I'm A Celebrity! deals with the serious childhood (and adolescent) problem of identity. Harold Dorfmiller is teased and shunned by his classmates. How does he handle the problem? How can his teachers, his parents help him? How can he help himself? Some children retreat into their own lonely little world—and turn to drugs or violence. Harold Dorfmiller daydreams. He pictures himself as a dragon slayer and as a faster-than-anybody truck driver. Finally, a wise teacher helps him learn to make friends.

The play was developed to enable four performers to play all the roles. All props and set pieces are simple and easy to set up. It may be performed on a gym floor, in a cafeteria, or any other open area—or on a stage. Thus, it is ideal for touring by all groups as well as presentation by a permanently based theatre group. As many as 13 performers may be used. Designed to stimulate the imagination of young audiences, the play uses geometrical set pieces—a cube (which becomes a chair, a truck, a lectern), a chest (which doubles as a library table and a counter in a truck stop), and a cylinder and ladder (which may symbolize trees, hills, a grandstand). With fast action, constant movement, and colorful costumes and props, and a significant story, I'm A Celebrity! reaches a high standard of excellence in theatre for youth.

One-act; Ideal for young performers or for touring by adult actors; vocal score and guitar chords are included in the playbook.

Premiered by Cincinnati's ArtReach Touring Theatre. "Celebrity was a big success. We performed at 8 schools."—Russann Baker-Priestly, Prairie Players Youth Theatre, Galesburg, Ill. "After working on puppetry and mime, the Theatre Arts I class is taking on the challenge of a musical—'I'm a Celebrity'."—Progreso, Texas, High School.

Another by Kathryn Miller: Poe! Poe! Poe!

See also: Elementary and Junior High