Daniel Guyton



Children's Plays





This page features a comprehensive list of children's plays written by Daniel Guyton. The majority of these pieces are designed for students in elementary and/or middle school. On top, you will poster art for several plays, and down below you will see descriptions of each. Please click on any image or description for more information.



be yourself




4M.4F One-Act (45 min). Co-Written with Kate Guyton. Three teenagers struggle with their own self-image and self-worth. Everyone tells them to "be themselves", but none of them really know what that means. (Intended for High School Students)

  • Published in The Best American Short Plays 2018-2019 by Applause Theatre & Cinema Books, 2021

"It was an excellent presentation. The actors were all amazing and the message was absolutely perfect. When I found it on New Play Exchange, I thought it would be perfect for high school... Really, really good play. I hope more people get to produce it." (CA Taylor, Allen High School, 2018)


For more information, please click here.


The Boy Who Cried Werewolf




5M,5F. One-Act (30 min), A group of school students believe their teacher is a werewolf.

  • Commissioned by Alliance Theatre in Atlanta GA, 2015
  • Finalist in Bergen County Academy's One-Act Festival in Hackensack, NJ, 2017

"It's no surprise that this wonderful, hilarious riff on werewolf stories has had so many productions. Its characters and situations are clear, the dialogue is sharp and funny, it builds to a very satisfying reveal, and it has maybe the best canned ham running gag in all of dramatic literature. Great for any ages and any group interested in comedy or in a different spin on a classic horror genre." (John Minigan, New Play Exchange, 2018)


For more information, please click here.


An Elf In elementary School




7M,7F. One-Act (30 min), In this delightful children's comedy, Happy the Christmas Elf decides that he doesn't want to be an elf anymore. Instead, he wants to go back to school and become a math teacher! Only problem? He can't add. So, Santa sends him back to elementary school, where he experiences hilarity and fun with the other students - and gets reminded of the true meaning of Christmas.

  • Commissioned by Alliance Theatre in Atlanta GA, 2017

For more information, please click here.


DEATH OF A SNOWMAN




1M,1F. One-Act (10 min), A snowman and a little girl discuss the afterlife in this existential Yuletide comedy.

  • Winner of Critics' Choice Award in Golden Sparrow International Film Festival, 2021
  • Winner of GottaGo! Newsletter's "Favorite of the Evening" award in 2009
  • 2nd Place Winner in Dover Players 10-Minute Play Experience, 2019
  • Special Mention Award in Gona Film Awards, 2021
  • Semi-Finalist in Near Nazareth Film Festival, 2021
  • Semi-Finalist in Play-Makers Spokane Hit & Run VII in Spokane, WA, 2013
  • Official Selection in KIDS FIRST! Film Festival, 2021
  • Official Selection in KinoDrome International Motion Picture & Screenplay Festival, 2021
  • Has been produced over 150 times!

"Best of the bunch is Daniel Guyton’s DEATH OF A SNOWMAN, in which actor Michael Shelton gives the best performance I’ve seen from him (and I’ve seen some fine ones) as a snowman discussing life and death with a young girl (Amanda Lynn Meyer)." (Lou Harry, Indianapolis Business Journal, 2009)


For more information, please click here.


Fear





4M.5F One-Act (45 min). A group of teenagers and adults deal with fear in their lives – from terrorism, gun violence, racial tension, and more. There is hope, but they have to work together to find it. (Intended for High School students)


Unproduced



FEEL YOUR BEST SELF





2M,1F. One-Act (30 min), I was commissioned to write a puppet show that introduced a new learning activity titled "Feel Your Best Self" to the school's elementary students. I did not create the "FYBS" learning curriculum, but my script introduced and closed out the learning activity. I did not retain rights to this script.

  • Commissioned by Vestavia Hills City Schools in Vestavia Hills, AL, 2023

Produced by Vestavia Hills City Schools in Vestavia Hills, AL, 2023



The Kids and the Fairy Tree





4M,4F. One-Act (10 min), A group of children are performing a school play about friendship and teamwork outdoors, when a magical fairy tells them to stay away from their tree. When the teacher calls in the ghostbusters, all chaos breaks loose.

  • Commissioned by ACTNET Entertainment Studios in Fayetteville, GA, 2016

"I seriously didn't expect to laugh at a play intended for elementary school performers, but this is a funny and very sweet play with a timeless message. As a former teacher and fellow playwright, I heartily recommend this play!" (Bryan Stubbles, New Play Exchange, 2018)


Produced by Tucker Recreation Center in Tucker, GA, 2018

Produced by Hermanus Waldorf School in Sand Baai, South Africa, 2018

Published by Drama Notebook, 2020

Produced by Lei Muk Shue Catholic Primary School in Tsuen Wan, Hong Kong, 2022

Produced by Buck's Rock Camp in New Milford, CT, 2023



Kim Arthur and the Nerds of the Round Table




6M,7F. One-Act (30 min), A book-smart girl removes a mysterious "motherboard from the stone" and becomes queen of Game-A-Lot, where she and her fellow nerds invent the greatest video game of all time, in this hilarious spoof of the King Arthur legend.

  • Top 10 Finalist in Moonlit Wings Playwriting Competition, 2016
  • Commissioned by Alliance Theatre in Atlanta, GA, 2015

"This is a sweet riff on video games borrowing cleverly from the King Arthur tale. The play is geared at young performers and all roles offer young thespians a chance to develop character while having fun onstage. I could see this being very popular in middle schools. It could provoke some interesting discussions regarding the constant stereotyping of "nerd" and "cool" so rampant at that age." (Claudia Haas, New Play Exchange, 2018)


For more information, please click here.


LAST OF THE TANNENBAUMS




3E (either gender). One-Act (10 min), Eddie the Evergreen desperately wants to be a Christmas tree, until a little bird tells him what REALLY happens to Christmas trees...


"LAST OF THE TANNENBAUMS is adorable - well, Eddie (the Evergreen) may not think so but this human thinks it's very cute." (Geri Albrecht, Heuer Publishing, 2014)

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For more information, please click here.


The Mean Old Elephant




6M,6F. One-Act (30 min), Ollie the Elephant just wants to sleep, but the other animals in the jungle want to play. In his frustration, Ollie snaps at everyone - including a vindictive snake who tries to get revenge. The jungle animals all have to band together to help one another, and learn a lesson about friendship and cohabitation.

  • Commissioned by Alliance Theatre in Atlanta GA, 2018

"Thank you so much for writing such a fantastic play for young performers. All my students absolutely enjoyed the experience of the performing arts and their parents were thrilled to see them on stage." (Maurice Cooper, Mono Arts Council, 2021)

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For more information, please click here.


Missing





4M,4F. One-Act (30 min), A young girl goes missing, and her classmates try to find her, in this gripping drama that helps warn children about stranger danger and the things they can do to protect themselves.

  • Commissioned by ACTNET Entertainment Studios in Fayetteville, GA, 2016

Unproduced



My Classmate's an alien!




aka AN ALIEN IN ELEMENTARY SCHOOL


6M,6F. One-Act (30 min), After a mysterious asteroid lands in their town, a group of students suspect that one of their class-mates might be an alien from outer space.

  • Commissioned by Alliance Theatre in Atlanta GA, 2017

"An absolute delight from page one on. This is a perfect play for upper elementary - and it would be a delight to perform with some adults in the cast as well! Each kid has their own personality, Zella is absolutely precious and hilarious, the adult characters are silly and well-meaning, but be-neath the surface of this incredibly sweet, lovable play is an important message that Guyton clearly believes strongly in. Why shouldn't we love and protect those who are different than us? Guyton has written this TYA play tenderly. It is funny and accessible, but also important. Highly recommended." (Emily Hageman, New Play Exchange, 2018)


For more information, please click here.


SHANNON'S NEW DOG





3E (Either gender). One-Act (20 min). Pantomime play for very young audiences. Shannon is very excited because she/he/they have found a new dog and wants to convince their parent to keep it. The only problem? The dog is actually a fire-breathing dragon!


"We loved the sense of imagination that was demonstrated throughout the play – it was such an enjoyable and fun story. And it featured a dragon – what a delight!" (Michelle Kozlak, Arts on the Horizon, 2024)


Unproduced





Daniel Guyton