21 Short Plays for College Theatre Programs

Discover 21 short plays for college theatre programs, including comedies, dramas, and ensemble pieces for classes, festivals, and showcases.

For thousands of free original monologues check out our main Monologue Hub, wherein each monologue is derived from a play script.

Where to find play scripts for college theatre programs?

Finding the right short play for a college theatre program can be challenging, especially when balancing strong storytelling, manageable production requirements, and opportunities for student performers to shine.

Whether you’re directing a classroom scene study, organizing a one-act festival, or selecting material for a university showcase, short plays offer flexibility and creative variety.

In this guide, we’ve rounded up 21 excellent short plays for college theatre programs, featuring a mix of comedy, drama, and ensemble-friendly works to suit different casts, performance goals, and educational settings.

Buck’s Last Straw

• Genre: Serio-Comedy
• Characters: Buck, Rick
• Duration: 12-minute stage play
• Description: Buck shows up at Rick’s house bruised by his wife and confused about his marriage and career. 
• Dialogue Snippet: “That’s alright buddy. We’re all hurting over something. Some of us hide it better than others.” ~Rick
• [Read Scene]

The Missing Page

• Genre: Drama
• Characters: Fabian, Murielle
• Duration: 10-minute stage play
• Description: Fabian shares information about himself with a woman he just met at a house party. 
• Dialogue Snippet: “Pages ninety-seven and ninety-eight. Is that where you were? (beat) I believe you were up to page ninety-six. You will need this page to continue.” ~Fabian
• [Read Scene]

Nine Times Out of Ten

• Genre: Drama
• Characters: Andy, Ishi
• Duration: 10-minute stage play
• Description: Andy talks to Ishi about a customer he helped at his job that made him feel “off”.
• Dialogue Snippet: “I’m saying that I’d like to fight this woman.” ~Ishi
• [Read Scene]

The Dance

• Genre: Drama
• Characters: Chester, Elsie
• Duration: 10-minute stage play
• Description: Chester tries to admit a self truth to Elsie in order to push their relationship forward in a positive way.
• Dialogue Snippet: “Maybe you’re right…maybe I need to let myself go and dive into the madness you seem to imagine I can’t throw myself into.” ~Chester
• [Read Scene]

Transitions

• Genre: Serio-Comedy
• Characters: Orton, Colby, Justine
• Duration: 10-minute stage play
• Description: Orton is fed up with Colby’s poor working habits and ongoing lateness.
• Dialogue Snippet: “Look, I don’t care if you choke on a powdered, cream filled donut, as long as you MAKE THE CUT.” ~Orton
• [Read Scene]

Can’t Wait Till Tomorrow

• Genre: Drama
• Characters: Frank, Kyra, Trish
• Duration: 10-minute stage play
• Description: Kyra wants to move on from the life she has always known, even if that means not settling with Frank.
• Dialogue Snippet: “No, I want you here, Trish, so when we wake up in the morning we can discuss the verdict for this vermin.” ~Kyra
• [Read Scene]

Along With You

• Genre: Drama
• Characters: Tilly, Gerard
• Duration: 10-minute stage play
• Description: Tilly is secretly flattered after Gerard questions if she is leaving town.
• Dialogue Snippet: “That’s a good question…I just wanted to see who would notice, and you know somethin’? You’re the only person who noticed.” ~Tilly
• [Read Scene]

Destination Wrong

• Genre: Drama
• Characters: Clara, Crosby
• Duration: 10-minute stage play
• Description: Clara and Crosby are two strangers who have met in a hotel lobby in order to stay warm during winter.  They quickly become fast friends and end up going back to Crosby’s apartment for wine and conversation.
• Dialogue Snippet: “I don’t know why. As soon as I spotted you in the hotel lobby, you’ve been a magnet to my eyes.” ~Crosby
• [Read Scene]

People’s Lives

• Genre: Serio-Comedy
• Character: Calum, Richie Penelope
• Duration: 10-minute stage play
• Description: Calum saves Penelope from physical harm but must suffer the consequences of protecting the woman he loves.
• Dialogue Snippet: “It’s alright. She told me she’s not gonna rat on me, Richie. I sanitized it and everything. It’s back in your toolbox… No one will find out, he didn’t see me…so no worries.” ~Calum
• [Read Scene]

Songs From the Courtyard

• Genre: Drama
• Characters: Mckenzie, Paul
• Duration: 10-minute stage play
• Description: Mckenzie won’t let Paul back in the house because he’s shown he won’t change.
• Dialogue Snippet: “I ain’t perfect, but at least I make the effort.” ~Mckenzie
• [Read Scene]

Crimson

• Genre: Drama
• Characters: Chuckie, Holly
• Duration: 10-minute stage play
• Description: Chuckie tries to convince Holly to go out with him for a cup of coffee before their business exchange.
• Dialogue Snippet: “Listen, how ’bout this? I won’t expect nothin’ from you, and you don’t expect nothin’ from me, no harm will be done.” ~Chuckie
• [Read Scene]

Brush of Wind

• Genre: Comedy
• Characters: Lucretia, Mullen
• Duration: 10-minute stage play
• Description: Mullen shows up in Lucretia’s garden to see  if she would like to join him for a swim in the ocean.
• Dialogue Snippet: “Oh. Right. I’m more of a Dostoevsky.” ~Mullen
• [Read Full Scene]

Cold Sunday

• Genre: Dark Humor
• Characters: Leah, Roger
• Duration: 10-minute stage play
• Description: Leah meets her friend Roger to help him out after he was attacked by a beloved dog.
• Dialogue Snippet: “‘Cause I was BLOODY DRUNK OFF MY ROCKER!!!” ~Roger
• [Read Scene]

You Wouldn’t Believe Ralphy

• Genre: Dark Humor
• Characters: Kelly, Ralphy, Donnie
• Duration: 10-minute stage play
• Description: Donnie and Kelly are expecting a payment for the money owed by Ralph but all doesn’t go as planned because of his wild tale.
• Dialogue Snippet: “Have you come to deliver the money or the bullsh’t?” ~Kelly
• [Read Scene]

Tina, Hank, Hank, TIna

• Genre: Comedy
• Characters: Hank, Tina, Marv
• Duration: 10-minute stage play
• Description: Hank arrives at his brother’s place in order to help him avoid being killed.
• Dialogue Snippet: “How the hell do you live this way? HOW?! The moment I arrived here it’s been nothing but misdirection, running in circles and getting shot at.” ~Hank
• [Read Scene]

Vin Rogue

• Genre: Comedy
• Characters: Rianna, Cosmo, Tilda
• Duration: 14-minute stage play
• Description: Cosmo, Rianna and Tilda express themselves to one another while trying to discover who they are. 
• Dialogue Snippet: “I don’t want to fight. I’m tired of fighting.” ~Cosmo
• [Read Scene]

Hole in the Ocean

• Genre: Absurd
• Characters: Harley, Peggy, Norman
• Duration: 10-minute stage play
• Description: Peggy and Harley can’t seem to come to terms with the source of their unhappiness. 
• Dialogue Snippet: “How I thoroughly enjoyed beating you, dearie me. One of my greatest pleasures in life.” ~Peggy
• [Read Scene]

Number 23

• Genre: Dark Humor
• Characters: Cal, Siri, Herbert
• Duration: 10-minute stage play
• Description: Cal returns to the laundromat to pick up an item that has been deliberately thrown out.
• Dialogue Snippet: “Yes, I know. I comprehend that you said you threw number twenty-three away, but I’m asking you WHY did you do that?” ~Cal
• [Read Scene]

Midnight Sighs

• Genre: Serio-Comedy
• Characters: Dom, Elle, Boyd
• Duration: 10-minute stage play
• Description: Dom is dumbfounded over the fact that the woman he’s been chasing for years has suddenly went off with another man inside of an hour.
• Dialogue Snippet: “I’ve been at it for three years. Three years. Not even a cup of coffee. Believe that? I couldn’t even strike up the nerve to ask her out for a cup of coffee. I’d come in here every week, I couldn’t take my eyes off her, thinking about how beautiful she is, I always made her laugh. Loads of times, good times.” ~Dom
• [Read Scene]

Across The Face

• Genre: Comedy
• Characters Carol, Dave, Mumford, Yolanda, Bobby
• Duration: 14-minute stage play
• Description: Mumford is directing his dream play but the problem is that he has borrowed money from the wrong people to do so. 
• Dialogue Snippet: “Yeah, but I think I can add some value, being as Yolanda and me are sittin’ right here in the audience, you know, her and I could bring additional insight.” ~Bobby
• [Read Scene]

Pizza from Carlos

• Genre: Serio-Comedy
• Characters: Corky, Moe, Saul
• Duration: 10-minute stage play
• Description: Corky shows up at a strangers apartment offering pizza in order to tell her story.
• Dialogue Snippet: “To think, I love this woman, actually love her more than anything in this world…why is it so hard to control our emotions? (beat) I’m asking you guys…why?” ~Corky
• [Read Scene]

In Conclusion

Choosing the right short play can make a lasting impact on both performers and audiences.

Whether you’re looking for a comedy that energizes a showcase, a thought-provoking drama for classroom discussion, or an ensemble piece that gives every student a meaningful role, the right script can help create a memorable theatrical experience.

We hope this list of 21 short plays for college theatre programs helps you find the perfect fit for your next production and inspires your students to grow as artists both on and off the stage.