Quixote
6 characters; 2F; 2M; 2 Either. 8 pages in length. Approximately 5-10 minutes running time. A comedic adaptation written by Andy Pavey.
Learn German with Ollendorff!
6 characters, 3F, 3M. Approximately 12 minutes running time. Ages 12 and up. Short version of a full-length Mark Twain play.
The Curious Case of Benjamin Button
7 characters; 5M; 2F; 6 pages in length. Approximately 5-10 minutes running time. A comedic adaptation about aging written by Andy Pavey.
Whitney Darling, A Modern Peter Pan Story
7 Characters. Flexible Casting. Approximately 30 minutes running time. A modern telling of Peter Pan.
Peter Rabbit
7 characters; 4F; 3M. 7 pages in length. Approximately 5-10 minutes running time. An adaptation of the classic tale written by Andy Pavey.
Peter Big Adventure
7 minutes long, parts for 7 actors. Ages 7-10. Adaptation of the classic story by Beatrix Potter.
Velveteen Rabbit by Jennifer Reif
7-10 characters, approximately 15 minutes running time. Touching story based on the beloved children’s book, The Velveteen Rabbit by Margery Williams. Incorporates tableaus and creative movement. Adapted by Jennifer Reif.
Tom Sawyer and the Picket Fence
Approximately 8 minutes long. 7 characters. Short play adaptation of the classic Mark Twain story!
Animal Farm
8+ characters; 3M, 5+Either; Flexible casting; 8 pages in length. Approximately 10 minutes running time. A comedic adaptation of George Orwell’s story by written by Andy Pavey.
The Hollow
8 characters. 3M, 5F. 13 pages in length. Approximately 10-15 minutes running time. An adaptation of Agatha Christie’s murder mystery.
Snowbound
8-14 characters, 2 F, 6-12 M. Approximately 12-15 minutes running time. Dark comedy based on a Mark Twain tale.
Mad Tea Party
12 characters. 12 minutes running time. Short play based on ‘Through the Looking Glass.’
Alice in Wonderland for Early Readers
Flexible casting for 10+ characters. Approximately 10 minutes running time. Leading narration and rhyming make it perfect for preschool and elementary. Includes suggestions for adding more poetry to your production.
Peter Pan and the Lost Girl
10+ characters, flexible casting. Approximately 15 minutes long. Peter Pan meets Little Red Riding Hood in this short play by Willow Rowe. Fun for all ages.
King Arthur and the Queen of Hearts
9 characters. 5 minutes running time. King Arthur uses a homing pigeon to find himself a girlfriend!
Barnyard (an Animal Farm Story)
9 characters. 40 pages in length. Approximately 30-45 minutes running time. A play for older teens written by Richard Broadhurst. (5 credits)
Robin Hood
10 characters; 5M, 1F, 4Either; Flexible casting; 14 pages in length. Approximately 10-15 minutes running time. A comedic adaptation of the English folktale by written by Andy Pavey.
Alice in Wonderland Seussical Style
Flexible casting for 10+ characters. Approximately 10 minutes running time. Narration and rhyming make it perfect for elementary and middle school. Suggestions for adding more Lewis Carroll poetry to your performance.
Merlin and the Dragons
10+ characters with flexible casting. Approximately 15 minutes running time. A simple and funny play about the legend of the Sword and the Stone.
Cards on the Table
11 characters. Flexible casting. 12 pages in length. Approximately 10-15 minutes running time. An Agatha Christie murder mystery written by Lexi Sekuless.
Alice in Wonderland in 20 Minutes
Flexible casting for 10+ characters. Approximately 20 minutes running time with ideas for adding creative movement. Traditional Alice in Wonderland story, perfect for elementary through high school. Includes suggestions for adding more Lewis Carroll poetry to your production.
Robin Hood Rap
11+ characters. Approximately 5 minutes running time. Robin Hood meets hip-hop for children!
Dorothy’s Magical Adventure in Oz
12+ characters. Approximately 10 minutes running time.
The Man That Corrupted Hadleyburg
12 characters. 4 F, 8 M. Ages 12 and up. Approximately 50 minutes running time. Full-length play based on a Mark Twain story. (5 credits)
Peter Pan in Thirty Minutes
12+ characters, flexible casting. Approximately 30 minutes long. Includes songs from the public domain. Comedy adventure script based on the classic story of Peter Pan.
Peter Pan for Young Performers
13+ characters. Approximately 20 minutes long. Includes simple songs from the public domain. Early reader script based on the classic story of Peter Pan.
Happy Birthday Beatrix Potter
13 characters with flexible casting. Approximately 20 minutes running time. Join Peter Rabbit, Squirrel Nutkin, Hunker Munker, and other animal friends as they surprise Beatrix Potter with kindness and friendship. Written by Jennifer Reif.
Robin Hood and the Wedding of Doom
14+ characters. Flexible casting. Approximately 30 minutes long. Comedy Robin Hood melodrama script.
The Shadow of Peter Pan
14 characters, flexible casting, approximately 15 minutes. Comedy script about Peter Pan’s “Shadow” breaking free to live an independent existence. Perfect for middle and high school.
A Merry Interlude at Camelot
15 characters. 4F; 3M; 8 Either; Flexible casting; 14 pages in length. Approximately 15-20 minutes running time. A Medieval comedy (with classroom materials) adapted by August Mergelman. (3 Credits)
Treasure Island – A Radio Play
18 characters. 28 pages long. Approximately 30 minutes running time. Radio play version of the classic book by Robert Louis Stevenson. (5 credits)
The Prince and the Pauper
18 characters. 9F, 9M; Flexible casting; 21 pages in length. Approximately 30 minutes running time. An adaptation of Mark Twain’s novel written by Peter Mitsopoulos.
The Real Deal
18 characters. 12 pages in length. Approximately 15 minutes running time. An adaptation of The Velveteen Rabbit written by Cathleen Freedman.
Doc Faustus
19 characters. Approximately one-hour running time. Comedic modern adaptation of Doctor Faustus by Christopher Marlowe.
Robinson Crusoe
12 minutes long. Parts for 20+ actors (flexible cast). Best suited for ages 8-12.
The Poe Plays
23 characters. 15F, 8M; Flexible casting; 24 pages long. Approximately 20-30 minutes running time. A detention horror comedy for teens written by Quinn Baldwin. (3 credits)
Alice in Wonderland – Full Length
Flexible casting for 25+ characters. Traditional story and characters. Approximately 60 minutes running time.
Robin Hood and the Unnecessary Rescue
27+ characters. Approximately 35 minutes running time. Comedic version of Robin Hood (sequel to Robin Hood and the Wedding of Doom).
The Three Musketeers and the Very Pretty Diamonds
27 characters. Flexible casting. Approximately 40 minutes running time. An English French farce with sword-fighting and attitude!
Lewis Carroll Poems
Fourteen Lewis Carroll poems that lend themselves well to performance.
Jabberwocky
10 characters, flexible casting. Approximately 5 minutes running time. Comedic recitation of the classic Lewis Carroll poem. Works for ages 8-18!
The Guest
5-10 characters. Approximately 10 minutes long. A family is trapped in a cabin in the woods during a snowstorm when a mysterious visitor appears. Should they flee the cabin for safety, or are they better off staying put?
Leave A Comment
You must be logged in to post a comment.