In a world of "two-handers" and "three-handers" where are all the "twenty-two-handers" and "just enough actors for everyone to have a part-ers"? Where are the plays with big casts for student actors?
Here at Stage Partners, of course!
Whether you're directing a school production, a summer show, or theater for young audiences, we know it can be hard finding new plays that fit your unique casting needs. That's why we invite our playwrights to think BIG: Big stories, big themes, and yes, BIG CASTS!
To get started here's a list of 8 plays for young actors, high schools, and middle schools that are guaranteed to get theater students excited— whether you have 14 or 40.
101 Breakups
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Comedy/Drama
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One-act (30–35 minutes)
- 10–50 actors
- Gender flexible casting
Looking for a play that's a little funny, a little sad, and too true? How about one where you'll feel all the feelings— but most importantly you'll feel hilariously moved.
Jason Pizzarello's best-selling dram-com is bound to break your heart (101 times). And with a flexible cast you can break as many hearts as your production requires.
Ready to read them and weep? Click on the crying robot or the link below— like all our plays you can read it FOR FREE!
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The Day the Internet Died
- Comedy
- One-act (30–35 minutes)
- 10–50 actors
- Gender flexible casting
On a sunny day in the town of Bloomington, the internet has gone down! And it will continue to be down! For a week! A whole week! Pandemonium! In a world that is so dependent on the internet for shopping, mailing, and posting pictures of cute babies, how will society function? Not well as it turns out.
With an ultra-flexible cast that can fit any size production, you don't need any tech in your theater space to tell this hilarious story about the technology that takes over our lives. Both one-act and full-length versions are available - at any length, your audience and ensemble alike are sure to have a blast.
_____ It's the best of times, it's the worst of times for the “biggest little zoo in New Jersey.” The good news is that it’s Public Appreciation Day, lots of entertainments are planned, and the zoo expects to receive its official accreditation... ... But the bad news is that the animals are escaping their cages and the rhinos, cheetahs, and penguins are chasing the acrobats, clowns, and food vendors. (Oops.) It's up to zoo CEO Prudence Matterhorn to set things right— for both animals and humans— but first she must experience a much-needed change of heart in this zany comedy with a large female cast. _____ Another school day begins, and our seemingly stalwart student heroes are torn between anxiety and apathy. Will Craig ever tell Amber he likes her? Will Marcy convince anyone to help with the school beautification project? Does any of it really matter? Yes! And no! Maybe? A goofy-yet-poignant look at the agonies and ecstasies of teen life, this 25–30 minute one-act comedy is flexible and fun. If you like 10 Best/Worst Things About Middle School by M.G. Davidson, you'll get a kick out of Morning Announcements. _____ One bright, blue fall afternoon a shooter walks in Three Roads High School and kills five students and two adults. During the shooting, students in one section of the school put up a makeshift barrier of desks, chairs, music stands— and a photo of the wall goes viral. In the hours, weeks and months after the wake of another tragedy, students and teachers deal with grief, the media frenzy and uncomfortable scrutiny that comes along with this horrible violent event that’s become all too common in America. With both one-act and full-length versions— and a wide range of casting options— The After is a smart and empathetic drama for both young actors and high school audiences. _____ Sophie Scholl was a member of the White Rose Society in Nazi Germany which encouraged passive resistance against the totalitarian government. Antigone in Munich chronicles her coming of age and development from bystander to witness to activist. With both one-act and full-length versions available, this historical drama for student actors is inspired by Sophocles' Greek tragedy Antigone, which asks: “What do you do when the laws of man contradict the laws of God?”
_____ College-drop out Elle is lost and trying to find her place in the world until she meets a Greek Chorus completely devoted to each other and speaking in unison... And doing other things in unison. You know, like getting a job a Walmart in unison and going on a date— in unison. To join them, Elle has to give up everything and everyone she knows. It sounds crazy but maybe— just maybe!— this is exactly what she has been looking for... _____ A wild and rollicking ride through the history of arcade games, computer games, and newfangled apps! Join a crusty Gen-X-er longing for the good ol’ days and a plucky youngster who has downloaded the good old days on their phone in 12 seconds as they visit the emotional intensity of Pong, the groundbreaking nature of Ms. Pac-Man, the torturous love affairs of Mario, and the real estate development smash: Minecraft. If you loved The Brothers Grimm Spectaculathon, drop everything and read this play immediately. (Seriously, you can read it for free in your web browser right now.) _____ Chris Barlow is the author of the comedies iFeel and School of Sharks (A Shark Tank Parody), as well as other plays. As a designer he has worked on over 100 productions in and around New York City, at theaters ranging from The Roundabout to Second Stage to an installation in a Harlem apartment. Chris is also the Director of Social Media and Content Manager at Stage Partners. He'd love to hear what you think of the blog by tweeting @stage_partners on Twitter. Looking for even more plays for young actors?
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The Zoo Farce
By Jon Jory & Michael Bigelow Dixon
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BLOG BONUS: Get directing tips from Jon Jory in our Director's Corner series.
Morning Announcements
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BLOG BONUS: Playwright Sonya Sobieski interviews her middle schooler (or at least tries to) and talks about the inspiration behind Morning Announcements.
The After
By Werner Trieschmann
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Read the one-act version for free!
BLOG BONUS: Read our exclusive Q&A with playwright Werner Trieschmann.
Antigone in Munich
Read the full-length play for free!
Read the one-act version for free!
BLOG BONUS: Read our exclusive Q&A with playwright Claudia Haas.
I, Chorus
By Ian McWethy
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BLOG BONUS: A day in the writing life with Ian McWethy.
The Video Gamapalooza
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Read the one-act version for free!
Check out these pics from the show:
