How to Put on a Christmas Play

Categories: Entertainment | Society & Culture | Holidays

  • If you are in charge of planning a Christmas play this year, then get ready for an adventure! The sooner you start planning, the better the play will turn out, so what are you waiting for? Read on to learn more on how to put on a Christmas play.

  • Introduction

    Have you been put in charge of putting on your church Christmas play this year? Perhaps you have been designated director of the annual Christmas play at your child's preschool? Christmas plays can be a fun and exciting experience, but are also a lot of hard work too. This guide will walk you through the process of how to put on a Christmas play.

  • Step 1: Choose a Christmas Play

    The first step to putting on a Christmas play is to choose a play to a perform. Once you have completed this very important step, you can move on to actually planning the play. You should consider:


    1. Who your audience is. Will this be put on at your church, a community theater, the local high school or elementary school?
    2. Who will be putting on the play? If you are putting on a church play, chances are you will have participants of all ages, but if this will be a play at an elementary school, you will need to choose a play suitable for children.
    3. Consider putting on an original play.

  • Step 2: Determine a Budget

    If you are putting on a play at school or church, you will likely be given a budget. If you think the play may cost more that that, consider holding a fundraiser. If you are putting on a community play, depending on if it is an actual place that puts on plays for a profit, you may also have to raise money. Some tips for budgeting:


    1. Make your own Costumes
    2. Make your own Backdrops and props
    3. Get creative with lighting and special effects

  • Step 3: Hire Your Crew

    Once you have decided on the play, it is time to designate a crew. If this is a high school play, you will likely be having students in the backstage roles. However, if this is a play at an elementary school, you will probably need parents and other teachers to volunteer. Some positions you need to fill will include:


    1. Director
    2. Stage Manager
    3. Lighting
    4. Costumer
    5. Set Decoration
    6. Musical director

  • Step 4: Pick a Location

    Once you have hired your stage crew, you will need to find a place to put on your play. Obviously, if you are putting on a school play there will likely be a designated auditorium that you will be performing in. Likewise, most churches will have an area designated for performances and plays. If you are putting on a community play however, you will likely need to check around. Does your town have a community center, a youth center, a local YMCA? Ask around.

  • Step 5: Hold Auditions

    Once you have your location in place, it is time to start holding auditions. Hold auditions in the auditorium or similar location where you intend to hold the play.


    1. School auditions: have an announcement about the auditions. Put them on bulletin boards around the school. If it is middle or high school, make an announcement at the pep rally.
    2. Church auditions. Have the preacher make an announcement about auditions during the various church services. Have a print up placed in the church bulletin. Put up signs around the church grounds, in the sunday school classrooms, etc.
    3. Community play. Post information in the local paper or on the town or city's official website.

  • Step 6: Start Rehearsing

    Rehearsals will be the time for all the actors to start perfecting their craft, but will also give your musical director and set decorator a chance to get a feel for the play and start in the collaboration process.

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