Korczak's Children

Korczak's Children by Jeffrey Hatcher

(4)
Productions (63)
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 productions Fort Wayne, IN United States
MAR 27, 2025 - MAR 29, 2025
Paradise Valley High School
Scottsdale, AZ United States
Paradise Valley High School Scottsdale, AZ United States
APR 01, 2022 - APR 03, 2022
Chesterton Academy of Milwaukee
Menomonee Falls, WI United States
Chesterton Academy of Milwaukee Menomonee Falls, WI United States
FEB 20, 2020 - FEB 22, 2020
Brookwood High School
Snellville, GA United States
Brookwood High School Snellville, GA United States
JAN 29, 2020 - FEB 03, 2020
Clearfield High School
Clearfield, UT United States
Clearfield High School Clearfield, 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 Theatre Waterloo, IA United States
MAY 09, 2019 - MAY 10, 2019
Bailey Middle School
CORNELIUS, NC United States
Bailey Middle School CORNELIUS, NC United States
APR 08, 2019 - APR 13, 2019
ACTivate/iFamily Leadership Academy
Idaho Falls, ID United States
ACTivate/iFamily Leadership Academy Idaho Falls, ID United States
FEB 28, 2019 - MAR 23, 2019
Fremont High School
Plain City, UT United States
Fremont High School Plain City, UT United States
NOV 08, 2018 - NOV 10, 2018
Summit Christian Academy
Lee's Summit, MO United States
Summit Christian Academy Lee's Summit, MO United States
MAY 16, 2018 - MAY 19, 2018
Groves Academy
St. Louis Park, MN United States
Groves Academy St. Louis Park, MN United States
APR 27, 2018 - APR 28, 2018
N/A
Fort Wayne, IN United States
N/A Fort Wayne, IN United States
MAR 09, 2018 - MAR 10, 2018
Immaculate Conception Catholic Regional School
Riverside, RI United States
Immaculate Conception Catholic Regional School Riverside, RI United States
MAR 07, 2018 - MAR 09, 2018
Miami Coral Park Senior High
Miami, FL United States
Miami Coral Park Senior High Miami, FL United States
JAN 26, 2018 - FEB 18, 2018
Chanhassen HS Speech Team
Chanhassen, MN United States
Chanhassen HS Speech Team Chanhassen, MN United States
NOV 01, 2017 - DEC 20, 2017
Lyons Decatur Northeast Drama Club
Lyons, NE United States
Lyons Decatur Northeast Drama Club Lyons, NE United States
MAY 30, 2017 - JUN 01, 2017
PACE
Almonte, ON Canada
PACE Almonte, ON Canada
MAY 23, 2017 - MAY 23, 2017
Miscoe Hill Youth Theatre
Mendon, MA United States
Miscoe Hill Youth Theatre Mendon, MA United States
MAY 19, 2017 - MAY 20, 2017
Miscoe Hill Youth Theatre
Mendon, MA United States
Miscoe Hill Youth Theatre Mendon, MA United States
NOV 17, 2016 - NOV 19, 2016
ARS NOVA
Muncy, PA United States
ARS NOVA Muncy, PA United States
MAY 13, 2016 - MAY 14, 2016
Hill Country Christian School of Austin
Austin, TX United States
Hill Country Christian School of Austin Austin, TX United States
APR 08, 2016 - APR 10, 2016
Purity Ring Family Theatre
Petoskey, MI United States
Purity Ring Family Theatre Petoskey, MI United States
MAR 27, 2015 - MAR 29, 2015
DSHA High School
Milwaukee, WI United States
DSHA High School Milwaukee, WI United States
DEC 06, 2014 - DEC 21, 2014
Gallery Players
Columbus, OH United States
Gallery Players Columbus, OH United States
NOV 07, 2014 - NOV 07, 2014
Bay Port High School
Green Bay, WI United States
Bay Port High School Green Bay, WI United States
NOV 06, 2014 - NOV 08, 2014
Bay Port High School
Green Bay, WI United States
Bay Port High School Green Bay, WI United States
APR 25, 2014 - APR 27, 2014
Heritage United Methodist Church
Van Buren , AR United States
Heritage United Methodist Church Van Buren , AR United States
MAR 20, 2014 - MAY 30, 2014
Panhandle High School
White Deer, TX United States
Panhandle High School White Deer, TX United States
MAR 02, 2014 - MAR 06, 2014
Liberty High School
Frisco, TX United States
Liberty High School Frisco, TX United States
FEB 06, 2014 - FEB 15, 2014
Frankford Middle School
Dallas, TX United States
Frankford Middle School Dallas, TX United States
OCT 17, 2013 - OCT 19, 2013
Rome High School
Rome, GA United States
Rome High School Rome, GA United States
OCT 10, 2013 - OCT 12, 2013
Immanuel Christian School
Hazleton, PA United States
Immanuel Christian School Hazleton, PA United States
APR 25, 2013 - APR 27, 2013
Burke High School Auditorium
Omaha, NE United States
Burke High School Auditorium Omaha, NE United States
FEB 26, 2013 - FEB 26, 2013
Brandeis High School
San Antonio, TX United States
Brandeis High School San Antonio, TX United States
JAN 21, 2013 - FEB 01, 2013
Franklin High School
Elk Grove, CA United States
Franklin High School Elk Grove, CA United States
DEC 06, 2012 - DEC 07, 2012
Edmonton Public Schools - Millwoods Christian School
Edmonton, AB Canada
Edmonton Public Schools - Millwoods Christian School Edmonton, AB Canada
DEC 01, 2012 - DEC 01, 2012
Westwood High School
Austin, TX United States
Westwood High School Austin, TX United States
NOV 30, 2012 - DEC 02, 2012
William Blount High School Theatre
Maryville, TN United States
William Blount High School Theatre Maryville, TN United States
OCT 04, 2012 - OCT 06, 2012
McClintock High School
Tempe, AZ United States
McClintock High School Tempe, AZ United States
MAR 02, 2012 - MAR 07, 2012
Davis High School
Kaysville, UT United States
Davis High School Kaysville, UT United States
SEP 18, 2011 - SEP 18, 2011
Framed Wolfe Productions
El Paso, TX United States
Framed Wolfe Productions El Paso, TX United States
JUL 22, 2011 - AUG 06, 2011
American Conservatory Theater
San Francisco, CA United States
American Conservatory Theater San Francisco, CA United States
JUL 22, 2011 - AUG 06, 2011
American Conservatory Theater
San Francisco, CA United States
American Conservatory Theater San Francisco, CA United States
MAY 25, 2011 - MAY 27, 2011
Nickle School
Calgary, AB Canada
Nickle School Calgary, AB Canada
NOV 18, 2010 - NOV 20, 2010
The Blake School
Minneapolis, MN United States
The Blake School Minneapolis, MN United States
NOV 18, 2010 - NOV 20, 2010
Lee's Summit Community Christian School
Lee's Summit, MO United States
Lee's Summit Community Christian School Lee's Summit, MO United States
NOV 18, 2010 - NOV 21, 2010
Center For Performing And Fine Arts
West Chester, PA United States
Center For Performing And Fine Arts West Chester, PA United States
NOV 05, 2010 - NOV 06, 2010
Troy High School
Troy, OH United States
Troy High School Troy, OH United States
AUG 01, 2010 - AUG 30, 2010
Mcdonald County High School
Anderson, MO United States
Mcdonald County High School Anderson, MO United States
APR 15, 2010 - APR 17, 2010
Spectrum Theatre Company
Evanston, IL United States
Spectrum Theatre Company Evanston, IL United States
DEC 01, 2009 - DEC 04, 2009
Running Brushy Middle School
Cedar Park, TX United States
Running Brushy Middle School Cedar Park, TX United States
MAY 01, 2009 - MAY 03, 2009
Gwendolyn Brooks Middle School
Oak Park, IL United States
Gwendolyn Brooks Middle School Oak Park, IL United States
APR 30, 2009 - MAY 02, 2009
Ligon GT Magnet Middle School
Raleigh, NC United States
Ligon GT Magnet Middle School Raleigh, NC United States
APR 04, 2009 - MAY 08, 2009
Athens High School
Athens, TX United States
Athens High School Athens, TX United States
MAR 26, 2009 - APR 05, 2009
TheatreWorks Of Northern Nevada
Reno, NV United States
TheatreWorks Of Northern Nevada Reno, NV United States
MAR 05, 2009 - MAR 07, 2009
Mary Institute St. Louis Country Day School
St. Louis, MO United States
Mary Institute St. Louis Country Day School St. Louis, MO United States
FEB 25, 2009 - FEB 28, 2009
Mesquite High School Auditorium
Gilbert, AZ United States
Mesquite High School Auditorium Gilbert, AZ United States
JAN 16, 2009 - FEB 01, 2009
Olympia Family Theater
Olympia, WA United States
Olympia Family Theater Olympia, WA United States
NOV 03, 2008 - NOV 07, 2008
Watauga High School Theatre Department
Cullowhee, NC United States
Watauga High School Theatre Department Cullowhee, NC United States
FEB 14, 2008 - FEB 16, 2008
Denver School Of The Arts
Denver, CO United States
Denver School Of The Arts Denver, CO United States
DEC 12, 2007 - DEC 14, 2007
Naugatuck Valley Community College
Waterbury, CT United States
Naugatuck Valley Community College Waterbury, CT United States
OCT 01, 2007 - APR 24, 2008
Jerusalem English Speaking Theatre
Jerusalem, Israel
Jerusalem English Speaking Theatre Jerusalem, Israel
FEB 01, 2003 - APR 30, 2003
Children's Theater Company
Minneapolis, MN United States
Children's Theater Company Minneapolis, MN United States
MAY 08, 2025 - MAY 10, 2025
Fire and light productions
Fort Wayne, IN United States
Fire and light productions Fort Wayne, IN United States
MAR 27, 2025 - MAR 29, 2025
Paradise Valley High School
Scottsdale, AZ United States
Paradise Valley High School Scottsdale, AZ United States
FEB 01, 2003 - APR 30, 2003
Children's Theater Company
Minneapolis, MN United States
Children's Theater Company Minneapolis, 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 [email protected]