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Overview
Synopsis
Jamie has finished all his chores and desperately wants to go out and play. However, his mom insists that he tidies his room before going outside. Grumbling, Jamie tidies his toys away but fails to make the bed. When he questions why he has to, his mom takes him back though a history of his ancestors asking exactly the same question.
Show Information
- Book
- Wade Bradford
- Based on the Play/Book/Film
- 'Why Do I Have to Make My Bed? Or, a History of Messy Rooms' (2011 children's book by Wade Bradford)
- Category
- Play
- Age Guidance
- Youth (Y)/General Audiences (G)
- Number of Acts
- 1
- Genres
- Comedy, Fairy Tale/Fantasy
- Settings
- Unit/Single Set, Fantasy/Imaginary
- Time & Place
- Present Day
- Cast Size
- large
- Licensor
- None/royalty-free
- Ideal For
- Community Theatre, Elementary School, Middle School, Theatre For Young Audiences (TYA), Mostly Female Cast, Includes Child, Early Teen Characters, Large Cast
Context
A History of Messy Rooms is a companion play to the children's book Why Do I Have to Make My Bed? Or, a History of Messy Rooms published in February 2011 by Random House/Tricycle Press. It is written by Wade Bradford and illustrated by Johanna van der Sterre. The book is currently available at bookstores, libraries, and online retail stores
to read the context for A History of Messy Rooms and to unlock other amazing theatre resources!Plot
Characters
| Name | Part Size | Gender | Vocal Part |
|---|---|---|---|
|
Lead |
Male |
Non-singer |
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|
Lead |
Female |
Non-singer |
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|
Featured |
Female |
Non-singer |
|
|
Featured |
Male |
Non-singer |
|
|
Featured |
Female |
Non-singer |
|
|
Featured |
Male |
Non-singer |
|
|
Featured |
Female |
Non-singer |
|
|
Featured |
Male |
Non-singer |
|
|
Featured |
Female |
Non-singer |
|
|
Featured |
Female |
Non-singer |
|
|
Featured |
Male |
Non-singer |
|
|
Featured |
Female |
Non-singer |
|
|
Featured |
Male |
Non-singer |
|
|
Featured |
Female |
Non-singer |
|
|
Ensemble |
Either Gender |
Silent |
Songs
A song with an asterisk (*) before the title indicates a dance number; a character listed in a song with an asterisk (*) by the character's name indicates that the character exclusively serves as a dancer in this song, which is sung by other characters.
Monologues
Scenes
Key Terms
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Videos
Quizzes
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Themes, Symbols & Motifs
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Quote Analysis
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Guide Written By:
Alexandra Appleton
Writer, editor and theatre researcher