{"id":7060,"date":"2019-07-10T20:10:15","date_gmt":"2019-07-10T20:10:15","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/performerstuff.com\/mgs\/?p=7060"},"modified":"2019-07-12T18:54:14","modified_gmt":"2019-07-12T18:54:14","slug":"ten-of-the-best-one-act-plays-to-perform-with-high-school-students","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/performerstuff.com\/mgs\/ten-of-the-best-one-act-plays-to-perform-with-high-school-students\/","title":{"rendered":"Ten of the Best One Act Plays to Perform with High School Students"},"content":{"rendered":"

Ten of the Best One-Act Plays to Perform with High School Students<\/strong><\/h3>\n \"\"<\/a><\/span>

Written by\u00a0Ryan Howland<\/p>\n

July 9, 2019<\/p>\n<\/font>

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Another year is over, and as a hard-working theatre teacher, you have definitely earned your summer break. It is also that time of year to start choosing your season for the coming school year if you haven\u2019t already. For many high school teachers, it is time to start thinking of what one-act play you and your students will prepare for your next festival. Here is a list of ten of the best one-act plays perfect for your theatre troupe\u2019s next festival season!<\/p>\n

1. The American Crisis (v. 2.0) for the times that try our souls<\/em> by Ned Lauver<\/strong><\/h4>\n
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45-60 minutes; 5 females, 5 males, 3 gender-neutral (10-13 actors total)<\/b><\/p>\n

This fun farcical play is a political satire wrapped in a romance. We are presented with two families who have an absolute hatred for each other, even though their \u201cAmerican\u201d ideals are eerily similar. Their lives are flipped upside down when their children fall in love, forcing these families to find some common ground.<\/p>\n

Get the Script here<\/a><\/p>\n

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2. Exposure<\/em> by Vishesh Abeyratne<\/strong><\/h4>\n
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30-45 minutes; 3 females, 4 males<\/b><\/p>\n

A commentary on internet culture and social media cyberbullying, this play is set in the separate rooms of seven different teenagers, with most of the dialogue taking place in cyberspace. A video of a young girl drunk at a house party is posted online, and she will do anything to get it taken down. This play has many opportunities for excellent scene work and can provide exceptional technical design opportunities for students.<\/p>\n

Get the Script Here<\/a><\/p>\n

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3. Lockdown<\/em> by Douglas Craven<\/strong><\/h4>\n
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20-35 minutes; 4 females, 4 males, 1 gender-neutral \u00a0(9-11 actors total)<\/b><\/p>\n

Eight students are hidden away in a dark classroom under an official lockdown, with no idea what is happening on the outside. An unfortunate story of our times, Lockdown provides many dramatic moments for your students.<\/p>\n

Get the Script Here<\/a><\/p>\n

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4. Antigone Now<\/em> by Melissa Cooper<\/strong><\/h4>\n
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50-60 minutes; 3 females, 1 male, Chorus (4-11ish actors total)<\/strong><\/p>\n

A response to the original Greek text, this play sets us in a bombed-out city after a Great War, where young Antigone defies her King uncle to bury her dead brother who the King has decreed to be condemned. The ancient story is told in modern prose and made even more relatable to students of the classics.<\/p>\n

Get the Script Here<\/a><\/p>\n

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5. She Kills Monsters<\/em> by Qui Nguyen<\/h4>\n
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Full Length (can be cut down for a one-Act festival); 6 females, 3 males<\/strong><\/span><\/p>\n

A full-length play on its own, She Kills Monsters can be easily cut down for a one-act performance. Agnes Evans must navigate the world of Dungeons and Dragons to learn more about her deceased younger sister\u2019s final days. This play is very fun for anyone who has ever participated in RPGs, and provides excellent opportunities for young LGBTQ actors as well.<\/p>\n

Get the Script Here<\/a><\/p>\n

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6. The Insanity of Mary Girard<\/em> by Lanie Robertson<\/strong><\/h4>\n
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45-50 minutes; 4 females, 3 males, and Chorus.<\/strong><\/p>\n

A period piece set in 1790, this play follows the story of Mary Girard, whose husband declares her legally insane after she is found to be pregnant with another man\u2019s child. Throughout the play, she is tortured by the \u201cfuries\u201d of her own mind, which show her glimpses from her past, telling the story of her oppression.<\/p>\n

Get the Monologue Here<\/a><\/p>\n

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7. Black Comedy<\/em> by Peter Shaffer<\/h4>\n
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60-75 minutes; 3 females, 5 males.<\/strong>
\nYoung and broke artist Brindsley Miller decorates his apartment with \u201cborrowed\u201d furniture and sculptures from his next-door neighbor\u2019s apartment to impress his fianc\u00e9\u2019s father and a wealthy art collector. All hell breaks loose when the circuit breaks and the apartment is plunged into darkness. This play is written with a reversed lighting scheme\u00a0where dark is light and light is dark, and full of physical comedy.<\/p>\n

Get the Script Here<\/a><\/p>\n

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8. Paper or Plastic<\/em> by Werner Trieschmann<\/strong><\/h4>\n
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30-40 minutes; 6 females , 6 males, 3 gender-neutral<\/strong><\/p>\n

This play follows Sarah as she tries to navigate the ins and outs of her first job as a cashier at her local grocery store. Turns out the job isn\u2019t as easy as it looks. This play gives a lot of opportunities for young actors to explore larger-than-life characters.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

Get the Script Here<\/a><\/p>\n

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9. Poof!<\/em> by Lynn Nottage<\/strong><\/h4>\n
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15-20 minutes; 2 females, 1 male<\/strong>
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This quaint little play for three actors is perfect for a small Drama program or to work on in class. In the middle of an argument, Loureen\u2019s abusive husband spontaneously combusts into a pile of ash. What happens next is up to her.<\/p>\n

Get the Script Here<\/a><\/p>\n

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10. Try on any Shakespeare for size!<\/strong><\/h4>\n
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30 minutes, Mutiple Roles<\/p>\n

It may not be the obvious choice, but a Shakespeare piece could be the perfect show to bring to festival. Because Shakespeare\u2019s plays are in public domain, it is very easy to cut them down for one-act requirements. Another resource is the 30 Minute Shakespeare Anthology by Nick Newlin, which includes a 30-minute cutting of most of Shakespeare\u2019s works while staying very true to the story and language.<\/p>\n

Get the Plays Here<\/a><\/p>\n
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Looking for more material? Check out our other stories below!<\/h3>\n