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Upper-grade dramas by Plays Magazine offer a captivating collection of engaging narratives tailored for high school audiences. These plays combine compelling characters and thought-provoking themes to encourage young actors to explore complex emotions, social issues, and moral dilemmas. Richly layered and ideally suited for high school productions, these drama plays delve into topics ranging from friendship and family dynamics to historical events and contemporary challenges, making them an excellent choice for both performance and classroom discussion.


The diverse range of plays scripts for high school facilitates a deeper understanding of literature and encourages critical thinking. Each script is designed to spark conversations, foster empathy, and inspire creativity among students. These plays also provide a platform for high schoolers to hone their performance skills, allowing them to engage fully in the art of storytelling while nurturing teamwork and collaboration.


Whether performed in a school auditorium or an intimate classroom setting, these drama play scripts are crafted to resonate with today’s teens, inviting them to connect with their peers and the world around them. Experience the magic of theater with our selection, and let your students take center stage in powerful narratives that reflect their voices and experiences.


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HEART OF A STRANGER by Christina Hamlett HEART OF A STRANGER by Christina Hamlett

HEART OF A STRANGER by Christina Hamlett is a moving, contemporary drama that serves as one of the most poignant scripts for school plays designed for Upper Grades. Set during the December holidays in a bustling Boston coffee shop, the play centers on a young woman who is struggling to cope with the loss of her beloved sister. A seemingly chance meeting gives her a new, powerful outlook on the world and the meaning of giving. This production is a sensitive exploration of friendship and the profound subject of "the gift of life" (organ donation). Bring this heartwarming, vital discussion to your stage this holiday season. Order yours today!
  • A sensitive, heartwarming drama focused on profound contemporary issues.
  • Ideal for the December holidays, offering an alternative to traditional festive plays.
  • Large, flexible cast size (4 female, 5 male or female additional roles).
  • Concise 25-minute running time, perfect for competition or assembly performances.
  • Explores important themes of grief, friendship, and organ donation.
This play is an exceptional teaching tool, allowing high school actors to delve into complex emotional material and deliver a message that is both uplifting and critically important. The flexible casting is a huge benefit for directors working with large or unbalanced groups. The themes of hope and giving make this an unforgettable choice among serious scripts for school plays. Secure this impactful holiday drama from PLAYS Magazine today!

Why Your Group Will Love This High School Play Script

  • Emotionally Resonant Narrative: A sensitive drama focusing on modern issues like grief and hope.

  • Alternative Holiday Theme: Ideal for December performances that seek a deeper message beyond traditional festive plays.

  • Flexible Casting: Written for 4 females with 5 additional male or female roles to suit your specific group.

  • Competition Ready: A concise 25-minute running time makes it perfect for one-act competitions or school assemblies.

Educational Value: Provides an excellent platform for high school actors to explore complex emotional material.

Heart of a Stranger by Christina Hamlett is a moving, contemporary drama and one of the most poignant play scripts available for Upper Grades. Set during the bustling December holidays in a Boston coffee shop, the play centers on a young woman struggling to cope with the loss of her sister. A seemingly chance meeting provides her with a powerful new outlook on the world and the profound meaning of "the gift of life." This production offers a sensitive exploration of friendship and the vital subject of organ donation. Bring this heartwarming, essential discussion to your school’s stage this season. Order your copy today!
Upper Grades; 4 female, 5 male or female; contemporary; December holidays; 25 minutes.
A chance meeting in a Boston coffee shop gives a young woman mourning the loss of her beloved sister a new outlook on the world. A heartwarming, sensitive holiday drama about friendship and “the gift of life” (organ donation).
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THE WALLS HAVE EARS by Sam Reisman THE WALLS HAVE EARS by Sam Reisman

THE WALLS HAVE EARS by Sam Reisman is an award-winning, powerful drama that provides timely and essential scripts for school plays focused on contemporary student issues. Winner of the 2005 PLAYS/California Student Playwriting Contest (High School), this 10-minute piece addresses the immediate consequences of a high schooler's inappropriate joke at a school assembly. It culminates in a dramatic and vital heart-to-heart conversation with the guidance counselor, making it perfect for discussing social responsibility and mental health. Bring this crucial, contemporary discussion to your stage. Subscribe to PLAYS Magazine today!
  • Winner of the PLAYS/California Student Playwriting Contest (High School).
  • Focuses on relevant and sensitive social issues for high school audiences.
  • Minimalist production required, perfect for classroom reading or competition.
  • Short, 10-minute running time.
  • Royalty-free performance rights for all current subscribers.
For drama teachers and coaches seeking material that resonates deeply with high school students, this is an indispensable resource. THE WALLS HAVE EARS provides a safe, structured medium for students to explore complex emotions, responsibility, and the power of words, directly addressing the pressure points and anxieties of the modern school environment. This powerful script is designed not just for performance, but for sparking necessary conversation. Order your access to these vital scripts for school plays from PLAYS Magazine today!
Upper Grades; 2 male, 4 male or female offstage voices; 10 minutes.
Winner of 2005 PLAYS/California Student Playwriting Contest (High School) and coming in the wake of the Columbine shootings, this play focuses on a high schooler’s inappropriate joke at a school assembly and the ensuing dramatic heart-to-heart conversation with the guidance counselor.

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SOME WORDS WITH A MUMMY by Craig Sodaro SOME WORDS WITH A MUMMY by Craig Sodaro

Unwrap a hilarious mystery with Some Words With a Mummy by Craig Sodaro! This entertaining one-act play script for students brings to life Edgar Allan Poe's classic tale with a comedic twist. When a group of students and a quirky professor decide to revive an ancient mummy, they get more than they bargained for – a talking, opinionated mummy with a lot to say about modern life! An excellent choice among play scripts for children, this script is perfect for school plays looking for a blend of humor, mystery, and a touch of the macabre. Get ready for laughs and ancient wisdom! Order yours today!

Features

  • Humorous adaptation of a classic Edgar Allan Poe story

  • Engaging plot with comedic dialogue

  • Fun and memorable characters, including a talking mummy

  • Great for developing comedic timing and character acting

  • Ideal for middle school and junior high productions

Imagine the uproarious laughter as your students bring a centuries-old mummy back to life, only to find he has a very modern opinion on everything! This play offers a fantastic opportunity for young actors to explore the lighthearted side of mystery and the humor in unexpected situations. It’s more than just a script; it’s a chance to create a wildly entertaining performance that will have your audience talking long after the curtain closes. Spark curiosity and a love for quirky tales with this unique production. Order your script from Plays Magazine today!


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DEAR JOURNAL by Judy Culp DEAR JOURNAL by Judy Culp

DEAR JOURNAL by Judy Culp is more than just a performance piece—it’s an invaluable tool for upper grades looking for versatile scripts for school plays and drama workshops. This exciting collection of monologues, dialogues, and one-liners provides a unique, highly flexible foundation for teaching and performance. Designed to introduce the powerful act of "journaling" to a class or a whole school, this resource opens the door to creativity, self-expression, and student-led content creation. Unleash your students' dramatic potential and subscribe to PLAYS Magazine today!

  • Exciting collection of monologues, dialogues, and one-liners.

  • Highly flexible and adaptable for various presentation needs.

  • Perfect for use as a drama workshop piece introducing the concept of journaling.

  • Selections can be combined with new, original pieces written by students on timely issues.

  • Royalty-free for performances by current subscribers.

Bring fresh, student-driven drama to your classroom without the hassle of rigid structures. DEAR JOURNAL provides the foundation for powerful student-led performances, helping you meet curriculum goals while inspiring young actors to explore relevant issues. This adaptable format ensures you have a reliable, engaging, and powerful tool that empowers both teachers and students to create meaningful, memorable theater. Order your access to this incredible script for school plays from PLAYS Magazine today!
Upper grades; few to many actors; 10 minutes to 1 hour.
An exciting collection of monologues, dialogues, and one-liners that can be used as a flexible drama workshop piece, introducing “journaling” to a class or a whole school. Author Judy Culp writes, “This piece is highly adaptable: It may be used as is; users may pick certain selections for presentations; or certain selections maybe combined with new original pieces written by students on timely issues.”
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ROMEO ON THE INTERNET by Juliet Garver ROMEO ON THE INTERNET by Juliet Garver

Upper Grades; 3 male, 3 male, 1 male or female; 25 minutes.
Cindy's email "friend" turns out to be very different in person (no surprise there!). Is there any way this couple can sustain their virtual connection in real life? A great springboard for a discussion about sharing your thoughts and feelings with strangers; truthfulness; and the role of computers in our lives.

 
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BEYOND SANTA CLAUS by Virginia Miller McDonough BEYOND SANTA CLAUS by Virginia Miller McDonough

Explore the true meaning of inclusivity this season with Beyond Santa Claus by Virginia Miller McDonough. This poignant contemporary script asks a powerful question: What if you don’t celebrate Christmas? In just 10 minutes, this one-act play follows three characters as they navigate the complexities of the holiday season from a non-traditional perspective. As one of our most impactful play scripts for students, it serves as a brilliant springboard for classroom discussions regarding tolerance, empathy, and cultural diversity. Whether you are looking for plays for schools that challenge the status quo or a simple, script-based activity to foster belonging, this play offers a modern and respectful look at our multicultural world.

Features

  • Contemporary Relevance: Addresses modern themes of religious and cultural diversity.
  • Intimate Cast: 3 female speaking roles, making it easy to cast and rehearse.
  • Discussion Ready: Specifically designed to spark conversations about respecting all points of view.
  • Quick Runtime: A 10-minute duration that fits perfectly into a single class period or a multi-play assembly.

For educators, finding a holiday play that doesn't focus solely on traditional festivities can be a challenge. Beyond Santa Claus provides the perfect solution by centering the voices of those who often feel left out of the December narrative. It helps students understand the importance of accepting and celebrating differences, turning a simple performance into a lesson on global citizenship. By performing this piece, your students will learn that the greatest gift of the season is mutual respect and understanding for all religions and cultures.

Specs

  • Grade Level: Middle and Upper Grades
  • Cast Size: 3 (Female)
  • Run Time: 10 Minutes
  • Author: Virginia Miller McDonough
  • Category: Holiday / Social Issues / Contemporary
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SOJOURNER TRUTH by Joanna L. Evans SOJOURNER TRUTH by Joanna L. Evans

Upper Grades; 2 female; 1 male or female; 10 minutes.
The fight for suffrage and equality drives a wedge between a spirited young woman and her mother in a story about the work of Susan B. Anthony, Elizabeth Stanton, and Sojourner Truth.

 
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MACBETH Adapted from Shakespeare by Elizabeth Boiko Burdick MACBETH Adapted from Shakespeare by Elizabeth Boiko Burdick

How do you make one of Shakespeare's most powerful tragedies accessible to modern students? This brilliant 30-minute adaptation of Macbeth is the solution. It masterfully uses storytellers who speak in modern language to point the way, guiding students to a thorough understanding of Shakespeare's original words. This script makes the complex themes of ambition, fate, and guilt perfectly clear and engaging for a new generation. Download your script today!

Features

  • A unique "Storyteller" framework that uses modern English to explain and contextualize the original text.

  • An ideal 30-minute running time, perfect for classroom study, drama competitions, or assemblies.

  • Flexible casting options to accommodate various class or drama club sizes.

  • Preserves the core plot, key scenes, and poetic power of the original play.

Finding plays for high schoolers that are both classic and understandable can be a significant challenge. You want your students to experience the genius of Shakespeare, but you worry about them getting lost in the dense language. This adaptation solves that problem. It empowers your students to confidently perform and truly understand the "Scottish play," sparking a genuine appreciation for classic literature. Stop searching for the perfect play scripts and bring this accessible tragedy to your stage. Order your Macbeth script from Plays Magazine today!

Specs

  • Cast: 13+ actors (4 male, 4 female, 5 male or female)

  • Grade Level: Upper Grades (High School / Middle School)

  • Running Time: 30 minutes

  • Setting: Bare stage

  • Format: Royalty-Free Script

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THE GOBLINS AND THE GRAVEDIGGER by Craig Sodaro THE GOBLINS AND THE GRAVEDIGGER by Craig Sodaro

Bring a magical and heartwarming Christmas tale to your stage with this 30-minute play set in 19th-century England. The story follows three loving orphans who desperately need a home, but their only hope seems to be the meanest man in town. It takes a little holiday magic from a mischievous band of goblins to help connect these lonely souls in a truly touching Christmas story. This is one of our most popular plays for schools during the holiday season. Download your script today!
Features
  • A unique, heartwarming Christmas story with a touching message about found family.
  • Features a large, flexible cast with 17+ roles, perfect for a full class or drama club.
  • A convenient 30-minute runtime, making it an ideal choice for holiday assemblies, showcases, or competitions.
  • A charming 19th-century England setting with fun, magical characters (the goblins).

Finding holiday play scripts that are fresh, meaningful, and age-appropriate for both middle and upper grades can be a challenge. You need plays for students that capture the spirit of the season without being the same story everyone has seen. "The Goblins and the Gravedigger" is the perfect solution. It offers a unique story with a beautiful message of kindness and redemption, and its large cast ensures every student can participate in the magic. Create a memorable holiday performance this year. Order your script from Plays Magazine today!
Specs
  • Cast: 17+ actors (6 male, 8 female, 3 male or female)
  • Grade Level: Upper and Middle Grades
  • Running Time: 30 minutes
  • Setting: 19th-century England
  • Format: Royalty-Free Script
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THE COMEBACK CAPER by Anne Coulter Martens THE COMEBACK CAPER by Anne Coulter Martens

Bring the tension of a primetime television drama right to your stage! This fast-paced, 35-minute play script follows the tense courtroom trial of an over-the-hill star accused of stealing a priceless ruby. As the trial unfolds, the lines blur between real life and TV drama. Is the star guilty, or is this all part of a set-up for a dramatic comeback? This mystery is a guaranteed audience-pleaser. Download your script today!

Features
  • Features a large, flexible cast, perfect for accommodating a full classroom or drama club.
  • A gripping courtroom drama plot filled with suspense, mystery, and sharp dialogue.
  • A quick 35-minute runtime, making it ideal for one-act play festivals, competitions, or classroom study.
  • Engaging, distinct character roles, including the dramatic star, witty lawyers, and surprising witnesses.

Finding plays for high school that have enough roles for a large cast and keep students genuinely excited can be difficult. You need play scripts that are more than just words on a page—you need a story. "The Comeback Caper" solves that problem by offering plays for high schoolers a plot they can sink their teeth into, full of twists and a TV-worthy climax. Give your students a chance to shine in this thrilling courtroom caper. Order your script from Plays Magazine today!
Specs

  • Cast: 19+ actors (8 female, 7 male, 4 male or female)
  • Grade Level: Upper Grades (High School / Middle School)
  • Running Time: 35 minutes
  • Setting: A courtroom
  • Format: Royalty-Free Script

Finding plays for high school that have enough roles for a large cast and keep students genuinely excited can be difficult. You need play scripts that are more than just words on a page—you need a story. "The Comeback Caper" solves that problem by offering plays for high schoolers a plot they can sink their teeth into, full of twists and a TV-worthy climax. Give your students a chance to shine in this thrilling courtroom caper. Order your script from Plays Magazine today!
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