Val Cheatham

20 pages

Flexible cast of 16 or more

It’s one of the last days of summer and the morning starts normally for our forest friends. The ants are busy working, the bear wants to stop forest fires, and the grasshopper is doing his usual loafing. Meanwhile the fox, who is flat broke, is picking up a few dollars from the mice Stanley and Oliver by advising them to solve their cat problem by belling him. But when the sly fox learns the Great Race between the tortoise and the hare is about to take place, he devises a scheme to enter the crow and turn his few dollars into big winnings. Chicken, who thinks...

52 pages

9 characters plus carolers and Munchkins

The main characters of Oz are mixed with the mean Miss Gulch, who is about to foreclose on the farm. Knowing they need the help of the Wizard, they make the trip to Oz, only to find a sign - "Closed for Christmas." They decide to have Christmas in Oz and the Wicked Witch reappears. Dorothy gives her her first present ever, magic slippers, and the witch is so overcome with joy that she becomes a better person. When Miss Gulch arrives to foreclose, she is invited to share their Christmas. They all learn that the best way to celebrate Christmas is to share it wi...

10 pages

4 narrators

In this dramatic reading we are reminded that America has been ever dedicated to the freedom of speech. Included are some of our country's most historic quotes. This reading is certain to create or renew a sense of pride in our country.

11 pages

4 narrators (can be adapted to more)

Here's a fascinating look at many of the beautiful, colorful, musical words that are thrown into the melting pot that makes up the English language. "Word" tells how peoples' names and ideas become such common parts of speech we don't even think about them.