alphabetical author index

The Orphan Train

  • Aurand Harris
  • Full Length Play, Drama
  • 6M, 7F, 12M or F
  • ISBN: O82

The play tells the story of nine orphans on an orphan train that left New York City on May 28, 1914.

  • Full Length Play
  • Drama
  • 65 minutes

  • Target Audience: Adult, Pre-Teen (Age 11 - 13), Teen (Age 14 - 18), Children (Age 6 - 10), Appropriate for all audiences
  • Set Requirements: Open Stage

  • Performance Group:
  • Community Theatre, College Theatre / Student
The play tells the story of nine orphans on an orphan train that left New York City on May 28, 1914. The train travels to Midwestern towns in search of homes, any homes, anywhere for the orphaned and unwanted children. There's Mary, Evie, spunky Pegeen, Annie and Little Lucy, a quiet one. Other orphans include Frank (who later becomes Frankie, a small girl), Raymond, Lucky and Danny the song-and-dance boy. And there are the men and women hoping for children.

The lonesome whistle wails as the train chugs between encounters of anxiety, laughter, wistfulness, rejection and acceptance. Eight stories unfold, each a memorable surprise. The Orphan Train is a charming heart-warmer and all we expect from one of legendary playwrights for children, Aurand Harris.

The staging creates a highly theatrical story, moving, amusing and always tellingly human. 

Premiere Production: Produced and developed by Northwestern University in Evanston, Ill., and by New York University.
  • Casting: 6M, 7F, 12M or F
  • Casting Attributes: Reduced casting (Doubling Possible)

Name Price
The Orphan Train Script Order Now

The play tells the story of nine orphans on an orphan train that left New York City on May 28, 1914. The train travels to Midwestern towns in search of homes, any homes, anywhere for the orphaned and unwanted children. There's Mary, Evie, spunky Pegeen, Annie and Little Lucy, a quiet one. Other orphans include Frank (who later becomes Frankie, a small girl), Raymond, Lucky and Danny the song-and-dance boy. And there are the men and women hoping for children. The lonesome whistle wails as the train chugs between encounters of anxiety, laughter, wistfulness, rejection and acceptance. Eight stories unfold, each a memorable surprise. The Orphan Train is a charming heart-warmer and all we expect from one of legendary playwrights for children, Aurand Harris. The staging creates a highly theatrical story, moving, amusing and always tellingly human. Open stage. Period costumes of the current time. Suitable for touring. Approximate running time: 65 minutes.

Also Available:

Piano/Vocal Score

$19.95