A Visit from Santa Claus

by Kyle Walker

When Natalie and her family come home to spend Christmas with her parents, she is welcomed by all of the memories of Christmas past. But when her past begins to haunt her, she is paid a visit by the jolly man himself, Santa Claus! This fun, heart-warming journey takes Natalie through her past and into her imagination, revealing the magic of Christmas and the true meaning of Santa Claus.

When Natalie and her family come home to spend Christmas with her parents, she is welcomed by all of the memories of Christmas past. But when her past begins to haunt her, she is paid a visit by the jolly man himself, Santa Claus! This fun, heart-warming journey takes Natalie through her past and into her imagination, revealing the magic of Christmas and the true meaning of Santa Claus.

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A Visit from Santa Claus

Recommended by

  • Tom Erb: A Visit from Santa Claus by Kyle Walker
    “

    What a magical holiday delight, "A Visit from Santa Claus" breathes new life into cherished Christmas traditions. This enchanting play skillfully brings together past and present, reality and imagination, delivering a passionate exploration of family, forgiveness, and the enduring power of belief. Kyle Walker's script shines brightly with its clever blend of humor and heart, captivating characters, and imaginative storytelling. As a fan of Mr. Clause, I found this to be a seamless transition between time periods and realities of holiday wonder. A must-read, it is a touching script that reminds...

    What a magical holiday delight, "A Visit from Santa Claus" breathes new life into cherished Christmas traditions. This enchanting play skillfully brings together past and present, reality and imagination, delivering a passionate exploration of family, forgiveness, and the enduring power of belief. Kyle Walker's script shines brightly with its clever blend of humor and heart, captivating characters, and imaginative storytelling. As a fan of Mr. Clause, I found this to be a seamless transition between time periods and realities of holiday wonder. A must-read, it is a touching script that reminds us of the true magic of Christmas.

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    ”
  • Tom Moran: A Visit from Santa Claus by Kyle Walker
    “

    An interesting mix of light family drama, Dickensian holiday self-reflection, and some traditional Santa tropes, "Visit" is something of a grand tour through the holiday, structured around an homage to "'Twas the Night Before Christmas." Guaranteed to generate a warm fuzzy for anyone with a fondness for the Christmas season, and to generate some laughs and smiles along the way.

    An interesting mix of light family drama, Dickensian holiday self-reflection, and some traditional Santa tropes, "Visit" is something of a grand tour through the holiday, structured around an homage to "'Twas the Night Before Christmas." Guaranteed to generate a warm fuzzy for anyone with a fondness for the Christmas season, and to generate some laughs and smiles along the way.

    ”
  • Philip Middleton Williams: A Visit from Santa Claus by Kyle Walker
    “

    This warm and family-friendly play is about Christmas, but it can be done at any time, because the characters encompass all of the feelings that we would have for our family at any time of year. Kyle Walker deftly combines elements of fantasy, “Toy Story,” and sibling rivalry for a story that combines laughs and tears of joy. This should become a staple of every Christmas festival, no matter what time of year.

    This warm and family-friendly play is about Christmas, but it can be done at any time, because the characters encompass all of the feelings that we would have for our family at any time of year. Kyle Walker deftly combines elements of fantasy, “Toy Story,” and sibling rivalry for a story that combines laughs and tears of joy. This should become a staple of every Christmas festival, no matter what time of year.

    ”
View all 4 recommendations

Character Information

The play is written for a 10-person cast, but there are 26 possible roles, plus an ensemble. The “Shadow” or past versions of the characters can be played by the same base-actor or by age-appropriate actors. Suggested casting breakdowns are provided in the script. Many characters can be gender/color-blind cast. Change pronouns as needed.
  • DORIS, AGE 50S
    Natalie’s mother – loving and spunky, wears emotions on her sleeve even more.
    Can be played by:
    • Actor Age
      50s
    • Actor Gender Identity
      Female
  • KATE
    Natalie and Clark’s daughter – precocious and snarky
    Can be played by:
    • Actor Age
      Child
    • Actor Gender Identity
      Female
  • THE ORC ARMY
    more of Santa’s sworn enemies – an army of ugly, hairy, dimwits
  • GEORGE, AGE 50S
    Natalie’s father – close to retirement history professor, still very long-winded
    Can be played by:
    • Actor Age
      50s
    • Actor Gender Identity
      Male
  • GEORGE
    Natalie’s father – retired History professor – humorous and long-winded
    Can be played by:
    • Actor Age
      50s,
      60s
    • Actor Gender Identity
      Male
  • WOOD NYMPHS
  • NATALIE, LATE 20S
    wife, daughter, expectant mother – caring and imaginative, fearful of the future.
    Can be played by:
    • Actor Age
      20s
    • Actor Gender Identity
      Female
  • DORIS
    Natalie’s mother – loving and spunky but wears her emotions on her sleeve
    Can be played by:
    • Actor Age
      50s,
      60s
    • Actor Gender Identity
      Female
  • JESSICA, AGE 7
    7, Natalie’s sister – a lover of sarcasm in training.
    5-8
    Can be played by:
    • Actor Age
      Child
    • Actor Gender Identity
      Female
  • CLARK, LATE 20S
    Natalie’s husband – goofy and loving, full of laughter.
    Can be played by:
    • Actor Age
      20s
    • Actor Gender Identity
      Male
  • JESSICA “JESS”
    Natalie’s sister – grad student – lover of sarcasm
    Can be played by:
    • Actor Age
      20s
    • Actor Gender Identity
      Female
  • PLUM
    Ageless, a delicate, airy Sugar Plum Fairy - has a broken wing.
    Any Age
  • JESSICA, AGE 14-16
    Natalie’s sister – high school student, still lover of sarcasm.
    Can be played by:
    • Actor Age
      Teens
    • Actor Gender Identity
      Female
  • SANTA CLAUS
    mysterious and magical gift giver – covered in fur, singed with soot
    Can be played by:
    • Actor Age
      20s,
      30s,
      40s,
      50s,
      60s,
      70s+
  • TD BEAR
    Ageless, a teddy bear whose soft fur has grown coarse and dusty from the years.
    Any Age
  • IDA
    Ageless, Santa’s helper elf – excitable, needy, childish
  • ACTION JOE
    Ageless, a partially sun-bleached action figure - caked with sand.
    Any Age
  • EEGA
    Ageless, Santa’s helper elf – sensible, intelligent, peacekeeper
  • GEORGE, AGE 30S
    Natalie’s father – a youthful history professor, still long-winded.
    Can be played by:
    • Actor Age
      30s
    • Actor Gender Identity
      Male
  • OOGA
    Ageless, Santa’s helper elf – stern, grumpy, party-pooper
  • DORIS, AGE 30S
    Natalie’s mother – loving and spunky, still wears emotions on her sleeve.
    Can be played by:
    • Actor Age
      30s
    • Actor Gender Identity
      Female
  • TORC THE ORC
    Santa’s sworn enemy – ugly, hairy, dimwitted.
  • NATALIE, EARLY 20S
    girlfriend, daughter – caring and imaginative, excited for the future.
    Can be played by:
    • Actor Age
      20s
    • Actor Gender Identity
      Female
  • NATALIE
    wife, mother and daughter – imaginative and caring but haunted by her past
    Can be played by:
    • Actor Age
      30s
    • Actor Gender Identity
      Female
  • CORC THE ORC
    Ageless, Santa’s other sworn enemy – ugly, hairy, just as dimwitted
  • CLARK, EARLY 20S
    Natalie’s boyfriend – goofy and loving, full of laughter.
    Can be played by:
    • Actor Age
      20s
    • Actor Gender Identity
      Male
  • CLARK
    Natalie’s husband – goofy and loving, full of laughter
    Can be played by:
    • Actor Age
      30s
    • Actor Gender Identity
      Male
  • PRINCESS NATTIE
    Can be played by:
    • Actor Age
      Child,
      30s
    • Actor Gender Identity
      Female

Development History

  • Reading, Valdez Theater Conference, 2024
  • Reading, Dramatist Guild’s End of Play Virtual Table Readings, 2024

Production History

  • Community Theater, The University Wits Theatrical Company, 2017