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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Founding Daughters
Length: 30-40 minutesCast Size: 9-25 actors possible (suggested casting: 5F, 4M)Genre: DramaSynopsis:
An episodic look at the heroic deeds of young women during the Revolutionary War that would be long forgotten if not for oral history. Had these women not been so brave and cunning, would the war have ended the same way? There is Sybil Ludington's overnight ride to gather the militia, Kate, an African Princess, forced into slavery, who saved her master from the British and more. Students and audie... -
My Brother's Gift (one-act version)
Length: 40-50 minutesCast Size: 5-15 actors (suggested casting: 5F, 3M, 2 any)Genre: DramaSynopsis:
Based on the remarkable true story of Heinz Geiringer -- neighbor and friend of Anne Frank -- we follow the story of a young artist and loving brother living in unconscionable circumstances. A trained musician at only 15 and now forced to live in hiding and silence, Heintz turns to painting and poetry to express his everyday terror but hope of the future. Through Heinz's inspired paintings, nostal... -
Little Women (one-act)
Length: 35-40 minutesCast Size: 9-10 actors (suggested casting: 6F, 4M)Genre: DramaSynopsis:
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... -
All I Really Need to Know I Learned From Being in a Bad Christmas Play
Length: 30-35 minutesCast Size: 10-25 actors (suggested casting: 2F, 1M, 12 any)Genre: ComedySynopsis:
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... -
Dear Anne, From Nina (one-act version)
Length: 40-45 minutesCast Size: 7 actors (5F, 2m)Genre: DramaSynopsis:
In February 1940, a young girl in Iowa pulled the name of a pen pal out of a hat. That name was Anne Frank. There was a brief correspondence before the Nazis invaded The Netherlands. The play is a coming-of-age reflection of that time from 1940-1942. While Nina and Jeannie strive to be “citizens of the world” in their tiny town of Danville, Anne and Margot try to live their lives in a world th... -
The Chips are Down
Length: 35-40 minutesCast Size: 10-30 actors (suggested casting: 8F, 3M, 5 any)Genre: DramaSynopsis:
In 1951, the Red Scare is in full swing, and it migrates to a private girls’ school in New Hampshire when one teacher is suspected of being a Communist. Charged by the administration to find out the truth, Rachel, the daughter of the cafeteria manager, must challenge her own beliefs to figure out the meaning of justice. -
The Surviving Christmas App
Length: 30-35 minutesCast Size: 10-20 actors (suggested casting: 4F, 1M, 5 any)Genre: ComedySynopsis:
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!
Length: 30-35 minutesCast Size: 15-48 actors (suggested casting: 3F, 3M, 14 any)Genre: ComedySynopsis:
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)
Length: 30-35 minutesCast Size: 12-40 actors (suggested casting: 11F, 9M)Genre: DramaSynopsis:
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
Length: 25-30 minutesCast Size: 8-20+ actors (suggested casting: 6F, 4 any)Genre: ComedySynopsis:
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?...