Finding Jo March

You should know right away that this is not a traditional adaptation of Little Women.

A young writer dives into the world of Louisa May Alcott’s most famous novel in order to bring the story to life (with a little help from their friends). Suddenly the March sisters are back, and the writer is one of them… Jo! But as the lives and loves of Meg, Jo, Beth, and Amy unfold, the present constantly threatens to pull the writer back into reality where a tragedy they have yet to deal with waits.

It’s about telling someone else’s story so you can find your own.

Dramedy Classical Adaptation Holiday

Average Producer Rating: 5.0 out of 5

Recommended for High Schools

Running Time

About 120 minutes

Approximate; excludes intermissions and scene changes

Cast

14 Characters

5 M 5 F 1 Any Gender 3 F or NB

Length

85 pages

Production Tips

Read production tips for this play

Free Excerpt

Classroom Study Guide

Download a free Classroom Study Guide

What to order?

Not sure what you need to order? Check out our pricing and ordering guide.

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.

Prop List

38 props

Laptop with cord (Jo)
Books and papers for Jo’s desk (present)
Photo of Beth (present)
Copy of Little Women (present)
Christmas tree (Jet and Rae)
Christmas tree ornaments (present on tree)
Dress for Jo (Nora)
Ball of yarn (Jackson)
Slippers for Marmee (Jet)
Envelope with letter from Father (Marmee)
Father’s cellphone (Father)
19th century jacket for Father (Rae)
Coffee cup (Jackson)
Feast of treats from Mr. Laurence: ice cream
cake
fruit
fresh flowers (Jet, Jackson, Nora, Rae)
Card from Mr. Laurence (Rae)
Laurie’s cellphone (Laurie)
Cane (Aunt March)
Plates (Jet, Jackson, Nora, Rae)
Glasses (Jet, Jackson, Nora, Rae)
Little cakes (Jet, Jackson, Nora, Rae)
Guitar (Beth)
Knitting needles and yarn (Marmee)
Notebook (Jo)
Amy’s cellphone (Amy)
Engagement ring (Meg)
Jo’s cellphone (Jo)
Beth’s cellphone (Beth)
Small bag (Marmee)
Items to pack (Marmee)
Cash (Jo)
Suitcase (Beth)
Oversized mustache (Jackson)
Duffel bag (Beth)
Drawing of Jo (Amy)
Engagement ring (Rae)

Praise for Finding Jo March

Loriann Schmidt

Keizer Homegrown Theatre

Finding Jo March was the 2nd of 2 plays we have performed by this playwright and I can say that we are smitten with his intelligent writing, his sensitivity to our young actors and his exploration of the kinds of subjects that are on the minds of our teens. Jo March is an exemplary handling of a teen unsure of their own self and their journey towards understanding. While there is a positive outcome, Mr. Dean allows his main character to leave the play with unanswered questions and more of their journey ahead. The delightful plot device of a play-within-a-play is used adeptly by the playwright to have the audience join in Jo's self-exploration, with flashbacks into Jo's life, leaping from past (Little Women) to present - all without any confusion whatsoever. The leaps are clear and understood, yet still surprising enough to keep interest. Our mostly queer cast fell in love with Jo and all their characters and appreciated the growth and movement in even the "old characters". Our troupe is still talking about this piece and are grateful for the opportunity to perform it.