Over the next 24 years, he traipses around the world impressing dignitaries with magic, but when his time is up, he is carried off to Hell by a host of demonic forces, leaving his limbs behind. In it, Brown describes the history of European Americans as they interact with (and slaughter) the Native Americans who already inhabit what they claim as their country. At this point the play begins. Also, the characters in this novel were especially stupid. By signing up you are confirming you are 16 or over. The one thing he overlooks is that his creation has a mind of her own. Samuel French He feels obligated to his family but also burdened by their existence. Everyman for character journey and endless options for character development. (Hence, the title.) Having been defeated, she flung herself from her rock and died. George and Marthas relationship quickly reveals a deep animosity they hold toward each other stemming from a hidden truth that has festered for too long. Its set in 2000, but the story rings disconcertingly true for modern day. The premise of The Hot Wing King is simple; Cordell is out to win an annual hot wing competition in Memphis. Summary: The story focuses upon a young farmer, his wife, and a young servant-girl who maliciously causes the wifes arrest for witchcraft. 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. Tartuffe pretends to be a religious man, pious, and full of authority from God, and Orgon, convinced of Tartuffes piety, promises Mariane, his daughter, to the fraud. 3 Adna and No. several murders. These high-minded grifters fancy themselves businessmen pursuing legitimate free enterprise. Its an infuriating and accurate tale of mistreatments and abuses, as well as the unfortunate decline of a noble people trying to defend their established way of life. Dont let this list scare you! This play is perfect for high At the time, women were essentially property, and they were expected to act in demure and socially acceptable ways. 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. To have a better chance at being cast in any of those amazing plays, you should read them first. When youre in the right headspace, its a rich and rewarding journey. The book focuses on four mother and four daughters across four sections of the novel for a total of sixteen stories that come together to complete this total work. As the title suggests, the novel also contains discussions of hope, disappointment, and expectations. This dystopian novel by George Orwell was written 35 years before the date referenced by the title. 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. The inevitability of change is neatly demonstrated. Macbeth Its essential for students to understand this part of United States history. In this book, Orwell tells a story that warns readers about the possible consequences of complacency in the face of rising dictators (think Hitler and Stalin) and burgeoning technology ripe for misuse. 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. But another great thing about being on the cusp of your transition from high school to college (or the professional acting world) is that youll now get the chance to audition for some of the greatest plays ever written. The script, which is designed to feel improvised, has a bit of a Leslie Knope vibe. Romeo Montague and Juliet Capulet are in love, but their parents hate each other. If you want to get your young actors really working as a team, this show will do it. Iago for being one of the most villainous characters ever to grace the stage. (Maybe a little too sentimental, but that can be forgiven considering the source material.) authentic, real adj. moral, virtuous adj. You don't have to pay for the rights, and you can cut and rearrange the script at will, without getting a cease-and-desist letter from Shakespeare's attorney. The plot centers on a first date and the bizarre relationship that follows. In the end, Everyman learns that when he dies and steps before God, he is alone with only Good Deeds by his side. Enjoy live events at insider prices. Sense and Sensibility 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. Troy Maxson, a former star of the Negro baseball leagues who now works as a garbage man in 1957 Pittsburgh. Playwright: David HarrowerLicensing: Dramatists Play Service. Home Theater Musicals and Plays 51 Contemporary Plays Written After 2000. I'm having trouble choosing a play for my high school to perform this fall. Rather, the very human Victor Frankenstein is responsible for creating what we recognize as the monster from the story; the creature itself is nameless. The Love Suicides at Amijima by Chikamatsu Monzaemon This play is considered one of the most famous works of Japanese literature. But another great thing about being on the cusp of your transition from high school to college (or the professional acting world) is that youll now get the chance to audition for some of the greatest plays ever written. Lysistrata for gumption, sense of humor, and intelligence. If you're looking for your next hit show, chances are you will find it in this list. 25 Plays all High School Seniors Should Read (Before They Graduate) Part 1 : PerformerStuff More Good Stuff It appears that you are outside of North America. Meanwhile, Harpagon is obsessed with a box full of money in his backyard, afraid that everyone who comes to see him is on a mission to steal it. Having been defeated, she flung herself from her rock and died. Its a chilling warning of the dangers of nationalism. Christopher, who is somewhere on the autism spectrum (the story doesnt give a clear diagnosis), is determined to solve the mystery. There are insiders of and outsiders to this world, and each character views and interacts with the society in a different light. "A Midsummer Night's Dream" "Peter and the Starcatcher" "Alice in Wonderland" "Our Town" In the musical category, "Beauty and the Beast" climbed to the top, edging out last The story focuses upon a young farmer, his wife, and a young servant-girl who maliciously causes the wifes arrest for witchcraft. 110 - 130 minutes. Caesar responds, E tu, Brute? and dies. Brutus for experiencing one of the most difficult decisions ever faced in theatre. Romeo and Juliet. 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 When reviewing the 2013 Broadway production for the New York Post, Elisabeth Vincentelli commented, this is the kind of full-on comedy thats sadly rare on Broadway and we couldnt agree more! She became a central figure in the Berlin gay community. A bittersweet comedy about a stuttering teenage boy who retreats from his fear of people into a world of magical illusions. While there is nothing wrong with ANY OF THESE CHOICES, here are three plays that we dont teach as often but make fantastic selections for high school students. Our new student and parent forum, at ExpertHub.PrepScholar.com, allow you to interact with your peers and the PrepScholar staff. Laus went to ask aid of the oracle of Delphi, but was slain mysteriously on the road. Doctor Faustus, a well-respected scholar, becomes bored with traditional methods of acquiring knowledge intensestudy of medicines, law, and religion and yearns for something more. score: 5,961 , and 61 people voted. Brothers Lincoln and Booth yes, the names are intentional are just trying to stay afloat after a challenging upbringing. Some ten or twelve years afterward a pestilence has fallen on Thebes. Playwright: Edward AlbeeLicensing: Dramatists Play Service. He feels obligated to his family but also burdened by their existence. The characters appear in a succession of little two or three-person scenes, like a G-rated version of Arthur Schnitzler's La Ronde. Its 1981, and the Carney family is celebrating the harvest at their farm in Northern Ireland. 3.74 avg rating 2,424,993 ratings. His friend, Algernon, becomes interested in Cecily and travels to the country to visit her, taking on the name Ernest. Inspired by the real childhood of playwright Robert OHara, the script is simultaneously funny and poignant. The script is nuanced and heart-rending, offering an in-depth look at privilege of all kinds. After killing her father (a prominent Nazi) with a rolling pin, von Mahlsdorf went on to survive some of the most difficult decades in recent history. There are ready-made costumes for the famous characters that they can order online. Playwright: Rajiv JosephLicensing: Dramatists Play Service. You will grow, empathetically and intellectually. If you have the mental space however, this insightful play is well worth a read. Though the title might sound modern, In the Next Room (or The Vibrator Play) takes you back to the late 1880s. 2. Best Characters: Mary Warren and Abigail Williams for fatal shenanigans. Many of the plays can also be modified to accommodate larger or smaller casts, depending on the need of your drama club. In Brave New World, Aldous Huxley explores themes similar to those found in Orwells 1984. 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. Its an eerie tale with themes that run deep. Look out for a production at a university near you Doubt has become one of the most popular contemporary plays for college students. 3 Adna and No. Set in the summer home of the Tyrone family during 1912. A woman encourages her fellow women to keep their lovers from sexual privileges until they agree to establish peace to end the Peloponnesian War. Motivated by greed and ambition (and his power-hungry wife), Macbeth murders King Duncan and takes the throne for himself. The play takes place in four acts over the course of one day, and its a beautiful doozy of a play. When Juliet finds out she has to marry a guy she doesnt really know, she takes a sleeping potion, making her family think shes dead. This novel is an ode to literacy, and, while it has its tragic moments, it ultimately leaves readers with a message of hope. The novel examines the balance between self-respect and selfishness. In addition, he learns much about love, trust, and relationships in this coming-of-age novel. Having the qualities that are desirable or distinguishing in a particular thing: a good exterior paint; a good joke. Summary: Martha and Karen, two friends who have built a boarding school from an old farm house, are accused of having a lesbian affair when one of their students, Mary, becomes enraged at being punished and concocts a lie to get revenge. Get Free Guides to Boost Your SAT/ACT Score, our list of books to read as a pre-med student. Playwright: Quiara Alegra HudesLicensing: Dramatists Play Service, A corporate collapse might not seem like fertile fodder for a play, but Enron takes it on with glee. The Laramie Project. Text Survey is another powerful pre-reading activity for high school students because it teaches them how to identify the value of the text before reading it. 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. Inspired by Lynn Nottages interviews with real-life survivors in Africa, the story explores the impossibly complex and questionable decisions that women must make to survive in a world destroyed by men. Bonus: Studying The Crucible for school and struggling? Next up: one of my favorites, William Shakespeare. A play thats fascinating to watch and to perform. Theater has always been a sign of the times and we are living through an unprecedented period of social awakening and unrest. The script offers an intimate look at the actors and the challenges of the day in each production. 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. pleasant, fine adj. Colleges, Comedy, Competitions, Doubling Possible, Edgy Play, Friendship, High School, Teens. Playwright: Taylor MacLicensing: Dramatists Play Service. The wildest part about the story is that its based in fact. Was this read? It tells the story of a black woman who is full of zest and passion and who is passed from man to man as she goes through life. You might recognize Quiara Alegra Hudes name she wrote the book for the musical In the Heights. Just punch right Conversation and arguments rise and fall as the cast processes the horrifying events and the broader implications on the world at large. A Christmas Carol. We've already brought you our list of the seven best musicals for high schools, but we realize that not everyone loves to sing and dance. There are lots of accusations of creepy stuff in The Crucible. If you want to stay alive, you have to say that stuff, though.. considerable noun advantage, benefit noun morality synonyms for good Compare Synonyms acceptable Coming out of the first break down 1-0, Max Mehus and Easton Romsdal did what they could to set up Brooks Roaldson. Text Survey. Each of our picks was written after 2000; youll find the date after each title, as well as a link to the license. Playwrights: Theresa Rebeck, Alexandra Gersten-VassilarosLicensing: Concord Theatricals. Playwright: Jackie Sibblies DruryLicensing: Dramatists Play Service. competent, skilled adj. Jake Wilkenson led Collinsville with 16 points. A further A girl is missing in a dystopian city. Its an interesting, and sometimes opaque, examination of the psychology of modern straight white males. Civil war is raging in the Democratic Republic of the Congo, and Mama Nadi is trying to keep her head above water. In For Colored Girls, Ntozake Shange creates choreopoetry (poetry meant to be performed with movement and dance) that covers important themes of race, gender, abuse, and perseverance. As with any work, The Lord of the Rings and The Hobbit are not everyones cup of tea, but theyre hugely rewarding pleasure reading for too many fans to count. The books are presented in alphabetical order, and a short description is given for each book, as well an explanation of why it is worth reading. Unsurprisingly, audiences and critics had a mixed reaction to the protracted Chekhovian theatrical experience (the first act alone clocked in at nearly 2 hours), but the strong writing won out; Baker came away with the 2014 Pulitzer. Summary: Romeo Montague and Juliet Capulet are in love, but their parents hate each other. 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