Plays and Musicals by Matt Buchanan |
Long MonologuesThese are solo pieces about ten minutes long. They are suitable for use in forensics (speech and debate) competitions, as part of an evening of shorts, or simply as a way to showcase a young actor's talent. Click on any title to see a brief description. (Click again to close window.) Coyote Killer
(Male or Female) Revenge is a bitter pill after a pet cat is killed by a wild coyote. Lily
(Female) A bittersweet story of an unusual friendship between an elderly lady and a store mannequin. |
Ten-Minute PlaysThese short plays are suitable for use in forensics (speech and debate) duo competitions, as part of an evening of shorts, or as classroom acting exercises. Click on any title to see a brief description. (Click again to close window.) The Bird
(2 Male) A titmouse among the bus-stop pigeons--a messenger from God? A Twisted encounter between strangers. (Will work equally well with two women.) Desert island Discs
(2 Male or 2 Female) Two friends test their friendship as they wait to be rescued after a shipwreck. Larry of the Lake
(2 Male) A harried businessman is tempted to a life of irresponsibility by a mysteriously wet man. (Could work with two women.) Witnesses
(Cast of 2-7, depending on doubling. Mixed Gender.) Seven different versions of a botched robbery betray seven different sets of prejudices. |
One-Act PlaysFor many drama programs, a one-act play is the perfect length to challenge young performers without overburdening them in their crowded schedules. One-acts are also perfect as competition plays. These short plays (ranging from about 35 minutes to just under an hour) have delighted audiences around the world. Click on any title to see a brief description. (Click again to close window.) The Crone of Cropley
(6 Male 6 Female, plus flexible ensemble. About 45 minutes.) A mysterious old woman who may or may not have magical powers arrives in a small, stuggling village. Is she the answer to all their problems? The Day Boy and the Night Girl
(4 Male, 4 Female, plus flexible ensemble. About 60 minutes.) Free adaptation of a George MacDonald fairy tale about a boy raised never to see darkness and a girl kept always in the dark--and what they discover about themselves when they accidentally meet. Ernie's Place
(3 Male, 2 Female. About 50 minutes.) A challenging play about three children who must adjust to the change in life occasioned by a move. When they discover a homeless man sleeping in their clubhouse, they are moved to question, through dramatic play, the nature of security and permanence. The Miser of Dry Gulch
(6 Male, 3F. About 45 minutes.) A wild west retelling of Moliere's classic farce, L'Avare (The Miser) about the stingiest old miser on earth and the ridiculous trials of his family. (Several male roles could easily be women.) Operation Take Back Dad
(2 Male, 3Female, 2 either. About 35 minutes.) After a series of attempts to engage the attention of an overworked, uninvolved dad--escalating in scale and absurdity but all equally ineffective--his five children decide it's time to take action. A funny, sometimes absurdist caper for the whole family. Prince Ugly
(Flexible Ensemble Cast. About 40 minutes.) What is a true friend? A fun, often zany contemporary fairy tale about identity and friendship. (Also available as a musical--see below.) Puck and the Players
(8 Male, 5 Female, 2 Either. 35-40 minutes.) Free adaptation of Shakespeare's A Midsummer Night's Dream, concentrating on the antics of the "rustics." (Most male roles could easily be women.) Sleeping Walter
(Flexible Ensemble Cast. About 40 minutes.) The story of Walter, a young boy whose dreams are so much more fulfilling than his real life that he refuses to wake up. |
Full-Length Plays and MusicalsLooking for something bigger? These full-length plays and musicals are ideal for the "big" production in your season. While they lend themselves to fun, elaborate sets and lighting that will challenge your tech crew, they can also be performed very simply. Click on any title to see a brief description. (Click again to close window.) Alice on the Other Side
(Musical. Flexible ensemble cast. About 100 minutes.) A musical adaptation of Lewis Carroll's Through the Looking Glass. All the favorite characters and 13 original songs make this a fun night out for the audience and an exciting challenge for young performers. Irene and Curdie
(9 Male, 6 Female, plus flexible ensemble. About 75 minutes.) Freely adapted from George MacDonald's The Princess and the Goblin. A young princess and a young miner prove more than a match for a society of twisted goblins bent of destroying their world. A fairy tale about trust and self-reliance. Wonderful for family audiences. Little Women
(Ensemble Cast. About 2 hours.) Adapted from the novel by Louisa May Alcott. This adaptation is very faithful to the original text, and is especially popular with those who truly love the book. Prince Ugly
(Musical. Flexible Ensemble Cast. About 85 minutes.) What is a true friend? A fun, often zany contemporary fairy tale about identity and friendship. With ten original songs, all well-suited to be performed by young voices. |