Script Spotlight: Milley and the Three Parrots That Learned to Be Kind by Gerald Okafor

Gerald Okafor’s script about a young girl who takes in three parrots to teach them kind words is short, playful, and designed to deliver a simple message of positive influence and the potential for change.

Gerald, who lives in Nigeria, is deeply familiar with middle and high school theater. He started out acting and writing plays as a middle schooler himself and now teaches middle and high school, still bringing his distinctive voice to audiences and theater groups.

We wanted to get to know Gerald a little better, so we asked and he answered a few questions about the play:

Where do you live?‎

I live in Enugu State, Nigeria. ‎

‎What are some of your favorite plays or playwrights for school productions?

‎I prefer any play with musicals, where students can talk then sing. It brings new flair to play.

What gave you the idea for this story about reforming three naughty parrots?

The idea came from observing children pick up undesirable language from their surroundings, such as schools, homes, and TV. Noticing how parents and teachers use gentle and continuous correction techniques like time-outs, reprimands, and positive reinforcement inspired me.

Since parrots are known for mimicking words and sounds, they seemed like a perfect metaphor to highlight the importance of gentle and continuous correction as the best option in shaping behavior, especially in preschoolers and early elementary schoolers who knowingly or unknowingly say naughty or bad words.

Gentle and continuous correction helps young minds learn and grow without fear, fostering a positive environment for development. Additionally, seeing kids' inappropriate words shared on social media for laughs or attention sparked the narrative's focus on guidance over public display.

‎The notes suggest wooden parrots with hidden microphones and even having a familiar teacher play Jenny.

‎‎Visible wooden parrots can be used when live actors are unavailable or unable to participate. Having a familiar teacher play the role of Jenny can facilitate dialogue, especially for preschoolers who might remember their lines better by looking at a familiar face.

‎What tips do you have for groups choosing puppets or props versus having student actors play the parrots in bird costumes?

Choose the option that best resonates with your group, whether puppets or student actors. For visual appeal, use distinct colors for each of the three parrots, such as red, green, blue, yellow, or multicolored, for both puppets or actor costumes. This will help each character stand out and capture the audience's attention.

‎When using actors as parrots, consider having them stand, sit, or kneel. Choose the pose that best resonates with your group. When using puppets, consider having them hang in a swing or simply placed on a desk.

‎For churches, schools, or community centers with minimal tech: What’s your pared-down “no-fail” staging recipe in terms of props, blocking, and runtime targets to get this play on its feet in a week?

Use a multipurpose stage with two basic scenes set up for the park on one side and the house or sitting room with a chair and desk on the other. This allows actors to move from the park to the sitting room and back to the park again without needing to change any props. Aim for a runtime of 10 to 15 minutes if there is no change in stage.