Presented by USA PLAYS FOR KIDS!

CONTACT INFORMATION

James Zager, Associate Professor
Pierce-Hedges Chair of Theatre Arts
Carroll University and Otteson Theatre
100 N. East Avenue, Waukesha, WI 53186
E-Mail: jzager@cc.edu

PROFILE

James Zager was born and bred in the wonderful Midwestern town of Milwaukee, Wisconsin He received his bachelor's degree in musical theatre at the University of Wisconsin in 1983 and then moved to Chicago where he worked as a professional actor, director, and playwright in musical theatre and theatre for youth for over 20 years. Zager received his M.F.A. in Theatre for Youth: Directing/Playwriting at Arizona State University in 1998. Currently he is an Associate Professor and the Pierce-Hedges Chair of Theatre Arts at Carroll University where he creates and workshops new plays for youth, mentors social issue--based theatre, and coordinates an annual Spring New Plays Festival. Zager has created new works based on the writings of Wilde, Homer and Shakespeare and his body of work includes the youth plays WHAT YOU WILL, THE SHAKESPEARE PROJECT, and STORIES GONE WILDE, all published by Dramatic Publishing.

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PLAYS AVAILABLE

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

THE WANDERINGS OF ODYSSEUS
Available from playwright.

One act, ensemble cast, minimum of five (3m, 2w) but can be expanded to accommodate much larger casts, minimal set, recorded music. His adaptation focuses on chapters 9-12 of Homer's classic and includes Odysseus' encounters with: The Island of the Lotus-Eaters, The Cyclops, The Bag of Wind, The Laestrogonians, Circe's Spell, The Land of the Dead, The Sirens' Song, Scylla & Charybdis, The Island of the Sun-God, and Calypso's Cave. Perfect for middle-school audiences.

Photo credit: MVCC Children’s Theatre, Palos Hills, IL.

STORIES GONE WILDE
Available from Dramatic Publishing.

One act, Ensemble cast, 10 (5m/5w) to 18 (adds 8 ensemble members). One set. Based on Oscar Wilde’s collection of short stories for children. A garden comes to life to tell a number of fantastic stories that took place there. Dramatizations include: The Selfish Giant, The Nightingale and the Rose, The Birthday of the Infanta, The Remarkable Rocket, and The Happy Prince. Aimed at middle-school audiences, but appropriate for family audiences ages 7 to adult.

WHAT YOU WILL
Available from Dramatic Publishing.

One act, 2w, 5m, one narrator, minimal set, recorded music. What happens when a shipwrecked young lady decides to disguise herself as her twin brother? This contemporary version of TWELFTH NIGHT uses pop culture to bring one of the Bard’s best comedies to life. Feste carries a boom box, Olivia is a fashion model, and the Duke is a surfer dude. A great introduction to the works of Shakespeare! AATE Unpublished Play Reading Project winner.

Photo credit: Arizona State University New Plays Marathon, Tempe, AZ.

THE SHAKESPEARE PROJECT
Available from Dramatic Publishing.

One act, 18 characters (7m/7w + 4 chorus), single set, running time: 50 minutes. By taking a number of the most famous scenes and monologues from the canon of Shakespearean works and presenting them in a contemporary style, new and often remarkable interpretations of the classic materials emerge. A wonderful way to introduce young actors and audiences to the fantastic world of Elizabethan literature. Set, costume, and prop requirements are minimal and other technical needs are virtually nonexistent.

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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