Hephaestus & Dionysus Reader's Theater Script | The Olympians | Greek Mythology

This Hephaestus & Dionysus Readers’ Theater Script traces two outcasts’ rise to Olympian glory across 12 dynamic scenes. Hephaestus, cast from Olympus by Hera, forges wonders—automatons, Pandora, Achilles’ shield—and traps Ares and Aphrodite in a cunning net. Dionysus, born from Zeus’s thigh, spreads wine’s revelry, drives Pentheus mad, grants Midas gold, rescues Ariadne, and lifts Hephaestus home. From exile and chaos, their craft and ecstasy forge a legacy of resilience and freedom.

With 20 roles—gruff Hephaestus, wild Dionysus, scornful Hera, and bold Achilles—this dialogue-rich script hums with mythic fire, perfect for high school performers. Flexible casting suits any class: combine narrators for smaller groups or rotate roles across scenes, ensuring every student wields hammer or vine in this tale of invention and transformation.

What's included?

1) Teacher's Guide & Answer Key

• Standards Alignment (CCSS Grades 9~12, CCRA)
• Teacher Tips
• Answer Keys for all worksheet sections
• Themes & Discussion Question Prompts
• Format: Google Doc & PDF (7 pages)

2) Readers Theater Script

• ~20 Characters, 2750 words,
• Format: Google Doc & PDF (9 pages)

3) Script Worksheet

• 10 Vocabulary Words
• 10 Short-Answer Questions: Comprehension and recall questions based solely on the script.
• 3 Reflection Questions
• Format: Google Slides & PPT (20 Slides)

Teaching Tips for Using the Script:

• For More Students: Main character can be read by multiple students.
• For Less Students: Minor characters can be read by just one student.
• This script should take about 50 minutes
• Depending on your classroom's level it may be suitable for other grade levels.

Get this script in a bundle of all 12 Olympian Gods & SAVE OVER 30%

Script Summary:

Scenes 1-2: Outcast Beginnings

Hera casts lame Hephaestus from Olympus to Lemnos, while Zeus births Dionysus from his thigh after Semele’s fiery death.

Scenes 3-4: Exile and Revelry

Hephaestus crafts automatons on Lemnos, defying scorn, as Dionysus spreads wine in Thebes, stirring chaos against Pentheus’s rule.

Scenes 5-6: Divine Punishment

Hephaestus forges Pandora on Olympus, a curse for men, while Dionysus drives Pentheus mad in Thebes, proving his might.

Scenes 7-8: Alliance and Excess

Dionysus lifts Hephaestus from Lemnos to Olympus, their bond strong, as Dionysus grants Midas gold in Phrygia, a lesson in greed.

Scenes 9-10: Craft and Love

Hephaestus crafts Achilles’ shield for Troy’s war, aiding gods, while Dionysus rescues Ariadne on Naxos, crowning her queen.

Scenes 11-12: Triumph Over Shame

Hephaestus traps Ares and Aphrodite in a net, outwitting betrayal, and both ascend Olympus, outcasts reigning through craft and revelry.

Will this work for my classroom?

Download this similar yet FREE Hades Reader's Theater Script :)