A Note from the Author 

I teach 7 to 16-year-old children performing arts, which includes improvisation, characterisation, role-play and short film work. This book came about because I found it very hard to find resources for my classes. Most of the scripts available seemed to be for high school and secondary students, or, if aimed at primary students, they were long plays for the entire class to perform.  

I wanted monologues and short scripts for two to four people, so each student could have a real go at learning lines and acting. I didn’t want them to be overwhelmed with a long script that would take all term to learn and perform.  

My scripts are all around two to four minutes in length; perfect for eisteddfods, festivals, show reels and audition pieces, and not too daunting for younger students.  

The scripts are written in kids’ language for kids to perform. At times the language is colloquial and I make no apologies for that. My own children have been a great example of the way kids really talk! I spend hours with children and teens (mine and my students) and wanted to write performance pieces that were relevant to them. My students have embraced these scripts enthusiastically as they can relate to the language and characters portrayed in them. The scripts have been performed at numerous concerts, festivals, competitions and eisteddfods, achieving great results. Many of the scripts have also been made into short films and used for actors’ auditions and show reels. 

Most of the characters in the scripts can be easily adapted to either male or female, depending on student requirements. In addition, the ages of characters are purely a guideline and not at all set in stone. Some scripts have proven very popular and I have included different versions for one, two, three or four people. Some characters have also popped up a few times in different scripts so I have grouped them together in a section called ‘School Stuff for Kids to Perform’. These scripts can be performed separately or in conjunction with each other.  

I have also included some photographs to motivate improvisations. The kids love creating their own dramas and these photos are great starting points for them, as well as excellent springboards for scriptwriting. You will also find some raps in this collection, which work well as whole class pieces. 

I have had great success with these scripts and my students love performing them; I hope that you will also enjoy them.

Here's a couple of samples:

The bus stop

Mother: Gradually gets more impatient as time passes.

Laura: Inquisitive 6 year old who can’t keep still.

Teen: In his own world. He has an iPod plugged in with headphones and is singing along and nodding in time with the music.

Nancy: Old lady who thinks everyone is being rude to her.

There is only room for three people on the bench at the Bus stop. Laura, her mother and the teen are already seated when Nancy enters later.

Mother: Stop fidgeting Laura and just sit still.

Laura: I’m bored.

Mother: Well, the bus should be here soon, just be patient a little longer.

Laura: I’m hungry.

Mother: (To the teenager.) Do you catch this bus often? Does it usually run on time? (Teen doesn’t hear because he’s listening to his iPod. Mother tries to get his attention.) Excuse me.

Teen: (Pulls earplugs out.) Huh?

Mother: Do you catch this bus often? Does it usually run on time?

Laura: Can I listen to your iPod?

Teen: (Teen ignores Laura and answers the mother.) Sometimes. I catch it in to town most days but last week it didn’t even come on Friday.

Mother: Oh how annoying. Did you complain?

Teen: Nuh! What’s the use? I ended up hitching a lift.

Laura: What’s on your iPod? (Teen ignores her, puts earplugs back in, gets a lolly out of his pocket, and eats it.) I want a lolly.

Mother: I don’t have any Laura, I’ll get you something when we get there.

Teen: (Chewing lolly, teasing Laura.) MMmmm.

Laura: But I’m hungry now! I need to go to the toilet…Mummy…I need to go to the toilet.

Mother: Laura, you’ll have to wait.

Nancy: (Enters, looks at the bench and pokes the teen with her walking stick.) Excuse me!

Teen: Oi, what are you doing?

Nancy: I’d like to sit down young man.

Teen: (Pulls one earplug out.) So would I.

Nancy: Where’s your respect? Let me sit down please!

Teen: I was here first. (Ignores her and listens to iPod.)

Nancy: Didn’t your parents teach you any manners?

Laura: He’s rude, Mummy. (Mother gestures sshh to her.) But he is!

Teen: Rude, am I? Mind your own business, squirt.

Nancy: Let me sit down young man!

Laura: Mummy, I need to pee…

Mother: The bus should be here any minute, just hang on.

Laura: I can’t… Mummy!

Nancy: (Pokes the teen again with her walking stick. The teen turns his back to her.) In my day youngsters showed respect for their elders. (She pulls earphones out of his ears.) Are you listening to me?

Teen: Oi. Leave me alone. I could do you for assault, you know?!

Mother: (Trying to diffuse the situation.) Laura, get up and give the lady your seat.

Laura: But Mummy…

Mother: For goodness sake Laura, just get up.

Laura: But Mummy….

Mother: (Pulls Laura up off the bench to reveal a wet puddle. She whispers to Laura.) Laura!! What have you done?

Laura: (Whispers back.) I told you I had to go to the toilet!

Mother: (Pulls Laura back onto the seat embarrassed and hisses at her.) Stay there! (To the old lady.) Here, have my seat.

Nancy: Finally someone with manners. (She sits.) I don’t know, children these days. No respect…

Laura: Mummy I’m wet…

Nancy: Wander the streets till all hours…

Laura: Mummy I want to get changed.

Nancy: Throw parties and destroy their parents’ houses, drive fast cars like hoons…

Teen: (Gets out another lolly, and eats it teasing Laura.) Mmm…these are the best.

Laura: I want a lolly. Mummy….Mummy.

Nancy: They should all have a curfew, that’s what’s needed.

Laura: (Speaking over Nancy.) I’m hungry…

Mother: Would you just shut up!

Nancy: (Thinks the mother is speaking to her. She stands up in outrage.) Well, I never…how rude…and you a young mother... (Mother tries to explain but Nancy keeps talking.) I can see why children these days grow up to be so rude if you are any indication of the parents these days. I think I’d rather walk than sit here with such rude, ill-mannered people.

Laura: Mummy.

Mother: Just shoosh, would you!

Nancy: Well I never! (She walks off muttering under her breath.)

Mother: Oh Laura, now look what you’ve done.

Laura: But I’m hungry and I’m wet and I want a lolly!!! (Teen eats another lolly and teases her.)

Mother: (To the teen.) Do you think this bus will ever come?

Teen: (Shrugs.) Probably not, I might hitch.

Mother: Come on Laura, let’s go home. I can’t take any more of this. (They get up and go.)

Laura: Yay, can I have some chocolate when we get home? I want to do some painting…will you play dollies with me?…

Teen: (Looks around, shrugs and ambles off with his thumb out to hitch a ride.) 

The naughty spot

Monologue for a little boy or girl 

Deep breath. (Inhales and exhales.) Count to 10! 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10! (Shouts out.) Mum, can I come out now?

I hate the stupid Super Nanny. Ever since that dumb show came on telly Mum keeps sending me to ‘The Naughty Spot’. So here I am…

It’s not fair! She used to send me to my room which was much better ’cos I could play with my toys in there.

(Shouts out.) Mum, can I come out now?

Do you know why I’m in ‘The Naughty Spot’?… Because I accidentally fed the dog some of my dinner…He was hungry! Gosh he only gets two meals a day! We get three as well as morning and afternoon tea. (Shakes head.)

The Super Nanny would say, “That behaviour is unacceptable, go to the Naughty Spot”.

Television has a lot to answer for!

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