Playwriting
Plays for young audiences, families, and adult stages, produced by theaters across the country. Browse the titles below, and follow the licensing links to request scripts or production rights.
Young Audiences and families
James DeVita's body of work was awarded The Charlotte B. Chorpenning Playwright Award by the American Alliance for theater and education. This award honors a nationally known writer of outstanding plays for children, recognizing a body of work as opposed to a single play.
The Amazing Lemonade Girl
Based on the true story of Alexandra Flynn Scott (with permission of Alex’s Lemonade Stand Foundation). Recommended ages 7 to adult.
AATE Distinguished Play Award
Meet Alex Scott. She has a story to tell – about her life and her legacy, her humor and her heart. The story of a young girl fiercely determined to make a difference despite the challenges she faces. Alex’s true story reminds us all that a single person can change the world – one act, or even one cup, at a time.
Reviews:
Based on the works of Laura Ingalls Wilder (available through the estate of Roger McBride).
Roles:
- 6 adult actors (3m, 3w)
- 5 young actors (2m, 3w)
A Little House Christmas
Musical based on the works of Lewis Carroll. Book adapted by James DeVita. Music and Lyrics by Bill Francoeur.
Roles:
Flexible cast of 9-25, plus chorus. Extras if desired.
Many female roles.
Wonderland!
A moving historical drama inspired by the true story of a young slave's journey to freedom through the Underground Railroad.
Roles:
- 8m, 6w
- 3 additional roles (any gender)
- extras as desired
A Midnight Cry
From the novel by Robert Louis Stevenson
Full length version available as well as 60-minute touring version.
Roles:
- 10 adult, 1 youth
Treasure Island
The true story of Sophie Scholl and The White Rose, a resistance movement against the Nazi regime started by students.
*Winner of the Intellectual Freedom Award
Roles:
- 18m, 6w plus extras or
- 7m, 4w with doubling
Rose of Treason
Adaptation from Lewis Carroll’s work.
Roles:
Flexible cast of 9-25. Extras if desired.
Looking Glass Land
A well-deserved visit from a very special, very quirky angel, helps an even quirkier family rediscover the true meaning of Christmas.”
Roles:
- 5m, 4w
The Christmas Angel
The Prince and the Pauper
Mark Twain’s classic tale comes to life onstage, freely and masterfully adapted with dynamic female roles, creative staging and a perfect balance of poignant and hilarious moments.
Roles:
19-50, minimum 12m, 7w
This original adaptation of the novel by Dumas follows D'Artagnan on one of the great coming-of-age stories and romantic adventures.
Roles:
-30m, 10w
The Three Musketeers
Based on the novel by Felix Salten.
*Winner of AATE Distinguished Play Award.
Roles:
-4m, 5w with doubling or up to 13 (5m, 8w)
Bambi, A Life in the Woods
By Cornelia Funke. Adapted for the stage by James DeVita
Roles:
-15 actors, 11m, 4w (6 adults: 4m, 2f; 9 youth: 7m, 2f)
The Thief Lord
Adapted from the novel by J.D. Wyss.
Roles:
-7m, 2w
Swiss Family Robinson
Trials: The Story Of Joan of Arc, and Beth
Two dramatizations on stage at the same time: The story and troubles of the historic teenager Joan of Arc and the modern day teenager, Beth.
Roles:
-17m, 9w (flexible)
A Mother and daughter set out on an archaeological adventure during which they discover not only the existence of previously unknown dinosaur, but also the existence of their own previously extinct relationship.
Roles:
-3m, 4w
Excavating Mom
Ten top playwrights-for-youth write ten short plays that illustrate important human values. Honesty. Family. Respect for life. Truthfulness. Faith. Gratitude. Sanctity. And more.
Roles:
-2m, 2w (if same actors perform all the plays)
-30 or more actors if there is a different cast for each play.
10 by 10
Original Middle School Scenes and Monologues
Contains more than 90 roles created especially for middle school actors.
Adult Plays
Plays for adult stages, from new work to classic adaptations.
The McShanes are a typical blue-collar, lower-middle-class family, prone to sarcastic banter as their chief form of communication. Out of the blue, the husband, Terry, is contacted by his ex-fiancee, Kathleen, a former neighborhood woman with a booming self-help empire. It's a collision more than 25 years in the making. A comedy about two people trying to find a way to forgive each other - and themselves - for the past.
Roles:
- 4w, 1m
Christmas in Babylon
A new adaptation For the stage by James DeVita.
From the texts translated by Gertrude Hall; Gladys Thomas and Mary Guillemard; Charles Renauld; and Henderson Daingerfield Norman.
Cyrano de Bergerac
Adapted from the novel by Erin Celello. An Iraq war veteran returns to his wife suffering from PTSD.
Roles:
-3w, 3m
Learning to Stay
A musical inspired by the short story By O. Henry. Music by Josh Schmidt, Book by James DeVita. Lyrics by James DeVita and Josh Schmidt.
Roles:
-2m, 1w and two musicians: cello and viola
A Gift of the Magi
A play based on Sir Ian McKellen’s one-man show, with his permission.
Production requirements:
-A very simple put-in: general lighting, I travel with sound, props and costume. The set is a box and a chair -- which I bring. I basically need someone to run sound and an empty space.
In Acting Shakespeare
One person play on the life of Charles Dickens. Inspired by Charles Dickens’ speaking tour of the United States.
Roles:
-1m
Dickens in America
One-woman play on the life of Gertrude Bell, The Desert Queen.
With permission of Rosemary O’Brien, author, Gertrude Bell, The Arabian Diaries, 1913 – 1914. Also with permission of the Robinson Library at the University of Newcastle upon Tyne, UK
The Desert Queen
A new rendering for the stage, from the novel by Alexander Dumas.
This original adaptation follows D'Artagnan on one of the great coming-of-age stories and romantic adventures, on a quest to seek his fortune and become on the the King's Royal Musketeers.
(Flexible cast size)
The Three Musketeers
1 actor, 1 chair, one evening of waiting for another actor to show up – who doesn’t.
A comic ode to Waiting for Godot.
Roles: 1 actor
Waiting for Vern
