Hark from the Herald is a Christmas play that can be performed with live actors or puppet performers. Written by Karl Bastian, this download includes all the elements needed to produce this play,
Synopsis:
Hark is a reporter from the Herald and is assigned to do a story on the "true meaning of Christmas." Not knowing where to start, he goes to the house of Dr. Wipplestowski, a crazy inventor who sends him BACK IN TIME to the first Christmas. There he conducts humorous interviews with Wooly the Shepherd Boy, the Wise Men, the Innkeeper, and even a cow. Hark uses these clues to discover the "true meaning" at the manger.
Director & Actors Scripts
Staging Notes
Scene Overviews
Music Recommendations
Rehearsal Schedule
Sample Graphics
MP3 audio track for puppet performance
Reference videos from previous productions
Thank you for this great play! It was a huge success! We had many people telling us that it was the best play we have had! The kids loved doing this play, and it showed! We highly recommend Hark from the Herald to everyone who may be looking for a fun Christmas Play! Thanks Karl!
- Jackie McCallister
How many speaking parts are there
There are 11 basic speaking parts (Hark, Editor-in-Chief, Dr. Wipplestowski, Wooly the Shepherd Boy, Three Wise Men, Innkeeper, Mary and Joseph, and the Angel Gabriel.) PLUS there are other parts that can have as many as you wish ranging from newspaper office staff, angels, shepherds and manger animals.
How many kids does the play require?
Hark is a very flexible play. You can use as few as 20 or as many children as you want. In addition to the main speaking parts, there are several way to add extra kids. The poem included in the play, "Why Christmas?", can be recited by one person, or each verse by a different child (There are 10 verses total).
How long is the play?
Hark runs about 45 minutes in length, however you can adjust the duration to your needs by determining how many of the songs you sing and how many verses of each are included.
Is it a play or a musical?
Hark is more a play than a musical since the story is not told directly through song, as in a musical. However, traditional Christmas carols are sung throughout the play. You can add any songs you want, but only non-copyrighted songs could be included for selling with the play. You could also perform the play with no songs, though the music helps keep the congregation involved and allow time for scene changes.
Is there a part for little kids?
YES! When a carol such as "Away in a Manger" is sung, you can have a class of little kids come at and sing it. Several of the songs can be sung by different groups, or the congregation can sing them.
Hark, from the Herald, newspaper reporter (1)
Editor-in-Chief (1)
Newsroom Staff (2 to 5)
Poem Reciters (1 to 10)
Dr. Wipplestowski, Crazy Inventor (1)
Gabriel (1)
Angel Choir (5-10+)
Woolly the Shepherd Boy (1)
Shepherd Choir (5-10+)
Wise Man #1 (1)
Wise Man #2 (1)
Wise Man #3 (1)
Moo Moo the Cow (2 people w/cow costume)
Innkeeper (1)
Mary (1)
Joseph (1)
Jesus (if using live baby) (1)
Stage Hands (if different than Newsroom Staff) (4-8)
Stable Animals (sheep, donkeys, or others) (4-8)
Delivery Boys and Girls (4-8)
(Optional and may be combined/divided to fit those helping)
Music Director
Acting Coach
Prop Manager
Poem Director
Costume Coordinator
Stage and Lighting Coordinator
Make-Up Coordinator
Pianist
Program Designer
Download a Puppet Script Audio Sample
Download a Script Sample