30 Plays for Child Actors

Book excerpt: For over thirty-five years, Gorman John Ruggiero trained child actors. The many productions are represented in this collection of his plays. These works include folktales, mythology, religious stories, and original works that can help children learn some of life’s lessons by acting them out on stage. Ruggiero spent many years working with children on the autism spectrum, and many of these plays were performed jointly with typically developing children to great success. This process truly enhanced the communication skills of the child actors, as well as helped develop in them an understanding of autism. Many friendships were created during the rehearsal and performance process as children learned about one another’s differences and commonalities. In a world where communication is sorely lacking, Ruggiero believes that physical, emotional, and intellectual expression, found in the performing arts, is crucial for the success in personal and professional relationships. Helping children perform these plays will advance that notion.