Plays With a Small Cast
These plays have a cast size between 6 and 10. For even smaller casts, see:
The Bear by Anton Chekhov (1 Act)
Popova is still mourning the death of her husband from seven months ago. Her elderly servant, Luka, urges her to go to a ball, or at least to go outside. Even though her husband wasn’t always good to her, Popova is determined to be faithful forever.
This play can be read in the preview of Delphi Complete Works of Anton Chekhov. (62% in)
Starstruck by Roy Williams
Dennis, a young man, is at a Kingston Bus Station. Another young man arrives carrying several bags. Dennis starts talking to him, but the man is suspicious. His mother warned him about thieves. Dennis assures him he only wants to help. He calls a cab for the man. Dennis hears from his girlfriend, Pammy, about a movie star who’s shooting a film in Kingston. Meanwhile, Gravel plans on starting a taxi service.
The beginning of this play can be read in the preview of Starstruck’ & ‘The No-Boys Cricket Club. (Kindle preview)
Everybody Black by Dave Harris
A man introduces himself as a Black Historian. He’s been offered a lot of money by a group of white historians to write a definitive account of The Black Experience™. They want to know everything. The Black Historian accepted the offer, but there are problems—he’s mad, doesn’t know history, and has never met another Black person.
This play has 30+ characters but can be performed by 6-10 actors.
Several scenes from this play can be read in the preview of Humana Festival 2019: The Complete Plays. (56% in)
Marvin’s Room by Scott McPherson
Bessie has been caring for her bed-ridden father after he suffered a stroke. She also takes care of her eccentric Aunt Ruth. When Bessie is diagnosed with Leukemia, her estranged sister, Lee, comes to be tested as a bone marrow donor. She brings along her two troubled sons. The sisters navigate their strained relationship under these new circumstances.
Death and the King’s Horseman by Wole Soyinka (5 Acts)
Elesin Oba walks through a village market in Nigeria, accompanied by drummers and singers. The women flirt with him. Elesin proclaims his commitment to the duty he must perform. This is his last day of life. The king died a month ago and is to be buried tonight. As the king’s chief horseman, it is Elesin’s duty to kill himself so the king won’t be alone.
The Bald Soprano by Eugene Ionesco (1 Act)
Mr. and Mrs. Smith spend the evening in their English home. They talk about their evening and some people they know. Mary, the maid, says she has been out with a man. She also announces the arrival of guests, the Martins.
The Hairy Ape by Eugene O’Neil (8 Scenes)
Fireroom workers on a large ship are off-duty, talking and drinking. Yank, a strong, aggressive man dismissed talk about Capitalists, believing in his own strength. On the upper deck, Mildred, the daughter of the chairman of the ship line, relaxes with her aunt. Mildred wants the lower-class experience and arranges to visit the lower deck. Her presence angers Yank.
Accidental Death of an Anarchist by Dario Fo (2 Acts)
Inspector Bertozzo is interviewing the Maniac, a man who’s been arrested multiple times for impersonation. Bertozzo tries to corner the Maniac into admitting to some wrongdoing, but he’s evasive. Betozzo has to release him. The Maniac sneaks back into the empty office and goes through the files. He destroys some of them. He finds documents related to a case in the public consciousness, about an anarchist who died while in police custody.
The Cocktail Party by T. S. Eliot
Guests are gathered at the Chamberlayne home for a cocktail party, but Mrs. Chamberlayne isn’t there. Her husband makes an excuse for her absence, but she has left him. He talks to a psychiatrist about his life.
The Little Foxes by Lillian Hellman (3 Acts)
In a small town in the Deep South, there’s a gathering at the Giddens house. The family has just made a deal with Mr. Marshall, a Chicago businessman, to build and run a cotton mill. The arrangement will make them all wealthy. The Giddens siblings—Regina, Oscar and Ben—are present, along with other family. Regina’s husband, Horace, is in Baltimore due to a heart condition. The siblings have big plans for the money and want as large a share as possible.
Da by Hugh Leonard
Charlie is back in his childhood home after the death of his adoptive father. He sorts through his things, talks to a representation of him, and remembers events from life.
This Is a Test by Stephen Gregg (1 Act)
It’s test day at school, and Alan is panicked. All his preparation has gone wrong, and there are many distractions. He struggles to answer the questions.
The Birthday Party by Harold Pinter (3 Acts)
Stanley is staying at Meg and Petey’s boardinghouse. Two new visitors, Goldberg and McCann, arrive, which causes Stanley some concern. A birthday party is being planned for Stanley, but when confronted by the two new men, he denies it’s his birthday. They question him thoroughly.
