• A fun, old-fashioned melodrama designed for high audience engagement.
• Excellent script for teaching exaggerated character and comedic acting styles.
• Clear, balanced casting with 4 male and 4 female roles.
• Short 30-minute runtime is perfect for class periods or drama competitions.
• Ideal for Middle Grade students (Upper Grades could also enjoy).

Step back in time with The Shop Girl’s Revenge by Robert Downing, a delightful turn-of-the-century melodrama that is a fantastic find for those seeking both middle school play scripts and high school play scripts. This play features all the classic tropes of the genre: a virtuous maiden-in-distress, a mustache-twirling villain, and a daring hero in disguise. The plot centers on a pile of missing money and the mystery of a long-lost daughter, culminating in a satisfying finale where the villain is inevitably foiled. It’s a high-energy piece that allows students to explore over-the-top acting styles and historic theatrical traditions. Order yours today!

• Classic Melodrama Style: Perfect for teaching students about 19th-century theatrical conventions and stock characters.

• Comedic High Stakes: Features dramatic "curses, foiled again!" moments that are a hit with performers and audiences alike.

• Engaging Period Setting: Set in the 1890s, offering great opportunities for creative costume and set design.

• Flexible Casting: With a cast of 7 (4 female, 3 male), it is manageable for small drama clubs or classroom workshops.

• Performance Length: A brisk 25-minute runtime makes it an ideal choice for one-act festivals or school showcases.

Finding high school play scripts and middle school play scripts that are both funny and educational can be a challenge, but The Shop Girl’s Revenge fits the bill perfectly. It gives young actors the license to be big, bold, and expressive, making it an excellent tool for building stage confidence and physical comedy skills. Whether you’re looking to anchor a school assembly or provide a fun challenge for your drama students, this script delivers timeless entertainment. Secure your production rights with Plays Magazine today!

Upper and Middle grades; 4 female; 3 female; 1890s; 25 minutes.

Middle and Lower Grades; 3 male, 2 female, 1 male or female adult or gifted reader for Narrator; 20+ male and female. 1880s; 15 minutes. Sure-to-please large-cast melodrama with the usual dashing hero, moustache-twirling villain, and sweet heroine named Sue. . .but this one also has plenty of audience participation, songs and choreography.

Middle Grades; 5 male, 3 female, and 1 male or female; 15 minutes. Police follow a trail of gum wrappers to try to figure out the "whodunit" of a "sticky" crime!

Middle Grades; 11 female, 6 male, 8 male or female; 40 minutes. Spunky 1830s English girl flees her demanding guardian by impersonating a boy so she can find work on a ship bound for New York — and an uncertain future in a new country.

Middle Grades, 5 male, 6 female, 6+ male or female; 30 minutes. A fun melodrama featuring the poor but honest Daisy Cornball, the villainous Count Von Cliché, and the rich society lady Mrs. Smythe-Dashington, in search of wealth and fame on the stage. Be still, my thumping heart!

Upper Grades; 4 male, 1 female, 2 male or female; 25 minutes. In this tale of terror, a double-dealing relative will do anything to protect his interest in the family fortune.

Upper & Middle Grades; 7 female, 2 male; 30 minutes. Unexpected inheritance makes a young couple's dream of owning their own theatre come true. . . but ghostly occurrences may thwart their plans for a successful start.

Bring the spirit of the Old West to your stage with Rowdy Kate, a lively and humorous adaptation of Shakespeare’s The Taming of the Shrew. Perfect for middle school performers, this play script replaces Italian villas with dusty ranch lands, turning a classic battle of wits into a charming Western romp. Whether you are looking for a classroom read-aloud or a full-stage production, this script offers accessible dialogue and plenty of character-building opportunities for your students. Order your copy today!

Features

• Classic Adaptation: A creative Western twist on Shakespeare’s famous comedy.

• Flexible Casting: Designed specifically for student ensembles with varied roles.

• Royalty-Free: Included in your subscription or purchase for easy school performances.

• Educational Value: An excellent bridge for introducing middle schoolers to classical themes through a familiar, fun setting.

Finding quality play scripts for middle school that actually resonate with teenagers can be a challenge. Rowdy Kate solves the "boredom" factor by trading dense Elizabethan prose for high-energy Western charm, allowing play scripts for students to feel relevant and exciting. Your students will love the feisty characters and comedic timing, while you'll appreciate how the script builds their confidence and public speaking skills. Give your drama program the creative spark it deserves and watch your students shine on stage. Order yours from Plays Magazine today!

Specs

• Author: Claire Boiko

• Grade Level: Middle School (Upper Elementary/Junior High)

• Genre: Western Comedy / Classic Adaptation

• Cast Size: Large cast (15+ roles, flexible for smaller groups)

• Performance Time: Approximately 25-30 minutes

Upper & Middle Grades, 3 female, 3 male, 1 male or female; 30 minutes. A fun melodrama, featuring a dastardly villain, a daughter and her mother in total distress, a kind hero, and a promising gold mine. Curses, foiled again!

Upper and Middle Grades; 5 male, 2 female; 20 minutes.
Message to the bride-to-be from her groom's kidnappers: "When we get the money, you get your honey!"