Whats important when writing for young performers and audiences?
It’s crucial not to “write down” to them. I recently realized that when I’m working on a play, I always picture it being performed by adult actors and I think that makes a difference. You shouldn’t simplify things to a great extent just because kids will be involved – they’ll surprise you in what they can understand and accomplish. I also try to make my plays fun to perform – I’m very mindful of the actors. Plays should be just as entertaining to stage as they are to watch. If the actors aren’t having a good time, the audience isn’t either. Q: What do you like best about writing kids’ plays? A: I really enjoy including audience participation in my work. In the Nick Tickle plays, Nick asks the audience to serve as his partners – to watch for clues and help him solve the case. It’s so great how the kids in the audience really get caught up in it! And besides getting the kids to interact from their seats, I love getting some of them up on the stage to be part of the action. Years ago, I s
