Wade Bradford

Wade Bradford says... I grew up in Washington state, but I moved to California in the early '90s. That's when I got the opportunity to write my first children's play, "Sahara Nights." After writing and directing my own show, I was hooked on theater. Today, I write plays, children's books, and the occasional graphic novel. My first picture book, "Why Do I Have to Make My Bed?" was published by Tricycle Press / Random House. My next book "Around the World in a Bathtub" comes out June 2017. I currently teach literature and writing classes at Moorpark College. I am currently a board member at my local playhouse, the Canyon Theatre Guild.

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  Cinderella in New York

Comedy by Wade Bradford

63 pages

Flexible cast. Approx. 9 m, 9 w, 10 or more flexible


The Reporters Grimm bring you the news scoop of the year: True Love Conquers All! Set in the middle of the Great Depression, the familiar story of Cinderella has been given a vibrant twist. Cinderella Fitzgerald once led the perfect life, until her father loses everything when the stock market crashes. Shocked at the news, the poor man remains frozen at the dinner table and Cinderella and her conceited stepsisters and her vengeful, gold-digging stepmother, must live and move around him. This Depression really is depressing! Sure, Cinderella still has her frie...

  Thumbelina

Classic Comedy by Wade Bradford

41 pages

5 m, 8 w, 4 flexible, extras (including a few children from the audience)


In this adaptation of Hans Christian Andersen's beloved tale, all of the town's children gather round a traveling storyteller to hear the story of a wayward little fairy girl. When an old woman wishes on a magic flower, her heart's desire for a child of her own literally blossoms before her eyes. Her magical little girl, only a few inches high, is named Thumbelina, and although the friendly child is very helpful around the house, and very kind to the nearby forest creatures, she just doesn't feel as if she fits in. A gossipy Frog Lady convinces Thumbelina tha...

  Misadventures of the Musketeers

Comedy by Wade Bradford

60 pages

7 m, 5 w, many supporting roles and extras, doubling possible


The Dumas classic “The Three Musketeers,” set in 17th century France, tells of the adventures of three heroic musketeers who are close comrades. This, sadly, is not a dramatization of that beloved story. Instead it’s a prequel…of sorts. Athos, Porthos, and Aramis are in training to become musketeers, and they are bumbling rivals, casting humorously snide remarks to each other and practicing outlandish one-upmanship. When the queen is abducted under their watch, they each try to find a way to save her and save the throne. Their attempts land them in a laughing...

  Mermaid in Miami

Comedy by Wade Bradford

56 pages

4 m, 6 w, 17 flexible, extras, doubling possible


Ernie is a lonely old fisherman, without much joy in his life, until he meets an unlikely friend: a mermaid named Breeze. She has just escaped from the cruel underwater kingdom of the idiotic Emperor Tropico and hopes to enjoy her newly found freedom. But just hanging around in Ernie's lagoon isn't enough for her. When she spies Rico, the local heart-breaker, practicing for an upcoming dance competition, Breeze decides to become human and pursue her dream of becoming a dancer. However, there are many obstacles in her way. For one, she must make a deal with th...

  JT and the Pirates

Comedy by Wade Bradford

75 pages

6 m, 8 w, extras


This rousing pirate's tale is set in the strangest and most mysterious of places: junior high! When a young girl named Jenny Taylor (JT) stumbles across a magical book in the school library, she is transported into the past and finds herself on a tropical island surrounded by pirates! She manages to travel back to her own time, but the meddling and boisterous swashbucklers follow along. Talk about fish out of water! Now, on top of homework and bullies, JT has a bunch of buccaneers to take care of! At lunch, in history class, (where their take on the Pilgrims ...

  To Prom Or Not To Prom?

i-Monologue by Wade Bradford

2 pages

By Wade Bradford


From a new play, "Promedy" by Wade Bradford, this monologue is delivered by the normally bookish Beatrix Holiday, the 17-year old president of the student body. After her "ex-friend" deviously cancels the prom, Beatrix decides to find a way to bring back the end-of-the-year dance. In this monologue, Beatrix explains to her fellow student why prom means so much to her.

  Aesop's Hop

Comedy by Wade Bradford

53 pages

Large, Flexible cast


Welcome to the mythical Forest of Fables, home of the Tortoise and the Hare, the Ants and the Grasshopper, the Lion and the Mice, and many other colorful creatures. This realm is also the home of Aesop, the friendly storyteller from Ancient Greece. The animals and two immortal Muses prepare for Aesop's surprise 98th birthday party, until they realize that they have no music for their upcoming celebration. The problem is solved when a nervous Donkey, a vain Cat, a hopeful Rooster, and a dim-witted Dog join forces and ensure that old Aesop gets the party of a c...

  Escape Room

Comedy by Wade Bradford

30 pages

2 m, 5 w


The high school girls’ softball team has one last shot to make it to playoffs.  However, that doesn’t seem likely since Wacy and Emma can’t seem to stop fighting, and Riley and Kylie are so inseparable that they don’t work with the rest of the team.  So instead of scheduling extra practice hours before the game, Coach forces the girls to participate in team-building activities. That’s perfect for Professor Diabolical, as he has been rehearsing his evil laugh and is ready to have customers in his Escape Room.  Unfortunately, his assistant Brad is more focused ...

  The Magic of Zoom

Comedy by Wade Bradford

12 pages

2 m, 1 w, 3 flexible, 1 offstage voice


It's Hogwarts meets Zoom!  The students of Dogwarts have their first day in Professor Snope’s virtual classroom. How are they supposed to practice the magical arts of wizardry on a computer?  What’s in Plotter’s closet? And what about this year’s prom? This ten-minute comedy was written to be performed online.

* To order:  Under “BUY NOW” select Digital Download and then select 1 Printmaster Copy.  This allows you to distribute copies to your cast and crew.  One performance is included. Additional performances are $10.

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