How To Write a Play in 11 Easy Steps

How To Write a Play in 11 Easy Steps cover art

One-act play

How To Write a Play in 11 Easy Steps

“Oh no! The night before auditions, a very dramatic high school drama club is told the avantgarde, theatrical tour-de-force they’ve chosen has been nixed by the powers-that-be for being patently ridiculous.

Running time35 to 40 min
Cast10 to 22 actorsMany roles, any gender
SetOne main setLights do the rest
CompetitionReady as writtenFits a 40-minute limit
ForMiddle and high school
No application, no approval wait
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The story

“Oh no! The night before auditions, a very dramatic high school drama club is told the avantgarde, theatrical tour-de-force they’ve chosen has been nixed by the powers-that-be for being patently ridiculous. Desperate to salvage their season, they discover a dusty book in the school library titled “How To Write A Play (in 11 Easy Steps)!” Armed with the author’s hysterically misguided ramblings, a troupe of determined thespians pull an all-nighter to create a dramatic work of meaning, brilliance and intense social relevance.”

Producing it

Cast10 to 22 actors, with doubling. Many roles can be played by any gender. You can change lines, roles and genders to fit your students.
SetSchool theater stage; play-within-a-play scenes cross-fade.
TechMinimal set: chairs, a laptop and lighting areas. Plan for a handful of comic sound cues, a falling book, silly costumes like a beekeeper helmet, and a few short sung bits.
For your scene-stealersA big parade of showy comic roles, from a grand mystical guide to a film-noir narrator and a villain with a song, plus a full-company finale.

Quick answers

Can I change lines or genders?Yes. Change lines, roles and genders to fit your students. You never have to ask.
Can we take it to competition?Yes. Competition rights are in every plan, with no extra fee and no approval to request.
Can my school pay with a PO?Yes. Request an invoice at checkout. Your access is set up as soon as the PO arrives.
Read it tonight. Cast it tomorrow.
80% of the script is free. Licensing takes two minutes and needs no approval.