One-Act Plays
An Ode to Juliette
Drama by Emilio Regina
46 pages
21 characters; 10 m, 11 f, extras, doubling possible
A high school drama teacher directs her students in rehearsing a version of Romeo and Juliet. A creative writing teacher encourages her students to compose poems that reflect their personal lives. And a man, the narrator, weaves these school experiences –and his own– into a play he has written. The result is a beautiful mosaic of the familiar lives of students and culture inherent in high schools. The play deals with tragedy, bullying, sexuality, grieving, and perseverance with vital sensitivity. A mix of ...
The Collective
Fantasy by Brent Holland
32 pages
12 roles. While 10 roles are flexible, 2 of them are better played by females.
The Collective has called an Inquiry for Inclusion to decide if all of humanity is to be allowed into their enlightened community. Seven representatives for all of humanity are questioned by opposing sides to see if we are indeed worthy of being considered an advanced and enlightened species. About 35-40 minutes.
E-Scape
by Kerry Kazmierowicztrimm
27 pages
1 w, 3-10 flexible
Dee has recently come out to his entire school as transgender. After his former friend Riley harasses him about his trans identity on social media, Dee uses an undercover pseudonym to post embarrassing secrets about her. The revealing post quickly circulates among the student body. Soon, Dee and Riley realize they have said more than they can take back. In this interactive performance, students will be prompted to think about the unintended consequences of cyberbullying and the ways that social media can strain relationships. This show can be produced using a...
The Election
Comedy one-act by Jonathan Turner Smith
40 pages
6 m, 9 w, and ensemble of 10, doubling possible
Eight diverse candidates who are running for student body president have two minutes to present their platform and to convince fellow Roosevelt High students to vote for them. From the narcissistic varsity cheerleader, to the disdainful brainiac, and from the star quarterback to the tongue-tied farm boy, every candidate is unique. Their speeches veer from the serious to the hilarious and, with several mimed action scenes, even reach the absurd! During the question-and-answer segment of the forum, however, one student asks the candidates to do something about ...
Alistair in Wonderland
by Patti Veconi
48 pages
3 m, 3 w, 18 flexible, extras, doubling possible
The Queen of Hearts has demanded a rematch with Alice on the croquet lawn, but instead of fetching the girl back to Wonderland as instructed, the easily addled Dormouse has returned with a very confused boy named Alistair. Luckily, Alice has also arrived, having learned of the Queen’s summons from the Cheshire Cat, and it becomes her mission to get Alistair safely home while also enjoying a new adventure herself. Approximately 45 minutes.
Rosie the Riveter (One-Act)
by Trey Clarkson
43 pages
6 m, 8 w, and ensemble cast of 6 w or more
It’s January 1942, in the throes of World War II. Eddie, the owner of Eddie’s Auto Parts Factory in Cook County, Illinois, is struggling now that there is a freeze on the manufacturing of car parts. His secretary, Rosie, wonders if the factory can secure a government contract and be converted to make airplane parts instead— if only they can find the manpower. At a time when the radio and the mail were the main sources of information, and ration books were in every household, Rosie is willing to shed tradition, roll up her sleeves and do her part. She is chos...
The Cheater
Comedy by Brent Holland
34 pages
2 m, 2 w
When high school student Garrett pays his best friend to see if his girlfriend will cheat on him, they all become entangled in a web of lies and deception, and a series of changing allegiances. Sierra, Hope, Garrett, and Nick have been friends for years, but will any of their relationships survive? Most importantly, who will end up with the Chipotle gift card?
Still Stuck at Home
Comedy by Bryan Starchman
36 pages
Minimum 4 m, 2 w, 2 flexible, 1 offscreen voice. Maximum 9 m, 7 w, 2 flexible, 1 offscreen voice.
Join this hilarious family as they struggle to endure being stuck at home – together! How many family game nights can teens endure? How are the pets holding up? Can mom convince the kids to do their schoolwork or will they be doomed to a fifth year of high school? How do first dates and book clubs work while social distancing? And really, who is strong enough to endure more than one Dad joke?
This show is perfect at providing both laugh-out-loud humor as well as flexibility in stagin...
Stuck at Home (one-act version)
Comedy by Bryan Starchman
28 pages
Minimum 2 m, 2 w, 2 offscreen voices. Maximum 10 m, 10 w, 2 offscreen voices.
Join this hilarious family as they struggle to endure being stuck at home – together! Why is the WiFi out, and will their old-school solutions work when all the needed cords are missing from the junk drawer? Will the family secure two-ply rolls of toilet paper in trade negotiations with Grandma? Wait… what has each of them been using? How many family game nights can teens endure? What foods (or beverages!) are critical enough to make a special run to the grocery store? And really, who is strong enough to endure more than one Dad joke?
And Scene!
Comedy by Brent Holland
25 pages
2 m, 3 w, 1 flexible
Remy's scene partner refuses to perform and Remy’s grade is on the line. Her backup plan is to have her sister do a scene with her but when her sister runs late the night of the performance, Remy is forced to improvise. She is able to convince one of her friends in the audience to get on stage and act with her. The scene work goes sideways as several additional members of the audience end up on stage... all in the name of trying to get Remy a good grade! About 25-30 minutes.
The Trial of Existence
Fantasy by Brent Holland
35 pages
2 m, 2 f, 7 either
Portrayed in a fantasy-based courtroom we see ominous “Judgement” begin the Trial of Existence. Every 100 years the “Forces of Chaos” can choose to test humanity and a single candidate is chosen to stand trial. Should this candidate fail, all mankind will cease to exist. While Michael and the “Representatives of Order” see the best in all of us, they must quickly name a candidate and in finding Erin, they put their faith that she is the one to represent us all. The test is 24 hours of challenges in pride, greed, wrath, envy, lust, gluttony, and sloth. If at a...
Online Breakups Gone Wrong
Comedy by Bradley Walton
30 pages
18 Characters
The internet makes everything easier, whether it’s staying connected with old friends, shopping, or breaking up with your significant other. But just because online breakups are easier doesn’t mean they’re a good idea. As seen in these eleven vignettes, the results can be awkward, unpredictable, and hilarious.
Nellie
by Robby Steltz
27 pages
1 m, 9 w
In the late 1800s rumors were circulating about alleged horrors taking place on Blackwell’s Island, home of the Insane Asylum of New York. Women were apparently the victims of abuse and torture, and one woman, a newspaper reporter, decided to risk her own life to investigate. Nellie Bly committed herself to the asylum, documenting her findings and ultimately revealing the horrors to the entire world. This one-act play, adapted from her book, “Ten Days in a Madhouse,” tells the incredible story of how this “girl” reporter forever changed the way the world look...
Microwave! In the Cafeteria
Comedy by Bradley Walton
24 pages
18 roles any gender. Doubling possible.
It appeared without warning on a Monday, its origins shrouded in mystery. A week later, it had vanished without a trace. But across the days between, it changed cafeteria life in ways that no one could have imagined. It was a microwave oven, so ancient and decrepit that some believed it to have come from an Egyptian pyramid. Now, in a series of hilarious monologues suitable for stage or online presentation by a gender-flexible cast of 1 to 18 performers …its story will finally be told.
The Last of the Blue Genies
Comedy by Jon Jory
22 pages
2 w, 5 flexible
Ever heard of the blue genies? Well Zeus sent mortals one hundred genies each with the power to grant ninety-nine wishes. In addition to wishes Zeus also gave the genies immortality, the ability to fly, and a few other powers. Oh, and just for fun he made them blue!
Dorothy, a blue genie, has been holding on to her last wish because it’s become clear to her that mortals waste their wishes. Also, by declining to grant her last wish and she won’t return to normal allowing her to keep ...