Style:

Characters:

Length:

Cost:

Excerpt: This is a sample from the first pages of the skit.

Through the Looking Glass 

Setting: A pre-school classroom, with various toys and other items scattered around the room.  A table and chairs should be center stage.  Other props should include: play dough, paper, scissors, glue sticks, crayons, a sock puppet, a rug, and a telescope. Debbie, the teacher, enters with a large book bag. She sits at the table and dials a phone number on her cell phone.) 

Debbie:           (dials the phone number—after she speaks, she pauses each time as if really talking on the telephone) Hi, Mom.  ([pause) Yeah, I got your message—dinner Thursday would be great. (pause) 

                        No, I’m fine.  Why? (pause) Well, now that you mention it, I have been feeling a little down lately.  (pause) No, Mark and I are fine.  It’s work. (pause) 

                        I don’t know, it’s everything.  Our chairs are falling apart, the paint is chipping off the walls, there’s no money in the budget for extra supplies, the carpet in our reading circle is falling apart, and half of my glue sticks are dried up! Mom, sometimes I don’t know why I bother with this job at all. (pause) 

                        Oh, and did I tell you about Allison?  (pause) Yesterday I was heading to my classroom after our staff meeting, when I happened to see her in her room getting things ready for the new school year.  Mom, you should see some of the stuff she’s got planned.  (pause) No, it’s even better than last year!  I just can’t compete with her! (pause) 

Well, she’s really creative for one thing.  She has these great ideas all the time and the kids love being in her room.  Heck, I’d love to be in her classroom!  (pause) 

Plus, I think the woman is made of money.  Our budget at the school is pretty tight, but she’s always paying for things out of her own pocket.  She comes in with all these really neat toys and gadgets and the kids just go nuts!  All I’ve got is play dough and scissors. I can’t afford all that other stuff.  (pause)

Yeah, I still have that sock puppet we made a few years ago.  It’s even starting to fall apart now. Plus, how much fun can an old sock puppet be? (pause) It’s not like I’m a ventriloquist or anything—the kids can see my mouth moving.  Honestly, the whole thing is pretty lame.  Maybe it’s time to retire Twiggy the sock puppet.  (sighs deeply, looks at her watch)

Well I better go, mom.  I’m expecting one of the kids.  She’s a new student this year and the director likes for us to meet all the new students ahead of time.  (pause) Yeah, Sue feels it helps build rapport.  I just hope I don’t bore the poor kid to death! (pause)  Okay mom, I’ll talk to you later.  Bye.  (she hangs up the phone)

(A knock is heard at the door)

 Debbie:            Come in! (she stands)

 (Meg enters.  She is an adult dressed up to look like a child.  She is not shy at all and has very childlike characteristics but also tries to talk like a grown up)

Meg:                Hi! My mommy said to come in here and meet my new teacher.  Are you my new teacher?

Debbie:            Yes, I am.  My name is Miss Debbie.  You must be Meagan. 

Meg:                That’s what my mommy named me, but I tell her to call me Meg.

 Debbie:            (smiling) Okay, Meg it is.  Why don’t you come in and let me show you the classroom.

Meg:                (seeing the play dough, her eyes widen, as she runs to it) Is this pay dough?  That’s my most favoritist thing in the whole world!  I love pay dough!  (she open up the container and begins to take it out and play with it) 

Debbie:            Yes, Meg that’s play dough.  (emphasizing the word “play”)

Meg:    That’s what I said—pay dough!