A set of resources and descriptions for plays written for middle and high school students featuring stories and characters of color.
Deep Blue Funk
Written by Arnold Aprill and Daniel Frank, Deep Blue Funk presents young and adult audiences with real life histories of urban teenage parents and portrays how these young people feel about becoming parents when they themselves are still growing up and trying to establish their identities. To help teachers, counselors and actors facilitate discussion with young audiences after seeing Deep Blue Funk, the play is published with a detailed study guide, including background information on teenage parenthood, discussion questions and classroom activities.
Higher Ground
Written by Jennie Brown a middle school theater teacher in Portland, Oregon, wrote a play about bullying in middle school. School officials said the script’s treatment of bullying, racism, homophobia, and intimidation was too mature for the students. The play features characters being bullied because they are gay, overweight, Latina, in special education, tagged as "Goth", a high achiever, or have a dad in prison. After being canceled three days before opening night, the play was performed at the Portland Center for Performing Arts.
Bocon!
Written by Lisa Loomer, Boćon! is a play about a young El Salvadorian boy, Miguel, who flees a repressive military regime in Central America for Los Angeles. A natural storyteller and irrepressible "big mouth" or boćon, Miguel loses his voice when his parents are taken and begins a metaphorical journey north to the City of Angels. Miguel's story is relevant to immigrant children from all parts of the world and to any child who is learning the many meanings of finding one's own voice.
Home on the mornin'train
Written by Kim Hines, Home on the Mornin' Train tells the story of Jewish children in Germany who have been sent into hiding to escape persecution from the Nazis. They plan to escape to Denmark via boat, and throughout the play learn about the history of slavery in the United States through stories of runaway slaves like Brave Mary and her friends. The stories play simultaneously, and the means of survival for both groups of children is the Underground Railroad. Trials and tribulations beset both groups of children. However, the Jewish children are inspired by the strength and courage of the black children trying to find their way to Canada, as they make their own way to Denmark.