Digging Up the Boys by Laura Lundgren Smith

(45)
Productions (185)
Drama
|
40 - 45 minutes
3 W, 4 M, 1 Any (8 actors possible: 3-4 W, 4-5 M)
Set: Minimal, with areas suggesting a home and a mine shaft.

The mine where Floyd, Paul, and Jack work is old, nearly picked clean and about to be closed, when part of it collapses, trapping them. The women left above race to the foreman, only to receive the company line: Go home and pray. We'll handle it. Though the men are seen as "no-counts" in a class-conscious South, to Addie, May, and Ruth they are beloved fathers, husbands, and brothers. Those above and below are left to whistle in the dark, desperate for a miracle -- but the mine holds a terrible secret that will change their lives forever.

Pricing Information

Min. Performance Fee* $60
Standard Edition $11.99
eScript Digital Edition $17.5
Stage Manager Edition $24.99
Archival Video License $75

*The per performance fee begins at $60. 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 playscriptsinfo@broadwaylicensing.com 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

The mine where Floyd, Paul, and Jack work is old, nearly picked clean and about to be closed, when part of it collapses, trapping them. The women left above race to the foreman, only to receive the company line: Go home and pray. We'll handle it. Though the men are seen as "no-counts" in a class-conscious South, to Addie, May, and Ruth they are beloved fathers, husbands, and brothers. Those above and below are left to whistle in the dark, desperate for a miracle -- but the mine holds a terrible secret that will change their lives forever.

  • Drama
  • |
  • 40 - 45 minutes
  • 3 W, 4 M, 1 Any (8 actors possible: 3-4 W, 4-5 M)
  • Set: Minimal, with areas suggesting a home and a mine shaft.
  • Standard Edition ISBN: 978-1-68069-068-2

Production History

APR 11, 2025 - APR 17, 2025
Hendrick Middle School
Plano, TX United States
Hendrick Middle SchoolPlano, TX United States
MAR 20, 2025 - APR 20, 2025
Elsik High School
Houston, TX United States
Elsik High SchoolHouston, TX United States
MAR 18, 2025 - MAR 27, 2025
Midlothian Heritage High School
Midlothian, TX United States
Midlothian Heritage High SchoolMidlothian, TX United States
MAR 14, 2025 - MAR 15, 2025
Yelm High School Drama Club
Yelm, WA United States
Yelm High School Drama ClubYelm, WA United States
MAR 08, 2025 - MAR 08, 2025
Cushing ISD
Carthage, TX United States
Cushing ISDCarthage, TX United States
MAR 06, 2025 - MAY 01, 2025
Cypress Falls High School
Houston, TX United States
Cypress Falls High SchoolHouston, TX United States
MAR 01, 2025 - APR 04, 2025
Pasadena Memorial High School
Pasadena, TX United States
Pasadena Memorial High SchoolPasadena, TX United States
JAN 30, 2025 - FEB 08, 2025
Themer Middle School Theatre Dept.
Forney, TX United States
Themer Middle School Theatre Dept.Forney, TX United States
NOV 04, 2024 - DEC 13, 2024
Gering High School
Gering, NE United States
Gering High SchoolGering, NE United States
NOV 04, 2024 - DEC 08, 2024
Calallen Middle School
Portland, TX United States
Calallen Middle SchoolPortland, TX United States
1 of 19
APR 11, 2025 - APR 17, 2025
Hendrick Middle School
Plano, TX United States
Hendrick Middle SchoolPlano, TX United States
No professional productions.

Archival Video License

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

This allows you to record one of your live performances for your internal archives only. This cannot be streamed.

For more information, please reach out to playscriptsinfo@broadwaylicensing.com

eScript Details

eScript Digital Editions 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.

You do not need to download any additional program to view your eScript. They will become available in your account on Playscripts.com after payment has been made. For more information on eScripts, please visit our Help page.