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A Thousand Cranes
Medium Cast One Act Play for Middle, Jr., High School
Large Cast School Play Version | Small Cast (Touring) Version

"This is Our Cry - This is Our Prayer..."

A Thousand Cranes Play for Kids

A Thousand Cranes

Flexible medium cast size.  Running time under an hour.
The School Play Package gives you rights to edit the script, change roles/cast size, add music, make DVD/Video & make any other changes to fit your cast & your production.
Script shows line counts & suggestions for cast adjustment.
CD: sound FX, background music.
Audience: young, families.
Great for showcases, competitions.

School Play Package - Productions

A Thousand Cranes Play for Kids

A Thousand Cranes

Flexible medium cast size.  Running time under an hour.
The School Play Package gives you rights to edit the script, change roles/cast size, add music, make DVD/Video & make any other changes to fit your cast & your production.
Script shows line counts & suggestions for cast adjustment.
CD: sound FX, background music.
Audience: young, families.
Great for showcases, competitions.

School Play Package - Productions

A Powerful Story for Young People
Play Script for Medium Sized Cast!  A Thousand Cranes! Script for Middle Schools and High Schools!  A Thousand Cranes! A Thousand Cranes!  One Act Play for Professional Theatres!
Honolulu Theatre for Youth - The National School of Drama, Delhi, India - First Stage Milwaukee
For A Medium Size (Medium) Cast of Teens, Middle Schools, High Schools

A Thousand Cranes is an extraordinary experience for young performers and young audiences. This One Act Play may be staged with a few simple props and unlimited imagination. The result is always elegant and moving.

Excellent Roles for Middle School Performers
A Thousand Cranes - Large Cast Play for Young People to Perform The True Story of Sadako and the Thousand Paper Cranes Large Cast Script for Kids - A Thousand Cranes
Play for Kids to Perform - Lansing Middle School, NY - Syracuse Stage

"It was an outstanding production. The performance left me with burning eyes and a lump in my throat and a fear that my heart would burst with pride!"
Greg Brooks, Headmaster, St. Mary's DSG School for Girls, South Africa

Cast List, Sound Cues, Script Sample


A Thousand Cranes is the true, poignant story of Sadako Sasaki. Sadako was only two years old when the Hiroshima bomb fell and seemed to be unharmed, but at twelve she was diagnosed with "radiation sickness".

Easy to Stage a Stunning Production
A Thousand Cranes for Middle Schools! A Thousand Cranes!  One Act Play from ArtReach!
Somerset Co. Vocational School, NJ - Asian Children's Theatre Festival

"A local touring troupe for children won top honors at the Kentucky Theatre Association Community Theatre Festival. Actors for Children Theatre of Flatwoods, KY was selected as KTA’s 2013 “Outstanding Production” for its performance of A Thousand Cranes."
Herald-Dispatch, Huntington WV

"A Single Gesture of Kindness..."
One Act Play for Schools - A Thousand Cranes Excellent play for young adults!  A THOUSAND DRANES A Thousand Cranes for Middle School Performers
Ashland Children's Theatre - Orcutt Academy, Santa Maria, CA

With boundless optimism, she takes an old story to heart:  "If a sick person folds a thousand paper cranes the gods will grant her wish and make her well again."  Sadako begins to fold her thousand cranes.


"The Students Were Amazing!"
A Thousand Cranes for Kids to Perform! A Thousand Cranes Play for Kids! Playscript for Young Performers - A Thousand Cranes
Actors for Children Theatre, Flatwoods, KY - Centenary Stage, MA - Majestic Theatre, Crovallis, OR

Before Sadako is able to complete her task, she is visited by her Grandmother who lovingly carries her on the back of a glorious crane, to the land of a thousand, thousand spirits. There Sadako joins her ancestors and learns that her true wish may be granted.

Sadako Sasaki Sadako Sasaki and the Thousand Paper Cranes
Lexington Children's Theatre

Sadako's friends and classmates finished Sadako's work. They folded enough paper cranes to make a thousand.

Cast List, Sound Cues, Script Sample


Sadako's Friends Folded Paper Cranes
Play for Young Audiences - A Thousand Cranes Seattle Peace Park Monument
Lexington Children's Theater, KY - Seattle Peace Park

 Today children in Japan and all over the world, children fold a thousand paper cranes and lay them at the feet of Sadako's statue in the Hiroshima Peace Park. Their wish is engraved at the bottom of the monument:

"This is Our Cry - This is Our Prayer..."
Hiroshima Peace Park Seattle Peace Park Nagasaki Monument
"Peace in the World"


Play for Schools, Theatres, Youth Groups
One Act Play for Schools - A Thousand Cranes One Act Play for Schools - A Thousand Cranes One Act Play for Schools - A Thousand Cranes
Fusion Youth Theatre, Grimsby, UK - Asian Children's Play Festival, Singapore

A THOUSAND CRANES GETS 5 STARS IN SALT LAKE CITY!
“AWESOME!” “LOVED IT!” “The dedication and outpouring of soul oozing from each cast member resonates beautifully.”
Brigham Young University, Utah, Utah Stages Review

Sadako Flies on a Wonderous Journey!
Children's Play - A Thousand Cranes Children's Play - A Thousand Cranes
A Thousand Cranes, Lexington Children's Theatre, KY

“What an absolutely unforgettable experience you have given us. We had an overwhelming response to A THOUSAND CRANES. We had a total sold-out audience of nearly 600 and the show held everyone enthralled! No one moved a muscle during the entire show and there were always tears and prolonged applause.”
Sharon Sproule Ontario’s Espanola Youth Theatre

Cast List, Sound Cues, Script Sample


National Endowment for the Arts Winner
La Mirada Theatre - Phantom Projects - A Thousand Cranes A Thousand Cranes, Play for Professional Theatres Sadako lights candles for ancestors
Winner of the National Endowment for the Arts Playwriting Award
Phantom Projects, La Mirada Theatre, CA - Syracuse Stage - Lexington Children's Theatre

“A Thousand Cranes made history come alive for these kids,” Director Wilson said. “It has given them a life experience that they would have never had without doing this dramatic piece. I think it’s touched them all greatly. District administrators watched a dress rehearsal of the play Wednesday with tears in their eyes."
Kids Grades 6, 7, 8 at Orcutt Acadmey, Santa Maria, CA

UIL (University Interscholastic League) Approved Play!
Excellent Play for Young People!  A Thousand Cranes! A Thousand Cranes for Young People A Thousand Cranes!
Lansing Middle School, NY - Harvey Middle, Katonah, NY 

"The ideas and movements used are inspired by traditional, Japanese theatre, and are also visually beautiful," said the Players' artistic director Katy Brown, who's also directing A Thousand Cranes. "The audience will be taken to another country and culture through Japanese percussion, music, costumes, masks, glowing lanterns and a stunning set."
Barter Theatre, Abington, VA

Cast List, Sound Cues, Script Sample


"An Unforgettable Experience! Resonates Beautifully"
A Thousand cranes for Young People Script for Middle School Students - A Thousand Cranes
University of Wisconsin  -  Majestic Theatre, Crovallis, OR

A Flexible Cast of 13: (4m, 4f, 5 m/f) Doubling & extras possible. You have permission to adjust the cast to your school's needs.

One Act Play Length: About 40-45 minutes long: Perfect for touring to your local elementary school.

Easy staging, costumes, scenery: Inexpensive masks, fans and paper parasols create a setting of stunning drama.  Several special costumes may be created in the shop or art room.  Your students' imaginations will soar!

  Medium Cast for Teens to Perform
A Thousand Cranes!  Play for Teens! A Thousand Cranes for Kids!
Western Academy of Beijing - Bednarcik Junior High School, Oswego IL


One-Act Play Award Winner! - Send Your Cranes to Sadako
One Act Play for Schools - A Thousand Cranes A Thousand Cranes - True Story of Sadako Sasaki Send your cranes to Sadako!
Barter Theatre, Abington, Va -- Lansing Middle School, NY -- Somerset County Vocational School, NJ

"A wonderful One Act Playscript that gives the actors and director complete artistic choice!  There were very few dry eyes in the house at the end of this performance."
Stephanie Brotherton, Drama Teacher, Marion C. Early High School, MO 

Cast List, Sound Cues, Script Sample


A Thousand Cranes has three versions:

Large Cast School Play Version
Flexible Cast of 17-38 (2M, 4F, all others M/F) for grades K-6

Medium Cast Version (this page)
Flexible Cast of 13 (4M, 4F, 5M/F) for grades 6-12

Small Cast (Touring) Version
Cast of 3 (1M, 2F) for adult actors.


More Great Comments...
Who's producing A Thousand Cranes?  Click for Productions

Boys and Girls Clubs Pima Arts Blue Ridge Now Second Stage Repertory Theatre CSM College of Southern Maryland

 Grand Rapids Herald Review Adelaide Festival Grand Rapids Players Asheville NC Mountain Express Leo Adams Middle School

Piedmont Players Theatre Canon City Schools Denver Academy of Musical Arts Trunkey School, Austrailia PCPA Pacific Conservatory Theatre

Arizona Daily Star Salisbury Post Childsplay Theatre for Everyone ACT Academy Children's Theatre Junior Theatre Festival Online

The Rep Imagination Theatre Company St. Louis Piedmont Players Theatre Adelaide Fringe Festival Fremont Civic Theatre International Schools Through Theatre Scholastic

 Texas Thespians  Flat Rock Playhouse Studio 52 Theatre Arts Education Adelaide Fring Winner 2018 The Majestic Theatre Marianapolis Schools

ASU Arizona State University Academy of the Lakes Honolulu Theatre for Youth Bland County Public Schools

Free Resources: In the News, Behind the Scenes, Directing Tips, Classroom Activities

ArtReach's Famed Award-Winning Play 'A Thousand Cranes' has been performed around the world!  Sadako's message inspires young people with hope and peace!  Running Time: About 40 minutes.   ArtReach's Medium Cast is Flexible for a Medium Size Flexible cast of 13, 4 Male, 4 Female, All others M/F.  Easily adapted for larger or smaller cast.  UIL (University Interscholastic League) Approved Play.  Medium Version: This one act play is perfect for Middle Schools, High Schools, Community Theatres, One-Act Play Contests and One-Act Play Festivals.  A Beautiful Soundtrack CD with easy cue sheet will add incredible polish and professionalism to your production.  Instructions on How to Fold a Paper Crane and where to send them to Sadako's Statue in Japan are in ArtReach's Teacher's Guide.

 One Act Plays for Middle Schools - A Thousand Cranes One Act Play for Schools - A Thousand Cranes

"I wanted to congratulate you on 1000 Cranes. It was more than a play, it truly was a total EXPERIENCE!! I loved it. Your very talented cast put so much life into such a poignant and important story!"
Sheryl Altman, Southboro, Prana Center, Holliston, MA


David Heard and Lafayette College founded the National Crane Project
National Crane Project: David’s Origami Cranes 

"As a young girl I read Sadako's story and remember how much it resonated with me.  Here is a girl with dignity, grace and irrepressible spirit.  Sadako reminds us what a single gesture of kindness can have on future generations."
Lauren Unlekant, Educational Outreach, Syracuse Stage, NY


"In honor of this amazing story of one little girl who helped change the world, PPT is encouraging all the students attending the school shows to fold an origami crane to be hung in the Norvell Theater throughout the run of the show."
Piedmont Players, Salisbury, NC


 "My high school drama club won the North Dakota State One Act competition yesterday, mostly because the possibility of great things with your script."
Melissa Entzi, Drama Teacher, Edgeley High School, NC


"If you haven't seen A Thousand Cranes, don't miss it! It was incredibly moving.  Until you see these young actors and actresses portray the life of one affected 12 year old girl, you haven't really felt the story with your heart."
Ceci LeBeau, Holliston Prana Center, MA


Twenty Great Plays for Children! Scholastic Publishing
Published:  20 Great Plays for Children - Scholastic

East Central High School Drama Club (Kathy Ebnet, Director), of Sandstone, MN, Minnesota. Their  A Thousand Cranes was selected out of 481 nominations to represent the US in the American High School Theatre Festival, Fringe Festival in Edinburgh, Scotland.


"This is a story of beauty and hope."
Lauren Unlekant, Educational Outreach, Syracuse Stage, NY


"A Thousand Cranes left me emotional but hopeful for a future where we have learned from the past."
Katie Roundy, Utah Theatre Bloggers


"A THOUSAND CRANES is a moving story of one girl's courage and triumph."
Julia Magnasco Education Director, First Stage, Milwaukee, WI


“Telling the true story of a young Japanese girl who lived through Hiroshima in World War II,  allowed ACT to bring history, literature, art, science and world studies to hundreds and hundreds of local students.”
Director Sarah Diamond Burroway, Actors for Children Theatre, Flatwoods, KY


"A Thousand Cranes", was presented Saturday at the One Act Festival at Cumberland High School where Galileo nabbed second place overall in the district competition."
Director Glenn Weyler


 "Thanks again for a wonderful story.  Everyone in the audience loved our A Thousand Cranes. Our cast has been proud to tell this story.  We all agreed that we would be a little sad to perform A Thousand Cranes for the last time."
Jan Thompson, Central High School Wise, VA


"A Thousand Cranes is filled with messages of hope, strength, and courage and continues to encourage young people throughout the world to work for peace."
Chapel Hill, Carrboro, NC


"This multiple award-winning play has been produced by countless professional and community theatres in the United States and in other countries around the world."
Skwalking Heads, Chattanooga Center, TN

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