This site describes 4618 one-act plays using four or fewer actors, making available unpublished and published scripts by worldwide playwrights in multiple languages and various media. Small-Cast One-Act Guide Online is a free resource for playwrights, actors, agents, directors, dramaturgs, producers, publishers, students, and librarians. It encourages the publication, perusal, production, payment of royalties, and preservation of scripts.

visits have built this site since 1995.

"What's the point of a play that no one ever sees?"
—David Eliott Brown, Scottish playwright (1964-2005)



"And to be a playwright today is to be a Willy Loman, where you take your plays in a suitcase and go anywhere."
—John Guare, responding to Arthur Miller in a round table,The New York Times, September 24, 2000

Anyone seeking permission to read or use these plays can e-mail, telephone, or write a playwright or agent and should first give a clear, adequate self-introduction and present all pertinent information about intentions.

Small-Cast One-Act Guide Online encourages paying living playwrights. Remuneration for script use enables them to continue their creative output. A handy chart explains free use of scripts through public domain. Another chart amplifies conditions.

Playwrights should read News Flashes for addresses to send scripts for production or publication or competition.

Librarians have a special theatrical role: that is, to keep scripts available for stage and study. For this, librarians can e-mail individual playwrights for archival copies.

Are you available? The staff of this site seeks help to research, format, and upload citations from a backlogged six thousand items. Willingness to use Wiki tools and a general knowledge of dramatic literature are prerequisites. A graduate theatre degree is ideal but not required. Contact lwheniford@gmail.com.



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