Australian One-Act Plays for Young Adults

Five compelling and theatrically dynamic plays that celebrate the strength of the human spirit, blending hope, humour and heart.

Australian One-Act Plays for Young Adults is a collection of original plays that has been crafted to serve as a valuable and pragmatic resource for educators and theatre-makers seeking engaging and adaptable scripts for young people.

In each story are universal themes and strongly defined characters, offering young actors ample stage time and the opportunity to showcase their skills. From a kooky wellness expert hiding a secret to a corrupt prison guard thwarting the system, each play provides a platform for young actors to shine.

Originally written for, and tested by, senior drama classes, the plays can be utilised as standalone pieces or as part of the anthology and are all largely flexible, accommodating varying cast sizes, gender and cultural demographics, and the diverse skills and abilities of the group. Each play also contains a set of questions, prompting discussion around central themes, key characters, and significant moments in the script to guide young people to think critically about dramaturgy, representation, and theatricality.