Minimal Set Requirements
Great theatre does not require elaborate sets.
This collection of exciting plays for schools and theatres features plays that can be produced with little to no set.
Browse our selection below and read every play script for free!
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Queens (one-act)
Length: 40-45 minutesCast Size: 9-35 actors (suggested casting: 6F, 2M, 7 any)Genre: DramaSynopsis:
King Henry VIII is trapped in purgatory, bound to his throne by a sinister Fool and the ghostly Women in White. Here in his gilded cage, he is forced to relive the sins he committed against his queens, mistresses and people of the court, over and over again, for an eternity. (A full-length version of this play is also available.) UIL Approved -
In the Forests of the Night
Length: 25-30 minutesCast Size: 13 actors (suggested casting: 13 any)Genre: DramaSynopsis:
Thirteen students are compelled by their dreams to play a game in the woods to keep a mysterious monster at bay. Not everyone gets to play it again. (If you like The Giver consider In the Forests of the Night.) -
Queens
Length: 90 minutesCast Size: 10-35 actors (suggested casting: 7F, 2M, 7 any)Genre: DramaSynopsis:
King Henry VIII is trapped in purgatory, bound to his throne by a sinister Fool and the ghostly Women in White. Here in his gilded cage, he is forced to relive the sins he committed against his queens, mistresses and people of the court, over and over again, for an eternity. (A one-act version of this play is also available.) UIL Approved -
Night of the Macabre
Length: 90-100 minutes (but can be shortened - see description)Cast Size: 11-36 actors (suggested casting: 9M, 11F, 14 any gender)Genre: Comedy, DramaSynopsis:
A hunt for horror finds four friends at the Museum of the Macabre…a wax museum displaying scenes from short stories by great authors of Gothic Horror like Poe, Hawthorne, and Irving. But as unnerving as the exhibits - and the stories behind them - are…the real terror for the fearless four comes when the exhibits start to come to life! This easy-to-stage play celebrates great short stori... -
Elephant/Man
Length: 100 minutesCast Size: 8-30+ actors (suggested casting: 2F, 2M, 8 any)Genre: DramaSynopsis:
The story of Joseph Merrick (a.k.a. The Elephant Man) comes to life in this highly theatrical retelling featuring an ensemble of performers that share the role of Merrick. Whether on a bare stage or with an elaborate set, this adaptable play shines the spotlight on the vivid inner life of Joseph Merrick, and his relationship with the good Dr. Treves. This classic story of the ultimate outcast feel... -
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.) -
Spoon River
Length: 75-90 minutesCast Size: 8-50 actors (suggested casting: 17F, 23M)Genre: DramaSynopsis:
Former citizens of a mythical Midwestern town speak from the grave of the day-to-day hopes and dreams of their lives. Touching, anguished, and contemptuous, their voices and stories weave together in this fresh new take on a modern American classic. You won't forget what you've heard from these distinctively small-town folk as they evoke universal themes of hope, despair, and love. (A one-act ver... -
The Stowaway
Length: 35-40 minutesCast Size: 10-12 actors (suggested casting: 4F, 3M, 3 any)Genre: DramaSynopsis:
Far in the future, humanity has found peace but has been divided between Earth, the colonies on the Moon, and the Mars Federation. Person to person contact between the worlds is a thing of the distant past, with life existing in islands of division and distrust. But all of that changes when a mysterious girl arrives on Mars with a message of hope and a stark warning. Can humanity come together to... -
Peace and Quiet
Length: 10 minutesCast Size: 4 actors (suggested casting: 2F, 2M)Genre: DramaSynopsis:
A support group for individuals suffering from tinnitus takes an eerie turn when they discover the cause of the ringing in their ears might be more sinister than actual science. This play is part of the short play collection Ten(ish): Horror. -
The Jungle Book
Length: 35-40 minutesCast Size: 15-30 actors (suggested casting: 20 any)Genre: DramaSynopsis:
This thrilling and fun-filled adventure is brought to the stage by the theatrical master Jon Jory who has crafted an accessible, flexible, and easily-staged version for all ages! When a human child named Mowgli is taken and raised by a family of wolves, he must learn the ways of the jungle. Fortunately he has the wise panther Bagheera and friendly Baloo the bear by his side. But soon Mowgli finds...
