Shakespeare Plays for Ages 9–12

Adaptations are short, age-appropriate, easy to manage, and included at no additional charge. The running time of each play is approximately 40-minutes. Each play contains five acts from 4-6 minutes each (maybe you’ll just do one Act?). In addition, they are:

Field tested
Royalty free
Designed for whole classroom engagement regardless of the number of students
PDF format for easy download from the publisher’s website here
Include introductions with language learning and other tips

Traditional Shakespeare scripts are written for professional adult actors. They are rarely practical for elementary or middle school classrooms. The below Shakespeare adaptations focus on:

Clear storytelling
Manageable scene lengths
Flexible casting methods
Minimal technical requirements

These adaptations are especially effective for:

Reluctant readers
English language learners
Students who learn best through movement and collaboration

Stage It Hamlet book cover: Shakespeare acting script and teaching resources for students aged 9-12

Hamlet for Students Aged 9-12

“Something is rotten in the state of Denmark" but not for long! Hamlet will soon set things right. That is, if he doesn't spend too much time talking to the ghost of his murdered father. Some of the most famous quotations in the English language appear in Hamlet and they give students a lot to think about. “Brevity is the soul of wit,” “To be or not to be,” and “Though this be madness; yet there is method in’t” are just a few.

1. Introduction
- Who Is This Book For?
- What This Book is Not
2. Use of Language in Hamlet
- Adjectives
- Verbs
- Similes
- Metaphors
3.    Notable Quotations
4.    Interpreting the Play
5.    Cast of Characters
6.    Contemporary English Version
(Teacher’s Guide to Student Paraphrasing Worksheets)
7.    Plot Synopsis
8.    Acting Scripts
- Differences Between Stage It and Full-Length Scripts
- How Are Scripts Organized?
- Use of Soliloquy
- Complex Characters and Archetypes
- Acting Scripts
9. Instructor and Student Resources
- Student Paraphrasing Worksheets
- Shakespeare Certificate
- Culminating Performance Program Template
10. Glossary
11. References

Stage It Henry V book cover: Shakespeare acting script and teaching resources for students aged 9-12

Henry V for Students Aged 9-12

“Once more unto the breach dear friends, once more!” we hear before the great battle of Agincourt. Beware! Conspiratorial snakes hide in the grass waiting to strike and undermine our beloved king. Will King Henry and his “band of brothers” defeat the French in battle and assume the throne? Will he marry the French Princess? Not even a muse of fire can answer those questions. Stage it to find out!

1. Introduction
- Who Is This Book For?
- What This Book is Not
2. Use of Language in Henry V
- Nouns
- Verbs
- Adjectives
- Relishing Repetitions
- Metaphors
- Use of French
3.    Notable Quotations
4.    Interpreting the Play
5.    Cast of Characters
6.    Contemporary English Version
(Teacher’s Guide to Student Paraphrasing Worksheets)
7.    Plot Synopsis
8.    Acting Scripts
- Differences Between Stage It and Full-Length Scripts
- How Are Scripts Organized?
- Use of Soliloquy
- Complex Characters and Archetypes
- Acting Scripts
9. Instructor and Student Resources
- Student Paraphrasing Worksheets
- Shakespeare Certificate
- Culminating Performance Program Template
10. Glossary
11. References

Stage It Julius Caesar book cover: Shakespeare acting script and teaching resources for students aged 9-12

Julius Caesar for Students Aged 9-12

“Beware the ides of March” warns the soothsaying Chorus in one of Shakespeare’s most famous tragedies. Will Julius Caesar discover the conspirators who plot his demise before the dreaded date of March 15? What fate awaits Caesar in the senate chamber? Friendship, betrayal, and murder take center stage in this classic story.

1. Introduction
- Who Is This Book For?
- What This Book is Not
2. Use of Language in Julius Caesar
- Adjectives
- Verbs
- Nouns
- Synonyms for "Press"
3.    Notable Quotations
4.    Interpreting the Play
5.    Cast of Characters
6.    Contemporary English Version
(Teacher’s Guide to Student Paraphrasing Worksheets)
7.    Plot Synopsis
8.    Acting Scripts
- Differences Between Stage It and Full-Length Scripts
- How Are Scripts Organized?
- Use of Soliloquy
- Complex Characters and Archetypes
- Acting Scripts
9. Instructor and Student Resources
- Student Paraphrasing Worksheets
- Shakespeare Certificate
- Culminating Performance Program Template
10. Glossary
11. References

Stage It Othello book cover: Shakespeare acting script and teaching resources for students aged 9-12

Othello for Students Aged 9-12

A classic tale of jealousy -- the green-eyed monster that devours Othello's soul! Othello, a general in the army, loves his wife, Desdemona, “not wisely, but too well". The villainous Iago manipulates Othello into believing that Desdemona has a boyfriend on the side. Othello's jealousy and mistrust lead to a tragic conclusion that reveals a terrible truth.

1. Introduction
- Who Is This Book For?
- What This Book is Not
2. Use of Language in Othello
- Adjectives
- Verbs
- Metaphors
3.    Notable Quotations
4.    Interpreting the Play
5.    Cast of Characters
6.    Contemporary English Version
(Teacher’s Guide to Student Paraphrasing Worksheets)
7.    Plot Synopsis
8.    Acting Scripts
- Differences Between Stage It and Full-Length Scripts
- How Are Scripts Organized?
- Use of Soliloquy
- Complex Characters and Archetypes
- Acting Scripts
9. Instructor and Student Resources
- Student Paraphrasing Worksheets
- Shakespeare Certificate
- Culminating Performance Program Template
10. Glossary
11. References