Finding a Play
What to look for in a play.
- Strong Ensemble Work (large cast, at least 10-15), gender flexible.
- Multiple speaking parts, spread throughout the play (not just 5 leads, and a few other lines thrown in)
- Light comedies
- Safe subject matter
- Make sure that the comedies aren’t inside jokes, and that an entire audience would find it funny. Remember, our main audience is parents and families.
- REMINDERS:
Where to Look
The four at the top are the sites we usually use the most often. Start with them, they have the strongest plays for our classes.
Brooklyn Publishers: Good site for high school plays, ensemble, one acts, allows you to read a small sample of the play first. A lot of new publishers, playwrights.
Theatrefolk: Good site for high school plays, ensemble, one acts, allows you to read some of the play.
Dramatic Publishing: Good plays, a lot of the classics. Has some wonderful high school plays, but a little hard to navigate the site to find them.
Concord Theatrical: NOTE: Plays that used to be found under the Playscripts.com site can now be found on Concord. Currently, they do not have as many plays that allow you to read samples. However, they are working to update that.
These next websites contain main plays that aren’t really geared towards high school casts...but don't let that stop you! There are some wonderful plays in these as well!
Dramatists Play Service: Good site with broad range of plays (can be hard to navigate)
Eldridge Plays: Broad range of plays. Small to medium size casts mostly, some musicals, etc. Allows you to read small preview of play.
Pioneer Drama: Great for children's theatre!
Brooklyn Publishers: Good site for high school plays, ensemble, one acts, allows you to read a small sample of the play first. A lot of new publishers, playwrights.
Theatrefolk: Good site for high school plays, ensemble, one acts, allows you to read some of the play.
Dramatic Publishing: Good plays, a lot of the classics. Has some wonderful high school plays, but a little hard to navigate the site to find them.
Concord Theatrical: NOTE: Plays that used to be found under the Playscripts.com site can now be found on Concord. Currently, they do not have as many plays that allow you to read samples. However, they are working to update that.
These next websites contain main plays that aren’t really geared towards high school casts...but don't let that stop you! There are some wonderful plays in these as well!
Dramatists Play Service: Good site with broad range of plays (can be hard to navigate)
Eldridge Plays: Broad range of plays. Small to medium size casts mostly, some musicals, etc. Allows you to read small preview of play.
Pioneer Drama: Great for children's theatre!