# The First Thanksgiving Dinner

Characters.
| Governor Bradford. Elder Brewster. Miles Standish. John Alden. Herbert Winslow. Massasoit. | Dame Brewster. Priscilla. Betty Brewster. Dame Howe (and her baby). Patience Horner, Giles Horner, | two children. |
Indians, Colonists, etc.
Stage Setting.
The room is to represent the kitchen at Elder Brewster’s house, where the four women of the colony prepared the first American Thanksgiving dinner. As it will be impossible to reproduce the walls the simple green hangings suggested in prefatory note is simplest solution of difficulty. The setting, even the simplest, will require some scenery, and if possible the construction of the fireplace, oven, etc., should be left to the boys, while the girls might make clay models of old drinking cups, porringers, etc., and paint tin plates and cups gray, to imitate pewter.
At the center of the back wall the fireplace should be placed. An oblong framework should be constructed, about three feet wide on each side, and covered with red muslin, marked off with white paint to look like brick. This framework should allow for a fireplace about 3 ft. wide by 4$^1$⁄$_2$ high. The framework should be as high as is consistent with the size of the stage, and there should be a shelf at top. It should be placed far enough away from the back wall, so that some depth is suggested for the fireplace proper, which is also covered with red muslin. If there is a hearth or platform (3 inches high is sufficient) built in front of fireplace the effect is better. A wooden arm, with a hook (painted black to imitate iron) is so swung at one side that food can be placed on it for cooking.
In the framework on left side a door is made (which swings out) and is supposed to open into the brick oven. Wooden firelogs, painted black, are put in fireplace, and real logs put on them. Two kerosine lamps, with thin reflectors, painted red, are placed behind the logs to throw light, Ashes may be scattered under logs, and on hearth to give realistic touch. Pewter plates and cups (painted tin) should be set on mantel- shelf. ​A common kitchen table, with red cotton cover is at the center of the the right wall, with bowl, spoons, and cooking utensils on it. On opposite side of room, a china closet with the necessary table things used for the meal. The table is of rough pine boards, and leans against wall at R, and the trestles upon which it is set are near wall beside the china closet. Boards for men to sit on at the meal, and trestles are brought in later.
COSTUMES.
Dame Brewster, brown calico dress, white kerchief, cap, and apron, Gray hair, face very slightly rouged, and wrinkles drawn from nose to mouth and on the forehead.
Priscilla, gray dress, white cap and apron, and curls. Straight make-up.
Betty Brewster, blue merino, white Kerchief, cap, coquettishly tilted on her curls. Straight make-up.
Mistress Howe, dark Blue calico, cap, kerchief, and apron. Straight make-up. She carries a large doll, wrapped in shawl, which she hushes and rocks.
Patience Horner, short brown dress, hair in tight pigtail. Straight make-up.
Gov. Bradford, buff breeches, red waistcoat, white shirt, with wide white turned-down collar. Brown or black stockings, low shoes, wide brimmed felt hat, drab in color. Wears short sword, Straight make-up.
Elder Brewster, brown breeches, coat, and stockings. Has white hair which falls straight to his shoulders. He is slightly rouged, and has wrinkles drawn on forehead, about eyes, and from nose to mouth.
Miles Standish, buff breeches, red waistcoat, white shirt, etc. He should be stocky in build. Hair brown and straight, hanging to shoulder. Straight make-up. Wears sword, and gauntlet gloves.
John Alden, tall and handsome. Buff breeches, red waistcoat, etc. Curly brown hair to shoulder. Straight make-up. Wears sword.
Herbert Winslow, same uniform. Straight make-up. Wears sword.
Giles Horner, dressed like the men.
Massasoit, brown fringed breeches, brown undershirt. Red blanket hung over ane shoulder. Strings of beads about his neck. Indian wig with scalp lock, and head feathers. He wears moccasins. Made up with brown grease paint, Lips made thin, by whitening around the mouth, and making lips very red.
Indians of Magsasoit’s tribe wear same costume, with black wigs, and no head feathers.
The First Thanksgiving Dinner.
[Scene.—Elder Brewster’s House—the Kitchen. Time—1621. Discovered—Elder Brewster sits in big chair by fire, reading. Dame Brewster bustles in, flour on her nose, a big spoon in hand, and a bowl of mile. She goes to table, and puts things down, preparatory to beginning operations.]
Dame B.Father, is that fire getting hot?
Elder B.[Absently, not looking up.] Quite so—quite so.
Dame B.See if the water boils.
Elder B.[Absently.] Not atall.
Dame B.What? [Darts to the fire, and inspects kettle which hangs on the crane, then stands in front of Elder, arms akimbo.] Why, it boils fiercely! What do you mean by saying—‘not at all,’ Elder Brewster?
Elder B.[Looks up surprised] Did you speak, Mercy?
Dame B.Did I speak? Oh, what a man! Take up the book and go into the entry, for there's no room for an absentminded Elder here! There’s more to do this day, than four lone women can possibly accomplish, Shoo! [He smiles, rises, and starts out, Dame Brewster shooting him with her apron. At door he stops and turns.]
Elder B.Chief Massasoit has sent word that he will come with many braves to spend this day of Thanksgiving with us.
Dame B.[Flies back to table.] Alack! More empty stomachs to fill. [Calls.] Betty—Betty! Come along and make the posset! Send in the wench, father, as you go out. Begone now, we’ll need thy room.
Elder B.Never fear—I go before you toss me into the pot!
[Enter Betty like a whirlwind, at l. as he exits r.]
BettyDid’st call me, Mother?
Dame B.Call? Aye, that I did. Dost think the day can be spent in primping, when there are a hundred and twenty mouths to feed? [She passes bowl of stuff to Betty who ​Page:The First Thanksgiving Dinner - A Play for 6th to 12th Grade Schools.pdf/10 ​Page:The First Thanksgiving Dinner - A Play for 6th to 12th Grade Schools.pdf/11 ​Page:The First Thanksgiving Dinner - A Play for 6th to 12th Grade Schools.pdf/12 ​Page:The First Thanksgiving Dinner - A Play for 6th to 12th Grade Schools.pdf/13 ​Page:The First Thanksgiving Dinner - A Play for 6th to 12th Grade Schools.pdf/14 ​Page:The First Thanksgiving Dinner - A Play for 6th to 12th Grade Schools.pdf/15 ​Page:The First Thanksgiving Dinner - A Play for 6th to 12th Grade Schools.pdf/16 ​Page:The First Thanksgiving Dinner - A Play for 6th to 12th Grade Schools.pdf/17 ​Page:The First Thanksgiving Dinner - A Play for 6th to 12th Grade Schools.pdf/18 ​Page:The First Thanksgiving Dinner - A Play for 6th to 12th Grade Schools.pdf/19 ​Page:The First Thanksgiving Dinner - A Play for 6th to 12th Grade Schools.pdf/20