History (and a lot of Herstory) Plays because the past informs our present and it is possible to learn from it.
By Candlelight
Historical Drama: 9/11
CAST: 10 (7 females, 3 males)
RUNNING TIME: 65-75 minutes*
*I can work out a one-act with you. Just ask.
SYNOPSIS: Young people want to connect with one another in every era, but in the wake of tragedies like 9/11, that impulse is especially strong. Taking place in 1963 and 2001, this powerful drama shows how youth deal with the aftermath of terror: from making chocolate truffles, to painting murals, to exploring each other's religions. Their solutions may seem naive, but their hope makes everything possible.
Read play for free at Playscripts.
Historical Drama: 9/11
CAST: 10 (7 females, 3 males)
RUNNING TIME: 65-75 minutes*
*I can work out a one-act with you. Just ask.
SYNOPSIS: Young people want to connect with one another in every era, but in the wake of tragedies like 9/11, that impulse is especially strong. Taking place in 1963 and 2001, this powerful drama shows how youth deal with the aftermath of terror: from making chocolate truffles, to painting murals, to exploring each other's religions. Their solutions may seem naive, but their hope makes everything possible.
Read play for free at Playscripts.
Under a Midsummer Moon
Historical Drama: 1969 Moon Landing
CAST: 14 (6 female, 5 male, 2 any gender; up to 10 extras)
RUNNING TIME: 70 minutes
SYNOPSIS: It's the summer of 1969. Cities are crumbling and the entire country is divided about the Viet Nam war and the crushing economy. As the country prepares for the Apollo 11 moon landing, young people gather in a park to play, to protest and to work. David comes to the park to work but bittersweet memories about the loss of his brother in Viet Name keeps him apart from his friends. Russell has created a group of disenchanted teens to protest the war and the wasteful spending of the moon landing. Sent to America to get out of the beginnings of "the troubles" in Belfast, Ireland, Madrigal knows the times are fragile and call for magic. And she decides to supply it. Under the midsummer moon, young people discover the truths about themselves and each other in this coming-of-age story of surprising friendships, unexpected journeys and the awakening of new possibilities.
For more information and to read an excerpt of the play go to: Dramatic Publishing.
Historical Drama: 1969 Moon Landing
CAST: 14 (6 female, 5 male, 2 any gender; up to 10 extras)
RUNNING TIME: 70 minutes
SYNOPSIS: It's the summer of 1969. Cities are crumbling and the entire country is divided about the Viet Nam war and the crushing economy. As the country prepares for the Apollo 11 moon landing, young people gather in a park to play, to protest and to work. David comes to the park to work but bittersweet memories about the loss of his brother in Viet Name keeps him apart from his friends. Russell has created a group of disenchanted teens to protest the war and the wasteful spending of the moon landing. Sent to America to get out of the beginnings of "the troubles" in Belfast, Ireland, Madrigal knows the times are fragile and call for magic. And she decides to supply it. Under the midsummer moon, young people discover the truths about themselves and each other in this coming-of-age story of surprising friendships, unexpected journeys and the awakening of new possibilities.
For more information and to read an excerpt of the play go to: Dramatic Publishing.
Dear Anne from Nina
Historical Drama: World War Two, Anne Frank
CAST: 7 (5 female, 2 male)
RUNNING TIME: 75-85 minutes*
*A one-act version is also available at the publisher's website
SYNOPSIS: In February 1940, a young girl in Iowa pulled the name of a pen pal out of a hat. That name was Anne Frank. There was a brief correspondence before the Nazi invaded the Netherlands. The play is a coming-of-age reflection of that time from 1940-1942. While Nina and Jeannie strive to be "citizens of the world" in their tiny town of Danville, Iowa, Anne and Margot try to live their lives in a world that doesn't want them.
Read entire play for free at Your Stage Partners.
Historical Drama: World War Two, Anne Frank
CAST: 7 (5 female, 2 male)
RUNNING TIME: 75-85 minutes*
*A one-act version is also available at the publisher's website
SYNOPSIS: In February 1940, a young girl in Iowa pulled the name of a pen pal out of a hat. That name was Anne Frank. There was a brief correspondence before the Nazi invaded the Netherlands. The play is a coming-of-age reflection of that time from 1940-1942. While Nina and Jeannie strive to be "citizens of the world" in their tiny town of Danville, Iowa, Anne and Margot try to live their lives in a world that doesn't want them.
Read entire play for free at Your Stage Partners.
Antigone in Munich
HISTORICAL DRAMA: World War Two, Sophie Scholl, White Rose Society
CAST: 11-40 (Main roles 6 female, 5 males)
RUNNING TIME: 85-95 minutes*
*A one-act version is available at publisher's websit
SYNOPSIS: "What do you do when the laws of God contradict the laws of man?" For Sophie Scholl, coming-of-age in Nazi Germany, the answer was to join the White Rose Society, which secretly encouraged passive resistance against the totalitarian government. Sophie grows from bystander to witness to activist surrounded by a swirling, theatrical chorus in this powerful retelling, which draws inspiration from the Greek tragedy Antigone.
Read entire play for free at Your Stage Partners.
HISTORICAL DRAMA: World War Two, Sophie Scholl, White Rose Society
CAST: 11-40 (Main roles 6 female, 5 males)
RUNNING TIME: 85-95 minutes*
*A one-act version is available at publisher's websit
SYNOPSIS: "What do you do when the laws of God contradict the laws of man?" For Sophie Scholl, coming-of-age in Nazi Germany, the answer was to join the White Rose Society, which secretly encouraged passive resistance against the totalitarian government. Sophie grows from bystander to witness to activist surrounded by a swirling, theatrical chorus in this powerful retelling, which draws inspiration from the Greek tragedy Antigone.
Read entire play for free at Your Stage Partners.
My Brother's Gift
HISTORICAL DRAMA: Holocaust, Eva Schloss, Heinz Geiringer, Art, World War Two
CAST: 12 (6 female, 4 male, 2 any gender; extras possible)
RUNNING TIME: 75-90 minutes* and now forced to live
*A one-act version is available at publisher's website
SYNOPSIS: Based on the remarkable true story of Heinz Geirginger - neighbor and friend of Anne Frank - we follow the story of a young artist and loving brother living in unconscionable circumstances. A trained musician at only 15 and now forced to live in hiding and silence, Heinz turns to painting and poetry to express his everyday terror but hope of the future. Through Heinz's inspired paintings, nostalgic love of live, and his sister Eva's remembrances, we are shown the power of art to offer hope and healing.
Read entire play for free at Your Stage Partners.
HISTORICAL DRAMA: Holocaust, Eva Schloss, Heinz Geiringer, Art, World War Two
CAST: 12 (6 female, 4 male, 2 any gender; extras possible)
RUNNING TIME: 75-90 minutes* and now forced to live
*A one-act version is available at publisher's website
SYNOPSIS: Based on the remarkable true story of Heinz Geirginger - neighbor and friend of Anne Frank - we follow the story of a young artist and loving brother living in unconscionable circumstances. A trained musician at only 15 and now forced to live in hiding and silence, Heinz turns to painting and poetry to express his everyday terror but hope of the future. Through Heinz's inspired paintings, nostalgic love of live, and his sister Eva's remembrances, we are shown the power of art to offer hope and healing.
Read entire play for free at Your Stage Partners.
Founding Daughters
HISTORICAL DRAMA: Revolutionary War, oral history, American heroines
CAST: 34 actors (19 male (many are tiny - doubling encouraged), 7 female, 8 any gender
Doubling: 11 actors
One Act Historical Drama
Easy Staging
30-35 minutes
An episodic look at the heroic deeds of young women during the Revolutionary War that would be long forgotten if not for oral history. Had these women not been so brave and cunning, would the war have ended the same way? There is Sybil Ludington's overnight ride to gather the militia, Kate, an African princess, forced into slavery, who saved her master from the British and more. Students and audiences alike will find inspiration from these patriotic heroines.
Read entire play for free at Your Stage Partners.
HISTORICAL DRAMA: Revolutionary War, oral history, American heroines
CAST: 34 actors (19 male (many are tiny - doubling encouraged), 7 female, 8 any gender
Doubling: 11 actors
One Act Historical Drama
Easy Staging
30-35 minutes
An episodic look at the heroic deeds of young women during the Revolutionary War that would be long forgotten if not for oral history. Had these women not been so brave and cunning, would the war have ended the same way? There is Sybil Ludington's overnight ride to gather the militia, Kate, an African princess, forced into slavery, who saved her master from the British and more. Students and audiences alike will find inspiration from these patriotic heroines.
Read entire play for free at Your Stage Partners.
Not in Our Town
SOCIAL AWARENESS PLAY: Not in Our Town Movement
CAST: Flexible cast of 11 (3 female, 3 male, 5 any gender) plus an ensemble of 6-10 extras
Social Awareness Play - based on actual events
Simple living room set and area staging
45 minutes
When a brick was thrown through a young boy's window because he had a decal of a menorah, the people of Billings, Montana had to decide how to grapple with this violence. The play poignantly recounts the inspiring story of the town's quietly brave response to combat hatred. The community of Billings knew that, if a community doesn't respond then a community accepts. The citizens courageously raised their voices and acted loudly to proclaim, "Not in our town!" What they did started the National "Not in Our Town" movement to stop hate, racism, and bulling and build safe, inclusive communities for all.
For more information and to read the play, please go to: Pioneer Drama Service
SOCIAL AWARENESS PLAY: Not in Our Town Movement
CAST: Flexible cast of 11 (3 female, 3 male, 5 any gender) plus an ensemble of 6-10 extras
Social Awareness Play - based on actual events
Simple living room set and area staging
45 minutes
When a brick was thrown through a young boy's window because he had a decal of a menorah, the people of Billings, Montana had to decide how to grapple with this violence. The play poignantly recounts the inspiring story of the town's quietly brave response to combat hatred. The community of Billings knew that, if a community doesn't respond then a community accepts. The citizens courageously raised their voices and acted loudly to proclaim, "Not in our town!" What they did started the National "Not in Our Town" movement to stop hate, racism, and bulling and build safe, inclusive communities for all.
For more information and to read the play, please go to: Pioneer Drama Service
Remembering Margot
HISTORICAL DRAMA: Margot Frank, Anne Frank, World War Two, Holocaust
Cast: 8-14 (11 female, 3 male)
Drama
85 minutes (A 35 minute one-act is also available; just ask for it)
Reading: Utah Valley University, Utah. Selected Scenes: Robert Gordon's College, Aberdeen Scotland
Area staging
The play is an imagining of Margot’s brief life taking into consideration newly published photos showing her love of sports, the outdoors, and her enjoyment of her friends. Yes, there was a good intellect at play, but there were also the carefree times, the teenage angst, and the hopes and dreams of who she would be when she grew up. Young Margot always took care to be kind but it wasn’t until she went into hiding that a true depression set it. Before hiding, life was ripe with possibilities until Auschwitz – where she had to make a choice between life or staying with her sister.
Read for free now: Remembering Margot
HISTORICAL DRAMA: Margot Frank, Anne Frank, World War Two, Holocaust
Cast: 8-14 (11 female, 3 male)
Drama
85 minutes (A 35 minute one-act is also available; just ask for it)
Reading: Utah Valley University, Utah. Selected Scenes: Robert Gordon's College, Aberdeen Scotland
Area staging
The play is an imagining of Margot’s brief life taking into consideration newly published photos showing her love of sports, the outdoors, and her enjoyment of her friends. Yes, there was a good intellect at play, but there were also the carefree times, the teenage angst, and the hopes and dreams of who she would be when she grew up. Young Margot always took care to be kind but it wasn’t until she went into hiding that a true depression set it. Before hiding, life was ripe with possibilities until Auschwitz – where she had to make a choice between life or staying with her sister.
Read for free now: Remembering Margot