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The Orphan Train

The Orphan Train

By Aurand Harris.

Product Code: O82000

  • Full-length Play
  • Drama
  • Cast size: 6m., 7w., 6 boys, 6 girls, or 11 (1m., 1w., 3 boys, 6 girls) with doubling.

    Livestream Rights Available

    Contact our customer service department to order or for more information.
  • Awards: The Charlotte B. Chorpenning Playwright Award

Rights and availability
This title can be licensed and sold throughout the World.

* Please note the royalty rate listed is the minimum royalty rate per performance. The actual royalty rate will be determined upon completion of a royalty application.

$10.95 /script

Min. Royalty Rate: $90/perf

In stock

Synopsis

The play tells the story of nine orphans on an "orphan train" that left New York City on May 28, 1914. The train travels to Midwestern towns in search of homes, any homes, anywhere for the orphaned and unwanted children. There's Mary, Evie, spunky Pegeen, Annie and Little Lucy, a quiet one. Other orphans include Frank (who later becomes Frankie, a small girl), Raymond, Lucky and Danny the song-and-dance boy. And there are the men and women hoping for children. The lonesome whistle wails as the train chugs between encounters of anxiety, laughter, wistfulness, rejection and acceptance. Eight stories unfold, each a memorable surprise. The Orphan Train is a charming heart-warmer and all we expect from one of legendary playwrights for children, Aurand Harris. The staging creates a highly theatrical story, moving, amusing and always tellingly human.

Notes

Livestream Rights Available

Contact our customer service department for more information.

Details

  • Status

    In stock

  • Type of Show Full-length Play
  • Product Code O82000
  • Cast Size 11
  • Min. Royalty Rate $90/perf
  • Cost $10.95
  • Approx. Run Time 65 min

Categories

  • Target Audience Young Audiences | Middle School | High School | Family (all ages)
  • Performing Group High School | College Theatre | Community Theatre | TYA | Touring Group
  • Genre Drama
  • ISBN(13) 9781583427484
* Please note the royalty rate listed is the minimum royalty rate per performance. The actual royalty rate will be determined upon completion of a royalty application.

Customer Reviews

"This was a great script to do with middle school students! Lots of great opportunities for characters and monologue work, as well as smaller roles for students who are just wanting to try out acting. "
Review by Kristin M Tomlin, East Rockford Middle School, Rockford, Mich.
"The play was well received by the audiences. Each young actor had a chance to become a character that was quite different from their personality. The adults had a chance to play several characters who had different personalities too. Good play to present."
Review by Bill Gordon, Mid Michigan Family Theatre, Haslett, Mich.

Hints, Tips, and Tricks

"We did the entire show with 9 rehearsal cubes as the train and any required furniture."
Tip by Kristin M Tomlin, East Rockford Middle School, Rockford, Mich.

Productions

Location City State Opens Closes
Cascades Theatrical Company Bend Oregon 7/11/2025 7/20/2025
John Hersey High School Arlington Heights Illinois 1/30/2025 2/1/2025