Wonderful school festival / cultural festival

Classic plays performed by elementary school students: recommended works roundup

10 years as a kindergarten teacher / elementary school teacher / junior and senior high school teacher / childminderkepiko
Graduated from Kunitachi College of Music, Faculty of Music (now: Department of Music Culture and Education, Early Childhood Music Education major). In elementary school, my homeroom teacher was Jun Kusaba, a game researcher. After graduating from university, I worked as a kindergarten teacher for 10 years and as an after-school childcare instructor for 7 years, then took a position as a music teacher at an international school in Singapore. In addition to music education, I engaged in activities that introduced Japanese culture, traditional games, and recreational activities, working with many children. Later, through freelance writing, planning, and editing at Shogakukan, I met many delightful adults and experienced the joy of communicating and sharing. Drawing on the perspective cultivated in the field of education and my experience as an editor, I provide practical information with an emphasis on both input and output, mainly in areas related to music and children. My hobbies include instruments, singing, handicrafts, toys, drawing, traditional games, the outdoors, and books. My special skill is spinning-top tricks.
Deputy Editor of RAG MUSICsasashina
Deputy Editor of RAG MUSIC. JFC-certified fact-checker. I’m Sasashina, a mom currently raising an elementary schooler and a preschooler. During my student years at Kyoto College of Science and Technology, I studied a wide range of fields including sound, lighting, and video technology, building a foundation in comprehensive stage production and creative expression. After graduation, I joined a music production company, where I still work, consistently building experience in production and engaging in a variety of music-centered tasks. Currently, I mainly handle articles for children, drawing on what I’ve learned about parenting and what I feel and discover through daily interactions with my kids. I hope my work can be of help to you, even in a small way!

Plays performed at elementary school arts festivals and graduation ceremonies are important events that leave lasting memories for children.

For a truly memorable stage, you’ll want to choose pieces that let each child’s individuality and growth shine.

Still, many teachers and parents may be worried that “the classics are too boring” or that “the scripts are too difficult.” In this article, we introduce enjoyable plays suitable for elementary school students.

By creating a wonderful production together with classmates, it’s sure to become a cherished memory.

Fairy Tales, Folklore, and Legends (1–10)

Momotaro

Kiichi's 5-year-old recital: the play Momotaro

Momotaro

There’s even a book interpreting the relationship between Momotaro and the dog, monkey, and pheasant as that of a general and his vassals in this traditional Japanese folktale.

They say there’s an actual island believed to be Onigashima, too.

It could be fun to stage such a familiar tale as Momotaro on purpose.

Since everyone knows the main storyline, I think it’s fine to boldly add some side stories.

Please include lots of arrangements and ad-libs to make it an enjoyable play.

Of course, it’s also a fun story if performed in the usual way.

It’s a recommended tale that works well with multiple casting—like five monkeys, five dogs, and so on.

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Alice in Wonderland

High school cultural festival class play: Alice in Wonderland

Alice in Wonderland

It’s a fairy tale everyone has heard of, and it’s even been remade as a Hollywood film.

Since many of the characters have strong, unique personalities, it would probably be fun to perform.

It might also be interesting to add more whimsical characters to suit your class’s particular style.

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The Red Ogre Who Cried

Bungakuza Summer Vacation Children's Festival 2012: 'The Red Ogre Who Cried'

The Red Ogre Who Cried

This is one of Hiroshi Hamada’s best-known works, and many people are familiar with it since it has been included in school textbooks.

To help the red ogre, who wants to befriend humans, the blue ogre carries out a plan: he pretends to attack the villagers so the red ogre can protect them.

The plan works, and the red ogre becomes friends with the villagers—but…

Although it’s a children’s story, it’s a moving tale of passionate, selfless friendship that remains touching even when read as an adult.

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The Giant Turnip

Puppet Show: The Giant Turnip Vol. 5 – Russian Folktale, Fairy Tale ‘Repka’ (The Giant Turnip, The Gigantic Turnip)

The Giant Turnip

If there’s a picture book everyone has seen at least once, it’s probably The Gigantic Turnip.

You can probably recall the story.

How about performing that story as a play? Because it’s so familiar, everyone will find it easy to accept.

You could act out the roles yourselves, or make it into a puppet show or a picture-card show (kamishibai)—that would be fun too.

Also, try creating the play in ways that suit different ages, such as for elementary, middle, or high school students.

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Jack and the Beanstalk

Jack and the Beanstalk (2016 Osatoori Recital • Senior Class)

Jack and the Beanstalk

The fantastical story “Jack and the Beanstalk” follows the hero Jack as he climbs a giant beanstalk that reaches the sky and retrieves a hen that lays golden eggs and a harp from the castle above.

Because it’s such a grand tale, it would be great to use the full stage to present it.

Since the theme of “stealing the treasure” sparks a sense of adventure, we’d love the children to perform energetically and really convey that atmosphere.

For the backdrop, a large drawing of the beanstalk on paper would certainly work, but making it three-dimensional would add even more impact.

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Snow White

English Play Presentation on Dec 13, 2017 – Class 2-2: Snow White

Snow White

Snow White, one of the famous Grimm’s Fairy Tales.

I’m sure you all know the story in which the prince saves Snow White after she eats a poisoned apple and loses her life due to the queen’s scheme.

The highlight of this play is the appearance of the seven dwarfs, which allows for seven roles to be cast.

With so many characters, you can solve the dilemma of “which child should play which part,” while giving each student a chance to shine.

And if you take that idea further, you don’t have to stick to the number seven—you can even adapt it to match the number of students in your class.

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Beauty and the Beast

Nagahama Elementary School Choir 6th Regular Concert Musical “Beauty and the Beast” — “Belle (Little Town)”

Beauty and the Beast

Just hearing Celine Dion and Peabo Bryson’s “Beauty and the Beast” already sends my excitement soaring! How about you all? It might seem a bit suited for older students, but I think this hugely popular story is worth the challenge.

There are many hurdles to clear—lavish costumes, a stately stage evoking a palace—but the sense of accomplishment will be all the greater when you succeed.

The lighting and sound teams, who heighten the emotion, also play crucial roles.

Let’s all pull together as a class and give it our best!

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