High school students love to be challenged, and we understand that. That’s why we’ve put together this list of plays for high school that will delight your students. We are sure they will find something they love here.
Plays For High School: The Ultimate List
These plays are perfect for high schoolers. They are classic pieces that are still relevant today and can be performed by many public and private schools. They have been adapted for different audiences over time.
These plays may also be used as part of an English or history class curriculum where students read them aloud together before discussing them at home or during class discussion time.
1. A Midsummer Night’s Dream” By William Shakespeare
The best-seller, A Midsummer Night’s Dream by William Shakespeare is a comedy that tells the story of some young lovers, a group of amateur actors, and a mischievous group of fairies.
The play has many different characters with different personalities and settings in which they live their lives.
This diversity makes it so interesting to read or watch as an audience member because you get to see how each character reacts differently depending on their own experiences or circumstances.
2. Alice In Wonderland By Laura Eason
“Alice in Wonderland” is a fantasy play based on the book by Lewis Carroll.
It’s about a young girl who falls down a rabbit hole and finds herself in another world, where she meets many strange creatures, including the White Rabbit, who takes her on an adventure through his magical forest.
The story is also known for being a comedy about how Alice becomes bored with her life after meeting all these new people and places and then gets mixed up with some nonsense from Wonderland, which causes her to lose herself completely.
3. “All About Me” By Jerry Mayer
“All About Me” by Jerry Mayer is a comedy about a high school student who writes down his life from the point of view of his diary.
The story is set in the present day and focuses on a high schooler named Mark, who is trying to make a movie about his life.
As the audience members watch, we learn that Mark has many strange adventures throughout his teenage years, and he even gets into trouble with some very unusual people along the way.
This play was written in such an entertaining way that it keeps your attention throughout its 80 minutes of running time.
You may not want to miss out on this one because it has so many funny moments that will keep you entertained long after the curtain call.
4. “Antigone” By Sophocles
Antigone is a tragedy by the Greek playwright Sophocles, based on the myth of Antigone. It was first produced in 441 BC and has been translated into many languages.
The play is about morality, justice, and civil disobedience; it explores themes such as fate versus free will and obedience to authority versus personal beliefs and ethics.
Antigone’s father, Creon, has forbidden burial for his son Polynices after he dies in battle against Thebes.
Creon’s decree has stirred up resentment among the population, who believe that Polynices should have been allowed to be buried with his brother Eteocles since they were both sons of Oedipus.
In response to this decree, one of them would have had no right over another; thus, they refused any loyalty toward their leader or country.
They refused even though it meant being punished themselves. This makes an excellent setting for what we call “civil disobedience.”
5. “Once Upon A Mattress” By Jay Thompson, Marshall Barer, And Dean Fuller
This musical is a must-see for fans of the classic and best-seller “The Princess and the Pea.”
The book is based on Hans Christian Andersen’s famous fairy tale, where a princess sleeps on a mattress that only grows tighter when she dreams of having children.
It’s a hilarious play with catchy music and lyrics that will appeal to all ages.
The cast includes several talented actors, including Marshall Barer, who also wrote original songs for this production; Dean Fuller, who plays Prince Charming; and Adrianna DiLado, as well as many others who make up an ensemble cast.
6. “Babes In Arms” (Richard Rodgers And Lorenz Hart)
“Babes in Arms” is a musical with music and lyrics by Richard Rodgers, a book by Lorenz Hart and Herbert Fields, based on the play of the same name by Harry Segall.
It opened on Broadway on November 3, 1937, and ran for 587 performances during its initial run.
The original cast included
- Mary Martin as Millie Dillmount
- Robert Preston as Danny Densmore
- Ethel Merman as Mary Carr
- Howard Keel as Buddy Bailey
- Kathryn Grayson as Babe Carey etc.
This musical won the Tony Award for Best Musical Score and Drama Critics Circle Award for Best Musical Score.
7. “The Bald Soprano” By Eugene Ionesco
“The Bald Soprano” by Eugene Ionesco is a play about a family who is trying to find out what is wrong with their son.
The boy has stopped speaking, and his parents are worried, so they think it must be because he was bullied at school.
To try and get him back into the habit of speaking again, they try everything from buying him new clothes to asking him what he wants for lunch.
8. “The Belle Of Amherst” By Williams Powers
This play is based on the life of Emily Dickinson, who lived in Amherst, Massachusetts, and wrote many poems that are considered some of her best work.
The play is set during the Civil War era and follows a young woman named Emily (played by Megan Mullally) as she deals with a difficult situation.
Union soldiers have just killed her father while he was being held prisoner at Fort Warren near Boston Harbor during the conflict.
In order to help pay for his burial costs, Emily becomes an indentured servant for wealthy plantation owner John Brown (played by Stephen Lang).
As part of her job duties, she will have little contact with other members outside her household or interact with anyone else.
9. “Blithe Spirit” By Noel Coward
“Blithe Spirit” by Noel Coward is a play written in 1941 but not performed until 1945.
It’s about a novelist who is haunted by the ghost of his first wife and has to deal with her spirit daily, much to his dismay.
The story follows John Worthing (Colin Firth), an author who goes through several different stages in life.
He was young during World War I, had three children with his wife Olivia (Meryl Streep), then divorced her after she left him.
He then married his second wife, Mabelle (Judi Dench), and had three more children with her before leaving her for Jacqueline de Bellefort.
10. “Bye Bye Birdie” By Michael Stewart, Lee Adams, And Charles Strouse
“Bye Bye Birdie” is a musical about a boy who gets drafted into the army, forcing him to leave his girlfriend behind.
The story is based on the 1962 film of the same name, and it won an Academy Award for Best Original Song Score.
In this version, Kim MacAfee has been dating Nick Charles since high school, but she’s not ready for him to go off to Vietnam just yet.
So she waits by herself at home as he leaves on his plane ride to San Francisco with Rosie.
While working at Dead Poets Society, which won an Oscar, Robin Williams plays an American soldier named Charlie Babbitt who sings “Bye Bye Birdie.”
He’s from Yonkers, New York; there are other scenes set here as well, including one where Charlie visits his friend Wendell Piercey in Brooklyn Heights after getting discharged from Vietnam War duty abroad.
11. “Cabaret” (School Edition) By John Kander, Fred Ebb, Christopher Isherwood, And Joe Masteroff
“Cabaret” is the definitive musical about the rise of Hitler and the Nazis.
It tells the story of German cabaret singer Sally Bowles and her life as she tries to maintain a normal existence while also struggling with her attraction to an older man who wants nothing more than to turn her into an Aryan superwoman.
The original play was written by John Kander, Fred Ebb, and Joe Masteroff (who also directed the film version).
It is set in Berlin in 1931, when Hitler was just starting his political career and the Nazis were persecuting Jews.
The plot involves several characters trying to stop Hitler’s rise in power, and not all succeed.
This makes it a perfect play for high school audiences because they’ll be able to understand how one person can change everything around them.
12. Our Town By Thornton Wilder
This play is about life and death, love and loss. It was set in a small town in New Hampshire in 1901 and followed several residents’ lives through their daily routines.
One man is working at a shoe factory; another runs a store selling fishing equipment; yet another runs away from home at age 13 because he thinks his mother is trying to poison him with apple pie, which she is not.
Everyone has an interesting story about themselves; you will want to pay attention. But even more important than that, you will want to understand why these people are so unique from each other.
You would also know why they have different ways of looking at things. This play shows how important it can be for us all just to be alive together here on Earth as one.
13. Romeo And Juliet By William Shakespeare
The famous Romeo and Juliet is a romantic tragedy written by William Shakespeare. The play is set in Verona, Italy, where it begins.
The play tells the story of two young lovers who are forbidden to be together by their families because they were born under two different stars.
One star represents Romeo’s house, which was ruled by Capulet, while the other represents Juliet’s family, who ruled Montague.
The two families fight over control of their territories while trying to hide their love from each other.
Eventually, they marry against their parent’s wishes, and they only discover that they cannot stay together due to both sets of parents being enemies.
14. Importance Of Being Earnest By Oscar Wilde
The Importance of Being Earnest by Oscar Wilde is a student play that teaches the concept of identity, its importance to society, and how it can be manipulated for personal gain.
It follows two men who pretend to be different people to escape their real-life responsibilities.
The play was first performed in 1895 and was written by Oscar Wilde.
The themes explored in this classic include sexuality, gender roles, class distinctions, and marriage.
15. Cyrano De Bergerac By Edmond Rostand
As you must know, Cyrano de Bergerac is a play about a man with a large nose who is in love with a beautiful woman.
He is also a poet, and his poetry is so good that he can woo her by writing poems for her. However, Cyrano doesn’t have the courage to express his feelings directly because he feels inadequate as an artist, so he hides behind his writing instead.
The play’s first scene begins when Cyrano comes home after seeing Roxane at the theater, where she had been watching him perform onstage.
He tells himself that only Roxane knows how much their relationship means to him.
16. She Kills Monsters By Qui Nguyen
This monster story is about a young girl named Alice who lives in the suburbs with her family.
In this world, she has to play a role-playing game called Hellhound and Her Friends in order to save her brother from being kidnapped by monsters.
The game is actually an allegory for Alice’s real life as well; she needs to defeat these monsters to survive.
17. The Miracle Worker By William Gibson
The Miracle Worker is a student play by William Gibson that was first performed in 1959 and has since been adapted into a movie starring Patty Duke.
The play is based on the story of Helen Keller and her teacher Anne Sullivan.
In this play, Gibson tells the tale of how Helen Keller (played by Patty Duke) became blind, deaf, and mute after being subjected to abuse from her adoptive family, who wanted to send her back to her parents.
However, Anne Sullivan (played by Sally Field) takes control of their lives when she successfully teaches them to sign language together at school for eight years before moving into an institution where Helen can be cared for properly.
18. Steel Magnolias By Robert Harling
Steel Magnolias is a play by Robert Harling that was first performed in 1989. It’s about a group of women who are friends and have been together for decades.
The play takes place in the south, where it was written and filmed, but it also has a universal theme: friendship and family.
Steel Magnolias has become incredibly popular over the years, it won an award at the Tony Awards in 1991, and it’s been made into two movies as well.
In fact, this production has been so popular that you can see it at your local high school theater program multiple times per year.
19. Little Women By Louisa May Alcott
The tale of the Little Women by Louisa May Alcott is a coming-of-age story about four sisters in the 19th century.
It’s a great play for girls to read or watch because it shows how important friendship can be and how one person can make all the difference in your life.
20. Macbeth By William Shakespeare
The play “Macbeth” is a renowned tragedy that tells the tale of a man named Macbeth who becomes king.
This play was written by William Shakespeare, who wrote Othello, Hamlet, Romeo, and Juliet.
The main characters in this play are King Duncan (who was murdered), his wife Queen Duncan, their son Malcolm (who became King Malcolm I), and Banquo’s sons Fleance and Donalbain.
Also present at various points throughout the story are various witches, including Mother Ross (a gypsy woman), Three Weird Sisters (who claim to be able to see into the future), Lady Macduff/Lady Duffin (wife of Lord Lennox), etc.
21. Much Ado About Nothing By William Shakespeare
The tale, Much Ado About Nothing, is a comedy in which Benedick and Beatrice fall in love despite the fact that they are both secretly in love with someone else.
In this play, the characters’ stories intersect as they try to figure out what exactly happened while apart.
The setting of Much Ado About Nothing takes place in Messina, Sicily (the island where Shakespeare lived).
The story begins when Don Pedro returns home after being away for five years fighting against the Turks overseas.
He brings with him news of his wife Leonato’s death: she has died giving birth to their daughter Hero.
Benedick has also returned from abroad after serving as a soldier under Don Pedro’s command.
Claudio has gone back home because he is no longer welcome there since his father died recently, and Don John comes back from France, where he was fighting against King Charles VI’s army during a war known as The Second Hundred Years War.
This war was between France and England based on their respective claims over land ownership rights throughout Europe during this period, which lasted 150 years until 1609 when peace treaties ended hostilities between both countries.
22. Yours, Anne By Frances Goodrich And Albert Hackett
This play is based on the true story of a young girl (Anne Frank) who hid from the Nazis in an attic for two years.
The play follows her through these events as she grows up and explores new ways to live her life.
It’s one of my favorite plays because it makes me think about how I would react in this situation and also because it’s so well written.
23. Twelfth Night By William Shakespeare
The tale of the Twelfth Night is a comedy by William Shakespeare. It was first published in 1601, shortly after his death. It is based on the Italian play Amleto by Lodovico Ariosto (discovered in 1515).
Twelfth Night takes place in Illyria and revolves around the love story between Viola and Malvolio, two characters who are both mistaken for each other.
The action begins on an island where Duke Orsino arrives to court his niece Olivia (Viola), who has been masquerading as Cesario since childhood under her dead brother’s name.
They fall in love and marry quickly before leaving for Italy, where they plan to live happily ever after together until Olivia finds out about her true identity. It turns out she isn’t Cesario, after all.
24. Antigone By Sophocles/Jean Anouilh/Sarah Ruhl Et. Al.
This play is about a woman who defies the king’s laws, which leads to a tragic ending for her and her brother.
The characters are all archetypal, but you’ll find yourself rooting for them as they struggle through their trials and tribulations to be heroes of Greek drama, perhaps even more.
The classical elements of this story are perfect for high schoolers because they speak directly to themes like loyalty, duty, and love without being boring or overly serious.
It’s also worth noting that many modern adaptations of this play are available online, including an award-winning musical adaptation performed at Theatre Under The Stars in Houston.
25. The Crucible By Arthur Miller
The tale of Crucible is a play by Arthur Miller, first performed in 1953. The play tells the story of a group of people accused of being witches in Salem, Massachusetts, during the 17th century.
The plays have been widely regarded as one of Miller’s greatest works and were adapted into an Academy Award-winning film directed by John Schlesinger in 1996.
The play begins with John Proctor, played by Richard Dreyfuss, arriving home from work one day after receiving word that his wife Elizabeth has been imprisoned for witchcraft charges against her by Reverend Samuel Parris (played by Tom Berenger).
His sons Abigail Williams (played by Winona Ryder) and John Andrew Jr., along with their friend Tituba (played by Miriam Margolyes), have all been arrested along with other girls and women around town who were allegedly involved in witchcraft activities.
However, no evidence exists proving their guilt beyond doubt so far as anyone knows yet.
26. The Glass Menagerie By Tennessee Williams
This play is set in the 1930s and centers on a family of five: Laura, her brother Tom, and their mother, Amanda.
The Glass Menagerie tells the story of how Laura tries to make sense of her existence as a young woman in St Louis during this time period.
The play focuses on Laura’s struggle to live a normal life after being outcasted by society for being mentally disabled.
She has been locked away from everyone else since she was born due to her mental illness, and it’s unclear if anyone will ever understand or accept her again.
27. Mary Shelley’s Frankenstein, Adapted By John Parker
The story of Frankenstein by Mary Shelley is a novel about a renowned scientist who creates a monster out of parts of dead bodies.
The story was first published in 1818, then adapted into an opera by John Parker in 1823.
The play is set during the French Revolution and follows the struggles of Victor Frankenstein, the protagonist, as he tries to create life from dead matter.
28. A Raisin In The Sun (Lorraine Hansberry)
A Raisin in the Sun is a tale about a black family living in Chicago.
The Youngers are divided over whether they should lease their house, which has been in the family for generations and is on the verge of being foreclosed.
Some members of the family want to sell; others do not. While their arguments play out, other issues affect black people more broadly.
Racism, poverty, and unemployment, all common themes throughout this era of American history, are at play too.
The story revolves around two families, one white (the Langlises), who own an apartment building where many African Americans live, and another black (the Youngers).
Both families struggle with their own issues while also facing those of society around them as a whole: dealing with discrimination from neighbors who believe all blacks should be put into one category or another.
It also deals with racism at work or home, trying desperately not only to survive but flourish under these circumstances
29. Richard II By William Shakespeare
Richard II by William Shakespeare is a play that explores the themes of power, wealth, and family.
It’s also one of Shakespeare’s most tragic plays, with the main character who dies after being deposed by his own son.
The plot follows the downfall of King Richard II (who has been in power since 1377) while he attempts to reclaim his throne from his cousin Henry Bolingbroke.
The play begins with Henry returning home after being banished from England for seven years due to rumors surrounding his mental health. He immediately takes over as king when he arrives.
Henry then tries to take control over everything, including court politics; however, this causes strife within their family because both Richard and Anne Neville (Henry’s wife) want their children back so they can succeed as monarchs instead.
30. The Tragical History Of Dr. Faustus By Christopher Marlowe
You may have heard of this play. It was written by Christopher Marlowe, who also wrote Tamburlaine the Great and The Jew of Malta.
The story follows the journey of Faustus, a desperate man who makes a pact with the devil in exchange for knowledge and power.
He becomes successful at his job but then falls from grace when he learns that what he has gained isn’t worth having.
31. Doubt, A Parable By John Patrick Shanley
Doubt is a 2005 play by John Patrick Shanley. It was produced and premiered in 2002, receiving rave reviews and winning numerous awards, including the Pulitzer Prize for Drama.
The play centers on a Catholic priest who is accused of sexually abusing one of his students; he goes on to defend himself in court against these charges.
The drama opens with an encounter between two men: one priest named Father Flynn (played by Philip Seymour Hoffman) and another man named Detective Carver (played by Bradley Cooper).
In this scene, we learn that Carver has been investigating allegations against priests within his city since childhood.
He has also recently found information about an alleged sexual abuse case involving Flynn and another boy named Anthony Cipriano.
The characters will interact throughout this production as they try to piece together what happened between them before Cipriano came forward with accusations against Flynn.
These accusations include when exactly things went wrong and why didn’t anyone else come forward sooner.
32. Medea By Euripides (Full-Length) Or Euripides (One-Act) Translated By Philip Vellacott
- Aeschylus’ Oresteia trilogy
- The Greek tragedy that inspired the play
In this epic, Clytemnestra murders her husband Agamemnon after he returns home from war. She then plots against her children, Iphigenia and Electra, by sending them to sacrifice at Aulis on their father’s orders.
The remaining daughter Cassandra reluctantly betrays Clytemnestra and tells Agamemnon’s friend Tiresias what happened to his children.
After learning of his wife’s actions, Agamemnon kills Clytemnestra in a rage before committing suicide himself; he falls on top of her body while they both lie dead together on the floor below him, which may also be symbolic.
Corinthian city-state located on Greece’s Peloponnese peninsula, ruled by King Aegisthus, who decides not only how much power would go into the hands of one family but also who should take over if anything happens with it – whether through murder or war.
This is where Medea lives with her daughters until she gets married off to Jason when she becomes queen within a couple of decades later.
33. All In The Timing By David Ives
The best seller All in the Timing is a collection of six one-act plays by David Ives. It was published by Samuel French in 2006 and included the following:
- Sure Thing, Words, Words, Words (one-act)
- The Universal Language (two acts)
- Philip Glass Buys a Loaf of Bread (one-act)
- English Made Simple (one-act).
34. Death Of A Salesman By Arthur Miller (Full-Length) Or Act One Only (One-Act)
A classic play about the American Dream, this play was written in 1949 and has since been adapted for television and film.
It’s one of the most popular plays ever written, with over 100 productions worldwide. The story follows salesman Willy Loman who is trying to sell his company’s life insurance policies.
At the same time, his son Biff works at another company offering similar products but with less success than he does.
There are two versions of this play; the full-length version lasts three hours, while an hour-long version can be found online or on DVD.
35. Antigone By Sophocles
Antigone is a tragic play about two siblings who defy their uncle Creon, king of Thebes.
The story was written by Sophocles in the 4th century BCE and presented in two acts with three actresses playing all the roles on stage at once; it remains one of his most famous works to this day.
In this version, you will see the same story told through verse that you can read at your own pace or listen to if you prefer.
FAQ
What Is The World’s Most-Performed Play?
Hamlet, the dark, tragic story of the Prince of Denmark, is Shakespeare’s longest and most critically acclaimed play and has been produced more than any other play in world history.
What Are The Biggest High School Dances?
The following dances are usually held: Homecoming (October), Sadie Hawkins (November), Winter Formal (January/February)
Who Is The Youngest Person To Write A Play?
Krshaana wrote a play called Mystical Magical Adventures, “The Lost Key,” about a young girl named Tinky. She meets four mystical beings who take her on a magical adventure to rescue a kidnapped fairy.
Who Is The Most Famous Playwrite?
William Shakespeare
How Long Is A 10-Minute Play Script?
A ten-minute play (or one-act) has 10-15 pages written in the correct format. It can have costumes and sets, but ten-minute plays are the most popular because of their simplicity.
How Many Pages Is A 10-Minute Play Script?
Generally, one page of a play equals about a minute on stage, so a ten-minute play should be about ten to fifteen pages long. Usually, a ten-minute play will include as few scenes and characters as possible.
How Long Is A One-Hour Play Script?
The industry standard for an hour-long drama’s page count is between 45 and 75 pages. For half-hour comedies, this number must be between 22 and 45 pages.
What Is The Number 1 Music School In The World?
The Juilliard School
Are There Any R-Rated Musicals?
While R-rated musicals are certainly not common, there have been a few. The award-winning 2018 adaptation of A Star is Born is darker than its three predecessors, and films like Hedwig and the Angry Inch, The Rocky Horror Picture Show, and South Park: Bigger, Longer and Uncut also come to mind.
What Is The Oldest Broadway Show?
Phantom of the Opera, Broadway’s longest-running show, ends – The New York Times.
Conclusion
There you have it. We hope you enjoyed this list of best plays for high school we could find.
If there are any other great ones you would love to share, please let us know in the comment section below.