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Circus Olympus by Lindsay Price play script cover

Circus Olympus

by Lindsay Price Canadian Author

The circus has come to town! Well… sort of. There's no elephant on a bicycle but there are the Greek Geeks and have they got a story or two to tell. More specifically, a myth or two: Pandora's Box, Persephone and the Underworld, King Midas, Athena and Arachne, and don't forget the Mythapalooza Slam Jam!

A gleeful celebration with excellent large cast expansion and parts for all abilities. Circus elements are optional and are suggested for each myth.

THREE different lengths are included: Two Acts, One Act, or a 20 minute Competition Piece.

Comedy Classical Adaptation Movement-based

Average Producer Rating: 5.0 out of 5

Recommended for High Schools and Middle Schools

At a Glance

Running Time
About 70 minutes
Approximate; excludes intermissions and scene changes
Cast
15 Characters
6 M 9 F
Easily Expandable
Set
Simple Set
Length
63 pages
Production Tips
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Free Excerpt
Classroom Study Guide
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Performance Royalty Fees

Royalty fees apply to all performances whether or not admission is charged. Any performance in front of an audience (e.g. an invited dress rehearsal) is considered a performance for royalty purposes.

Exemption details for scenes and monologues for competition.

15 Characters

  • 6 Males
  • 9 Females
  • Easily Expandable

Characters in this play are currently identified as male or female. Directors are welcome to assign any gender (binary or non-binary) to any character and modify pronouns accordingly.

Greek Geek Ringleaders

  • Merve Male 25 / 46 / 110 lines
    Narrator. The guy in charge. Fun. 20 minute version: 25 lines 1 act version: 46 lines 2 act version: 110 lines
  • Ishy Female 6 / 36 / 61 lines
    Narrator. Responsible, but not restrictive. 20 minute version: 6 lines 1 act version: 36 lines 2 act version: 61 lines
  • Manso Male 12 / 20 / 42 lines
    Gets easily rattled. Definitely nerdy looking. 20 minute version: 12 lines 1 act version: 20 lines 2 act version: 42 lines
  • Osina Female 10 / 17 / 28 lines
    Nothing rattles her. Sultry and strong. 20 minute version: 10 lines 1 act version: 17 lines 2 act version: 28 lines
  • Vigit Female 9 / 18 / 50 lines
    The youngest. Green, but not a pushover. 20 minute version: 9 lines 1 act version: 18 lines 2 act version: 50 lines
  • Ensemble
    There are roles for 12 males and 20 females in the ensemble. You will need a minimum ensemble of 10 (4m/6f) for the full version or 7 (3m/4f) for the one act version.

Demeter Versus the Underworld:

  • Zeus 60 lines
    Father of the gods. A schemer who sets the play in action.
  • Demeter 48 lines
    Goddess of fertility. A real earth-mama type.
  • Persephone 38 lines
    Demeter’s daffy daughter. Like: flowers, meadows, and mysterious strangers.
  • Hades 60 lines
    Zeus’ hopelessly nerdy brother, and God of the Underworld. Nursing a serious crush.
  • Helios 10 lines
    The sun, herself. Sees all.
  • Echo One 4 lines
    Helios’ booming voice.
  • Echo Two 4 lines
    Helios’ booming voice.
  • Hera 22 lines
    Mother of the Gods.
  • Athena 15 lines
    Goddess of Wisdom
  • Aphrodite 11 lines
    Goddess of Love.

Perseus and Medusa:

  • Medusa 2 lines
    Snake-haired monster of the piece.
  • Polydectes 17 lines
    A slimy, scheming king.
  • Perseus 43 lines
    A dopey hero whose rhymes need some work.
  • Danae 7 lines
    Perseus’ faithful and long-suffering mother.
  • Athena 5 lines
    Goddess of Wisdom. Bringer of a gift.
  • Hermes 3 lines
    Messenger of the Gods. Bringer of a gift.
  • Enyo 32 lines
    Grae sister. Horror.
  • Deino 29 lines
    Grae sister. Dread.
  • Pemphredo 28 lines
    Grae sister. Alarm.

The Mythapalooza Slam Jam:

  • Team One A 25 lines
  • Team One B 21 lines
  • Team Two A 54 lines
  • Team Two B 53 lines lines

Athena and Arachne:

  • Athena 22 lines
    Goddess of wisdom and battle, with an emphasis on battle in this story.
  • Arachne 35 lines
    A vain weaver who spurns the gods. What doom looms over her loom?
  • Townsperson One 6 lines
    Wants an autograph.
  • Townsperson Two 7 lines
    Excited to see the contest.
  • Townsperson Three 6 lines
    Initiates the loom-off.
  • Damara 6 lines
    A young girl who reminds Arachne to be humble.
  • Ibron 15 lines
    Arachne’s mother. Protective of her daughter.
  • Demeter 4 lines
    Goddess of fertility. A voice of reason.
  • Hera 4 lines
    Mother of the gods. Quick to recommend harsh punishment.
  • Aphrodite 5 lines
    Goddess of love. Flighty and easily distracted.

King Midas:

  • Midas 40 lines
    A wise king who makes a terrible wish and gets the original gilt-trip.
  • Penelope 13 lines
    King Midas’ daughter, who doesn’t understand the ramifications of her father’s curse.
  • Guard One 4 lines
    One of Midas’ guards. Gets to call someone a canker sore.
  • Guard Two 3 lines
    A second guard of Midas’ castle. Gets to call someone a pile of refuse.
  • Silenus 12 lines
    Dionysus’ loyal servant.

Pandora’s Box:

  • Zeus 0 lines
    Father of the gods. Out to punish Prometheus and Epimetheus one way or another. No lines. Mimed.
  • Prometheus 0 lines
    A forward-thinking brother. Keeps his guard up. No lines. Mimed
  • Epimetheus 0 lines
    An absentminded brother. Lets his heart get the best of him. No lines. Mimed
  • Pandora 0 lines
    A curious girl with an even-more-curious box. No lines. Mimed
  • Doorbell 3 lines
    This doorbell both dings and dongs.
  • Door 4 lines
    A multi-talented role – must creak open, and slam shut.
  • Hope 3 lines
    The final figure to spring from Pandora’s ill-fated box.

Praise for Circus Olympus

5 out of 5 stars
Amber Scouten
Hudson Middle School
The students and I had such a great time pulling this together. I hope they remember these moments for years to come!
5 out of 5 stars
Erin Brown
Wachter Middle School
Our kids had a great time! The length is absolutely perfect for a middle school show. The humor was appropriate for the age group and the length of the monologues pushed them to be better actors. Overall, a great experience.
5 out of 5 stars
Gregory Harris
Storm Grove Middle School
This play was so well written for this age group. The students had a blast shaping the characters and bringing them to life. "Circus Olympus" is wonderful for theater kids of all experience. For many of my students, this was their first time putting a play together and being onstage. I highly recommend this play for others to use.

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