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Issue-Based Plays

Issue-Based Plays

Step into the world of issue-based plays, where relevant and relatable themes take centre stage.

From everyday challenges to pressing societal issues, these stories spark conversations, ignite empathy, and invite your audience to ponder the world we live in.

Get ready for thought-provoking drama that goes beyond the stage!

Empathy

Ariadne's Thread, The Adventures of Theseus and the Minotaur

by Judith White

Theseus is a young man on an adventure. As he makes his way to Athens to meet his father he must fight bandits, carnivorous pigs, and travel the underworld.

  • About 30 minutes
  • 4 M + 5 F + 9 Any Gender, Plus Chorus
  • Simple set
  • Recommended for High Schools & Middle Schools
  • 30 pages

Boat

by Lindsay Price Canadian Author

In this one-act middle school vignette play, characters come face-to-face with the fact that there are other people in their boat. Some are different. Some only seem different.

  • About 35 minutes
  • 4 M + 7 F + 3 Any Gender, Expandable to 32
  • Simple set
  • Recommended for Middle Schools
  • 35 pages

The Bright Blue Mailbox Suicide Note

by Lindsay Price Canadian Author

Jake finds a suicide note in his mailbox. Is it real? Is it a joke? Jake is determined to find out but instead learns a secret he didn't want to know.

  • About 45 minutes
  • 4 M + 5 F + 2 Any Gender
  • Simple Set
  • Recommended for High Schools
  • 34 pages

The Butterfly Queen

by Christian Kiley

A touching ensemble piece where sacrifice is as simple as a pair of wings.

  • About 25 minutes
  • 3 M + 4 F + 12 Any Gender
  • Simple set
  • Recommended for High Schools
  • 19 pages

Chicken. Road. Competition Version

by Lindsay Price Canadian Author

A competition-length version of Chicken. Road. by Lindsay Price

  • About 35 minutes
  • 15 Any Gender
  • Simple set
  • Recommended for High Schools
  • 25 pages

Commence

by Christian Kiley

A group of students want to regain normalcy and recoup what they’ve lost as seniors: prom, school play, graduation. But nothing is normal.

  • About 15 minutes
  • 1 M + 1 F + 9 Any Gender
  • Online Performance
  • Recommended for High Schools

Discovering Rogue

by Christian Kiley

Rogue lives in a cardboard box but she doesn’t mind. Others want Rogue to leave but she isn’t budging. It's a showdown of stereotypes and self-identity.

  • About 30 minutes
  • 2 M + 4 F + 6 Any Gender
  • Simple Set
  • Recommended for High Schools
  • 29 pages

Flaky Lips

by Lindsay Price Canadian Author

Two girls live in two communities that have been separated by a wall for a hundred years.

  • About 45 minutes
  • 2 F
  • Simple Set
  • Recommended for High Schools
  • 30 pages

flawless leArnIngs

by Kirk Shimano Canadian Author

In a data-driven future, an AI teacher's chilling efficiency sparks a fight for authenticity and self-expression.

  • About 25 minutes
  • 6 Any Gender, plus optional additional students
  • Simple set
  • Recommended for High Schools
  • 20 pages

The Gift

by Lindsay Price Canadian Author inspired by O. Henry

A teen transforms from shallow and selfish to giving and selfless. How did it happen? A wonderful holiday play inspired by The Gift of the Magi.

  • About 90 minutes
  • 4 M + 13 F + 5 Any Gender
  • Simple set
  • Recommended for High Schools
  • 96 pages

The Gorgon Sisters

by Laramie Dean

Can Stheno bring her sister Medusa back to life?

  • About 50 minutes
  • 8 M + 10 F + 1 Any Gender, plus Harpies and Creatures, doubling possible
  • Simple set
  • Recommended for High Schools & Middle Schools
  • 43 pages

Humbug High: A Contemporary Christmas Carol

adapted by Lindsay Price Canadian Author from Charles Dickens

A modern take on the classic Dickens tale. Eddie Scrooge is a 17-year-old Bah Humbug of a guy. Till one Christmas Eve when three ghosts change his life.

  • About 70 minutes
  • 6 M + 13 F, Expandable to 11M 20F
  • Simple Set
  • Recommended for High Schools
  • 63 pages

A Kidnapped Santa Claus

adapted by Mrs. Evelyn Merritt Canadian Author from L. Frank Baum

Plots and schemes are being hatched to kidnap Santa! That means no toys for good little girls and boys. Adapted from the story by L. Frank Baum.

  • About 45 minutes
  • 3 M + 5 F + 5 Any Gender, plus Ensemble
  • Simple Set
  • Recommended for High Schools, Middle Schools, and Elementary Schools
  • 44 pages

Moonbow Miraculous

by Kirk Shimano Canadian Author

If someone has a secret they’ve been clutching to their heart, the moonbow’s glow will give them the courage to share their true selves

  • About 40 minutes
  • 14 Any Gender
  • Simple set
  • Recommended for High Schools & Middle Schools
  • 33 pages

Moonbow Miraculous: Competition-Length Version

by Kirk Shimano Canadian Author

If someone has a secret they’ve been clutching to their heart, the moonbow’s glow will give them the courage to share their true selves

  • About 20 minutes
  • 8 Any Gender
  • Simple set
  • Recommended for High Schools & Middle Schools
  • 21 pages

Not Going Anywhere

by Emma Fonseca Halverson

A Mexican family struggles to get by while ICE attempts to tear them apart.

  • About 30 minutes
  • 2 M + 3 F
  • Simple set
  • Recommended for High Schools
  • 25 pages

Patience Chose A Party

by Lindsay Price Canadian Author

A sharp, comedic glimpse into the chaos of high school life, where every choice feels like the end of the world—but might just be the start of self-discovery.

  • About 35 minutes
  • 5 M + 6 F + 10 Any Gender
  • Simple set
  • Recommended for High Schools & Middle Schools
  • 31 pages

The Redemption of Gertie Greene: Competition Version

by Taryn Temple

A competition-length adaptation of The Redemption of Gertie Greene by Taryn Temple

  • About 30 minutes
  • 4 M + 4 F + 8 Any Gender, Easily Expandable
  • Simple set
  • Recommended for Middle Schools
  • 23 pages

Same Room, Different Story

by Claire Broome Canadian Author

This powerful vignette play uses one set to explore the vast range of teen experiences that can unfold within the same four walls.

  • About 70 minutes
  • 7 M + 7 F + 15 Any Gender
  • Simple set
  • Recommended for High Schools
  • 67 pages

Same Room, Different Story - One Act Version

by Claire Broome Canadian Author

This powerful vignette play uses one set to explore the vast range of teen experiences that can unfold within the same four walls.

  • About 35 minutes
  • 7 M + 7 F + 5 Any Gender
  • Simple set
  • Recommended for High Schools
  • 36 pages

The Snow Queen

adapted by Mrs. Evelyn Merritt Canadian Author from Hans Christian Andersen

A theatrical adaptation of The Snow Queen by Hans Christian Andersen.

  • About 35 minutes
  • 8 M + 20 F + 31 Any Gender, Doubling Possible
  • Simple set
  • Recommended for High Schools & Middle Schools

Split

by Bradley Hayward Canadian Author

Children of divorce are united through humor in this honest and theatrical look at the day to day reality of growing up in a family that's been torn apart.

  • About 35 minutes
  • 2 M + 3 F + 4 Any Gender, Easily Expandable to 28
  • Simple Set
  • Recommended for High Schools & Middle Schools
  • 35 pages

Teen Plays for Inclusive Classrooms

by Dara Murphy Canadian Author

Two royalty-free plays for your inclusive classroom

  • Simple set
  • Recommended for High Schools & Middle Schools

Tough City, Prone to Rain

by Alan Haehnel

A noir play featuring the ace detectives from the Broadly Speaking Detective Agency.

  • About 35 minutes
  • 10 M + 5 F + 10 Any Gender
  • Simple set
  • Recommended for High Schools & Middle Schools
  • 29 pages

who are we, who we are

by Forrest Musselman

Addresses anxiety and depression in teens.

  • About 30 minutes
  • 3 M + 14 F
  • Simple set
  • Recommended for High Schools

With Liberty and Justice For All

by Jeyna Lynn Gonzales

Voices from a BLM protest.

  • About 30 minutes
  • 1 M + 3 F + 3 Any Gender + 1 Trans Man
  • Simple set
  • Recommended for High Schools
  • 20 pages

The Wonderful Wizard of Oz

adapted by Laramie Dean from L. Frank Baum

There is no place like home.

  • About 95 minutes
  • 5 M + 8 F + 5 Any Gender, Easily Expandable
  • Simple set
  • Recommended for High Schools & Middle Schools
  • 85 pages