The reason? Daniel Keyes writes a very warm and human form of science fiction in Flowers for Algernon. Witty and charmingly outlandish, The Intelligent Design of Jenny Chow offers a fresh, surprisingly insightful take on the human vs. technology theme. A play thats fascinating to watch and to perform. In Chinua Achebes Things Fall Apart, readers encounter a complex and beautifully rendered examination of life with the Igbo tribe in Africa, both before and after the white mans interference. This classic drama by Arthur Miller tells the story of the Salem Witch Trials of the 1690s. them first. For its off-Broadway revival, we described John Cariani's play about the denizens of a small town in northern Maine as "the ideal play for high school." Probably the wittiest comedy in the English language. Coursework/GPA. Her son, Edmund, develops the symptoms of tuberculosis, and Edmunds brother Jaime and father Tyrone must deal with the addictions and illnesses of their family members while bickering between themselves. When Ernest is in the country visiting his young ward, Cecily, he takes on the name Jack to appear more professional. Caesar responds, E tu, Brute? and dies. Through a series of vignettes, it demonstrates American inefficiency overseas. An eclectic blend of comedy and drama, these shows offer plenty of opportunity for young performers to really show off their acting chops. This play is perfect for high school students because its full of comedy and many small roles can be played by multiple students. Jane Austens Pride and Prejudice follows a family with five daughters, all unwed, and all, due to English customs of the late 1700s and early 1800s, in need of wedding. 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. Also, the characters in this novel were especially stupid. Modern playwrights are dogged in their exploration of bleak, unpleasant material, but in Vanya and Sonia and Masha and Spike, Christopher Durang offers us a respite. The vacant throne was offered to Oedipus, and with it the hand of the Queen, Jocasta. Playwright: Bruce NorrisLicensing: Dramatists Play Service. Playwright: Sarah RuhlLicensing: Concord Theatricals. Choose from one of the choices below. Thats reflected in contemporary plays, which offer heartbreaking insights and breathtaking hilarity in equal measure. Whether youre looking for famous modern plays or contemporary comedic plays, weve got you covered. Its a clever conceit, though some pairings are more fun than others. As he perfects his recipe, the chaos of his chosen and biological family swirls around him in the kitchen. Summary: This play is the basis for My Fair Lady. John Steinbecks masterful The Grapes of Wrath centers around the Great Depression and the Dust Bowl in American history. Or did Miller presciently predict the popular social media pastime of public shaming? Playwright: Nilo CruzLicensing: Dramatists Play Service. When her deceased husbands insurance money comes through, Mama Lena dreams of moving to a new home and a better neighborhood in Chicago. The story focuses upon a young farmer, his wife, and a young servant-girl who maliciously causes the wifes arrest for witchcraft. 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. Even if you can't read all of them, picking a few would not be a bad place to start. This bold and controversial novel by J. D. Salinger centers around ideas including adolescent sexuality and relationships. 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. Best Character: Martha for a complex internal struggle. The Hobbit is lighter and more kid-focused, but still addresses important themes. (Not an actual representation of Janie. 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. The characters are flawed and funnyand youll be glad you dont have to hang out with them in real life. View our Privacy Policy. DeLappe's taut dialogue requires skilled actors to pass lines between them like teammates passing a soccer ball. Jake Wilkenson led Collinsville with 16 points. b. Dont let this list scare you! 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. Tom Wingfield, an aspiring poet who works at a shoe factory to make ends meet, is desperate to get out from under the thumb of his mother. Without being heavy handed or boring, Schreck tackles everything from abuse to the people who are ignored by the Constitution (hint: its most of us). Summary: The story focuses upon a young farmer, his wife, and a young servant-girl who maliciously causes the wifes arrest for witchcraft. He encounters a number of varied setbacks along the way, and the trouble isnt over when he gets home. The play takes place in four acts over the course of one day, and its a beautiful doozy of a play. It was until you realized nothing 1. You might even learn a thing or two; Prebble manages to make complicated concepts feel more accessible. Gaining some understanding of this horrific genocide is crucial to students. The script isnt without its flaws, but its funny, touching, and worth a read. Mary tells her grandmother the lie, swearing it to be true, and when her grandmother calls the other girls parents, the lie spins so out of control that it destroys the lives of the two women forever. 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. (Isnt theater grand?) The Wolves. Check out our top-rated graduate blogs here: PrepScholar 2013-2018. 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: David HarrowerLicensing: Dramatists Play Service. Best Characters: Mary Warren and Abigail Williams for fatal shenanigans. 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. Playwright: Rajiv JosephLicensing: Dramatists Play Service. 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. Oberon and his faithful servant, Puck, cause trouble when Puck accidentally makes Lysander andDemetrius fall in love withHelenaand Titania fall in love with a boastful actor named Bottom who Puck turns into a donkey. Playwright: Doug WrightLicensing: Dramatists Play Service. 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. Oberon and his faithful servant, Puck, cause trouble when Puck accidentally makes Lysander and. Iago sets up a ruse to make Othello think that Desdemona cheats on him, and Othello suffocates Desdemona with the pillows of their marriage bed. The show calls for a 20-person cast (10 men, 10 women), meaning that a lot of students can participate in roles small and large. Almost, Maine The part of Abigail Williams, in particular, is an opportunity for a young female star to really shine. It can be interpreted religiously, politically, psychoanalytically, or any number of other ways, but the basic premise is that a group of schoolboys stranded on an island descend into grotesque savagery. Whether you prefer manga or ancient, epic poems, reading is great for all sorts of reasons. The Curious Incident of the Dog in the Night-Time, which is based on the Mark Haddon novel of the same name, gives readers a peek into Christophers ultra-logical view of the world. Play #2: Burlington nails buzzer beater against South Burlington. Sharp and more than a little cynical, this fast-paced contemporary comedic play stands out in any theatrical season. If you want to get your young actors really working as a team, this show will do it. It tells the story of a war heros ten-year quest to return to his home, wife, and son. Anderson, Maxwell. 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. Its shortly after 9/11, and an eclectic assortment of guests has gathered for a Manhattan dinner party. Of all of Shakespeares works, it's a particularly popular one to read in high school for a variety of reasons. As you work long hours at this tedious job, a man called a lector reads aloud to you from the front of the room. On the surface, Fairview seems like a relatively standard family drama. Web1 of 5 stars 2 of 5 stars 3 of 5 stars 4 of 5 stars 5 of 5 stars. Dorine (the spritely comic maid) and Tartuffe for sheer hilarity. A Christmas Cinderella. Walter Lee, a chauffeur, has other plans: buying a liquor store and being his own man. 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. Gertrudes son, Hamlet, takes serious issue with this change, goes a little nuts, and puts his trust in his best friend, Horatio, and two friends from school, Rosencrantz and Guildenstern. Sarah DeLappe's critically acclaimed play about a girls' soccer team is perfect for a drama club Though her father approves of the match, Othellos confident, Iago, becomes jealous of Othellos promotion and conspires against Othello with Rodrigo, a man who lusts after Desdemona. Best Character:A clown named Robin, the servant of Wagner (Faustuss servant), for comic misadventures. Asner attended Wyandotte When a racist and bigoted pitcher joins the team, everything descends into chaos. Then theres the thematic material, which includes obedience, fate, and rash decisions, among others. As the title character returns from a second tour in Iraq at age 19, he discovers how his trauma parallels that of his father and grandfather. This semi-autobiographical novel by Rudolfo Anaya contains a healthy dose of magical realism and is considered a staple of Chicano literature. This is a moving read for students who wish to understand how intelligence plays into our humanity. 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good plays to read in high school
