About
Photo by: Tara Freeman/
St. Lawrence University
About the Play
The new play Have You Filled a Bucket Today? is a modern take on the golden rule with humor, heart, and larger-than-life characters. Based on Carol McCloud's award-winning books, the play tells the story of Trey, a 4th grade student who learns about bucket filling from his summer camp counselor and her memorable friends.
Ann Marie Gardinier Halstead first heard about Carol McCloud’s book Have You Filled a Bucket Today? at a meeting at her son’s school. She read it, loved it, and thought it would make great theatre. She was confident that a play would be a fun and effective way for schools and theatre companies to address bullying. Ann Marie was thrilled when Ms. McCloud gave her permission to adapt the book for the stage. She had great fun setting the play at a summer camp and creating original characters, like Bucket Filling Fairy (BFF), a magical creature who speaks in rhyme, and Professor Smarty Pants III, a science professor who loves to talk about himself.
Gifford Family Theatre, a professional youth theatre company in Syracuse, New York, did a workshop production of the play in July of 2011. Ann Marie served as playwright-in-residence, revising the script during rehearsals. Then in December of 2011, Ann Marie directed her St. Lawrence University students in the updated version of the play; they performed it for elementary school children in Canton, New York. The script available on this site reflects the changes inspired by both productions.
Tips for Using the Play
Schools:
There are many classroom applications for the play. For instance, the summer camp skits with bucket filling and dipping scenarios make great role-play exercises for elementary school students.
Schools can produce the play with
either student or staff actors. A middle or high school drama
club could present the play to the elementary school(s) in their
district. The running time of 45-50 minutes is perfect for a
school assembly. Please note that we offer discounted rates
for schools.
To apply for production rights, click here.
Theatre Companies and Other Organizations:
Carol McCloud’s award-winning book
Have You Filled a Bucket Today? is popular in elementary
schools across the U.S. and abroad. Many schools have adopted
the bucket filling concept as their school theme. Therefore,
the play is popular among teachers and children alike.
Parents appreciate its positive message as well. Your
organization could either produce the play at a single venue or
tour it to schools.
To apply for production rights, click here.
About the Playwright
Ann Marie Gardinier Halstead is an Associate Professor and Co-Chair of the Performance and Communication Arts Department at St. Lawrence University in Canton, New York. Prior to teaching at St. Lawrence, Ann Marie taught at Laramie County Community College in Cheyenne, Wyoming and East Syracuse-Minoa High School in Syracuse, New York. She has an MFA in Theatre Pedagogy/Directing from Virginia Commonwealth University and a BA in English/Secondary Education from Le Moyne College. When she isn’t teaching or writing, Ann Marie works as an actor and director. She recently starred in the short film Five Census for West Field Films, and has been seen on stage at Pendragon Theatre in Saranac Lake, New York. She directs at Pendragon as well as Firehouse Theatre Project in Richmond, Virginia. Ann Marie penned a ten-minute play titled Ambushed Again for “The Anti-bullying Project” for Adventure Theatre in Glen Echo, Maryland. The play Have You Filled a Bucket Today? is her first adaptation. Ann Marie resides in Northern New York with her husband, two sons, and a 90 pound German Shepard named Cheyenne.
