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One-Act Dramas

From intimate dramas for competition to large cast historical plays, Stage Partners has an award-winning collection of exciting dramatic play scripts for high schools, middle schools, and theatres from some of the most popular playwrights working today.

Browse our selection below and READ EVERY PLAY SCRIPT FOR FREE!

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  • Silenced on Barbour Street - Stage Partners

    Silenced on Barbour Street

    Written By: William Prenetta
    Length: 40-50 minutes
    Cast Size: 21-35 actors (suggested casting: 15F, 7M, 5 any)
    Genre: Drama
    Synopsis:
    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...
  • Brian the Comet - Stage Partners

    Brian the Comet

    Written By: Emily Hageman
    Length: 30-35 minutes
    Cast Size: 8-20+ actors (suggested casting: 2F, 2M, 4+ expandable ensemble, any gender)
    Genre: Drama
    Synopsis:
    Jude's mom is an astronaut, 254 miles away on the International Space Station, so when her father is diagnosed with lung cancer, Jude is the only one who can take care of him. In the hospital, she meets a boy named Brian who suffers from aneurysms and together, they learn about what they fear, what they know, what they believe, and what they hope for.
  • Dracula (one-act)

    Dracula (one-act)

    Adapted by Jon Jory & Michael Bigelow Dixon from the novel by Bram Stoker
    Length: 30-35 minutes
    Cast Size: 11 actors (suggested casting 7F, 3M, 1 any)
    Genre: Drama
    Synopsis:
    A swift one-act adaptation of Bram Stoker's classic horror novel that is easily staged for the most-effective frights. Eva Van Helsing, the vampire hunter, has decided to confront and kill Dracula before he bites again. Lucy is already wandering the asylum as an undead, and it isn’t long before more victims fall prey. Mina is willing to be human bait to lure Dracula out of hiding, but will Van H...
  • Little Women (one-act) - Stage Partners

    Little Women (one-act)

    Adapted by Jon Jory from the novel by Louisa May Alcott
    Length: 35-40 minutes
    Cast Size: 9-10 actors (suggested casting: 6F, 4M)
    Genre: Drama
    Synopsis:
    Jon Jory brings his theatrical magic to this spirited one-act adaptation of Louisa May Alcott's classic coming-of-age drama. The American Civil War is underway, and four sisters -- Meg, Jo, Beth, and Amy -- must hold the family together as Christmas draws near. A timeless and sentimental testament to the endurance of family, the power of love, and what it means to stay true to oneself. Perfect for...
  • Wild Waves Whist - Stage Partners

    Wild Waves Whist

    Written By: Patty MacMullen
    Length: 35-40 minutes
    Cast Size: 10 actors (8F, 2M)
    Genre: Drama
    Synopsis:
    A young teacher hoping to be hired as a coach at a private boys' school is instead assigned as literature and theatre teacher at its sister school - a private school for girls. There he is charged with the task of directing Shakespeare's The Tempest with his motley crew of adolescent female scholars, a play that effectuates an inner storm for all involved with the production. Wild Waves Whist is a...
  • Shakespeare, Clearly: Romeo and Juliet, one-act version, adapted by Jon Jory - Stage Partners

    Shakespeare, Clearly: Romeo and Juliet (one-act)

    Written By: Jon Jory
    Length: 30-35 minutes
    Cast Size: 8-30 actors (suggested casting: 4F, 4M, 10 any)
    Genre: Drama
    Synopsis:
    In Shakespeare's most well-known tragedy, two young star-crossed lovers’ deaths ultimately reconcile their feuding families. This straightforward adaptation mixing contemporary and classical language emphasizes story and character rather than the poetry. Master director and acclaimed playwright Jon Jory has reimagined the classic tale to serve as an early introduction for younger audiences and a...
  • Ten(ish): Horror - You've Reached Justin by Christian St. Croix, 10-minute horror play

    You've Reached Justin

    Written By: Christian St. Croix
    Length: 10 minutes
    Cast Size: 2 actors (2M)
    Genre: Drama
    Synopsis:
    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...
  • The Search for Delicious (one-act version) - Stage Partners

    The Search for Delicious (one-act version)

    Adapted by Mark Frattaroli from the novel by Natalie Babbitt
    Length: 45-55 minutes
    Cast Size: 10-22 actors (suggested casting: 3F, 5M, 8 any)
    Genre: Drama
    Synopsis:
    In this magical adaptation of Natalie Babbitt’s classic tale, a troupe of actors recreate a mythical medieval kingdom in the midst of a fierce disagreement over the most “delicious” food. To avoid a civil war, the kingdom sends 12-year-old Gaylen (and his loyal horse, Marrow) on a journey to settle the definition once and for all. On their quest, Gaylen and Marrow must face the evil Hemlock...
  • Edgar: A Ghost Story - Stage Partners

    Edgar: A Ghost Story

    Written By: John Haman
    Length: 35-40 minutes
    Cast Size: 6-20 actors (suggested casting: 4F, 2M,)
    Genre: Drama
    Synopsis:
    A first-year high school drama teacher arrives at school to find her auditorium haunted. Against this backdrop, a terminally ill girl falls in love for the first time with a troubled boy as she works against time to stage a tender, autobiographical play. A love-letter to high school theater, Edgar explores the realms of the living, dead, and dying with humor and grace. The play features virtually...
9 Items