The Wizard of Oz in 30 Minutes

Join Now

12+ characters, flexible casting, and approximately 30 minutes long. Abridged play script based on the classic story of The Wizard of Oz. Perfect for children and teens.

Follow Dorothy and her friends along the yellow brick road as they encounter munchkins and witches and finally meet the Wizard. This 30-minute version of The Wizard of Oz has all the charm and characters from the classic story by L. Frank Baum. A perfect performance piece for children of all ages.

About the playwright:

Jennifer Reif has taught, directed, and performed around the Pacific Northwest for decades. Her shelves are lined with children’s books, and her happy place is in the woods. She loves devising creative theatre projects with kids and sharing ideas with teachers. Jennifer holds her BA in Theatre from Morningside University and also studied at Oxford University in England.

Excerpt from the play:

CHARACTERS:

Aunt Em
Uncle Henry
Dorothy
Glinda the Good Witch
Wicked Witch of the West
Munchkins
(3+/Add as many munchkins as you like and choose specific character names and attributes for each.)
Scarecrow
Tin Man
Lion
Guard
Wizard of Oz/Guard
(The Wizard can also play the Guard. Another option is to cast a separate Guard. The reveal of the Wizard will be a little different, but both ways work.)
Ozabouts
(Optional) Ensemble characters who help transition between scenes.
Toto
(Non-speaking character. Can be an actor or stuffed animal.)

Scene 1
Kansas

At Rise: A simple stage representing a Midwest farm. Perhaps a picket fence and/or a clothesline. We hear Aunt Em hollering from offstage.

Aunt Em
(Calling from off stage.) Dorothy! Dorothy! (Entering) Dorothy Gale! Where are you?

Uncle Henry
(Entering from the other side of the stage.) Good Heavens! What’s the matter, Em? What are you goin’ on about?

Aunt Em
It’s Dorothy. That child is off daydreaming again when she should be doin’ her chores.

Uncle Henry
Aw, let her be Em. She’s just a child. What’s the harm in a bit of daydreaming?

Aunt Em
What’s the harm? There’s work to be done. This farm doesn’t run itself you know.

Uncle Henry
I know. I’m just sayin’ the girl should be able to play now and then.

Aunt Em
She can play after the laundry is done. (Perhaps referencing the clothes hanging on the line.)

Uncle Henry
I don’t know if the laundry is gonna get done today, Em. Looks like a storm is brewin’.

Aunt Em
I think you’re right, Henry. Look at those clouds. (They look up at the clouds and don’t notice Dorothy entering.)

Dorothy
(Enters) Aren’t they beautiful?

Aunt Em
Where have you been, young lady? I’ve been callin’ after you for ages now.

Dorothy
Just down by the barn. I was looking at the sky and thinking how nice it would be to fly away on a cloud.

Aunt Em
There you go, daydreamin’ again-such nonsense.

Uncle Henry
Where would you go, Dorothy… if you could fly away?

Dorothy
Oh, I don’t know Uncle Henry. Maybe somewhere magical and special.

Aunt Em
Kansas is special.

Uncle Henry
Sure is. We’ve got prairies and farms and silos. (A shared smile with Dorothy)

Dorothy
I know. But I want to travel somewhere far away and see brand-new things.

Aunt Em
The grass isn’t always greener, Dorothy.

Dorothy
But how can I know that for certain if I never go anywhere?

Uncle Henry
(Noticing the storm coming.) None of us are goin’ anywhere right now. That storm’s comin’ quick.

Dorothy
Maybe there will be a rainbow after the storm. I do love rainbows.

Uncle Henry
This is more than a storm. I think it’s a cyclone. (Great urgency)

Aunt Em
Hurry up, everyone! Let’s get down into the cellar.

Uncle Henry
You go on ahead. I’ve got to go bring in the animals. (Exits running)

Dorothy
Oh no! Toto! I left him down by the barn.

Aunt Em
There’s no time, Dorothy. Toto will take care of himself. Let’s go!

Dorothy
I can’t leave Toto! I have to go get him. (She exits quickly in the opposite direction Henry went.)

Aunt Em
Dorothy! Hurry up! (She exits.)

Storm Scene Change

There are several possibilities for the storm. Consider playing instrumental music and/or storm sound effects. The goal is to know that a tornado carries Dorothy and her house far away. Consider casting a group of ensemble characters called “Ozabouts” who help with scene changes in a choreographed way. Here are some ideas for a stormy scene change into Munchkinland.
1. Ozabouts hold the ends of the clothesline and swirl across the stage.

2. Ozabouts toss stuffed farm animals or puppets around as if they are flying in the wind.

3. A picket fence or other set pieces might be on wheels and spin around the stage.

4. A picket fence or door might end up on stage with the legs and ruby slippers underneath.

5. A large cardboard box painted like a house might be tossed or spun around by the Ozabouts to represent Dorothy’s house in the tornado.

6. The tornado might be represented by twirling ribbons or fabric or even a projection of a tornado.

Scene 2
We’re Not in Kansas Anymore

At Rise: We are now in the colorful world of Munchkinland. We might see giant flowers, colorful bushes, or trees. Munchkins are hiding. We see the Wicked Witch of the East’s legs and ruby slippers appear from under Dorothy’s house. (The house might be represented by a picket fence or a door.) Everything is still after the storm. Dorothy is holding Toto as they appear from behind the door or from off-stage.

Dorothy
(Looking around) Oh, my goodness, Toto. I don’t think we’re in Kansas anymore.

(Munchkins Giggle)

Who’s there?

(Magical Sound effect as Glinda, the Good Witch of the North enters.)

Now I know we’re not in Kansas.

Glinda
Hello, my dear. Are you a good witch or a bad witch, which?

Dorothy
I’m not a witch at all. I’m a girl.

Glinda
What is your name?

Dorothy
I’m Dorothy Gale, from Kansas.

Glinda
So you’re not a witch?

Dorothy
Heavens no. Witches are old and ugly.

(Munchkins giggle)

There’s that sound again.

Glinda
Don’t worry. That’s just the Munchkins.

Dorothy
Munchkins?

Glinda
Yes. They are the kind people who live in this land. They’re just laughing because I am a witch.

Dorothy
You’re a witch?

Glinda
Yes. I’m Glinda, the Good Witch of the North.

Dorothy
But you’re beautiful.

Glinda
As are you, Dorothy Gale. Now, let’s get down to business, shall we? It appears you have killed the Wicked Witch of the East.

Dorothy
Me? I haven’t killed anyone.

Glinda
I’m sure it was an accident, but your house has landed right on top of her. See? Those are feet.

Dorothy
Oh dear! I’m so sorry. I didn’t mean to.

Glinda
Don’t be silly! The Munchkins are very grateful. You have set them free!
Come out, my friends! The Wicked Witch is dead!

(Munchkins cautiously enter.)

Munchkin 1
Are you sure?

Glinda
I am sure.

Munchkin 2
Are you positive?

Glinda
I am positive.

Munchkin 3
Are you absolutely, positively sure?

Glinda
She is absolutely, positively, undeniably, and reliably dead.

Munchkins
Hip Hip Hurray! Hip Hip Hurray! Hip Hip Hurray!

Munchkin 1
Thank you, Dorothy.

Dorothy
It really was an accident.

Munchkin 2
You are our hero!

Dorothy
Me?

Munchkin 3
Yes, you. The Wicked Witch of the East was terrible.

Munchkin 1
Now we are free.

Munchkin 2
Long live Dorothy!

All Munchkins
Long live Dorothy!

They begin to celebrate, perhaps circling Dorothy and dancing.
Scary sound effects as the Wicked Witch of the West enters. Munchkins hide again.

Dorothy
I thought you said she was dead.

Glinda
That was her sister, the Wicked Witch of the East. This is the Wicked Witch of the West.

Wicked Witch
Where is my sister?

Glinda
There she is. (Pointing to feet and ruby slippers.)

Wicked Witch
Aargh! Who did this?

Dorothy
I’m so sorry. It was an accident.

Wicked Witch
You! You will pay for this little girl. (Beat. Turning attention to slippers) Now that my poor sister is dead, I will take her ruby slippers.

(She tries to take the slippers, but they zap her, and she retreats. The Munchkins gather around Dorothy to protect her and hide the ruby slipper exchange. While the Witch talks to Glinda, Dorothy puts the slippers on.)

Glinda
Why don’t you just fly away and leave these nice people alone?

Wicked Witch
Because I need revenge!

Glinda
Revenge will do you no good. And besides, look who has the slippers now.

(The munchkins part to reveal Dorothy wearing slippers. Dorothy is surprised, too.)

Wicked Witch
Noooo!

Glinda
It’s too late.

Wicked Witch
I’m the only one who knows how to use them. Give them back!

(Glinda uses her wand to stop Wicked Witch from charging at Dorothy.)

Glinda
(To Witch) Stay where you are! (To Dorothy) Those shoes must be very powerful, or she wouldn’t want them so badly.

Wicked Witch
Give them to me. They are mine!

Glinda
You have no power here. Be gone before someone drops a house on you, too.

Play, Licensing and Copyright Information
Join our Facebook Sharing Group
Read Our Reviews

 

Follow us…
Facebook Instagram
Pinterest
YouTube

 

Member of…
Member of ASCD
Member of National After School Association

Why Subscribe?

DN Why Subscribe to Drama Notebook Inside Drama Notebook, you will find a huge collection of well-organized lesson plans, scripts for kids, drama activities, 50 drama games on video and more! Join today and dramatically reduce your planning time while delivering fresh, innovative drama lessons to your students! If you are new to teaching drama, this site will be a Godsend! You will immediately feel confident about teaching drama like an expert. The site guides you step-by-step and provides you with materials that you can use right away with your students.

If you have been teaching for years, Drama Notebook will inspire you with a fresh new approach and innovative ideas!

The site is packed with original, innovative lessons and activities that you will not find anywhere elseā€”and new materials are added monthly.

DN Explore Button
DN Join Now Button