Open Forum

Hello all! I just completed my first year of teaching and boy was it something! I was hoping I could get some help in finding the right play for my kiddos for next year's One Act Play. I want to give them something they have never done before in this high school. For OAP, I would like to have them do something that will leave the audience's jaws on the floor. Something that will REALLY give them that catharsis we so desperately try to aim for. I was thinking of going in the horror direction. Obviously something appropriate for high school and something that can be easily cut if needed. So far I've only really found farce horror or comedy horror, and that just doesn't sit right with me. I'm looking for a script that really sticks with you not because it's funny. If anyone has any ideas, I would appreciate them all! Thank you in advance! 

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Alan Hurtado
Victoria West High School
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The Pillowman by Martin McDonagh is an absolutely chilling, full-length horror play.

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Robin Blasberg
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very still & hard to see by Steve Yockey. A haunted hotel based on Japanese mythology. Each scene deals with a different guest and how they are affected by the spirits in the hotel. I think it's brilliantly written and I love how the final scene connects back to the opening scene and brings closure. There is a lot of opportunity for ensemble work, movement and stage pictures. There are some strong adult themes, but I had no problem getting permission to cut the play for time (we took it to competition five or six years ago) and for language. Cast size is flexible and can handle an ensemble - I think we  had 20 in the cast. It will definitely stay with people. 

Not quite horror, but horror adjacent is Bellwether by Steve Yockey (he's one of my favorite playwrights). A young girl goes missing and suspicion falls upon her parents. There ends up being a supernatural element including a very creepy doll character. Again, I had no probklem getting permission to cut for time and language. The play doesn't allow for an ensemble - it can be done with as few as 10 or up to 16.

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Ken Buswell
Drama Teacher
Peachtree City, GA
http://mcintoshtheater.org/

Theater kills ignorance
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"Those Who Remain Turn the Pages" is actually two horror one-acts that can either be done together or individually. The author, Del Martin, has several horror-esq one-acts, including "In the Forests of the Night" which is a popular competition piece.

https://www.yourstagepartners.com/those-who-remain-turn-the-pages

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Brendan Conheady
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