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 and Record & Stream Rights Available
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.
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 and Record & Stream Rights Available
Details
- Status In stock
- Type of Show Full-length Play
- Product Code O82000
- Minimum Cast Size 11
- Pages of Dialogue 53
- Min. Royalty Rate $90.00/perf
- Approx. Run Time 65 min
- Staging Open stage. Suitable for touring.
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
Customer Reviews
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.
Hints, Tips, and Tricks
We did the entire show with 9 rehearsal cubes as the train and any required furniture.
Production Map
| Location | City | State | Opens | Closes |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Yreka High | Yreka | CA | 03/15/2025 | 03/16/2025 |
| Geneseo Middle School High School | Geneseo | NY | 03/21/2025 | 03/22/2025 |
| Cascades Theatrical Company | Bend | OR | 07/11/2025 | 07/20/2025 |
Also By These Authors
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