Playwright Eric Alter has written 96 plays. Many of these plays are excellent educational plays for High Schools, Middle Schools and Grammar Schools. These plays have been produced and performed throughout the United States and Canada.
The plays are all owned by Eric Alter c/o Apricot Sky Productions and are available for performance to educational facilities while subject to a standard royalty fee. For information regarding the use of any of the plays below, please contact Eric Alter directly at apricotsky@aol.com
The Bully of Barksdale Steet: is featured in the textbook: Glencoe Literature Reading With a Purpose-Course 1 and PLAYS! The Drama Magazine for Young People. The play deals with the bullying of a junior high school student. The play explores themes of peer pressure, bullying, self-esteem, friendship and courage.
Mirror, Mirror: explores the issues of teenage anorexia and overeating. Mirror, Mirror is also published by PLAYS! The Drama Magazine for Young People. The play examines the relationship between two teenage girls both suffering from eating disorders. One suffers from overeating, the other anorexia. The play also explores issues of self-esteem, peer relationships, bullying, social outcasting and acceptance.
Rewind: addresses the horrors of domestic violence (this play is really only suitable for mature seniors and juniors in High School) The play explores a woman involved in a violent relationship and her attempts to get out. The play has strong language and violent scenes that are used to reinforce the terrible impact domestic violence has on everyone. The play explores issues such as self-esteem, verbal and physical abuse, social isolation and peer pressure.
Queen of the Playground: a heart-warming play of two grammar school girls, one whom suffers from Tourette's Syndrome. Joey--who in her first week at school has an encounter with Rachel, the so called "Queen of the Playground", an obnoxious girl who gets more than she bargained for when she tries to make fun of Joey. The play explores social acceptance, self-esteem, peer pressure, medical issues, friendship and growth. Queen of the Playground is also published in: PLAYS! The Drama Magazine for Young People.
Capsule: is a touching play about two high school students who are forced to work on a science project together. Through the course of working together, we learn about what the horrors of September 11th had on one of them. The play explores themes of family, self-esteem, peer pressure, trauma, social isolation and friendship. Capsule is also published in PLAYS! The Drama Magazine for Young People.
One Man's Junk: is the story of Kimberly, a high school junior, who while waiting for her bus to school gets a history lesson from an unemployed man picking through a garbage can. The man find things in the garbage can that is used to describe History in a way she never thought of before.
Mrs. Jaye: a heart-warming story of a man who returns some 40 years later to visit his favorite 3rd grade teacher in the twlight of her life suffering from Alzheimer's Disease. The play also takes us back to a time when Mrs. Jaye was a young teacher teaching her students about life, imagination, academics and the Vietnam War. Mrs. Jaye is also published in PLAYS! The Drama Magazine for Young People.
Too Old for Archie: explores the issue of teenage suicide. When Justin and Terry meet on a bridge, what we think is a chance encounter, turns out to be a life and death turning point for each of them. This play is only appropriate for mature high school students. The play explores self-esteem, teen/parent relationships, friendship, teen suicide, death and love.
Seven Minutes in Heaven: explores the issue of social acceptance. While at a party, George, a teenager into insects (he collects them and studies them), gets paired in a closet with Jennifer, one of the most popular girls in school--in the game "Seven Minutes in Heaven". What starts out as Jennifer digging into George for his lack of social awareness and "bug collecting" turns into a heart-warming conversation about real issue of lonliness, self-esteem, peer pressure and popularity.
Social Learning: explores the issue of teenage violence and dating. A short play (only 5 pages long) we discover that a boy really has no idea how to treat the girl he's with based on experiences he has seen in his life. This play has strong language but packs a very powerful punch.
Two for Dinner Now: is a story about teenage pregnancy. When Alicia confides in her best friend that she is pregnant, it begins a journey towards self-discovery.
Catch the Morning: is the touching story of a first year medical student from South Carolina who questions life and her journey towards becoming a doctor immediately following the September 11th attacks. The play asks deep moral questions regarding good and evil.
The Remission Tree: is the tender story of young boy suffering with Lukemia. After treatment for Lukemia, Christopher, a 10 year old boy is unhappy and embarrassed his hair has fallen out. He decides to climb a tree and makes a vow to not come down until his hair has grown back. A fireman, named Smokey is called to the scene. Once there, Smokey and Christopher for a friendship and a bond that makes Chrisopher rethink his decision to stay in a tree for a while. The play medical illness, self-esteem, acceptence and friendship. The Remission Tree is published in PLAYS! The Drama Magazine for Young People.
Two Left Feet: is the touching story of dealing with the death of a loved one. When Jonathan makes his first visit to the cemetary after his fiancee was killed by a drunk driver, he meets Lillian--a free spirited older woman who helps Jonathan deal with his grief. A touching look at the complexities of mourning the pain and loss of a loved one. The play deals with grief, anger, love, friendship, anger and acceptence. Two Left Feet will be published by PLAYS! The Drama Magazine for Young People in October, 2009.
The Sparrow House: is a haunting look at child abuse. (This play is intended for mature audiences, mainly seniors and juniors in High School). The Sparrow House is a short play that deals with a brother and sister who abused by the people who are supposed to love them the most. A disturbing look at child abuse and how children deal in ways they never should have to. The play deals with child abuse--both physical and mental, self-esteem and trauma.
Runaway Township: explores issues of children who wish to runaway. When 9 year old Billy decides he's had just about enough of his home life, he sets off to runaway from home. While waiting for a bus, he meets up with Petey (and undercover police officer) who explains to him that there is a place where kids go who want to run away--aptly called: Runaway Township--a place where there are no rules, no mommies, where you have to fend for your own. After a while, Billy has second thoughts how far he might go on his journey. The plays deals with issues of home life, parenting, self-esteem and love.
CHAT: Explores the dangers of Internet chat rooms and online friendships. When 14 year old Jenny is upset with her friends and family, she turns to the Internet, where she believes she is talking to her new best-friend, who turns out to be Greg, a 40 year old man with an agenda of his own. A scary look at the cyber-world and it's impact on young people. The play deals with issues of lonliness, self-esteem, parenting and manipulation.
The King and Queen of Planet Pookie (is Eric Alter's favorite play): it is the heartwarming story of Remi, a 16 year old runaway trying to find her place in this "big old world". She meets up with Mitchell, a 16 year "brainiac" who is waiting for a shooting star. They form an unlikely bond and unviel some touching secrets to one another. The play deals with lonliness, runaways, self-esteem, trauma, death, grief, family, friendship, love and ultimately acceptence.
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