 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
| Home | |
This feature offers plays and skits for use in your classroom. Each month, you'll be able to get all of your students involved in a play regarding a different topic. You can make your productions as elaborate or as simple as you like. Either way, you're all bound to have some fun and learn something, too. |
 Print this play.  Download a PDF version. Download last month's play. (Get the free Adobe Acrobat Reader Plug-in.) |
Andrea's Play
Playwright: Joseph Crisalli
The Characters:
Andrea Wyatt: A melodramatic young lady in the third grade
Nesta Chen: Andrea’s bright young friend
Mario Cervantes: A sensitive third grader
Tamara Johnson: A brave and out-spoken third grader
Iggy Lambini: A third grader with Cerebral Palsy
Rick Drischoll: A student at Vista Falls Junior High
TJ Johnson: Rick’s friend, Tamara’s brother.
Jeff Dinello: Art and theater teacher
Jim Wyatt: Andrea’s father, music teacher at the school.
Virginia Wyatt: Andrea’s stepmother, also a teacher at the school
Uncle Chauncey: Andrea’s Great Uncle
Coach Toni Blank: Physical education teacher at Vista Falls Elementary
The Scene
The auditorium at Vista Falls Elementary on the evening of the Third Graders' Summer Pageant. The pageant is held annually on the night of the last day of school. Andrea and her friends are helping strike the scenery, costumes and equipment after the performance. Andrea's father and stepmother are also helping as they chat with Mr. Dinello, the school's theatre and art teacher. Rick and TJ seem restless as they wind extension cords. Though they volunteered to help with the "kiddie" pageant, they've grown bored with the whole thing. Andrea's Uncle Chauncey is seated downstage right, waiting for everyone to go home. He, too, is tiredÑunaccustomed to late nights out since his stroke. Coach Blank is off stage at the start of the scene.
ANDREA: Was I good? Really?
VIRGINIA: Andrea, I've already told you that you did an excellent job tonight. Your father and I were very proud.
JIM: We were Andrea.
ANDREA: Really? Are you sure? I worked really hard.
VIRGINIA: And, it showed. You were terrific. All your hard work was evident.
ANDREA: Really?
JIM: (smiling patiently) Yes, honey. As Virginia said, we're proud of you. When you were cast as the lead in this year's pageant we knew that you'd take the responsibility very seriously. You didn't let us down. (he walks over to Chauncey) Isn't that right, Uncle Chauncey?
UNCLE CHAUNCEY: Yes, that's right. Aside from homework, Andie's done nothing but get herself ready for tonight. You performed brilliantly.
ANDREA: But, did I look good?
VIRGINIA: You looked great. Beautiful.
JIM: You did, Andrea.
ANDREA: Could you see me from the orchestra pit, dad?
JIM: I could see you. I probably had the best seat in the house.
ANDREA: And, you really watched? You weren't too busy conducting the band?
JIM: (glancing at Virginia with a pleading look) I promise, I watched.
VIRGINIA: (quickly changing the subject) So, Jeff, (she turns to Mr. Dinello) what's left to do?
JEFF: We just need to gather up the costumes, put the chairs back in the prop room, sweep the stage and shut the lights.
RICK: I'll sweep the stage.
TJ: I'll start taking the chairs back. (TJ and Rick exit)
TAMARA: I'll get some of the costumes.
JEFF: Hold on, there, Tamara. I'd like to talk to you for a minute.
TAMARA: It's because I forgot my line isn't it? Listen, Mr. Dinello, I tried my best. I only missed the one line and I had thousands!
JEFF: I don't think you had thousands of lines, Tammie. (he laughs) But, you did have a lot and I'm very happy with your performance. In fact, I didn't even notice that you missed a line.
TAMARA: Oh, well, what did you want to talk to me about, then?
JEFF: I wanted to talk to you and Mario, Iggy, Nesta and Andrea for a minute. That's all. Just because a teacher asks to talk to you, it doesn't necessarily mean you're in trouble. Hey, guys! (he calls to Mario and Iggy) Nesta! Andrea, come here a second, please. You too, Jim and Virginia.
UNCLE CHAUNCEY: I'll just sit here and wait to go home.
JEFF: No, Chauncey, this concerns you, too.
UNCLE CHAUNCEY: All right (he joins the group)
MARIO: (wheeling Iggy over) What is it, Mr. Dinello?
IGGY: Aren't we going to finish cleaning up.
JEFF: In a minute. But, first, I just want to thank all of you. Our parents and volunteers have been so helpful. Jim, Virginia, ChaunceyÉ
MARIO: Don't forget Rick and TJ.
JEFF: Oh, I won't. I'll thank them on their way out. But, right now, I don't think they want to be bothered. I have a feeling, they're ready to get out of here.
UNCLE CHAUNCEY: Ah, youth. Always ready to go on to the next thing.
ANDREA: (muttering to herself) Not always.
JEFF: And you kids...you all did so well - not just tonight, but all year in art class and in the theater club.
NESTA: We should really thank you, Mr. Dinello. If we did well, it's because we had a good teacher.
JEFF: Well, thank you, Nesta. But, a lot of it is because you all tried so hard to do your best.
JIM: It's true. All of you did so well in my class, too.
VIRGINIA: And in mine.
TAMARA: I didn't do well in your class at all, Mrs. Wyatt. I got my worst grade ever!
VIRGINIA: But, you tried. And, when you got a failing grade on a quiz or on a homework assignment, you always went back and looked over the material again. You asked me questions and you tried to understand. And, in the end, you always got it.
TAMARA: That didn't help my grade any.
VIRGINIA: But, it helped you learn.
JIM: And that's all that matters in the long run.
UNCLE CHAUNCEY: You know that's true. When I was a boy, I always got confused when I did math problems. But, I kept trying and I got it. So, I didn't get the best grades, but I can balance my checkbook.
NESTA: I get confused with math, too. So, maybe there's hope for me.
IGGY: There's always hope when you try. That's what my dad always says.
JEFF: He's right, too.
IGGY: My dad says that every day we try is a successful day. It's hard work, but it makes you feel good.
MARIO: You know who worked really hard this year - especially on this show?
NESTA: Andrea!
ANDREA: (smiling) I did work pretty hard.
UNCLE CHAUNCEY: What are you going to do with all your time now that there's no school and no play to rehearse for?
ANDREA: (Her smile fades) I don't know. I hadn't thought about it.
JIM: You haven't thought about anything but this for weeks.
ANDREA: And now, it's over.
IGGY: And, school's over, too.
MARIO: (laughing) What's so bad about that. (He looks quickly at the grown-ups, most of whom are teachers). I mean, not that school's so bad or anything.
JEFF: Don't worry, Mario. You've all earned your break.
ANDREA: But, I don't want a break!
TAMARA: If Andrea doesn't want her summer vacation, can I have it?
JIM: No, Tammie. (He looks at his daughter) Andie, what's wrong?
ANDREA: I just don't want it to be over. I enjoyed the pageant and I enjoyed school this year. I just don't know what I'll do! (She begins to cry)
IGGY: Andrea, it'll be all right.
MARIO: Yeah, you can come over and swim in my pool.
ANDREA: I don't want to swim. (She sniffs)
NESTA: We can go to the town square to see Mrs. Conn.
ANDREA: We do that anyway. I want to be in the pageant.
JEFF: You can be in the fourth grade pageant next year.
ANDREA: No! I want to be in this one.
UNCLE CHAUNCEY: Andrea, I know new things can be scary. But, they can be fun, too.
ANDREA: No. Everything I worked for is over. All that work - over in just one night. It's not fair.
JIM: Andrea, there will be other pageants and other plays.
ANDREA: Not like this one. This play was special.
NESTA: What made is special?
ANDREA: (emotionally) Working with all of you. It was fun. I'll miss it.
MARIO: But, we'll all work together again.
ANDREA: I don't see when. I don't see how.
UNCLE CHAUNCEY: Andie, sometimes when one door closes, another one opens.
ANDREA: Oh, Uncle Chauncey, what does that mean?
VIRGINIA: Andrea, don't be rude to Uncle Chauncey.
ANDREA: Seriously, what does that mean? It's one of those things that Uncle Chauncey says that people said like a hundred years ago.
UNCLE CHAUNCEY: (laughing) Andrea, do you think much has changed since I was a boy? Some things are the same, you'll see.
ANDREA: Well, I don't see any doors opening.
IGGY: There's a wheelchair button on the door at the mall that I can hit myself with my foot if I aim my chair just right. It makes the door open for me. That's fun. We could go watch that.
ANDREA: No thanks, Iggy.
(they're interrupted by Coach Blank)
COACH: Jeff, sorry to intrude.
JEFF: No, no, Toni, we were just having one of our spirited discussions. What's up?
COACH: I'm looking for Rick and TJ.
TAMARA: Is TJ in trouble again?
COACH: (chuckling) No, Tammie. I just wanted to tell him and Rick that I want them at try-outs an hour earlier than we thought tomorrow.
TAMARA: I'll go get them. (she runs off)
COACH: Really, I hope I'm not interrupting.
JEFF: No, those two will be thrilled to see you. They've been such a great help, but I think they're bored out of their heads. They'd never let on, though. They're good kids.
COACH: That's why I want them both to assist me in coaching the kids' summer soccer team this season.
NESTA: I'll be trying out tomorrow, Miss Blank.
MARIO: I will, too.
IGGY: And, I'll be there to cheer everyone on.
ANDREA: Wait a minute. You're all gonna do soccer this summer?
MARIO: Yeah, Tammie is, too.
TAMARA: I'm what? (she comes back with Rick and TJ)
ANDREA: Trying out for soccer.
TAMARA: Oh, I sure am. TJ's been teaching me.
TJ: She's good, too - you know, for a little brat.
TAMARA: Funny.
RICK: Andrea, do you want to try out, too.
ANDREA: Me? I'm not good at soccer.
RICK: You don't have to be good when you start. If you try hard, you'll get good in time.
JIM: If you'll pardon my saying so, Andrea is a hard worker.
ANDREA: Dad!
RICK: That's great, Andrea! That's one of the things we look for when we pick kids for the team.
COACH: And even if you don't make the team, you can always help me out.
IGGY: Or cheer with me.
COACH: The whole point is for everyone to have a good time and learn how to do some new things.
ANDREA: That sounds fun. I think I'd like to help Iggy cheer.
TJ: I'll bet Iggy would appreciate that.
COACH: And so would your friends on the field. It's very nice knowing that people are rooting for you.
RICK: So, you'll come to the try-outs tomorrow?
ANDREA: Can I cheer then?
TJ: Why not?
COACH: And you can watch your friends try-out.
MARIO, NESTA, TAMARA: Yea!!!!
ANDREA: Hey! Iggy and I are supposed to do the cheering.
IGGY: I can teach you the cheers I know. And, maybe we can make up some new ones.
ANDREA: That sounds fun.
JEFF: Looks like that's settled, then. Now, let's finish cleaning up and maybe we can all go to Kitty Conn's for ice cream.
JIM: Sounds like a plan to me.
VIRGINIA: All right, let's get moving, then. Andrea, do you want to help me pick up the other costumes?
ANDREA: In a minute. I just want to say something to Uncle Chauncey.
UNCLE CHAUNCEY: What's that, Andie?
ANDREA: (walking closer to Chauncey) I just want to say that I just saw a door open. (She gives him a hug)
UNCLE CHAUNCEY: It's just one of many, Andie. It's just one of many.
END SCENE
