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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!

Rumours/Lies

Anonymous

by Allison Green Canadian Author

Anonymous is a story of every teenager: trying to fit in, trying to belong, trying to fall in love. It's hard to be an individual when you're trying to survive.

  • About 30 minutes
  • 1 M + 3 F + 15 Any Gender
  • Simple Set
  • Recommended for High Schools
  • 32 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

Breathless

by Wendy-Marie Martin

A beautiful character piece with three strong female leads.

  • About 35 minutes
  • 6 M + 6 F + 1 Any Gender
  • Simple set
  • Recommended for High Schools
  • 33 pages

Failure and Fortitude: The Female Edison

by Lindsay Price Canadian Author

Failure and fortitude are the touchstones for every inventor, but even more so for 19th century female inventors.

  • About 40 minutes
  • 1 F + 12 Any Gender, plus 3 groups (3/4/4)
  • Simple set
  • Recommended for High Schools & Middle Schools
  • 49 pages

The Female Edison

by Lindsay Price Canadian Author

Margaret E. Knight was a 19th century inventor with two big but forgotten stories.

  • About 70 minutes
  • 2 F + 22 Any Gender
  • Simple set
  • Recommended for High Schools & Middle Schools
  • 79 pages

Friend Request

by Bradley Hayward Canadian Author

Thanks to a series of ill-fated friend requests, a doctored photo of a student spreads like wildfire among a group of teenagers.

  • About 10 minutes
  • 3 M + 4 F
  • Simple Set
  • Recommended for High Schools

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

Have You Heard?

by Krista Boehnert Canadian Author

This monologue-based play explores what happens when rumours and secrets spin out of control. What makes a secret more powerful: when it's true or a lie?

  • About 45 minutes
  • 2 M + 3 F
  • Simple Set
  • Recommended for High Schools
  • 24 pages

Just Girls Talking

by Robert Wing

A drama for six women that will have your audience talking long after they leave the theatre.

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

Monster Problems

by Lindsay Price Canadian Author

The transition from middle school to high school can be filled with problems. Monster problems.

  • About 40 minutes
  • 9 M + 13 F + 2 Any Gender
  • Simple set
  • Recommended for High Schools & Middle Schools
  • 40 pages

One Hundred Lies

by Alan Haehnel

In this poignant comedy, Liz Nostrand presents her life as a competition: 100 significant lies told by and to Liz. But what about the lies she's told herself?

  • About 30 minutes
  • 5 M + 10 F, Doubling Possible
  • Simple Set
  • Recommended for High Schools
  • 27 pages

Passing Period Purgatory

by Christian Kiley

Sometimes the hardest part of school is getting from one class to the next.

  • About 25 minutes
  • 15 Any Gender + 1 Non-Binary
  • Simple set
  • Recommended for High Schools
  • 26 pages

The Redemption of Gertie Greene

by Taryn Temple

Is Gertie really what everyone calls her: a freak, strange, stupid, clumsy, and mean?

  • About 55 minutes
  • 4 M + 4 F + 8 Any Gender, Easily Expandable
  • Simple set
  • Recommended for Middle Schools
  • 37 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

She Wrote, Died, Then Wrote Some More

by Steven Stack

Tonight was going to be writer Alina Deveraux’s most important night, the unveiling of her memoirs. Until she ended up dead. Or not dead.

  • About 40 minutes
  • 1 M + 7 F + 2 Any Gender
  • Simple Set
  • Recommended for High Schools & Middle Schools
  • 43 pages

Sixteen in 10 Minutes or Less

by Bradley Hayward Canadian Author

The lives of seven teenagers become intertwined in this humorous and oftentimes bittersweet collection of ten minute plays. Multiple lengths available.

  • About 100 minutes
  • 4 M + 5 F + 3 Any Gender, Expandable to 13M+17F+3 Any Gender
  • Simple Set
  • Recommended for High Schools
  • 88 pages

Somewhere, Nowhere

by Lindsay Price Canadian Author

Senior students in a small town face a dilemma. Do they stay close to home, or do they run far away? A heartwarming and heartbreaking story.

  • About 105 minutes
  • 3 M + 13 F, Expandable to 5M+15F+7 Any Gender
  • Simple Set
  • Recommended for High Schools

Stereotype High

by Jeffrey Harr

High school is full of stereotypes – or is it?

  • About 105 minutes
  • 9 M + 9 F + 4 Any Gender, Plus onstage crew
  • Simple set
  • Recommended for High Schools
  • 107 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

Underneath

by Lindsay Price Canadian Author

Brittany wants to scream. Echo wants to shout. And Josie wants O-U-T, out.

  • About 25 minutes
  • 5 F
  • Simple Set
  • Recommended for High Schools

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