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One-Act Plays

Stage Partners is home to some of the best one-act play scripts for high schools, middle schools, and theatres. From large cast comedies to intimate dramas for competition, Stage Partners' exciting collection of short plays features some of the most popular playwrights in the world. 

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

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Items 1 - 10 of 11
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  • The Elf on a Shelf Must Die - a short Christmas play by Don Zolidis

    The Elf on a Shelf Must Die

    Written By: Don Zolidis
    Length: 30-35 minutes
    Cast Size: 12-20 actors (suggested casting: 17 any)
    Genre: Comedy
    Synopsis:
    When Sammy and Mook's parents present them with Pip, an Elf of a Shelf, they are less than happy. This little snitch is going to be reporting all their activities to Santa, so their hopes to get an Xbox look doomed. And that's before Sammy accidentally murders Pip. What follows is a Tarantinoesque Christmas caper as the two kids race against the clock to bring their elf back to life before Santa...
  • The Sisters Grimm - one-act comedy play script by Katie Pena-Van Zile

    The Sisters Grimm

    Written By: Katie Peña-Van Zile
    Length: 40-45 minutes
    Cast Size: 9-35 actors (suggested casting: 4F, 2M, 6 any)
    Genre: Comedy
    Synopsis:
    It’s 2020, and sisters Jo and Riley have just moved into Grandma and Grandpa’s spare bedroom. Dad is deployed overseas and Mom is suddenly working 24/7 as an E.R. nurse. Spring Break has been extended indefinitely, the end-of-the-year musical has been canceled, and Grandpa hasn’t turned off the news in days. Follow along as Jo tries to get her younger sister's mind off of the chaos around th...
  • Holiday Party

    Holiday Party

    Written By: A.M. Dittman
    Length: 30-35 minutes
    Cast Size: 3-15 actors (suggested cast size: 3F, 3M, 3 any)
    Genre: Comedy
    Synopsis:
    This play is coming soon. Contact Stage Partners to request a prepublication perusal script.   
  • Head Elf - Stage Partners

    Head Elf

    Written By: A.M. Dittman
    Length: 25-30 minutes
    Cast Size: 6-18 actors (suggested casting: 2F, 2M, 6 any)
    Genre: Comedy
    Synopsis:
    When Santa's head elf is unexpectedly fired, a desperate search is conducted for a replacement. From Rudolph's bodyguard to a Grinch to the Tooth Fairy, the interviews prove...difficult. Put this play on your Christmas list and you won't regret a single laugh-inducing second.
  • Little Red Reboot - Stage Partners

    Little Red Reboot

    Written By: Sonya Sobieski
    Length: 25-30 minutes
    Cast Size: 12-20+ actors (suggested casting: 5F, 8 any)
    Genre: Comedy
    Synopsis:
    An irreverent mash-up of the Little Red Riding Hood and Goldilocks tales, in which two rebellious females you think you already know break the rules of storytelling to show the importance of video games (and working together).
  • All I Really Need to Know I Learned From Being in a Bad Christmas Play - Stage Partners

    All I Really Need to Know I Learned From Being in a Bad Christmas Play

    Written By: Werner Trieschmann
    Length: 30-35 minutes
    Cast Size: 10-25 actors (suggested casting: 2F, 1M, 12 any)
    Genre: Comedy
    Synopsis:
    A lovable yet inept drama crew -- with a director wired on Frankenstein energy drinks -- attempts to tackle a traditional Christmas show but with more energy. A mash-up of A Christmas Carol and Death of a Salesman with cheerleaders might just work. The put-upon stage manager is trying to get into the spirit of the season by not yelling at the lazy actors, the Narrator is forced to dress as Santa C...
  • The Surviving Christmas App - Stage Partners

    The Surviving Christmas App

    Written By: Werner Trieschmann
    Length: 30-35 minutes
    Cast Size: 10-20 actors (suggested casting: 4F, 1M, 5 any)
    Genre: Comedy
    Synopsis:
    Sisters Sam and Shelly’s blissful Christmas of violent video games and selfies is interrupted when their sentimental mother wants the family to watch the legendarily awful Christmas dog movie Santa Woofs! That’s when a mysterious Surviving Christmas App is uploaded on Shelly’s phone. Then, even though there is a blizzard, mysterious people keep showing up at the house with unfinished school...
  • The Semi-Amazing, Sort-of-Sensational, Almost Unbelievable Christmas Spectacular! - Stage Partners

    The Semi-Amazing, Sort-of-Sensational, Almost Unbelievable Christmas Spectacular!

    Written By: Jon Jory
    Length: 30-35 minutes
    Cast Size: 15-48 actors (suggested casting: 3F, 3M, 14 any)
    Genre: Comedy
    Synopsis:
    What happens when a school tries to put on a Christmas Spectacular for the bargain price $11.50? You get a ton of elves, a spirit of Christmas, a visit from the little match girl, Jacob Marley and a partridge in a pear tree. It may be low on budget, but it's high on laughs as we watch the Christmas characters we know and love hilariously collide in this Christmas disaster for the ages.
  • A Christmas Carol - one-act version - Stage Partners

    A Christmas Carol (one-act version)

    Adapted by Jon Jory & Marcia Dixcy Jory from the novel by Charles Dickens
    Length: 30-35 minutes
    Cast Size: 12-40 actors (suggested casting: 11F, 9M)
    Genre: Drama
    Synopsis:
    A hit seasonal favorite at the Actors Theatre of Louisville, Jon Jory and Marcia Dixcy Jory's spirited adaptation of the classic Christmas tale will surely make for a lively holiday season. Charles Dickens himself narrates Ebenezer Scrooge's magical night’s journey as he visits his past, present, and future before discovering life's true gifts. A lean and theatrical adaptation with a large, flex...
  • I Hate Valentine's Day - Stage Partners

    I Hate Valentine's Day

    Written By: Sonya Sobieski
    Length: 25-30 minutes
    Cast Size: 8-20+ actors (suggested casting: 6F, 4 any)
    Genre: Comedy
    Synopsis:
    February 14th is approaching and it’s Nicole’s least favorite day of the year. After all, Valentine’s Day is a giant money-making scheme that makes people feel inferior and values who you’re with over who you are. Nicole’s friends are determined to find a solution to the candy grams, carnations, and imaginary boyfriends. Perhaps the answer to the madness can be found in…the rainforest?...
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