Classic plays performed by elementary school students: recommended works roundup
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.
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Fairy Tales, Folklore, and Legends (1–10)
Journey to the West
How about Journey to the West, the tale of Sun Wukong, Zhu Bajie, Sha Wujing, and the monk Tang Sanzang on their quest to India? It’s a Chinese story, but it’s been adapted into TV dramas many times in Japan, so it feels familiar, right? Their misadventures include battling demons at times and squabbling among themselves at others.
If you craft it well, it could become a very lively play.
With its large cast and numerous key episodes, there are plenty of highlights to showcase.
By all means, let’s present your own unique Journey to the West to the audience!
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!
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.