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Explore our "Relationships/Friendships" category, featuring dynamic plays for high schoolers that delve into the complexities of interpersonal connections. These carefully curated scripts offer students the opportunity to explore themes of friendship, loyalty, and the challenges of growing up. Engaging with these narratives not only cultivates empathy and understanding but also enhances performance arts skills such as character development and emotional expression.


Each play is designed to provoke thoughtful discussions and self-reflection, making them invaluable in both classroom and theater settings. By tackling relatable experiences, these scripts inspire young actors to bring authenticity to their performances, enriching their theatrical journey. Foster a sense of community and collaboration as students work together to portray various perspectives on relationships. Enrich your school’s drama program with these engaging plays that celebrate the power of connection and the beauty of friendship.


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

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

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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DEAR JOURNAL by Judy Culp DEAR JOURNAL by Judy Culp

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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AMAZING GRACE by Christina Hamlett AMAZING GRACE by Christina Hamlett

Upper Grades; 3 female; 1 male; 20 minutes. A quirky, fun romance: Karen's grandmother was always trying to fix her up with a nice young guy, and it seems as if Grandma Gracie's still at it—even at her own funeral!

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

Upper and Middle Grades; 3 female; 10 minutes; contemporary.
What if you don't celebrate Christmas? This thoughtful play provides a great springboard for classroom discussion about tolerance, accepting and celebrating differences, and respecting all religions, cultures, and points of view.

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GENUS DE MILO by Christina Hamlett GENUS DE MILO by Christina Hamlett

Upper Grades; 2 male, 2 female; contemporary Gothic; 25 minutes. Blood relatives join young couple and future mother-in-law for a late-night bite.

 
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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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MRS. JAYE by Eric Alter MRS. JAYE by Eric Alter

Upper Grades; 1 male and 1 female; 25 minutes. The poignant story of a man’s visit to his favorite teacher in the twilight of her life, set in a nursing home with flashbacks to the incredible impact she had on his life.

 
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CYRANO DE BERGERAC Adapted by Joellen Bland CYRANO DE BERGERAC Adapted by Joellen Bland

Upper Grades; for round-table reading; 9 male and 1 female; 30 minutes. Edmond Rostand’s moving tale of appearance, intellect, and unrequited love set in 17th century Paris. Who could forget the lovely Roxane?

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