Korczak's Children

Korczak's Children by Jeffrey Hatcher

(4)
Productions (64)
Drama for young audiences
|
100 - 120 minutes
13 W, 15 M,  (20-28 actors possible: 9-13 W, 11-15 M)
Set: Realistic unit set depicting the main living/dining area of the Warsaw orphanage. A former warehouse or industrial site, the design should echo such various impersonal settings as a factory, a school, and a prison.

World War Two. The Nazi Occupation of Poland. Dr. Janusz Korczak -- writer, educator, physician, and passionate advocate for children -- tries to keep the 200 Jewish boys and girls of his famed Warsaw orphanage alive and hopeful in the face of unbelievable deprivation and terror. In the horrible conditions of the Jewish Ghetto, Korczak does everything within his power to make sure his children are fed and clothed, cared for and safe. But there are rumors of a change in the ghetto. Tales of deportations to concentration camps are spreading. And Korczak knows time may be running out. Against the rules of the ghetto, he permits his orphans to stage a magical play -- The Post Office -- to teach them about the one adult subject he has not yet broached with them: death. As the play is rehearsed, the rumors become reality, and Korczak must decide who can be saved and who must go on the final journey together.

Pricing Information

Min. Performance Fee* $85
Standard Edition $13.99
Stage Manager Edition $24.99
Archival Video License $150

*The per performance fee begins at $85. Your per performance fee will be provided during the ordering process.


Playscripts is pleased to offer an Archival Video License for an additional $150 for full-length plays and $75 for one-act plays.

Play Details

World War Two. The Nazi Occupation of Poland. Dr. Janusz Korczak -- writer, educator, physician, and passionate advocate for children -- tries to keep the 200 Jewish boys and girls of his famed Warsaw orphanage alive and hopeful in the face of unbelievable deprivation and terror. In the horrible conditions of the Jewish Ghetto, Korczak does everything within his power to make sure his children are fed and clothed, cared for and safe. But there are rumors of a change in the ghetto. Tales of deportations to concentration camps are spreading. And Korczak knows time may be running out. Against the rules of the ghetto, he permits his orphans to stage a magical play -- The Post Office -- to teach them about the one adult subject he has not yet broached with them: death. As the play is rehearsed, the rumors become reality, and Korczak must decide who can be saved and who must go on the final journey together.

  • Drama for young audiences
  • |
  • 100 - 120 minutes
  • 13 W, 15 M,  (20-28 actors possible: 9-13 W, 11-15 M)
  • Set: Realistic unit set depicting the main living/dining area of the Warsaw orphanage. A former warehouse or industrial site, the design should echo such various impersonal settings as a factory, a school, and a prison.
  • Standard Edition ISBN: 978-1-62384-347-2

Published Reviews

"Although the subject of Korczak is dark and painful, Hatcher's play is packed with the humor and vigor of children living in an enclosed world that feels separated from the darkness lapping around it...Korczak's Children is a timely and significant play for children old enough to grapple with the consequences of war and deep-seated prejudice."

Elizabeth Weir, Talkin' Broadway

"Korczak's Children, steers into realistic, serious material -- a departure that feels welcome for its texture, heart and intent."

Graydon Royce, Star Tribune (Minneapolis-St.Paul)

"Instead of textbook nobility and misty-eyed foreshadowing, Hatcher infuses his script with a sense of genuine emotion, humanity and, occasionally, humor."

Dominic Papatola, Pioneer Press (St. Paul)

Production History

MAY 08, 2025 - MAY 10, 2025
Fire and light productions
Fort Wayne, IN United States
Fire and light productionsFort Wayne, IN United States
MAR 27, 2025 - MAR 29, 2025
Paradise Valley High School
Scottsdale, AZ United States
Paradise Valley High SchoolScottsdale, AZ United States
MAR 01, 2025 - MAY 20, 2025
Kemp High School Theatre
Kemp, TX United States
Kemp High School TheatreKemp, TX United States
APR 01, 2022 - APR 03, 2022
Chesterton Academy of Milwaukee
Menomonee Falls, WI United States
Chesterton Academy of MilwaukeeMenomonee Falls, WI United States
FEB 20, 2020 - FEB 22, 2020
Brookwood High School
Snellville, GA United States
Brookwood High SchoolSnellville, GA United States
JAN 29, 2020 - FEB 03, 2020
Clearfield High School
Clearfield, UT United States
Clearfield High SchoolClearfield, UT United States
SEP 27, 2019 - OCT 05, 2019
Waterloo Community Playhouse/Black Hawk Children's Theatre
Waterloo, IA United States
Waterloo Community Playhouse/Black Hawk Children's TheatreWaterloo, IA United States
MAY 09, 2019 - MAY 10, 2019
Bailey Middle School
CORNELIUS, NC United States
Bailey Middle SchoolCORNELIUS, NC United States
APR 08, 2019 - APR 13, 2019
ACTivate/iFamily Leadership Academy
Idaho Falls, ID United States
ACTivate/iFamily Leadership AcademyIdaho Falls, ID United States
FEB 28, 2019 - MAR 23, 2019
Fremont High School
Plain City, UT United States
Fremont High SchoolPlain City, UT United States
1 of 7
MAY 08, 2025 - MAY 10, 2025
Fire and light productions
Fort Wayne, IN United States
Fire and light productionsFort Wayne, IN United States
FEB 01, 2003 - APR 30, 2003
Children's Theater Company
Minneapolis, MN United States
Children's Theater CompanyMinneapolis, MN United States

Archival Video License

Playscripts is pleased to offer an Archival Video License to add to your order for an additional $150 for full-length plays and $75 for one-act plays.

This allows you to record one of your live performances for your internal archives only. This cannot be streamed.

For more information, please reach out to playscriptsinfo@broadwaylicensing.com