Event Description
Produced by Playhouse Square
Written by Kathryn Schultz Miller
A Thousand Cranes presents the true and poignant story of Sadako Sasaki, ten years after she lived through the atomic bombing of Hiroshima. After Sadako falls ill, her friend Kenji reminds her of an old story in which, if a sick person folds a thousand origami cranes, the gods will grant her a wish and make her healthy again. And so Sadako begins her journey. The act of folding cranes symbolizes hope and the desire for peace, as the cranes call to the spirit of her grandmother. Though Sadako does not complete her task, her friends and classmates take up the challenge, building a monument to all affected in the aftermath of the war.
Produced by special arrangement with THE DRAMATIC PUBLISHING COMPANY of Woodstock, Illinois.
Curriculum connections: Drama, English/Language Arts, Music, Social & Emotional Learning
Recommended for grades: 4 & up
Content available to stream on-demand at a time of your choosing from February 8-26, 2027. You may access content for your classroom multiple times. One registration per class required.
Run time: 45 mins
Included with registration:
- Teacher Resource Guide
- Educator Primer Video
- Pre-show Classroom Connections Workshop Video
- Post-show Classroom Connections Workshop Video
To request a field trip, please complete the online 2026-2027 School Field Trip Order Form by clicking the “Register” button on this page. Registrations and order by phone are not accepted, but we are happy to answer your questions. For assistance in choosing the best shows for your class, please contact the Education Hotline at 216-348-7909 or schoolprograms@playhousesquare.org.
Pricing:
Registrations are $20 per class and may accommodate up to 30 students. If your class is larger, or if you’re registering multiple groups, we would be happy to provide a price quote upon request. Adult participation is free, though they must be accounted for in your reservation numbers.
Cleveland Metropolitan School District teachers: Registrations open July 27, 2026 for a limited number of free and reduced-cost tickets for CMSD schools and approved partnered schools. If you are interested in a specific title, please complete the 2026-2027 CMSD Interest Form to be notified when registrations are live.
This Streaming Performance for Schools is part of the Playhouse Square Education Department Social Justice Series.