11 Short Plays About Love

As Valentine’s Day is rounding the corner, I’ve compiled a collection of eleven (11) short plays, all centering around the idea of love, from various angles. Whether marrying out of spite, longing for romance in another world, or sacrificing for your life partner, these plays showcase high stakes drama about love. The roles and worlds created in these plays are unique and memorable, making for fun theatrical challenges for actors, directors, designers and production teams. Enjoy!

11 SHORT PLAYS ABOUT LOVE

ALFRED AND LILY AND THEIR MARVELOUS TANK IN THE FOREST
When Alfred and Lily are transplanted to a mysterious tank in the forest, they must decide if they will trust their new benefactors or find a way to escape.
Details: 10-minute play, 2 actors (1 m, 1 f), absurdist, dark comedy

A HUMAN BODY TO HUG
Dana and Cody are on a blind date. On Zoom. During a pandemic. Despite the awkwardness, they strive to find a connection during a very isolating time. And...well, someone has to clean up cat pee...
Details: 10-minute play for Zoom, 2 actors (1 m, 1 f), drama, comedy, zoom theater

WHAT’S INSIDE THE EIFFEL TOWER COFFEE MUG
On their 10th wedding anniversary, Rebecca finally reveals to Henry a secret collection she has been hoarding. But what Henry sees inside his souvenir coffee mugs may change their marriage forever. (Hint: It’s not coffee)
Details: 10-minute play, 2 actors (1 f, 1 m), dark comedy, absurdist, drama

POORLY WRAPPED
When Grace, a beautiful and mysterious woman, walks into a local gift shop on a small island, the sales clerk is instantly smitten with her. Under Grace’s “guidance,” Clark goes to extreme lengths to make sure she is satisfied with her purchase. Yet as her demands increase, Clark is torn between his duty to the shop and his growing lust of this stranger.
Details: one-act play, running time around 25 minutes, 2 actors (1 m, 1 f), dark comedy, drama, suspense

THE SCENT OF COCONUT HAD HAUNTED HER FOR DAYS
A newlywed Woman chooses unusual methods to communicate to her husband that she is not happy she might be pregnant. Her husband, in turn, finds ways to ignore the situation he does not wish to address. As the Woman becomes increasingly obsessed with a backyard weed garden growing in her picnic table, the dissonance in their marriage escalates.
Details: 10-minute play, 2 actors (1 f, 1 m), drama, comedy

MARSOPA’S TALE
Marsopa is the lone mermaid of her sea, but enjoys the company of her best friend and water-sister, a dolphin named Stone. But when Stone considers starting her own family, Marsopa faces the idea of being truly alone. That is - until she makes eyes with an intriguing fisherman... Now Marsopa must call into question the truth of mermaid and human legends, and decide what she is willing to risk for the possibility of creating her own fate.
Details: 10-minute play, monologue play, 1 actor (female), drama

RUTH AND HARRY & THE DINNER PARTY
While preparing for a dinner party, Ruth reveals a well-kept secret to her husband, which jeopardizes their future as a family.
Details: 10-minute play, 2 actors (1 f, 1 m), 1940s, dark comedy, drama, comedy

THE OTHER THREE SISTERS
Intertwined scenes of a family are juxtaposed between the 1700s of Jane Austen’s day, and the late 1900s in Queens, NY. 18th Century Mary must decide if she will wed on oaf she despises to make her neighbors jealous, as 20th Century Mary considers allowing back her missing husband who claims to have been sleeping for the years he was away. While the scenes span generations, the women encounter the same issues of marriage, money, and pride.
Details: One-act play, around 40 minutes, 5 actors (4 f, 1 m), period piece/1700s, comedy, drama, partial adaptation of Jane Austen’s The Three Sisters

UNDER THE ASHES
Emmett frantically searches for keys to his private office which he thinks his wife has hidden. But before Lorna will answer his questions about the keys, she insists on telling him about her day, including the mysterious trinket she says her lost son has sent her.
Details: 10-minute play, 2 actors (1 f, 1, m), absurdist, drama

THE ITEMS FORGOTTEN
Locked out of their house for the third time this week, Travis and Kira search for their spare key on their porch, and begin questioning their relationship (and state of mind)!
Details: 5-minute play, 2 actors (1 f, 1 m), drama, comedy

WAITING FOR WIND
Two tulips’ lives change for the better when they meet each other at high sun. They have a connection and it is clear they were meant for each other. Yet can they overcome their fears about the future, and lift each other up, despite the stagnant air?
Details: 10-minute play, 2 actors (1 m, 1 f/inclusive casting), drama, comedy, teen