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Good Plays for High School
High school play scripts are an essential component of any successful theater production. They provide the blueprint for the entire show, from the characters and dialogue to the stage directions and set design. But finding the right play script can be a challenge, especially for high school productions that need to balance educational value with audience appeal.
How to Choose Scripts for High School Plays
The first metric to consider when selecting a high school play script is the age and experience level of the students involved. While high school students are capable of handling complex material, it’s best to choose a play that is appropriate for their level of skill and maturity. Consider plays with a smaller cast size and simpler staging requirements for younger or less experienced students.
Another important factor to consider is the theme of the play. High school plays can address a wide range of topics, from coming-of-age stories to social issues to historical events. Consider selecting a play that speaks to the interests and concerns of the student body. This can provide an opportunity for meaningful discussions and reflection.
Also consider the style and genre of the play. High school productions can range from classic dramas and comedies to modern musicals and avant-garde works. Consider selecting a play that showcases the strengths and interests of the students involved, whether that's singing, dancing, or dramatic acting.
High School Plays for 25-40 Characters
Are you looking for high school play scripts suitable for larger groups of 25 or more? You’re in luck! We’ve got a great selection of scripts that are sure to get your students excited. Whether you want something comedic, dramatic, or musical, we have something perfect for any crowd.
Star Warped: A Trek Through Time and Space
By Nancy WhitneyStar Warped is the story of Darth Hater and his journey to track down the Insurgents who have stolen the plans to an Interplanetary Demise Machine which he plans to use to create a resort and disco. The Insurgents jump through time to visit with well known sci-fi and comedy favorites in hopes of finding their way to their home planet.
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A Christmas Carol - A One Act Play
By Tracy WellsThis one act play adaptation of Charles Dickens' classic holiday story will be sure to delight audiences of all ages. When the miserly Ebenezer Scrooge goes to bed on Christmas Eve night he is shocked to receive a visit from his deceased friend, Jacob Marley. Marley warns him that he will be visited by three ghosts who, through visions of the past, present, and future. will help Ebenezer remember what the true spirit of Christmas is all about and save him from a fate worse than death. This easy to stage, large cast play has many great roles and can be played by actors of all ages.
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King Arthur and the Knights at the Not So Round Table
By Nancy WhitneyWhat do the knights of the round table do when King Arthur is feeling down? Why they create an elaborate scheme of hysterical events to help him see how valuable and loved he is. This comedic story follows King Arthur as he travels the land solving problems and impacting the lives of his people as his knights try to show him how important he is in everyone’s life.
View DetailsHigh School Plays for 2-15 Characters
The products listed below are all high school play scripts specially designed to be performed by a smaller group of 2-15 players. These plays are sure to captivate your students and help them develop important skills that will last long after the play is over.
Hotel Jerusalem
By David J. SwansonWhen the recently discovered Dead Sea Scrolls arrive surreptitiously at a hotel in post WWII Jerusalem, the hotel’s proprietor, an American war widow, must protect herself and her daughter by navigating cultural, political and religious tensions on the eve of the Arab-Israeli war.
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Shelter
By Andrew KoomanLittle Will Harrison’s dying wish is to help homeless people in Alberta by organizing a food drive. With the help of their neighbours and close friends the Welsh family, the Harrisons work hard to help Will realize his final wish. As the families gather produce donated from the town of Sunrise, they dig up more than just potatoes: a surprise engagement and a secret affair promise to bring the two families closer together and rip them apart, forever.
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Heel Joseph Heal
By Andrew KoomanJoseph, a young man in his first year at Bible College is forced to come to terms with his mental illness. As Joseph’s life unravels, he resists medical treatment with the desire to be healed by faith. Joseph’s growing love for Becky, a girl from school and the one person committed to his wellness, is threatened by Cindy, his lifelong companion who both haunts and captivates his imagination.
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Cyril and the Subtle Art of Plagiarism
By J.R. MimbsCyril is a gifted writer. Too bad other people like to use his words for their own purposes. How will he balance romance, friendships, bullies, and drama class while still holding on to his voice? A fast-paced comedic re-telling of Cyrano De Bergerac set in a modern high school.
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Wanda Re-Writes the World
By J.R. MimbsWanda often loses herself in the fantastical stories she writes. But as the lines between reality and fantasy begin to blur, will Wanda be able to face the truth that haunting her? A high energy high school comedy with lots of heart and creative staging.
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Hashtag: Wonderfully Made
By Rene GutteridgeThe @ Symbol goes to God with complaints about wanting to be more like the popular Hashtag Symbol, but learns, along with some other punctuation, the valuable lesson that he was beautifully and wonderfully made for a purpose. Many people struggle with feeling useful and wonder why God didn’t make them differently. This skit emphasizes that we are all made with purpose and without mistake.
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Delay of Signal
By J.R. MimbsSeven people take part in a one year experiment in an isolated biodome, recreating potential conditions on Mars. As the year progresses and a series of near catastrophes test the resolve of the crew, professional boundaries break down and interpersonal relationships are strained.
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If Everything Had Credits Like Movies Have Credits
By David J. SwansonA couple endures movie-like credits at the end of their meal.
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Mr. Pim Passes By
By Allison KuzniaThis delightful comedy centers on the unexpected arrival of the absentminded Mr. Pim, as he disrupts the peaceful lives of the Mardens and sets off an absurd chain of events. A charming farce that examines love, marriage, and societal values. This is a shortened version based off of A.A. Milne's original script.
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The Importance of Being Earnest - A Trivial Comedy for Serious People
By Allison KuzniaA shortened version of the laughable comedy by Oscar Wilde tells the story of two bachelors who create alter egos named Ernest to escape their tiresome lives. The pair attempt to win the hearts of two ladies who, conveniently, claim to only love men called Ernest.
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The Crafty One - Comedy In One Act
By Henry P. GravelleMillie discovers Aunt Cassandra, who suffers from dementia, is also a witch who has placed a hex on her live-in boyfriend Edgar. Unfortunately, Cassandra cannot remember how to reverse it. Millie agrees to help and learns how to place a hex of her own creating unwanted results.
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The Keeper of Pigeons - A Farce in One-Act
By Henry P. GravelleLovett, a lowly court Page discovers his friend and another lowly Page in the arms of Castle Brahm's Lord Frigg's daughter, Lady Portia he is offered the newly created position of Keeper of Pigeons for his silence. Unexpectedly, the King's rude son, Prince Gilbert, arrives demanding Lady Portia's hand in marriage. The Keeper of Pigeons acts swiftly sending messages to the King by his Pigeons informing him of the Prince's demands. The angry King then commands the Prince to leave Castle Brahm. Lovett is promoted to Squire and Horace's request for Lady Portia's hand is granted by a grateful Lord Frigg.
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Holiday Lockdown - A Comedy in One Act
By Thomas D. NelsonIt’s Christmas Eve, and Todd is working another long shift with his hard-nosed boss, Mr. Roberts. A special delivery arrives, bringing with it an array of unique customers and the threat of a dangerous Canadian art thief. Once everyone is locked down in the tiny bookstore, Todd and Trixie must work together to protect not only an extremely valuable artifact, but each other.
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Current Events
By J.R. MimbsOn September eleventh, 2001, five teachers are making copies and drinking coffee in a break room. In a heartbeat, their world changes. Now they must figure out how to continue to teach while the entire nation grieves, using their own experiences of previous events in history to help their students make sense of it all. Based on interviews with real teachers.
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Mentor Wonders
By Catherine LeeDuring a mentor orientation meeting in a South Texas bilingual public school, volunteers — including veteran and new mentors — hear from the Principal and staff coordinator about why volunteering is needed for “at risk” students. Meanwhile, experienced mentors daydream (in poetry with music) about their activities with mentees. These cross-cultural educational efforts help both adults and students learn about each other’s cultures, through often pleasurable, occasionally challenging, interactions. An AMBER Alert interrupts the meeting and causes consternation as staff and mentors realize the abducted child is one of their students.
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Camp Murder
By Tyler LeavittA group of parents and their children have just ventured into the wilderness on an exciding camping adventure. Each character is at different levels of preparedness and when the group gets stuck on the top of the mountain those differences start to show. The trip takes an even worse turn as several members end up dying. What at first could be blown off as a horrible accident quickly reveals that there is a murderer amongst them. With no help in sight the group must figure out who the murderer is, before it’s too late.
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Wingmen
By Julian Elcock3 young pilots attend a social event in the town near to their airfield towards the end of WW2. Their next flight will be their 13th mission and fears about fate, chance and inevitability weigh heavily, Mick is a chancer, reckless and devil may care, Eddie is immature, easily led and believes in fate while Tom is bookish, methodical and believes sticking to the rules will keep him alive. As the evening develops there is friction with the locals who have their own concerns surviving bombings and life.
View DetailsBenefits of High School Plays
High school plays provide the opportunity for educational enrichment. Many plays offer historical or cultural context that help students understand the world around them in new and meaningful ways. Consider selecting a play that offers opportunities for interdisciplinary learning, such as connecting a play about the civil rights movement to history or literature classes.
As always, consider the audience when selecting a high school play script. You’ll want to choose a play that will challenge and engage your students, while appealing to the interests and sensibilities of the community at large. Consider selecting a play that will attract a wide range of audiences and that can spark conversations and connections.
In the end, selecting the right high school play script is about finding a balance between educational value, artistic merit, and audience appeal. By considering the age and experience level of the students, the theme and genre of the play, and the educational and audience considerations, you can select a play that will inspire, challenge, and entertain everyone involved.
Still Looking for High School Plays?
Our play scripts cover a wide range of topics and themes, making them ideal for teaching lessons on literature and theater. Plus, they provide ample opportunity to practice verbal and physical acting skills while having an entertaining experience.
You can find an impressive selection of play scripts for high school here.
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Script Spotlight: The Keeper of Pigeons - A Farce in One Act by Henry P. Gravelle
"The Keeper of Pigeons" is a 40-minute farce about court page Lovett, who manages castle pigeons to cover up a secret romance. Full of humor, intrigue, and simple production needs, it's perfect for school drama groups. Written by Henry P. Gravelle, the play combines medieval adventure with Mel Brooks-style comedy.
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