The Butterfly Queen by Christian Kiley - Theatrefolk

The Butterfly Queen

Recommended for High Schools

The Butterfly Queen

by Christian Kiley

A touching ensemble piece where sacrifice is as simple as a pair of wings.

 About 25 minutes

Times given are approximate and do not include intermissions/scene changes/breaks

 19
3 M | 4 W | 12 Any Gender

Simple set

 19 pages

Drama Issue-Based Movement-based

Average Producer Rating:

Reviews from Past Producers

One teacher protects her class from danger. One bystander helps someone timid overcome a fear. One stranger saves another from a burning building.

We all have the capacity to put others before ourselves regardless of the consequences. That is the theme of The Butterfly Queen.

A touching ensemble piece where sacrifice is as simple as a pair of wings.

Free Classroom Study Guide

19 Characters
3 M, 4 W, 12 Any Gender

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.

Teacher (Miss Victoria) [W] 29 lines
A brave and selfless teacher. Her lessons reverberate through the lives of her students.
Greg [M] 21 lines
An inquisitive student. Sometimes disruptive, but never boring.
Madison [W] 1 line
A girl in Miss Victoria’s class.
Donna [W] 1 line
Another girl in Miss Victoria’s class.
Wasp [M] 19 lines
The ever-present antagonist. A threat to caterpillars everywhere.
Students 1-17: Miss Victoria’s Students. They help those around them however they can.
Student #1 [A] 2 lines
Student #2 [A] 1 line
Student #3 [A] 1 line
Student #4 [A] 2 lines
Student #5 [A] 7 lines
Student #6 [A] 1 line
Student #7 [A] 11 lines
Student #8 [A] 21 lines
Student #9 [A] 1 line
Student #10 [A] 1 line
Student #11 [A] 1 line
Student #12 [A] 1 line
Student #13 [A] 1 line
Student #14 [A] 1 line
Student #15 [A] 1 line
Student #16 [A] 1 line
Student #17 [A] 1 line
Pedestrian [A] 3 lines
Get away from him! He’s walking here!
Dad [A] 7 lines
Caught up in an argument.
Mom [A] 7 lines
Just wants the argument to stop.
Child [A] 0 lines
Caught between the two parents.
Kid [A] 5 lines
Just a regular kid. Doesn’t want trouble.
Sidekick 1 & 2 [A] 1, 1 lines
Repeats the bully’s sentences for dramatic effect.
Persons 1-3: Caught in, or witness to a burning building. Caught a glimpse of a person with… wings?
Person 1 [A] 7 lines
Person 2 [A] 4 lines
Person 3 [A] 5 lines
Timid [A] 11 lines
Has trouble crossing the street.
Worker [A] 4 lines
Tries their best, despite criticism.
Criticals 1-8:If they can’t say anything nice, why say anything at all?
Critical 1 [A] 2 lines
Critical 2 [A] 1 line
Critical 3 [A] 1 line
Critical 4 [A] 1 line
Critical 5 [A] 1 line
Critical 6 [A] 2 lines
Critical 7 [A] 1 line
Critical 8 [A] 2 lines
Jumper [A] 8 lines
A desperate person, at the brink of the abyss.
Onlookers
No lines. Played by ensemble.

Awards and Accolades

  • Medomak Valley High School - Class A Runner-up 2018 Maine Drama Festival, 2 students named to All Star Festival Cast, special commendation for lighting

Subgenres
Experimental form Movement-based Issue-based

Settings
Present day

Dress
Contemporary costumes Simple costumes

Audience
Pre-teen Teen

Features
Variable Cast Size Mime Stage combat Variable gender breakdown Ensemble Movement-based Sound & Lighting Design SEL

Set
Simple set Multiple sets

Cautions
Gun shots Adult themes

Themes
Bullying Childhood Death Individuality Morality Personal responsibility Relationships School violence Self-image Friendship Overcoming odds

Cross-Curricular Uses
Science

Other uses
Competition Scene work Class work

Awards & Accolades
Plays with Awards & Accolades

Prop List

pile of sweatshirts (one for each student), prop weapon (optional)

Production Photos

Multimedia
We accept orders worldwide using the following payment methods:
Purchase Orders accepted from US and Canadian Schools.
Info for your purchasing department.

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

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.

Related Titles

We accept orders worldwide using the following payment methods:
Purchase Orders accepted from US and Canadian Schools.
Info for your purchasing department.

A vignette play is a collection of short scenes on a theme. You'll love working with the variety and flexibility of the scenes. Your actors will love the fast pace and fun characters.

There's more. Every Theatrefolk vignette play holds the unexpected. A showcase monologue. A dramatic moment. A change in form. A left turn.

Ideal for classwork, competitions, and more!

To get a quote, close this popup, then click on the Add to Cart button.

Follow the check-out procedure.

When you get to the payment page you will be given the option of specifying that you are requesting a quote and not placing an order.

Complete the check-out process and you will receive a formal written quote within one business day.

Get On the List!

If you teach theatre you really want to get on our email list. You’ll learn all about our latest giveaways, resources, and products for theatre teachers.