Plays of American Folklore for Young Actors

Many people mistakenly believe that folklore is nothing more than crazy stories about make-believe people in bygone days

In fact, folklore is rooted in a historical or cultural reality that tells us much about the people who created it

The ten plays in this book, intended for middle and high school students, are drawn from the seemingly bottomless, ever-evolving fountain of American folklore and popular culture

They range from European, African and Asian folktales recast in New World settings to the mythology associated with real-life figures such as Abraham Lincoln, Mother Jones, and Johnny Appleseed

Put them all in a pot, stir with a generous portion of spice and you’ve got a succinct, savory sample of America’s folk heritage!

Ready for instant staging with minimal sets, costumes and props, these plays will recapture the joy and excitement we all felt the first time we heard a thrilling tale of pioneer valor