Presented by USA PLAYS FOR KIDS!

CONTACT INFORMATION

PROFILE

In a variety of roles, Donna Latham has worked to bring literature alive for kids. Donna holds a B.A. in Communication Arts and an M.A. in Library Science. As a high school drama teacher and director, an elementary school librarian, and a storyteller, she has explored theatre and literature with kids of all ages.

Donna Latham’s play PADDY AND THE MERMAID received an Honorable Mention Award in the Beverly Hills Theatre Guild’s Marilyn Hall Awards for Youth Theatre. Please contact Donna for information about producing this play.

Donna Latham’s published plays include HIC!; INDUBITABLY!; INTERROGATIVE!; JUMPIN’ JEHOSHAPHAT!; KERPLUNK!; MINE, MINE, MINE!; NO-NO!; SERIOUS FUN; SHE WHO?; SUPERLATIVE!; and YOU’RE PULLING MY LEG! All are available through Heuer Publishing, LLC. Part of the Grammar Series, these energetic, humorous plays explore the pleasures and pitfalls of the English language. Who says grappling with grammar has to be a grind?

A member of the Society of Children's Book Writers and Illustrators, Donna Latham also writes books for young readers. She received the ASPCA Henry Bergh Children’s Book Award for FIRE DOGS. Her other titles include GHOSTS OF THE FOX RIVER VALLEY; NORAH JONES; ELLEN OCHOA: REACH FOR THE STARS!; FIRE DOGS; HURRICANE! THE 1900 GALVESTON NIGHT OF TERROR; SPACE: Surviving in Zero-Gravity; SUPERFAST ROCKETS; and SUPERFAST TRUCKS. All are available at Amazon.com and BN.com.

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PLAYS AVAILABLE

(All plays from Heuer Publishing can be ordered from their website. Click on link to order.)

INTERROGATIVE!
Heuer Publishing
Ages 8 - adult

10 minutes; Fixed Set; 3m, 3f, Flexible Cast. Gram's ring is missing! Fear not, the Stratfords are on the case. Gramps, decked out as Sherlock Holmes, leads the family in a hunt for clues. Addie the dog activates her sniffer to search the premises. It's not only clues that the family uncovers. They also learn about the four sentence types: declarative, imperative, exclamatory, and interrogative.

BE BOLD, BE BOLD
Heuer Publishing
High school to adult
30 minutes; 5m, 4f, 3 Extras, Flexible Cast. In this tale of murder and retribution, Grandmama shares the tale of Lady Mary, a young woman in love with mysterious Mr. Fox. When Mr. Fox returns from his travels, he and Lady Mary will seal their wedding contract. The day before his return, Lady Mary seeks out his secluded estate. She finds a bizarre inscription above its entry: "Be Bold, Be Bold." Embracing her boldness, Lady Mary enters...and quickly uncovers a deadly secret.

KERPLUNK!
Heuer Publishing
Ages 8-adult

10 minutes; Fixed Set; 3m, 3f, Flexible Cast. Jewel, Bill, and Addie attempt to prepare a surprise breakfast for Gram and Gramps. Addie "thunks" the eggs and "kerplunks" milk into the bowl. When Jewel heats up a sizzling skillet, she realizes that the room is abuzz with onomatopoeia--words that imitate sounds. Her explanation of onomatopoeia results in a raucous conga line--and more noises!

SHE WHO?
Heuer Publishing
Ages 8-adult

10 minutes; Fixed Set; 3m, 3f, Flexible Cast. Gramps searches for his misplaced Egyptian history book. Bill explains, "She asked if she could borrow it, so I gave it to her." However, since there are three "she's" in the family, Gramps is confused. An exchange that parodies Abbott and Costello's classic comedy routine "Who's on First?" results. In the end, Bill learns all about pronouns.

YOU'RE PULLING MY LEG!
Heuer Publishing
Ages 8-adult

10 minutes; Fixed Set; 3m, 4f, Flexible Cast. The Stratford family is delighted to welcome Rosa, Gram's cousin, who is visiting from Italy. However, by using a series of idioms, including "I laid an egg," "It costs an arm and a leg," and "Grab the bull by the horns," the family manages to thoroughly befuddle their guest.

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LINKS

USA PLAYS FOR KIDS!
is a project of the Drury University Department of Education.

It is supported by

Springfield/Greene County Libraries

and

Library System of Lancaster County

Link to or join USA PLAYS FOR KIDS!/Get a Playwright Web Page
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