Help! Hilary! Help!
By Aaron Shepard
Reader’s Theater Edition #21
Adapted for reader’s theater (or readers theatre) by the author
For more reader’s theater, visit Aaron Shepard’s RT Page at www.aaronshep.com.
Story copyright © 1997 Aaron Shepard. Script copyright © 1998, 2002 Aaron Shepard. Scripts in this series are free and may be copied, shared, and performed for any noncommercial purpose, except the texts may not be posted publicly without permission.
PREVIEW: Hilary gets the chance to show just how helpful she can be.
CULTURE: American
THEME: Helpfulness, heroines
READER AGES: 6–9
LENGTH: 3 minutesROLES: Narrators 1–8, Mom, Hilary (female), Bad Guys 1 & 2, (Serpent)
NOTES: For best effect, place NARRATORS 1 to 4 at far left, and 5 to 8 at far right, as seen from the audience.
All special features are at www.aaronshep.com/extras.
MOM: Hilary!
NARRATOR 1: —said her mom.
MOM: Can’t you be more of a help?
HILARY: I was trying!
NARRATOR 8: —said Hilary.
NARRATOR 2: She went to her room and slammed the door. She played with her toys.
MOM: (offstage) Help! Hilary! Help!
NARRATOR 7: It was her mom!
HILARY: (yelling) I’m coming.
NARRATOR 3: Two bad guys were carrying her mom away!
NARRATOR 6: Hilary ran after them down the street.
BAD GUY 1: Look out!
NARRATOR 4: —said one.
BAD GUY 1: That kid is chasing us!
BAD GUY 2: Let’s get out of here fast.
NARRATOR 5: —said the other.
NARRATOR 1: They stuffed her mom in a car and drove off.
MOM: Help! Hilary! Help!
NARRATOR 8: Hilary got in another car and raced after them.
NARRATOR 2: They stopped at an airport and headed for a plane.
NARRATOR 7: Hilary was right behind them.
HILARY: (yelling) Drop my mom! RIGHT NOW!
NARRATOR 3: The bad guys dropped her mom and ran off.
NARRATOR 6: But something swooped down. A giant bird!
NARRATOR 4: It picked up her mom and flew away!
MOM: Help! Hilary! Help!
NARRATOR 5: Hilary got in the plane and took off after the bird.
NARRATOR 1: She flew right above it and climbed down a rope.
NARRATOR 8: But the bird dropped her mom!
MOM: Help! Hilary! Help!
NARRATOR 2: Hilary got back in the plane and flew a loop-de-loop-de-loop.
NARRATOR 7: Her mom landed on top.
HILARY: (yelling) Hold on!
NARRATOR 3: But the wind blew her off!
MOM: Help! Hilary! H‑e‑l‑l‑l‑l‑p!
NARRATOR 6: Hilary jumped from the plane.
NARRATOR 4: They landed in a river.
MOM: SPLASH!
HILARY: SPLASH!
NARRATOR 5: But a waterfall was just ahead!
MOM: Help! Blub. Hilary! Blub. Help!
NARRATOR 1: Hilary grabbed her mom in time and started for shore.
NARRATOR 8: But a giant serpent rose from the water.
NARRATOR 2: It opened its mouth!
MOM: Help! Hilary! EEEEEEEEEEK!
NARRATOR 7: The serpent swallowed them!
NARRATOR 3: On the way down, Hilary tickled its throat.
NARRATOR 6: The serpent coughed, and they flew through the air.
NARRATOR 4: They passed over the town.
NARRATOR 5: They landed in their own backyard.
MOM: Hilary! You’re such a great big HELP!