A Reading List to Inspire Young Performers

Books young performers of all ages can read to inspire a love of drama, performing and the arts.

Actor, theatre-maker and facilitator, Sam Hardie, performer and teacher Mercy Ojelade's and some of us Spotlighters put our heads together to come up with a book list for children who are interested in being performers.

Whether it's ideas for creative play, storytelling, rhyming, character voices or dealing with feelings, there's something for everyone in our list of recommended reading.

For Under 5s

• Baby Goes to Market by Atinuke and Angela Brooksbank
• Because by Mo Willems and Amber Ren
• Corduroy Takes A Bow by Viola Davis
• Giraffes Can’t Dance by Giles Andreae
• Little People, Big Dreams: Audrey Hepburn by Isabel Sanchez Vegara
• Maisy Goes to a Show by Lucy Cousins
• The Gruffalo by Julia Donaldson
• The Smeds and the Smoos by Julia Donaldson
• When I Grow Up by Tim Minchin

For Ages 5 - 7

• I Have An Idea by Herve Tullett
• Is That You, Eleanor Sue? By Tricia Tusa
• Gracie LaRoo on the Big Screen by Marsha Qualey
• Jabari Jumps by Gala Cornwall
• The Fix-it Friends: The Show must Go On by Nicole C. Kear
• Play Time by Julia Donaldson

For Ages 7 - 11

• A Stage Full of Shakespeare Stories by Angela McAllister
• First Term at L’Etoile by Kelly Willoughby and Holly Willoughby
• Hedy Lamarr’s Double Life by Laurie Wallmark
• How To Be A Kid a play by Sarah McDonald Hughes
• The Secret Hen House Theatre by Helen Peters
• Usborne Young Reading: William Shakespeare by Rosie Dickins

For Ages 11 - 14

• Better Nate Than Ever by Tim Federle
• I Got Superpowers for my Birthday  a play by Katie Douglas
• Tara Takes the Stage by Tamsin Lane
• World Elite Dance Academy: Billie’s Big Audition by Kimberly Wyatt

For Ages 14 - 16

• Girls Like That and Other Plays for Teenagers by Evan Placey
• National Youth Theatre Monologue Collection
• National Theatre Connection Plays
• Noughts & Crosses by Malorie Blackman
• The Swish of the Curtain by Pamela Brown

For Ages 16+

• Brainstorm by Ned Glasier, Emily Lim and Company Three
• BU21 by Stuart Slade
• Contemporary Monologues for Teenagers: Female by Trilby James
• Contemporary Monologues for Teenagers: Male by Trilby James
• Emilia by Morgan Lloyd Malcolm
• Engaging Plays: Dance Nation by Clare Barron
• Misty by Arinze Kene
• Mogadishu by Vivienne Franzmann
• Posh by Laura Wade
• Shakespeare Monologues for Young Men by Luke Dixon
• Shakespeare Monologues for Young Women by Luke Dixon
• Teenage Dick by Mike Lew
• The Monologue Library
• The Oberon Book of Monologues for Black Actors by Simeilia Hodge-Dallaway
• The Wolves by Sarah DeLappe 

Across the Ages

• 100 Acting Exercises for 8-18 Year Olds by Samantha Marsden
• Positive Stories for Negative Times: Five Plays for Young People to Perform in Real Life or Remotely by various authors 

Happy reading!

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