Middle School Players Showcase Playwriting Talent in Winter Production

The Middle School Players, Crossroads’ afterschool drama program for students in grades 6-8, is designed to give the School’s young thespians a chance to engage in varied aspects of theater production, from writing and acting to set design and theater tech. Students in the program typically perform two shows per year. Past productions have included “Shrek The Musical,” “Matilda the Musical Jr” and a student adaptation of “Hamlet.”

Recently, the Players premiered “Twisted Tales: A Grimm Reality,” a student-written play inspired by Grimm’s Fairy Tales. The Middle Schoolers’ reimagining of the classic stories included modern elements that revealed interesting and creative backstories behind some of childhood’s most iconic fairytale characters. 

The writing process began in early October, when students gathered with drama teacher Jen Hundtoft, the show’s script supervisor, to brainstorm ideas. After several writer’s sessions, they narrowed down their focus, deciding that a Family Feud-style gameshow would be the perfect setting to bring the fairytale characters together. Team Baddies, comprising classic villains like the Evil Queen and the Big Bad Wolf, would face off against the Goodies, which included characters like Rapunzel and Cinderella. 

After settling on the gameshow format, “We decided to incorporate Grimm’s Fairy Tale characters and make [them] have flashbacks to their true story,” said seventh grade writer Dora Adelman, who also played Snow White. “The biggest challenge was figuring out how to make it different yet similar to the original. Keeping the aspects that were classic to, say, Hansel and Gretel, but then adding new and modern things.”

When writing, the Middle Schoolers brought in themes that reflect the experiences that teens face in the real world today. In one scene, Goldilocks is at a book club meeting where she struggles with her phone addiction. Rapunzel, written as an international pop icon, grapples with perfectionism and the unrealistic beauty standards placed on women.

“Our student writers created strong characters with admirable substance,” said the show’s director, drama teacher Cheryl Factor. “This signals that they are listening and aware, becoming their own unique people, standing up for themselves and not caving in to societal norms. The characters questioned their self-worth and whether they agreed with the expectations of them prescribed by society—themes that are relevant for Middle School voices.”

Writers worked in small groups outside of class to craft each of the six “flashback” scenes, revealing the backstories of Rapunzel, Hansel and Gretel, Cinderella, Snow White, Little Red Riding Hood and Goldilocks. In November, the group began working with Cheryl in rehearsals, blocking out scenes and developing their characters. Once back from winter break, with lines memorized, it was time for dress rehearsals, with set changes and lighting cues orchestrated by the students. The show opened the weekend of Jan. 31 with families, faculty and friends flocking to the Crossroads Theatre to witness the Middle Schoolers bring their creative vision to life. 

For sixth grader Lilly Blume, getting to perform a play written by her friends felt like a dream—sometimes literally. “It’s just about getting to know everyone and feeling like you’re in a fairy tale,” she said. “I think that’s one of my favorite parts about acting—leaving reality and going to another world.” 

The production was a team effort that encouraged the Middle Schoolers to use their voices in new and exciting ways. The experience ignited a sense of joy and discovery in students who might otherwise have been nervous to be bold and take risks onstage.

“I am so proud of their work. Many of the kids tried new things, portraying characters that were very different from themselves,” reflected Cheryl. “Kids who were usually quiet and reserved had a great time playing outgoing and sassy characters. There were several students who pushed themselves to be big and bold, which was a huge challenge. There were many important life lessons at every phase of this project. In the end, the kids supported each other and worked well as a team to bring this story to life.”