Power Plays - Dramatic short plays for acting students

By Laurie Allen

Intense. Poignant. Moving. Powerful.
Power Plays is a compelling collection of 20 contemporary short plays designed to challenge, stretch, and inspire today’s acting students. Each piece delivers a powerful emotional punch, offering performers the opportunity to dive deep into complex characters and explore meaningful, real-world themes.

Spanning a wide spectrum of dramatic situations, these plays tackle topics such as revenge, abuse, loneliness, homelessness, eating disorders, loss, and relationships. With tones ranging from quietly heartfelt to deeply unsettling, Power Plays provides actors with rich material to develop authentic emotion, strong character arcs, and impactful performances.

Each play runs approximately 8 to 15 minutes, making them ideal for classroom use, competitions, festivals, and showcase performances. Flexible cast sizes ranging from 2 to 7 actors allow directors and educators to easily adapt selections to fit their group’s needs.

Why Directors & Educators Choose Power Plays

Actor-Focused Material
Each script is crafted to highlight emotional depth, giving performers meaningful opportunities to grow their skills and confidence.

Classroom-Ready Structure
Every play includes a synopsis, cast list, setting, and prop list, making rehearsal planning simple and efficient.

Relevant, Real-World Themes
Contemporary subject matter resonates with high school and young adult performers, encouraging discussion and reflection.

Perfect for Performance Settings
Ideal for:

• One-act competitions
• Dramatic showcases
• Acting classes and workshops
• Audition material and scene work

Designed for Serious Young Actors

Intended for high school performers and above, Power Plays features characters primarily in their teens and twenties, with dialogue that reflects real-life situations and includes mild, appropriate language for the material.

A Collection That Leaves an Impact

Laurie Allen delivers a powerful lineup of emotionally charged scenes that don’t just tell stories — they demand to be felt. Whether used in the classroom or on stage, Power Plays provides actors with unforgettable material that challenges them to connect, react, and perform at their highest level.

Perfect for:
High school theatre programs • Acting classes • Competition teams • Drama showcases • Advanced student performers

Twenty plays. Countless emotions. One unforgettable experience.