Common themes for children’s theatre

Old stories re-worked
Children like seeing character, story ideas and whole stories which are familiar to them, being performed in a new way. This might be reworking’s such as modernization, a ‘part 2’ or a twist, a totally new story with some old elements. Remember that kids will probably know the original story very well. Be sure to do your homework!
Example: Cinderella

Myths and legends
From many cultures, we have very fascinating stores in the form of myths and legends. These often have a very grand characters and ideas, and make connections to parts of our world- human, natural and how these interact. Whether the children already know the myth/legend or are learning it for the 1st time in the play, these can be a great source for characters and ideas.
Example: Greek mythology, rainbow serpent.

Fantasy within reality
Children are intrigued with fantasy and otherwise impossible happenings, however they like it to happen from a point of reality. So this means starting with something normal, realistic and probable and then having something extraordinary, unrealistic and impossible occur.
Example: Alice in wonderland

The Quest
The idea of a quest is that a character (or group of characters) has a particular task to complete and the story is the journey of doing this. This is ideal for kids and brings in lots of ability to work in other features ed: justice , themes/ morals about dedication and hard work, characters who help and hinder with out ability to learn from this part of the journey.

Fairy Tales
Fairy tales are often the first stories that children are introduced to and are stories that they do not grow out of, or tired of.
Example: snow white, sleeping beauty, red riding hood

Toys and inanimate objects
Kids love the idea of toys and other inanimate objects coming to life. If it is something they imagine happening with their own possessions and thus something they enjoy the idea. In terms of building characters, the term anthropomorphic is used when human qualities are assigned to such characters.
Example: Toy story, Nemo, Cars, Whinne the pooh

Real Life
whilst stories from our imaginations are a great source for plays, real life can be too. True events or people can be the base, either told very truthfully or loosely followed in an "inspired by" manner.
Example: Winne the pooh, So much to tell you, Hitlers daughter

Contemporary Issues
The idea in this category is to take a theme that is relevant for this age group and explore it through the characters, relationships and story line. Don't think that, just because it is "issues based, it has to be so serious, boring or uncreative.
Example: Matilda, Bridge to Terabithia, Mean girls,