Spotlight on History Slides
Spotlight on Idaho
Historical Reader's Theater
Your History Mission
Become the People
Step into the shoes of the people who shaped Idaho's past. How did they speak? How did they feel?
Travel the Landscape
From the Salmon River to the Snake River Plain, you'll cross the rugged Idaho terrain.
Perform the Story
Share these true-to-life stories with your classmates through expressive reading and acting.
"The history of Idaho is not just dates in a book. It is the grit of the miner, the song of the sheepherder, and the traditions of the Shoshone-Bannock."
Our Idaho Legends
Which group will your team represent?
Pioneers
Brave families facing broken axles and dusty trails on the long journey west.
Mountain Men
Rugged trappers trading "soft gold" (beaver pelts) in the wilderness.
Indigenous People
Gathering camas and preserving traditions on their ancestral lands.
Miners
Striking it rich (or not!) in the boomtowns of Idaho City and Pierce.
Sheepherders
Moving huge flocks across the high desert with loyal dogs by their side.
Explorers
Lewis and Clark meeting the Nez Perce and crossing the Bitterroots.
Pro-Acting Tips
Project!
Speak to the back of the room so every pioneer and miner can hear you.
Emote!
Use your face and body to show hunger, excitement, or exhaustion.
Pace Yourself!
Pause for dramatic effect. Don't rush through the history!
Props!
Use simple items like a pan, a stick, or a hat to make the scene real.
Ready to Act?
Find your group, grab your script, and let's bring Idaho history to life on the classroom stage!
Group 1: Pioneers
Group 2: Trappers
Group 3: Shoshone-Bannock
Group 4: Miners
Group 5: Sheepherders
Group 6: Lewis & Clark
History on Stage Scripts Packet (Musical Edition)
The Trail Ahead: A Pioneer Musical
Tune: "The Old Gray Mare"
Characters: 6
Setting: Near Fort Hall, Idaho Territory. 1852. A dusty trail. A wagon is stopped with a broken wheel.
PA: Determined MA: Practical SARAH: Helping Ma JED: Helping Pa AUNT MARTHA: Worried COUSIN BILLY: Hungry
PA: (Wiping sweat) That’s it. The axle is snapped. Right in the sagebrush.
AUNT MARTHA: (Fanning herself) We’ll never make it! The oxen are thirsty and my feet are blistered!
MA: Martha, hush now. Sarah and Billy, help me unpack the "heavy things." We have to lighten the load.
COUSIN BILLY: Can we eat the heavy things instead? I’m starving!
SARAH: (Holding a small book) Look at the dust. It’s like a thick blanket over everything.
♪ Song: The Dusty Idaho Trail ♪
(To the tune of "The Old Gray Mare")
The Idaho trail, it ain't what it used to be,
Ain't what it used to be, ain't what it used to be!
The Idaho trail, it's dusty and it's dry,
Under the big blue sky!
The wheels go 'clack' and the ox goes 'moo,'
We're looking for a river that is cool and blue!
The Idaho trail, it ain't what it used to be,
Many long miles to go!
JED: (Pointing) Look! A rider! He's waving toward Fort Hall!
PA: If we can reach the fort, we'll get a new axle. Billy, Jed—grab the lever! Martha, Ma—push for Oregon!
ALL: (In unison) ONE... TWO... THREE... PUSH!
Soft Gold: A Trapper's Reel
Tune: "Oh! My Darling Clementine"
Characters: 5
Setting: Early morning by a cold mountain stream in the Teton Basin. 1830.
SILAS: Veteran Trapper JEAN: Young Apprentice RED ELK: Shoshone Guide BOB: Rival Trapper PIERRE: Supply Trader
SILAS: Shh... Jean. You're stomping like a moose. The beaver are sensitive!
BOB: (Stepping out from behind a "tree") Better hurry, Silas. I've already cleared the next three ponds!
JEAN: (Shivering) It's too cold for rivalry, Bob. My fingers are frozen!
PIERRE: (Opening a pack) I have blankets and coffee, for a price! Beaver pelts only!
RED ELK: The animals are leaving the high water. Winter is coming fast.
♪ Song: Soft Gold Fever ♪
(To the tune of "Clementine")
In a canyon, by a river,
Where the water's cold and deep,
I am searching, for the beaver,
While the world is fast asleep!
Oh my beaver, oh my beaver,
Oh my beaver, skin and gold!
Trade you for some lead and powder,
Before the mountains get too cold!
SILAS: (Pulling a trap) Look at this one! Prime fur! We'll be rich at the Rendezvous!
JEAN: Let's get to the campfire. Pierre, I'll trade you this pelt for that warm coffee!
Camas Rhythms
Style: Rhythmic Chant & Drumming
Characters: 6
Setting: The Camas Prairie, Idaho. Summertime. A wide field of blue flowers.
GRANDMOTHER: Teacher KAYA: Student TOYA: Curious Brother MOTHER: Expert Gatherer BLUE SKY: Younger Sister EAGLE EYE: Scout
GRANDMOTHER: The blue flowers are waving. The Earth is telling us it is time to eat.
EAGLE EYE: (Looking around) The prairie is safe. No storms are coming from the west.
MOTHER: Kaya, Blue Sky, bring the baskets. Remember to only take the blue Camas, not the white.
TOYA: (Pushing a stick) Dig deep! Pop them out! I can almost taste the roasted sweetness!
♪ Chant: The Root and the Sun ♪
(Stomp or clap a steady beat: 1-2, 1-2, 1-2-3)
(All) Stomp-Clap! Stomp-Clap!
Blue in the field, sweet in the ground,
Deep in the earth, the food is found!
Grateful for water, grateful for sun,
Working together until we are done!
Roots for the winter, roots for the fire,
Lifting the basket higher and higher!
BLUE SKY: Look at mine! It's as big as my fist!
GRANDMOTHER: Well done. We will dry these and be strong when the snow falls.
Pay Dirt: A Boomtown Ballad
Tune: "I've Been Working on the Railroad"
Characters: 5
Setting: A muddy creek bed in Idaho City. 1863.
LUCKY LOU: Dreamer GRUMPY GUS: Realist NED: Greenhorn BREADY BETTY: Baker MARSHAL: Lawman
NED: (Looking at his clean clothes) My first day in Idaho City! Where's the gold nuggets?
BREADY BETTY: (Holding a tray) Forget the gold, kid. You want a biscuit? It'll cost you a gram of gold dust!
GRUMPY GUS: That's highway robbery, Betty!
MARSHAL: Keep it civil, folks. We don't want no trouble in this camp. Just keep panning.
♪ Song: Working in the Mud ♪
(To the tune of "I've Been Working on the Railroad")
I've been panning in the river,
All the livelong day!
I've been panning in the river,
Just to wash the dirt away!
Can't you hear the gravel swishing?
Swishing in the pan!
Looking for a little sparkle,
Catch it if you can!
LUCKY LOU: (Screaming) EUREKA! Look at the size of this one!
MARSHAL: (Inspecting it) That's a real beauty. Betty, I think Lou can afford ten biscuits now!
High Desert Lullaby
Tune: "Home on the Range"
Characters: 6
Setting: A high mountain meadow. A sheep wagon is parked nearby.
MATEO: Uncle ANTON: Nephew SHEP: The Dog SOFIA: Sister ESTELLA: Aunt CHORUS: (Sheep sounds)
ANTON: Uncle, the sheep are finally quiet. The stars are so bright up here.
SOFIA: I like the sheep wagon. It’s like a tiny house on wheels. Can we make stew now?
ESTELLA: (Stirring a pot) The stew is simmering. Sofia, help me set the table. Even in the mountains, we eat together.
SHEP: (Tail wagging) Woof! Woof!
♪ Song: Idaho Home on the Range ♪
(To the tune of "Home on the Range")
Oh, give me a home, where the sheep love to roam,
And the coyotes howl at the moon!
Where seldom is heard, an angry old word,
And the stew will be ready quite soon!
Home, home in the hills!
Where the wind gives me shivers and chills!
We'll watch o'er the flock, by the side of a rock,
While the mountain air whistles and thrills!
MATEO: Beautifully sung. Anton, grab the carving knife. It's time to mark the aspen tree for the next herder.
The Great Unknown: Expedition Anthem
Tune: "Yankee Doodle"
Characters: 6
Setting: Lemhi Pass. Looking out over the Bitterroot Mountains.
LEWIS: Leader CLARK: Mapmaker SACAGAWEA: Guide CAMEAHWAIT: Chief YORK: Explorer SEAMAN: The Dog
LEWIS: More mountains? I thought the river was just over this ridge!
YORK: These peaks look like they touch the sky, Captain. We'll need strong legs to get over those.
SACAGAWEA: (Excitedly) Look! My people! Cameahwait!
CAMEAHWAIT: Sister? Is it truly you? And who are these men with the big dog?
SEAMAN: (Proudly) Woof!
♪ Song: Crossing Idaho ♪
(To the tune of "Yankee Doodle")
Lewis and Clark came to the hills,
Looking for the ocean!
Sacagawea led the way,
With helpfulness and motion!
Idaho is big and grand,
Idaho is snowy!
We will cross this mountain land,
Even when it's blowy!
CLARK: With the Shoshone horses, we have a chance. Onward to the Pacific!
ALL: TO THE PACIFIC!
