Kayko's Garden

by Jeff Jenkins

Struggling with acceptance at school and taunted by the most popular kid, Calum destroys the garden of outsider Kayko Yoshida in a fit of anger. Tasked to restore the "place of peace," the garden reveals it's magic. Exploring this new world, he is challenged to see himself and the world differently. The play celebrates a character with a disability and promotes empathy, understanding, and resilience. 

$12.00
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Quick Details

  • Type: Play
  • Length: 60-75 minutes | Can be cut for competition
  • Availability: Available for productions worldwide
  • Cast Size: 5+ roles

Full Details

Roles:

  • Calum Murphy: a 12-year-old deaf boy who wears hearing aids in both his ears. He aspires to be a professional DJ, pro basketball player, and everything else exciting.
  • Lenora Flores: An 11-year-old girl. Has the energy of a hurricane as she has ADHD. Calum's best friend and future scientist or doctor.
  • Kayko Yoshida: a 77-year-old Japanese woman (casting permitting). Stern but fair. An elder who tends more than the garden.
  • Austin Crowley: a 12-year-old boy. Athletic, very popular at school. In the same class as Calum and Lenora. Can be a huge jerk at times.
  • The Garden: Not an ordinary garden. This garden interacts with characters, senses emotion, can see the future and has other magical qualities. Can be played by one or more actors/puppeteers.

The following resources are included in each performance license:
  • Permission to photocopy the PDF script for your production so there is no additional cost for these assets.

The following resources may be added to you license for an additional fee:
  • Logo/Media package

Jeff Jenkins

Jeff Jenkins is a playwright and licensed counselor. He advocates for individuals with disabilities inhis writing and occupation. In May 2024 he worked on his playThe Day Starbucks Stood Stillat Payson High School during thePlaywrights in Our Schools (AATE) residency. His playThe Day Starbucks Stood Stillwas also a finalist in the Old Miner Children’s Playwrighting Competition April 2023. His PlayThe Transfer Student(written w/Anne Negri) received development with the Purple Crayon Players, May 2023.He received thePlaywrights in Our Schools (AATE) residency, Spring 2023, for his playKayko’s Gardenworking with Liahona Precatory Academy. His play 10-minute playDreams of Waterreceived a production with DePaul University in 2023 and Chicago Dramatist 2022. The play receiveda virtual production with The Sixth Festival, Chicago (Summer 2021). During the Fall of 2020 his playTimmon and the Magic Shoesreceived a virtual production with the TYE Center, Utah Valley University and school tour in the Salt Lake City metropolitan area. He completed a residency TYE Center as winner of the Old Miner Children's Playwriting competition, Spring 2019,Timmon and the Magic Shoes. He is a two-time semi-finalist with the national playwrighting competition, Write Now and NYU's New Plays for Young Audiences. Plays which have been workshopped or produced includeMontenegro,The Purple Heart,Minotaur of Warren Park, andMonarch Ashes. His playThe Jumping Giraffe of the Savannahis published by YouthPLAYS and also appears inIt's Elementary, Too!Published byYouthPLAYS.

Originally performed by Liahona Precatory Academy