Return
to KOTB Home Page (Designed for late elementary or early middle school) Joanne is a reporter for her school newspaper. She is very excited about meeting her new journalism partner, Eric van Aart since he is friendly with Paul, a boy Joanne likes. When Eric tells Joanne that he and Paul are no longer friends, Joanne wants to know why. This prompts Eric to share his experience with alcohol and other drugs and an "innocent drinking game" that changed his life. (Eric, Joanne)
(Designed for late elementary or early middle school) Valerie
Perkins is tutoring Eric in
algebra. When Joanne drops in unexpectedly to invite Valerie to a party
where kids will be using drugs
and alcohol, Eric and Valerie ask the audience to help Joanne make the
right choice for herself.
(Eric, Valerie, Joanne)
(Designed for late elementary or early middle school) When Joanne
learns that Eric has attended a "pre-dance" party at his friend, Rob's
house, she is angry and confused. Joanne is confused in her
belief that by
"choosing not to use," Rob and Eric would also be choosing to abstain
from social events like parties. Rob shares his commitment to
"partying smart," which means having safe, drug and alcohol free fun
with adult supervision and his parent's knowledge and consent. (Rob,
Joanne, Eric)
(Designed for late elementary or early middle school) Paul Worthington has come to Eric's house to confront Eric about the "lies" Eric has been spreading about him. Instead, Eric talks to Paul about his increasing substance use and, with the audience, brainstorms ways for him to get help. (Eric, Paul)
(Early elementary audiences) Joanne has a cold and is planning to take medicine her friend has given her. When Valerie hears this, she explains the importance of only accepting medicine from an adult who is caring for you, never from friends or strangers. The difference between medicine and illegal drugs is also discussed. (Joanne, Valerie)
(Elementary audiences) Joanne is waiting for her mom in the food
court at Woodburn Mall. When Joanne is bothered by cigarette smoke from
a nearby smoker, it prompts a discussion with
her friend, Eric, who has stopped by to drop off his entry in the
"Smoke Free Woodburn" poster
contest. Together, Joanne and Eric talk about the negative effects of
smoking or chewing
tobacco. (Eric, Joanne) Please inquire about an
option for altering the ethnic balance of this script.
NOTE: After each script, the children in the audience are given the opportunity to interact with the puppets during a question and answer or suggestion period. The scripts, Starting Over, Making the Right Choices, may be performed together with Partying Smart and/or Helping a Friend in an extended "play-like" format. Each of the four scripts may also be performed independently.
| The Kids on the Block, created in 1977, features life size puppets who, through the magic of live puppet theatre, teach children and adults about disabilities, medical and educational differences, and social concerns. Through the hard work and dedication of many community based groups, The Kids on the Block puppets are able to touch the lives of people all over the world. |