Top 5 Plays for High School Drama Clubs
Is your drama club looking for something fresh? Here are the top five plays for your drama club that blend thematic depth, humor, innovation, and creative nuances, offering students the perfect stage to showcase their talents and shine.
#1. Bowlarama by Ryan Elliot Wilson
Description: Set in the small town of Mexico, Missouri, Bowlarama unfolds during an all-night competition for high school seniors where secrets, grudges, and fears are revealed.
Themes: Coming of age, intellectual, small-town issues
For a cast craving…
- Medium-sized ensemble
- Exploration of close reading skills
- Ensemble work
- Fresh and meaningful issues
Preview the whole thing for free, then Purchase and License here.
#2. When Elvis Met Ali: If I Can Dream by Tom Schreck
Description: In the 1970s, music icon Elvis Presley, frustrated and alone at the peak of his popularity, reaches out to Muhammad Ali, leading to a fateful meeting at Ali’s vacation home, where they discuss childhood, faith, politics, race, and stardom–culminating in an inspiring impromptu performance that showcases their enduring friendship.
Themes: Fame, friendship, history (the interesting kind–not boring)
For a cast craving…
- Two advanced-level actors
- An unsuspecting duo
- Harmonious features
- Unpacking the intriguing world of stardom
Preview the whole thing for free, then Purchase and License here.
#3. The Long Leather Bag by Ian MacInnes
Description: A charming adaptation of an Irish folktale about a brave young girl who reclaims her family's stolen fortune from an evil wizard, facing magical challenges and discovering the power of courage and kindness while rescuing her sisters, ultimately outwitting the wizard and restoring hope to her family in this timeless, enchanting tale of heroism and redemption.
Themes: Courage, heroism, magic
For a cast craving…
- Large ensembles
- Fantasy game aficionados (a fancy way of saying, DND enthusiasts)
- Craving some excitement
Preview the whole thing for free, then Purchase and License here.
#4. Stranger by Azrael Thomas
Description: A unique audio murder mystery set on a train in Chicago, where a young coed is murdered after encountering a stranger reading the same book. As more murders occur, the passengers, led by a famous podcast host, investigate, uncovering strange connections between them in this comedic thriller.
Themes: Mystery, identity, social media
For a cast craving…
- Medium-sized ensemble
- Auditory thrills
- Goths
- More twists than an M. Night Shyamalan movie
Preview the whole thing for free, then Purchase and License here.
#5. Inner Sanctum by D.P. Roberts
Description: When a girl vanishes as a mysterious mobile game called Necronomicon sweeps the town, her friends uncover the game's dark secrets and a sinister tech company's apocalyptic plan. To save her, they embark on a daring journey through time and virtual worlds, exploring themes of identity, technology, and friendship. Join their gripping adventure where reality and virtual worlds collide.
Themes: Technology, comedy, the “unknown”
For a cast craving…
- Large ensembles
- Innovative special effects
- Unconventional tech space
- Peculiar puppetry
Preview the whole thing for free, then Purchase and License here.
We selected these plays based on their unique and innovative forms of deep thematic exploration to inspire staging and engaging narratives. We want to provide your drama clubs with diverse options to challenge young actors and captivate audiences.
Happy staging!
