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Explore our enchanting "Folk and Fairy Tales" category, featuring captivating plays for students that bring classic stories to life. Tailored for middle school students, these play scripts offer a delightful blend of adventure, moral lessons, and cultural heritage.


Engaging with well-loved tales encourages creativity while helping students grasp important themes such as friendship, bravery, and justice. Each performance provides an opportunity for young actors to develop their acting skills, enhance their reading comprehension, and foster teamwork in a fun and interactive environment.


By performing these timeless stories, students will deepen their understanding of diverse cultures and traditions, igniting their passion for storytelling. These royalty-free scripts are perfect for classroom productions or drama clubs, making them an excellent resource for enriching students’ educational journeys. Dive into the world of folk and fairy tales today, and watch your middle schoolers transform into confident, imaginative performers!


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WHY WE HAVE DAY AND NIGHT by Barbara Winther WHY WE HAVE DAY AND NIGHT by Barbara Winther

Middle Grades, 14 female or male; 30 minutes.
Flying animals are pitted against land animals in this Australian Aborigine tale that points out the foolishness of pride and war.
 
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HANSEL AND GRETEL by the Brothers Grimm and adapted by Mary Flynn Casey HANSEL AND GRETEL by the Brothers Grimm and adapted by Mary Flynn Casey

Middle and Lower Grades; 3 female, 2 male; several male or female extras; 40 minutes.
Adaptation of the classic fairy tale starring inquisitive siblings, a wicked witch, gingerbread children, and more. Based on Engelbert Humperdinck's opera.

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TWO DESERT TALES: THE MISSING CAMEL AND SENOR COYOTE AND MAMA RABBIT by Barbara Winther TWO DESERT TALES: THE MISSING CAMEL AND SENOR COYOTE AND MAMA RABBIT by Barbara Winther

Middle and Lower Grades; Missing Camel: 2 male, 1 female, and at least 5 male or female. 10 minutes. Senor Coyote and Mama Rabbit: 1 male, 1 female, and at least 5 male or female, 10 minutes. Thoughtful and interesting African and Mexican folktales set in the desert where humans and animals use their wit and wile to survive in harsh conditions.

 
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THE FISHERMAN, HIS WIFE, AND THE SEA OF DREAMS by Bruce Berger THE FISHERMAN, HIS WIFE, AND THE SEA OF DREAMS by Bruce Berger

Middle and Lower Grades; Radio play for reading; 2 male, 3 female, and 1 male or female for narrator; 10 minutes. A never-satisfied wife and a talking fish help teach a lesson in being grateful for what you have, in a fun tale that’s nothing to carp about.

 
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THE WHITE SPIDER'S GIFT by Jamie Turner THE WHITE SPIDER'S GIFT by Jamie Turner

Middle and Lower Grades; 9 female, 7 male, 1 male or female, and extras; 20 minutes. A South American folktale in which kindness is rewarded when a boy helps a spider in distress and the spider returns the favor in a very special way.

 
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THE BAKER'S NEIGHBOR Adapted by Adele Thane THE BAKER'S NEIGHBOR Adapted by Adele Thane

Middle and Lower Grades; 4 male, 6 female, male and female extras; 15 minutes. Peruvian folktale in which a greedy baker tries to charge villagers for smelling the good smells of his bakery and a wise judge determines what a fair price should be.

 
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TWO ISLAND TALES by Barbara Winther TWO ISLAND TALES by Barbara Winther

Middle and Lower Grades. Battle Between Sun and Sky: 4 male or female and as many extras as desired; 10 minutes. How Coconuts Came to Samoa: 2 male, 2 female, 2 male or female, and as many extras as desired; 10 minutes. Two short stories from the Pacific Islands that help explain the ways of nature.

 
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BIG CAT, LITTLE CAT, OLD MAN MONKEY by Gillian L. Plescia BIG CAT, LITTLE CAT, OLD MAN MONKEY by Gillian L. Plescia

Middle and Lower Grades; 5 female or male; 15 minutes. A charming Japanese folktale that explores the importance of friendship: how easy it is to lose a friend over a silly disagreement, and how important it is to work things out and share.

 
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RAINFOREST TRIO by Barbara Winther RAINFOREST TRIO by Barbara Winther

Middle and Lower Grades. Three plays in one: Play 1, Crocodile Gives Monkey a Ride, 2 male or female, 10 minutes; Play 2, Trapping the Jaguar, 1 male, 2 male or female, 15 minutes; Play 3, Wild Woman, 4 male, 3 female, 7 male or female, 20 minutes.
Set in different types of rainforests, three folktales of mystery and magic, featuring characters with pluck, ingenuity, and common sense.

 
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CINDER-RILEY by Claire Boiko CINDER-RILEY by Claire Boiko

Middle and Lower Grades; 5 female, 2 male, 3 male and/or female; 20 minutes.
A really clever and fun "Irish" version of the Cinderella story, complete with leprechauns and a lot of audience participation.

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