Breaking News eScriptAvailable

Breaking News by Tim Kochenderfer

(12)
Productions (109)
Comedy
|
45 - 55 minutes
3 W, 4 M, 9 Any (12-22 actors possible: 2-18 W, 3-19 M)
Set: Minimal.

Channel Eight is Detroit's least-watched newscast. The ratings are lower than ever, the viewers are leaving their TVs off so they don't accidentally tune in, the writers are adding on-air fights to the anchors' scripts, and the reporters can't tell a story to save their lives. As a last-ditch effort, the station hires a news director with a plan to make Channel Eight number one. What the station doesn't realize is that his plan involves a reporter being killed on air. Will the Channel Eight news team catch on to his diabolical scheme? Or will it turn out that the best way to break news is to fix it? Find out, straight ahead.

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Pricing Information

Min. Performance Fee* $55
Standard Edition $11.99
eScript Digital Edition $17.5
Stage Manager Edition $24.99
Archival Video License $75

*The per performance fee begins at $55. Your per performance fee will be provided during the ordering process.

eScript Digital editions when purchased as a retail item cannot be printed or downloaded. They are for reading on personal computer, or tablet devices (phones, iPads, Kobo, Sony, etc.). It can viewed on up to 5 individual devices. When an escript is purchased as part of a license, please email [email protected] to receive your printable PDF.


Playscripts is pleased to offer an Archival Video License for an additional $150 for full-length plays and $75 for one-act plays.

Play Details

Channel Eight is Detroit's least-watched newscast. The ratings are lower than ever, the viewers are leaving their TVs off so they don't accidentally tune in, the writers are adding on-air fights to the anchors' scripts, and the reporters can't tell a story to save their lives. As a last-ditch effort, the station hires a news director with a plan to make Channel Eight number one. What the station doesn't realize is that his plan involves a reporter being killed on air. Will the Channel Eight news team catch on to his diabolical scheme? Or will it turn out that the best way to break news is to fix it? Find out, straight ahead.

  • Comedy
  • |
  • 45 - 55 minutes
  • 3 W, 4 M, 9 Any (12-22 actors possible: 2-18 W, 3-19 M)
  • Set: Minimal.

Production History

MAR 07, 2025 - MAR 07, 2025
Calamus-Wheatland CSD
Wheatland, IA United States
 Calamus-Wheatland CSD Wheatland, IA United States
OCT 10, 2024 - OCT 11, 2024
Belton New Tech High School
Belton, TX United States
 Belton New Tech High School Belton, TX United States
NOV 16, 2023 - NOV 20, 2023
Cleveland High School
Cleveland, TN United States
 Cleveland High School Cleveland, TN United States
MAY 04, 2023 - MAY 04, 2023
Franklin Academy High School Theatre
Wake Forest, NC United States
 Franklin Academy High School Theatre Wake Forest, NC United States
MAY 04, 2023 - MAY 04, 2023
Sahuaro High School Theater
Tucson, AZ United States
 Sahuaro High School Theater Tucson, AZ United States
JAN 26, 2023 - JAN 26, 2023
Cathedral High School Theatre
Indianapolis, IN United States
 Cathedral High School Theatre Indianapolis, IN United States
JAN 18, 2023 - JAN 19, 2023
John McCrae Secondary School
Ottawa, ON Canada
 John McCrae Secondary School Ottawa, ON Canada
JUN 10, 2022 - JUN 10, 2022
Valley Central High School
Montgomery, NY United States
 Valley Central High School Montgomery, NY United States
MAY 16, 2022 - MAY 17, 2022
Volunteer High School
Church Hill, TN United States
 Volunteer High School Church Hill, TN United States
APR 07, 2022 - APR 07, 2022
Randolph High School
Universal City, TN United States
 Randolph High School Universal City, TN United States
DEC 17, 2021 - DEC 17, 2021
North Forsyth High School
WINSTON SALEM, NC United States
 North Forsyth High School WINSTON SALEM, NC United States
NOV 11, 2021 - NOV 11, 2021
Gaffney High Theatre
Gaffney, SC United States
 Gaffney High Theatre Gaffney, SC United States
JAN 20, 2021 - JAN 20, 2021
Cedar Park Christian School
Bothell, WA United States
 Cedar Park Christian School Bothell, WA United States
APR 30, 2020 - MAY 02, 2020
JC Charyk Hanna School
Hanna, AB Canada
 JC Charyk Hanna School Hanna, AB Canada
MAR 24, 2020 - MAR 26, 2020
Father Lacombe High School
Calgary, AB Canada
 Father Lacombe High School Calgary, AB Canada
MAR 18, 2020 - MAR 18, 2020
TGU Towner
Towner, ND United States
 TGU Towner Towner, ND United States
DEC 04, 2019 - DEC 06, 2019
Coronado High School
SCOTTSDALE, AZ United States
 Coronado High School SCOTTSDALE, AZ United States
OCT 17, 2019 - OCT 17, 2019
Junior High And High School Theater
Aquilla, TX United States
 Junior High And High School Theater Aquilla, TX United States
OCT 10, 2019 - OCT 12, 2019
North Creek High School
Bothell, WA United States
 North Creek High School Bothell, WA United States
OCT 08, 2019 - OCT 10, 2019
Regency Players
HAYMARKET, VA United States
 Regency Players HAYMARKET, VA United States
MAR 02, 2019 - MAR 02, 2019
Central Middle School, WBL District 624
Lino Lakes, MN United States
 Central Middle School, WBL District 624 Lino Lakes, MN United States
JAN 31, 2019 - FEB 02, 2019
South County High School
Lorton, VA United States
 South County High School Lorton, VA United States
JAN 10, 2019 - JAN 12, 2019
Midland Christian School
Midland, TX United States
 Midland Christian School Midland, TX United States
NOV 30, 2018 - DEC 07, 2018
Freedom
Tampa, FL United States
 Freedom Tampa, FL United States
NOV 16, 2018 - NOV 18, 2018
IMMANUEL LUTHERAN SCHOOL
Mankato, MN United States
 IMMANUEL LUTHERAN SCHOOL Mankato, MN United States
JUL 19, 2018 - JUL 19, 2018
Maranatha Baptist University
Watertown, WI United States
 Maranatha Baptist University Watertown, WI United States
JUN 01, 2018 - JUN 01, 2018
AC Davis High School
Yakima, WA United States
 AC Davis High School Yakima, WA United States
MAY 17, 2018 - MAY 17, 2018
Paso Robles High School
Paso Robles, CA United States
 Paso Robles High School Paso Robles, CA United States
JUN 08, 2017 - JUN 10, 2017
Camarillo High Schol Drama Department
Camarillo, CA United States
 Camarillo High Schol Drama Department Camarillo, CA United States
MAY 15, 2017 - MAY 15, 2017
Notre Dame-Cathedral Latin
Chardon, OH United States
 Notre Dame-Cathedral Latin Chardon, OH United States
MAY 01, 2017 - MAY 30, 2017
Gallup High School
Gallup, NM United States
 Gallup High School Gallup, NM United States
APR 06, 2017 - APR 06, 2017
Sahuaro High School Drama
Tucson, AZ United States
 Sahuaro High School Drama Tucson, AZ United States
MAR 17, 2017 - MAR 18, 2017
Gladstone Junior High Drama Club
Gladstone, MI United States
 Gladstone Junior High Drama Club Gladstone, MI United States
MAR 10, 2017 - MAR 10, 2017
Florence Chapel Middle School Drama
Duncan, SC United States
 Florence Chapel Middle School Drama Duncan, SC United States
JAN 27, 2017 - JAN 28, 2017
Marquette High School
Chesterfield, MO United States
 Marquette High School Chesterfield, MO United States
OCT 14, 2016 - OCT 15, 2016
Naperville North High School
Naperville, IL United States
 Naperville North High School Naperville, IL United States
OCT 14, 2016 - OCT 15, 2016
St Croix Preparatory Academy
Stillwater, MN United States
 St Croix Preparatory Academy Stillwater, MN United States
MAR 04, 2016 - MAR 06, 2016
Central Catholic High School
Toledo, OH United States
 Central Catholic High School Toledo, OH United States
NOV 16, 2015 - NOV 16, 2015
Canyon Ridge Middle School
Austin, TX United States
 Canyon Ridge Middle School Austin, TX United States
MAY 08, 2015 - MAY 09, 2015
Maquoketa Valley High School
Delhi, IA United States
 Maquoketa Valley High School Delhi, IA United States
MAR 30, 2015 - MAR 30, 2015
Newman Grove Public Schools
Newman Grove, NE United States
 Newman Grove Public Schools Newman Grove, NE United States
MAR 25, 2015 - APR 15, 2015
Valley-Edinburg Schools
Crystal, ND United States
 Valley-Edinburg Schools Crystal, ND United States
DEC 16, 2014 - DEC 17, 2014
Mcclure Middle School
Seattle, WA United States
 Mcclure Middle School Seattle, WA United States
JUL 05, 2014 - SEP 05, 2014
Mount Royal Collegiate
Saskatoon, SK Canada
 Mount Royal Collegiate Saskatoon, SK Canada
MAY 22, 2014 - MAY 22, 2014
Randolph High School
Randolph AFB, TX United States
 Randolph High School Randolph AFB, TX United States
MAY 09, 2014 - MAY 09, 2014
Valley Center Middle School
Valley Center, KS United States
 Valley Center Middle School Valley Center, KS United States
MAY 09, 2014 - MAY 10, 2014
Theater Of Gadsden
Gadsden, AL United States
 Theater Of Gadsden Gadsden, AL United States
FEB 13, 2014 - FEB 13, 2014
Lunenburg High School
Lunenburg, MA United States
 Lunenburg High School Lunenburg, MA United States
FEB 01, 2014 - FEB 28, 2014
Greenwoodlakes Middle School
Lake Mary, FL United States
 Greenwoodlakes Middle School Lake Mary, FL United States
JAN 31, 2014 - FEB 01, 2014
Bitburg Middle/High School
APO, AE United States
 Bitburg Middle/High School APO, AE United States
JAN 30, 2014 - JAN 31, 2014
First Presbyterian Day School
Macon, GA United States
 First Presbyterian Day School Macon, GA United States
NOV 26, 2013 - DEC 03, 2013
Neligh-Oakdale High School
Neligh, NE United States
 Neligh-Oakdale High School Neligh, NE United States
OCT 28, 2013 - NOV 01, 2013
Crest High School
Shelby, NC United States
 Crest High School Shelby, NC United States
JUN 13, 2013 - JUN 13, 2013
Cedar Park
Bothell, WA United States
 Cedar Park Bothell, WA United States
MAY 24, 2013 - MAY 24, 2013
DramaTime!
Joelton, TN United States
 DramaTime! Joelton, TN United States
MAY 10, 2013 - MAY 11, 2013
McQuaid Jesuit
Rochester, NY United States
 McQuaid Jesuit Rochester, NY United States
MAY 01, 2013 - MAY 02, 2013
American Community School- Abu Dhabi
Abu Dhabi , United Arab Emirates
 American Community School- Abu Dhabi Abu Dhabi , United Arab Emirates
APR 28, 2013 - APR 29, 2013
Hopewell Middle School
Round Rock, TX United States
 Hopewell Middle School Round Rock, TX United States
APR 20, 2013 - APR 20, 2013
Kings Mountain High School Drama Club
Kings Mountain, NC United States
 Kings Mountain High School Drama Club Kings Mountain, NC United States
APR 20, 2013 - APR 21, 2013
S.S. Seward Auditorium
Florida, NY United States
 S.S. Seward Auditorium Florida, NY United States
JAN 10, 2013 - JAN 10, 2013
Msgr. John Pereyma CSS
Oshawa, ON Canada
 Msgr. John Pereyma CSS Oshawa, ON Canada
DEC 10, 2012 - DEC 11, 2012
Lumberton High School
Lumberton, TX United States
 Lumberton High School Lumberton, TX United States
NOV 13, 2012 - NOV 15, 2012
Villa Rica High School
Villa Rica, GA United States
 Villa Rica High School Villa Rica, GA United States
NOV 05, 2012 - NOV 05, 2012
Canyon Ridge Middle School
Austin, TX United States
 Canyon Ridge Middle School Austin, TX United States
NOV 03, 2012 - NOV 03, 2012
Skidmore-Tynan High School
Skidmore, TX United States
 Skidmore-Tynan High School Skidmore, TX United States
OCT 30, 2012 - OCT 30, 2012
Apollo High School
Owensboro, KY United States
 Apollo High School Owensboro, KY United States
JUL 27, 2012 - JUL 27, 2012
Topeka Civic Theatre & Academy
Topeka, KS United States
 Topeka Civic Theatre & Academy Topeka, KS United States
JUL 01, 2012 - JUL 31, 2012
Spruce Mountain High School - North Campus
Jay, ME United States
 Spruce Mountain High School - North Campus Jay, ME United States
MAY 11, 2012 - MAY 12, 2012
Tanque Verde High School
Tucson, AZ United States
 Tanque Verde High School Tucson, AZ United States
MAY 04, 2012 - MAY 04, 2012
Brehm Preparatory School
Carbondale, IL United States
 Brehm Preparatory School Carbondale, IL United States
MAY 01, 2012 - MAY 31, 2012
McAlester High School
McAlester, OK United States
 McAlester High School McAlester, OK United States
MAR 23, 2012 - MAR 23, 2012
East Lake High School
Tarpon Springs, FL United States
 East Lake High School Tarpon Springs, FL United States
JAN 19, 2012 - JAN 21, 2012
North Branch High School
North Branch, MI United States
 North Branch High School North Branch, MI United States
NOV 18, 2011 - NOV 18, 2011
Sabino Players
Phoenix, AZ United States
 Sabino Players Phoenix, AZ United States
NOV 12, 2011 - NOV 13, 2011
Lenox High School
Lenox, IA United States
 Lenox High School Lenox, IA United States
JUN 15, 2011 - JUN 15, 2011
Kindersley Composite School
Kindersley, SK Canada
 Kindersley Composite School Kindersley, SK Canada
MAY 12, 2011 - MAY 12, 2011
Randolph High School
Randolph AFB, TX United States
 Randolph High School Randolph AFB, TX United States
MAY 07, 2011 - MAY 08, 2011
Sequoyah Middle School
Broken Arrow, OK United States
 Sequoyah Middle School Broken Arrow, OK United States
MAY 04, 2011 - MAY 07, 2011
Manitowoc Public Schools
Manitowoc, WI United States
 Manitowoc Public Schools Manitowoc, WI United States
MAY 03, 2011 - MAY 03, 2011
Cross County Community School
Stromsburg, NE United States
 Cross County Community School Stromsburg, NE United States
MAY 03, 2011 - MAY 04, 2011
McAlester High School
McAlester, OK United States
 McAlester High School McAlester, OK United States
APR 29, 2011 - MAY 01, 2011
Savannah Christian Prep School
Savannah, GA United States
 Savannah Christian Prep School Savannah, GA United States
APR 18, 2011 - APR 18, 2011
STARS
Tucson, AZ United States
 STARS Tucson, AZ United States
FEB 26, 2011 - FEB 26, 2011
Parkersburg South High School
Parkersburg, WV United States
 Parkersburg South High School Parkersburg, WV United States
DEC 09, 2010 - DEC 10, 2010
Piedmont High School
Monroe, NC United States
 Piedmont High School Monroe, NC United States
DEC 07, 2010 - DEC 07, 2010
Saint Mary's Hall
San Antonio, TX United States
 Saint Mary's Hall San Antonio, TX United States
DEC 01, 2010 - DEC 03, 2010
St. Charles East High School
St. Charles, IL United States
 St. Charles East High School St. Charles, IL United States
NOV 18, 2010 - NOV 18, 2010
Belleville West High School
Belleville, IL United States
 Belleville West High School Belleville, IL United States
MAY 21, 2010 - MAY 21, 2010
Cc. CAISL
Sintra, Portugal
 Cc. CAISL Sintra, Portugal
MAY 20, 2010 - MAY 21, 2010
Ramsey Jr High
St.paul, MN United States
 Ramsey Jr High St.paul, MN United States
APR 22, 2010 - APR 22, 2010
Bowie Middle School
Irving, TX United States
 Bowie Middle School Irving, TX United States
APR 20, 2010 - APR 24, 2010
South Forsyth High School
Cumming, GA United States
 South Forsyth High School Cumming, GA United States
MAR 27, 2010 - MAR 29, 2010
Owensboro High School
Owensboro, KY United States
 Owensboro High School Owensboro, KY United States
FEB 11, 2010 - FEB 13, 2010
Solon High School Drama Club
Solon, OH United States
 Solon High School Drama Club Solon, OH United States
JAN 12, 2010 - JAN 12, 2010
Cedar Park Christian School
Lake Stevens, WA United States
 Cedar Park Christian School Lake Stevens, WA United States
DEC 02, 2009 - DEC 03, 2009
West Jefferson Middle School
Conifer, CO United States
 West Jefferson Middle School Conifer, CO United States
NOV 19, 2009 - NOV 21, 2009
Prestonwood Christian Academy
Corpus Christi, TX United States
 Prestonwood Christian Academy Corpus Christi, TX United States
NOV 03, 2009 - NOV 05, 2009
River Valley High School Auditorium
Mohave Valley, AZ United States
 River Valley High School Auditorium Mohave Valley, AZ United States
NOV 02, 2009 - NOV 21, 2009
Mogadore High School
Mogadore, OH United States
 Mogadore High School Mogadore, OH United States
OCT 20, 2009 - OCT 24, 2009
Lumberton High
Lumberton, TX United States
 Lumberton High Lumberton, TX United States
JUL 01, 2009 - JUL 31, 2009
Burkburnett Independent School District - Middle School
Burkburnett, TX United States
 Burkburnett Independent School District - Middle School Burkburnett, TX United States
MAY 20, 2009 - MAY 20, 2009
Fryeburg Academy
Fryeburg, ME United States
 Fryeburg Academy Fryeburg, ME United States
MAY 05, 2009 - MAY 05, 2009
TGU Towner
Towner, ND United States
 TGU Towner Towner, ND United States
APR 26, 2009 - APR 27, 2009
Imlay City Schools
Imlay City, MI United States
 Imlay City Schools Imlay City, MI United States
FEB 07, 2009 - FEB 08, 2009
Iowa City West High
Iowa City, IA United States
 Iowa City West High Iowa City, IA United States
JAN 31, 2009 - JAN 31, 2009
South County Secondary School
Lorton, VA United States
 South County Secondary School Lorton, VA United States
JAN 09, 2009 - JAN 10, 2009
Girls Preparatory School
Chattanooga, TN United States
 Girls Preparatory School Chattanooga, TN United States
NOV 20, 2008 - DEC 05, 2008
Lyons Decatur Northeast
Lyons, NE United States
 Lyons Decatur Northeast Lyons, NE United States
OCT 31, 2008 - OCT 31, 2008
Cedar Ridge High School
Hillsborough, NC United States
 Cedar Ridge High School Hillsborough, NC United States
MAR 07, 2025 - MAR 07, 2025
Calamus-Wheatland CSD
Wheatland, IA United States
 Calamus-Wheatland CSD Wheatland, IA United States
No professional productions.

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