Mystery/Suspense/Horror
From murder mysteries to gothic horror, Stage Partners has an exciting collection of suspenseful plays by some of the most exciting playwrights working today. From high schools and middle schools to community and professional theatres, Stage Partners has chilling new plays for every stage.
Browse our selection below and READ EVERY PLAY SCRIPT FOR FREE!
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This Murder Was Staged
Length: 100-120 minutesCast Size: 8-25 actorsGenre: ComedySynopsis:
It's opening night of a brand-new mystery play, but just as the killer is about to be revealed, the body of the play's director falls onstage instead. In that moment, the theater becomes an active crime scene, and everyone from cast to crew to even the audience becomes a suspect. But how is the intrepid detective supposed to find the killer when everyone and their mother (literally) has a motive t... -
Monster
Length: 35-40 minutesCast Size: 10-25 actors (suggested casting: 4F, 3M, 6 any)Genre: DramaSynopsis:
A reimagining of the lives of some of the greatest literary masters in history and the inspiration behind Mary Shelley's Frankenstein. Brought to you by veteran playwright Don Zolidis, experience a monster story like you never have before. -
Silenced on Barbour Street
Length: 40-50 minutesCast Size: 21-35 actors (suggested casting: 15F, 7M, 5 any)Genre: DramaSynopsis:
On July 6, 1944, a fire roared across the top of the 48-foot high tent during the matinee performance of the Ringling Brothers and Barnum and Bailey Circus, claiming the lives of 144 spectators. In this ensemble driven drama, 15 victims of this tragedy must face their guilt and deepest fears in order to escape from a sadistic ringmaster who has trapped them in a mysterious circus purgatory. Part h... -
Moriarty's Daughters (one-act version)
Length: 35-40 minutesCast Size: 11-30+ actors (suggested casting: 11F, 5+ any)Genre: Dramedy, DramaSynopsis:
In 1897 New York City, Lucy and Louise Bullard are trying their best to live a quiet life, untouched by the legacy of their father Adam Worth, an internationally infamous conman and art thief whose exploits inspired the character of Moriarty in the Sherlock Holmes stories. However, upon discovering that their father has a third daughter, kept in the care of their aunt, and that the aunt in questio... -
Moriarty's Daughters
Length: 65-70 minutesCast Size: 11-30+ actors (suggested casting: 11F, 5+ any)Genre: Dramedy, DramaSynopsis:
In 1897 New York City, Lucy and Louise Bullard are trying their best to live a quiet life, untouched by the legacy of their father Adam Worth, an internationally infamous conman and art thief whose exploits inspired the character of Moriarty in the Sherlock Holmes stories. However, upon discovering that their father has a third daughter, kept in the care of their aunt, and that the aunt in questio... -
You Cannot Undo This Action
Length: 100-120 minutesCast Size: 16-30+ actors (suggested casting: 7F, 5M, 10 any)Genre: DramaSynopsis:
The populations of two high schools are thrown into disarray after a careless social media post leads to real life tragedy. Some of the students are jolted into fear as they reckon with how deep and wide their vulnerabilities have become in our hyper-connected world, while others wrestle with their culpability in the incident. Meanwhile those most affected seek a path toward justice, but how far w... -
The Visitors
Length: 25-30 minutesCast Size: 7-14 actors (suggested casting: 7F, 4M, 3 any)Genre: DramaSynopsis:
KB is in a coma. How she got there, no one knows. As she lies unconscious on a hospital bed, family, friends, and other well-wishers reflect on KB and how she has affected their lives. But as KB's physical condition worsens and her visitors struggle with their grief, KB embarks on a mysterious journey that will change her forever. (If you like The Lottery consider The Visitors.) -
A Place to Rest Your Head
Length: 10 minutesCast Size: 4 actors (3M, 1F)Genre: DramaSynopsis:
The residents of a run-down flophouse are transients, haunted in more ways than one. But a deeper mystery unfolds: who are the ghosts, and who are the haunted? This play is part of the short play collection Ten(ish): Horror. -
You've Reached Justin
Length: 10 minutesCast Size: 2 actors (2M)Genre: DramaSynopsis:
Daniel only planned for a night out of clubbing with his best friend and crush, Justin. But before they can meet, monsters fall from the sky and begin attacking the city. When Justin won't answer his phone, Daniel starts out through the carnage and chaos to rescue him, leaving voicemails along the way. Part sci-fi/horror, part romance, You've Reached Justin will keep your heart pounding... -
Viewings
Length: 10 - 15 minutesCast Size: 5-6 actors (suggested casting: 6F)Genre: DramaSynopsis:
You never quite know what you're getting when you buy an old house. The past may still echo within its walls. For Deirdre, who is on the run from her own past, a new home means an escape, but it also comes with some unexpected inhabitants. This play is part of the short play collection Ten(ish): Horror.