Defines "adaptation" as the transformational process of taking a narrative work and dramatizing it. Stresses the importance of knowing what to leave out and knowing what to leave in. Suggests thinking of "adopting" rather than "adapting." States that artistic freedom is the playwright's right. Emphasizes the…

Explores the distance all dramatists travel to one extent or another and in their own ways to arrive at a play for children--the questions asked, the ideas sparked, the progression followed. (SR)

Explores philosophies and practices of playwriting for young people, focusing on contemporary U.S. plays and projects that are aimed at improving the quality of theater for young audiences. Describes the New Generation Play Project. (PRA)

Outlines the inception and evolution of "The Bonderman," a workshop devoted to the development of new theatre works for young audiences. Explains that the Bonderman is committed to: the development of the playwright; the development of the individual play; and the ongoing dialogue about the creation of new work for young audiences. Describes the…

Reproduces a conversation among playwrights, directors, and dramaturges participating in the Bonderman/IUPUI (Indiana University Purdue University at Indianapolis) experience. Features their answers to six questions regarding new play development, its focus, and influence on the world of theater for young audiences. (PA)

Discusses the plays of Wendy Kesselman. Analyzes the plays in light of the special demands they make upon young audiences. (MS)

Intended for teachers who have no particular experience or training in teaching theater, but who have a love of theater and enjoy a good play, this book discusses making theater with children. It explores improvisation, reading and acting with scripts, adapting plays for young actors, and writing plays. The examples presented in the text are…

The Young Playwrights' Festival is a project of the Dramatists Guild, New York City, for young writers aged 8-18. This article discusses the Festival of 10 plays written by children and presented professionally at New York City's Circle Rep Theatre and the playwriting workshops for children taught by project director Gerald Chapman. (PD)

This performance guide is designed for teachers to use with students before and after a performance of "A Village Fable, In the Suicide Mountains," A one-act musical play based on the novella "In The Suicide Mountains" by John Gardner, and presented by The Coterie Theatre. The guide, called a "Cuesheet," contains…

Explains the creation of the New Visions/New Voices festival which focuses attention on developing new scripts for young audiences. Notes that unlike other playwriting programs, New Visions does not require a complete script for application. Outlines the selection, casting, rehearsal process, dramaturg involvement, and post-reading discussions of…

Investigates whether the same patterns of sexism and gender-typing found in popular and award-winning children's literature exist in 10 award-winning plays for young people. Finds relatively few instances of nine overtly sexist traits in the plays. (SR)

Describes the ongoing work of a teacher whose Summer Institute for Drama/Teacher Education at the University of Tennessee provides training for both theater and classroom teachers. Focuses on her teaching method--improvisational drama--which simultaneously addresses elements common to fiction and script writing, and now contained in the language…

With the current education climate so focused on accountability, teachers need to ensure that their teaching practices are supported by today's content-specific standards. To meet this need, "A Comprehensive Guide to Readers Theatre" shows not only how to implement Readers Theatre in the classroom but also how to use it to meet current literacy…

This performance guide is designed for teachers to use with students before and after a performance of "Little Women," adapted for the stage by Paulette Laufer and based on the novel by Louisa May Alcott. The guide, called a "Cuesheet," contains seven activity sheets for use in class, addressing: (1) From Novel to Stage Play…

Looks at the social responsibilities and implications of scientists and science through the use of plays. (24 references) (MKR)