Beowulf on a Budget

A stage-action comedy farce
By: Eddie McPherson
Age Level: Middle Grades to High School
Cast: 22, mixed
Time: 30 minutes

Beowulf, the classic hero, kills the ferocious monster Grendel — but in a funny slapstick comedy? This adaptation becomes a farce when someone steals all the costumes and props the night before the show. But the show must go on! It gets even more hilarious every moment. Imagine Beowulf using a plastic bucket for his helmet, a mop for his sword, and his armor is a suit of mail (letters and postcards). The Director, acting as the narrator, helps the actors agonize through the preposterous adventure. The characters, dressed in appropriate costumes using impossible props, bravely accomplish their mission. Every student will want to read the true Beowulf story after this delightful fiasco.

Read a free sample of this script at www.contemporarydrama.com

Cricket County Academy

A one-act hillbilly comedy
By: Eddie McPherson
Age Level: Middle Grades to High School
Cast: 8F, 4M, plus extras
Time: 45 minutes

When Elkin inherits huge wealth from Uncle Zeke, he enrolls his hillbilly cousins into the highbrow private school, Gold-Leaf Academy. The school wants to reject the kinfolk when their cultural gap becomes a “black hole” of hilarious miscommunication. But when the school administration discovers that super-rich Elkin may endow the academy, everything changes. Cousin Fester even wins the "Prince Charming" role in the school production of Rapunzel as his sisters become the "Evil Witches." The country cousins have never been in a school play, so everything turns comically chaotic. Despite his ineptness, hayseed Fester wins the affection of the class beauty, Kayla, who plays the "Princess." Kayla chooses Fester to be her date to the school dance. Then Fester decides to take all the girls to the dance in his limo. The school snobs who ridiculed them learn that homespun charm and courtesy wins the day.

Read a portion of the script for free at www.contemporarydrama.com