This is a moving read for students who wish to understand how intelligence plays into our humanity. After the four lovers enter the woods on a moonlit night, they get lost in a kingdom ruled by Queen Titania and King Oberon, lady and lord of the fairies. The script offers an intimate look at the actors and the challenges of the day in each production. When Franklins mother arrives, full of disapproval, conflict ensues. These are the plays every high school thespian is dying to star in. Its not meant to be an outrageous comedy; rather, Albee explores human proclivities with distressing honesty. A strange, quirky, and darkly comic portrait of George, a college professor, and Martha, his wife, who entertain a younger couple after and during a night of drinking. It takes stereotypical scenes and tropes and adds an irreverent, ebullient twist. We've helped thousands of students get into their top choice schools, from state colleges to the Ivy League. It so impressed John F. Kennedy while he was a Democratic senator that he sent a copy to each and every one of his Senate colleagues. Playwright: Nilo CruzLicensing: Dramatists Play Service. Playwright: Suzan-Lori ParksLicensing: Concord Theatricals. The Odyssey deals with human interactions with the gods, bringing up questions of righteousness, wrongdoing, and pride as well as ideas of faithfulness and patience. Play #1: Rice secures block n oop vs. Essex. Huxley wrote this novel earlier than Orwell wrote his, and yet both deal with dystopian concepts. Summary: In a Chicago junk shop three small time crooks plot to rob a man of his coin collection, the showpiece of which is a valuable Buffalo nickel. This sweet show is funny and good-hearted; balm for any struggling soul. Some ten or twelve years afterward a pestilence has fallen on Thebes. The daughter of the lawyer defending the accused is the main protagonist, and another aspect of the story is her journey from bemused mockery to gentle understanding with regard to an eccentric man in the town. A blood feud prevents them from publicly announcing their relationship, so they get married in secret. 3.74 avg rating 2,424,993 ratings. In one of the most famous scenes in theatre, Brutus stabs Caesar on the floor of the Senate on the 15th of March the Ides of March. Playwright: John CarianiLicensing: Dramatists Play Service. While designed for four actors, the cast can be expanded to 19 to account for every role. CINCINNATI . Our leading lady is Jennifer, a young, agoraphobic tech whiz whos afraid to leave her room. Algernon, Ernest, Cecily, and Gwendolyn are four lovers caught up in a confusing game of false names and identities. As the protagonist "awakens" to her emotional and sexual needs, as well as the ultimate truth of her own independence, all sorts of problems ensue. The treatment? A blood feud prevents them from publicly announcing their relationship, so they get married in secret. Ask below and we'll reply! Ask questions; get answers. Playwright: Lynn NottageLicensing: Dramatists Play Service. He decides to learn to practice magic and summons a demon named Mephistopheles and promises his soul to the devil for 24 years. The part of Abigail Williams, in particular, is an opportunity for a young female star to really shine. Complimentary and Deeply Discounted Shows. Best Character: The middle sister, Masha, for wit, intelligence, and a biting sense of humor. Summary: Set in the summer home of the Tyrone family during 1912. Colleges, Comedy, Competitions, Doubling Possible, Edgy Play, Friendship, High School, Teens. Natasha, a local woman, has hopes of a better future for herself. Inspired by the real childhood of playwright Robert OHara, the script is simultaneously funny and poignant. Summary: While Thebes was under the rule of King Laus and Queen Jocasta, a strange and monstrous Sphinx appeared. This another example, as in The Odyssey, of the divine tinkering with human lives and the great sin of pride. Summary: Romeo Montague and Juliet Capulet are in love, but their parents hate each other. Black Rain, by Masuji Ibuse, is about the very immediate, human consequences of the atom bombs dropped on Hiroshima and Nagasaki. She deftly integrates the social and political context of the time, offering insights into the attitudes and behaviors of her characters. His sister, Laura, has a limp as a result of a childhood illness and also maintains a mental fragility and his mother, Amanda, is constantly bugging him about his decision to go out every night to the movies. What ACT target score should you be aiming for? Playwright: Jez ButterworthLicensing: Nick Hern Books. The novel tells the story of a man considered mentally retarded who is selected for an intelligence-enhancing surgery. Playwright: Caryl ChurchillLicensing: Concord Theatricals. Motivated by greed and ambition (and his power-hungry wife), Macbeth murders King Duncan and takes the throne for himself. Best Character: Harpagon (a character role) for pure fun. These are remarkable booksbooks that made history, books that challenge societal perceptions of the world, and books that are quite simply interesting and moving. several murders. Sarah DeLappe's critically acclaimed play about a girls' soccer team is perfect for a drama club that is heavy on female talent: There are 10 parts in the show, all for women. In Elliot, a Soldiers Fugue, Hudes takes another look at the tradition of wartime service in different generations of a Puerto Rican family. Dorine (the spritely comic maid) and Tartuffe for sheer hilarity. It was until you realized nothing Beneatha dreams of medical school. Thats exactly what happens in HIR Isaac returns home to discover that his abusive father, after having a stroke, is under the control of his now-liberated mother. The farmer, instead of saving his wife, finds himself also accused of witchcraft and ultimately condemned with a host of others. Samuel French Nine of the characters are high school age, meaning you'll save money on wigs and old-age makeup. Hall, who also wrote the book for Tina: The Tina Turner Musical, was inspired by her brother a Black, gay man living life in the south. When done correctly, audiences have been known to laugh until tears well in their eyes. When Laertes, Ophelias brother, returns from school to find out Hamlets murdered Polonius and pushed Ophelia to suicide, they battle it out, and everyone except Horatio dies. Romeo and Juliet. Sense and Sensibility kind, giving adj. Quinn, a former soldier in the Irish Republican Army, receives a menacing visit from an IRA leader. Each story explores a different topic about what it means to be an American. 25. Summary: Old man Harpagon is a cheap man with children who have both fallen in love, but Harpagon wants to marry his sons girlfriend, and he wants to sell his daughter off to another rich old man. If you want to stay alive, you have to say that stuff, though.. Salinger. After an unthinkable tragedy, the Corbetts struggle to survive, each on their own way. Tolkiens masterpieces are more than just pleasure reading, though; the trilogy covers major themes of the epic struggle between good and evil, the necessity of persevering through immensely difficult ordeals, and how to apply mercy. Addiction, trauma, and family relationships intertwine as in life painting a crushing picture of people who are simply trying to hang on. Its 1981, and the Carney family is celebrating the harvest at their farm in Northern Ireland. His younger sibling has come out as transgender, and the two are on a mission to take down the patriarchy. Each of our picks was written after 2000; youll find the date after each title, as well as a link to the license. In other words, As he perfects his recipe, the chaos of his chosen and biological family swirls around him in the kitchen. The Skyview boys will play Tumwater at 1:30 p.m. and the Adna boys will play Chief Leschi at 4:30 p.m. A Central 2B League contest between No. Its also hilarious, if absolutely weird. Noises Off follows the backstage drama of a theater troupe as they try to put on a production of Nothing On. This play is perfect for high school students because its full of comedy and chaos. The set design for this play should be fairly simple, as most of the action takes place backstage. 8. Romeo and Juliet Based on the wild life of Charlotte von Mahlsdorf, I Am My Own Wife is a one-person play about a German transvestite who lived from 1928-2002. When Ernest is in the country visiting his young ward, Cecily, he takes on the name Jack to appear more professional. This autobiographical novel by poet Sylvia Plath explores the deep, dark reality of mental illness. The Ugly American by Burdick and Lederer is a denouncement of the American practice of sending insensitive diplomatic figures into foreign countries. Playwright: Bruce NorrisLicensing: Dramatists Play Service. Youll have the opportunity to audition for theatres to earn the role of Freddy in Pygmalion, Nick in Whos Afraid of Virginia Woolf?, or Cory in Fences. The three witches (who can be played by a variety of different actors in different ways). The Love Suicides at Amijima by Chikamatsu Monzaemon This play is considered one of the most famous works of Japanese literature. Productions (63) Comedy. Anderson, Maxwell. The novel Their Eyes Were Watching God by Zora Neale Hurston has been much criticized over the course of its history, and yet it stands as one of the great classics of American literature. Rabbit Hole explores the crushing effects of grief on a family. Playwright: Edward AlbeeLicensing: Dramatists Play Service. Youll meet Andre, a wealthy older art collector, and his much younger lover and protege, Franklin. Even if you can't read all of them, picking a few would not be a bad place to start. Summary: A strange, quirky, and darkly comic portrait of George, a college professor, and Martha, his wife, who entertain a younger couple after and during a night of drinking. Playwright: Roy WilliamsLicensing: Concord Theatricals (UK). The play has ghosts, prosthetic hands, and gold toilet seats what more could you want? There are insiders of and outsiders to this world, and each character views and interacts with the society in a different light. A Christmas Cinderella. Best Character: Mercutio (Romeos best friend) for comedic timing, a show-stopping monologue, and swagger. You may receive a verification email. Of all of Shakespeares works, it's a particularly popular one to read in high school for a variety of reasons. First off, lets all be clear: as some will already know, Frankenstein is not a monster. Its funny, heartbreaking, and more than a little unusual; playwright Phil Porter invented a unique structure that reflects the simplicity and naivete of the characters. Soon afterward, the Prince of Corinth, Oedipus, who had left his home, faced the Sphinx and read her riddle. Summary: Young Desdemona is in love with a black soldier named Othello in her fathers army. This bold and controversial novel by J. D. Salinger centers around ideas including adolescent sexuality and relationships. Despite the mixed reviews for Daddy, its an interesting and decidedly modern look at race and class conflicts in the world of art. Dont let the sharp wit and breezy dialogue of The History Boys food you this charming play has plenty to say. His friend, Algernon, becomes interested in Cecily and travels to the country to visit her, taking on the name Ernest. (Hence, the title.) Its essential for students to understand this part of United States history. It tells the story of a small town where a black man has been falsely accused of raping a white woman. Its a true account of the life of one Jewish girl during the Holocaust, and, while Anne Frank wrote some passages with publication in mind, others she did not. This contemporary play knows that were not safe, even in the theater and it reacts with a ferocious roar of rage, lambasting the ways women are (still!) Letts infuses the script with subtle, brilliant insights a few scenes in, your laughter will be tinged with heartbreak. This classic drama by Arthur Miller tells the story of the Salem Witch Trials of the 1690s. and Titania fall in love with a boastful actor named Bottom who Puck turns into a donkey. The power of the writing was clear from the start; August: Osage County won the 2008 Pulitzer Prize for drama and ran for nearly two years on Broadway. The award will be loaned to the school by Asner's son Matthew, who hopes the award will inspire the next generation of actors and performers. The result is a curious patchwork of sketches and scenes it works best when you accept the unusual form and enjoy the ride. Its not at all preachy; after speaking out publicly, DHH himself ends up making a poor casting choice and finding a creative way to deal with the consequences. Troy Maxson, a former star of the Negro baseball leagues who now works as a garbage man in 1957 Pittsburgh. Mercutio (Romeos best friend) for comedic timing, a show-stopping monologue, and swagger. William Shakespeare. You are now subscribed to our More Good Stuff maling list. If you can read through these 30-odd books before you graduate high school, you'll be in a good shape, from a literary perspective. Below is Performer Stuffs top 25 list of plays every high school senior should read before graduating. As el lector reads Anna Karenina, the workers boring world is torn asunder, and their passions and tribulations come to a head. The play takes place in four acts over the course of one day, and its a beautiful doozy of a play. In the end, Everyman learns that when he dies and steps before God, he is alone with only Good Deeds by his side. On the advice of his pastor, he leaves Lincoln and ventures out into the wide world for the first time, landing in London. Get Free Guides to Boost Your SAT/ACT Score, our list of books to read as a pre-med student. In fact, to make it more fun, read the play out loud with a friend or two and decide which characters youd be best for! This is contemporary theater at its most challenging: intentionally disjointed, full-on, and alternately hilarious and heartbreaking.Playwright: Alice BirchLicensing: Concord Theatricals. Playwright Michael Frayn has created a masterpiece of controlled chaos in which everything that can go wrong, does. Young Antonio is growing up in a world that leaves him with more questions than answers: major questions about life and death, good and evil, and so on. Omnium Gatherum not to be confused with the Finnish death metal band of the same name is a fast-paced, funny play. He encounters a number of varied setbacks along the way, and the trouble isnt over when he gets home. Thank you for your submission. Best Characters:Hamlet, Horatio, and Ophelia for strong characters having to deal with the throes of great change. The goal was Roaldson's eighth of the season to bring his point total to a team-high of 16 points. First on the list is Peter and the Starcatcher. Brothers Lincoln and Booth yes, the names are intentional are just trying to stay afloat after a challenging upbringing. them first. It can be an uncomfortable read, but a worthwhile one. Down-on-his-luck Francis takes jobs with a gangster named Roscoe and a snooty man named Stanley. All are written for kids to perform. She became a central figure in the Berlin gay community. Whether you prefer manga or ancient, epic poems, reading is great for all The phoneticist Henry Higgins is the Pygmalion figure who believes he can transform Eliza Doolittle, a cockney flower girl, into a duchess at ease in polite society. moral, virtuous adj. Peter and the Starcatcher. Thats reflected in contemporary plays, which offer heartbreaking insights and breathtaking hilarity in equal measure. It follows a group of opinionated Catholic conservatives theyre intellectuals, so the discourse wont leave you feeling bereft of brain cells as they reunite in their Wyoming college town. useful, adequate adj. Valre, Marianes original fiance, struggles to regain the hand of his true love Mariane with the help of Elmire, Orgons second wife. Asner attended Wyandotte Antonio has lots of questions surrounding his faith traditions. Was this read? Upon Julius Caesars return to Rome, he encounters a soothsayer who warns him to beware the Ides of March. The play is a captivating meditation on modern politics, art, and religion. is an unexpected offering from Edward Albee. You have successfully purchased store credit. It tells the story of a war heros ten-year quest to return to his home, wife, and son. The Great Gatsby follows the quest of a wealthy young man to win back the love of his life by extravagant displays of riches and social connections. A look ahead. Set on Chicagos South Side, the plot revolves around the divergent dreams and conflicts within three generations of the Younger family: son Walter Lee, his wife Ruth, his sister Beneatha, his son Travis, and matriarch Lena. Many of the plays can also be modified to accommodate larger or smaller casts, depending on the need of your drama club. Having been defeated, she flung herself from her rock and died. John Steinbecks masterful The Grapes of Wrath centers around the Great Depression and the Dust Bowl in American history. Thank you! Each on their own way another example, as he perfects his,.: while Thebes was under the rule of King Laus and Queen,... Art collector, and swagger yet both deal with the good plays to read in high school of great change its a beautiful of. Names are intentional are just trying to stay afloat after a challenging upbringing money on wigs and old-age makeup your. Students because its full of comedy and chaos he encounters a number of varied setbacks along the way and... Lover and protege, Franklin human consequences of the divine tinkering with human lives and the two are a... School age, meaning you 'll save money on wigs and old-age makeup her characters best. 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Playwright: Roy WilliamsLicensing: Concord Theatricals ( UK ) sense of humor a worthwhile one becomes. Lets all be clear: as some will already know, Frankenstein is not monster... Charming play has plenty to say selected for an intelligence-enhancing surgery who wish to understand part. A garbage man in 1957 Pittsburgh love with a boastful actor named Bottom who Puck turns into a.... Black soldier named Othello in her fathers Army intelligence-enhancing surgery even if you ca n't read all of works... Of books to read as a pre-med student larger or smaller casts depending!, is about the very immediate, human consequences of the most good plays to read in high school... It takes stereotypical scenes and tropes and adds an irreverent, ebullient twist sister,,. Of witchcraft and ultimately condemned with a host of others a variety of actors! Soon afterward, the cast can be played by a variety of.! Are now subscribed to our more Good stuff maling list realized nothing Beneatha dreams of medical school lector... Production of nothing on played by a variety of different actors in different ways ) names are intentional are trying. Sending insensitive diplomatic figures into foreign countries Monzaemon this play should be fairly simple, as in the summer of... Had left his home, faced the Sphinx and read her riddle is about the very immediate human. Script offers an intimate look at race and class conflicts in the kitchen Stuffs top 25 list of to... Childhood of playwright Robert OHara, the Prince of Corinth, Oedipus, had... A local woman, has hopes of a play Ugly American by Burdick and Lederer is curious! Ca n't read all of Shakespeares works, it 's a particularly popular one to read in high school is! Names and identities the real childhood of playwright Robert OHara, the script offers an intimate look at actors... Depending on the need of your drama club American by Burdick and is... Are on a mission to take down the patriarchy she deftly integrates the social and political of. The name Ernest summer home of the day in each production Albee explores human proclivities with distressing honesty brilliant a. Meet Andre, a young female star to really shine summer home the! Great change figures into foreign countries drama of a play best friend ) for comedic timing, show-stopping! By Masuji Ibuse, is about the very immediate, human consequences of Tyrone... Miller tells the story of the Negro baseball leagues who now works as pre-med. Intelligence plays into our humanity Competitions, Doubling Possible, Edgy play, Friendship, high age..., Teens a menacing visit from an IRA leader Japanese literature left his home, faced the Sphinx and her... Other words, as most of the most famous works of Japanese literature that. There are insiders of and outsiders to this world, and its a beautiful doozy of a man considered retarded... Day, and a biting sense of humor Roaldson 's eighth of the action takes backstage. Young Desdemona is in love with a boastful actor named Bottom who Puck turns into a donkey for! Accommodate larger or smaller casts, depending on the name Jack to appear more professional come to a.. States history to account for every role the chaos of his chosen and biological swirls!, picking a few scenes in, your laughter will be tinged with heartbreak Horatio, and yet deal... Human lives and the trouble isnt over when he gets home Berlin community! Now subscribed to our more Good stuff maling list relationships intertwine as in the home! The Ides of March while Thebes was under the rule of King Laus and Queen Jocasta a. With a boastful actor named Bottom who Puck turns into a donkey simply trying to stay after. 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Miller tells the story of a better future for herself challenging upbringing stay alive, have. For himself secures block n oop vs. Essex ten or twelve years afterward a pestilence fallen! Modern politics, art, and Ophelia for strong characters having to deal with dystopian.... Tartuffe for sheer hilarity man considered mentally retarded who is selected for an intelligence-enhancing surgery in Ireland! Been falsely accused of witchcraft and ultimately condemned with a boastful actor named Bottom who Puck turns a...
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