Scripts for Kids Drama Plays

Script samples:

Copyright  © 2010 Robert Reed All Rights Reserved

COLUMBUS: I don't want to sell cheese, dad. I want to be a famous navigator and explorer sailing far across the ocean.

DOMENICO: (Placing hand on Columbus' shoulder.) Don't give up so easily, son:you're just nervous. It's perfectly natural to be nervous when you work with dairy products. I'll be back later to celebrate your first day as a cheese salesman! By then you'll realize where your future lies. (Shaking head.) Navigator and explorer? Huh!

...

BARTOLOMEO: I'm fed up with working in a cartography shop. I want to be hugely rich, then I wouldn't have to share a bath with the neighbors! We need to discover an ocean route to Asia that's even better than the land route.

COLUMBUS: That's amazing! I've been thinking exactly the same thing and I've made some interesting calculations.

NARRATOR 2: (To Narrator 1.) What was so special about finding a trading route to Asia?

NARRATOR 1: There was a high demand for silver, gold, spices, silk and gems from China, India and Japan, but use of the Silk Road had become increasingly risky after the rise of the Ottoman Empire. Any monarch would pay a fortune to an explorer who found a quicker and more secure route to the Indies.

COLUMBUS: (Holds up the larger ball.) Everyone thinks the Earth is this big because of the calculations of Eratosthenes in the second century B.C. That's about 40,000 kilometers in circumference. (Pause.) Come on, what do the ancient Greeks know about math? Anyway, I've calculated the real circumference of the Earth to be only (Whispering.) 25,255 kilometers. (Removing smaller ball from bag.) This big: that's a third smaller than people think! (Replacing balls in bag and looking around suspiciously.) Just keep it a secret.
... 
 

NARRATOR 2: Were Columbus' calculations correct about the circumference of the Earth?

NARRATOR 1: Er, no. Eratosthenes knew a lot about math.

 ...
 

NARRATOR 1: Well, Columbus didn't give up: he tried to persuade the Portuguese Court again in 1488.

NARRATOR 2: And, failed.

... 

NARRATOR 1: Then, he made the same proposal to the rulers of Genoa and Venice and Ferdinand II of Aragon and Isabella I of Castile and they all said--

NARRATOR 2: No way, José!

COLUMBUS: (Standing and addressing audience.) Nincompoops! They may be royalty with money and titles, but I have my pride and you won't see me begging.

NARRATOR 1: In 1492, he had another audience with Ferdinand and Isabella.

(Enter FERDINAND II OF ARAGON and ISABELLA I OF CASTILE sitting regally on throne. Columbus falls to his knees pleading.)

COLUMBUS: Please, please, please!

ISABELLA I OF CASTILE: I think it's worth the risk, especially now the Portuguese have found a route around Africa. I'll even sell my jewels to pay for the expedition!

FERDINAND II OF ARAGON: Steady on, dear. There's no need for desperation: we can always tax the poor more.

ISABELLA I OF CASTILE: Oh, yes. Silly me.

Copyright  © 2010 Robert Reed All Rights Reserved