Power Play

Power Play is a mockumentary-style, updated retelling of Shakespeare’s Macbeth—set not in medieval Scotland, but in the hallways of Dunsinane High. Told through the lens of a student filmmaker, the play unfolds with “talking head” confessionals in the style of The Office, capturing every awkward pause, overblown pep talk, and behind-the-scenes meltdown. What begins as a simple junior class election spirals out of control when underdog Quinn Mackey—pushed by her ambitious best friend Taylor—decides to challenge the beloved incumbent, Morgan. With hive-minded guidance counselors echoing the Weird Sisters, smear campaigns, and hacked social media posts, this high school election becomes a modern cautionary tale of power, ambition, and betrayal.

Fast-paced, funny, and a little too real, Power Play blends Shakespearean tragedy with the inside of high school. The result is a production that feels both epic and intimate, with plenty of opportunities for creative staging, multimedia, and ensemble work. Perfect for schools, the show offers bold roles, flexible casting, and humor—while leaving audiences questioning just how far someone will go for a win.

Duration: 90 Min
Roles: 15F, 7M (+Optional Ensemble. Can also be done with as few as 12 actors with doubling)
Performance Group: Middle School, High School
Setting: Classrooms, Offices, Gym/Cafeteria, Various flash locations