Bullying Prevention Month | October 2023
Throughout the month of October, schools and communities stand together against bullying. In honor of Bullying Prevention Month we are shining a spotlight on plays that tackle themes of kindness and acceptance. These titles show that empathy and understanding can play a vital role in combating bullying and fostering a world where everyone feels valued and accepted. The Hundred Dresses Wanda Petronski just wants to join the fun of having friends like everyone else. But in 1930’s small town America, a Polish immigrant doesn’t easily fit in. When Maddie’s best friend Peggy starts to tease Wanda, Maddie knows it isn’t right. When...
Banned Books Week | October 1-7, 2023
Across America, books are disappearing from classrooms and library shelves- but it isn't stopping there. The censorship of stories has begun to impact our stages; often targeting artists of already marginalized communities. Banned Books Week was launched in 1982 in response to a sudden surge in the number of challenges to books in libraries, bookstores, and schools. To recognize Banned Books Week, Plays for New Audiences put together a list of plays based on stories that have been banned throughout time. Something Happened in Our Town Named the 6th top banned book of 2020, this book was one of many racialized books banned and...
Introducing 'Recipe for Disaster' by Barry Kornhauser
Plays for New Audiences is proud to introduce the newest title in our catalogue, Recipe for Disaster by Barry Kornhauser! To celebrate, we sat down to talk with Barry about the inspiration for this piece. Barry's theatre honors include the Children's Theatre Foundation of America's Orlin Corey Medallion, the American Alliance for Theatre & Education (AATE) Charlotte Chorpenning Cup, Helen Hayes Award for Outstanding Play (Cyrano), Ivey Playwriting Award (Reeling), Bonderman Playwriting Prize (Worlds Apart), and three AATE Distinguished Play Awards (This Is Not A Pipe Dream, Balloonacy, and Corduroy). His youth theatre program for teens living with disabilities and other life challenges was honored at the...
Great Titles for One-Act Competitions
It is almost time again for middle and high school one-act competitions! Our team of professional educators compiled our favorite picks for a stand out performance. Each of these titles includes permission to cut the script to your competition time limits. The Book of Everything Nine year-old Thomas can see things no one else can: tropical fish thriving in the Amsterdam canals, trumpeting sparrows and even a hailstorm of frogs. He also sees the unhappiness of his family, the violence in his father, and the pain that lingers long after the war is over. All this – good and bad...