Mill Girls (one-act)

Mill Girls (one-act) by Eliza Anderson

(5)
Productions (51)
Drama
|
40 - 50 minutes
12 W, 3 M,  (15-24 actors possible: 12-20 W, 3-4 M)
Set: Moveable elements including stool, table, benches, barrels, crates, and ladder.

Octavia, Hannah, and other girls from dissimilar backgrounds are thrust into the American industrial revolution of the 1840s when they take on jobs in a New England mill. There they discover the unique rewards of factory work, as Hannah earns money to send her brother to Harvard, while Octavia saves for her own tuition. As Irish immigration provides a wave of cheap labor to the mills, wage cuts and miserable working conditions become the norm -- but the mill girls are determined to gain reasonable pay and conditions. With compelling characters and theatrical staging, the play brings history vividly to life. (A full-length version of this play is also available.)

Pricing Information

Min. Performance Fee* $55
Standard Edition $11.99
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.


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

Octavia, Hannah, and other girls from dissimilar backgrounds are thrust into the American industrial revolution of the 1840s when they take on jobs in a New England mill. There they discover the unique rewards of factory work, as Hannah earns money to send her brother to Harvard, while Octavia saves for her own tuition. As Irish immigration provides a wave of cheap labor to the mills, wage cuts and miserable working conditions become the norm -- but the mill girls are determined to gain reasonable pay and conditions. With compelling characters and theatrical staging, the play brings history vividly to life. (A full-length version of this play is also available.)

  • Drama
  • |
  • 40 - 50 minutes
  • 12 W, 3 M,  (15-24 actors possible: 12-20 W, 3-4 M)
  • Set: Moveable elements including stool, table, benches, barrels, crates, and ladder.

Production History

NOV 14, 2024 - NOV 19, 2024
Rogers Theatre
Prosper, TX United States
Rogers TheatreProsper, TX United States
NOV 01, 2024 - NOV 02, 2024
The Winsor School
Boston, MA United States
The Winsor SchoolBoston, MA United States
NOV 10, 2023 - NOV 10, 2023
Trinity Christian School
Kerrville, TX United States
Trinity Christian SchoolKerrville, TX United States
OCT 20, 2023 - NOV 01, 2023
Trinity Christian School
Lubbock, TX United States
Trinity Christian SchoolLubbock, TX United States
MAR 11, 2023 - MAR 11, 2023
South Charlotte Middle School
Charlotte, NC United States
South Charlotte Middle SchoolCharlotte, NC United States
JAN 15, 2022 - FEB 11, 2022
Belle Plaine High School One Act
Belle Plaine, MN United States
Belle Plaine High School One ActBelle Plaine, MN United States
OCT 24, 2020 - NOV 20, 2020
Burlington High School
Kenosha, WI United States
Burlington High SchoolKenosha, WI United States
JAN 25, 2020 - JAN 27, 2020
Creekwood Theatre
Kingwood, TX United States
Creekwood TheatreKingwood, TX United States
NOV 12, 2019 - NOV 13, 2019
Dealey Montessori & International Academy
Dallas, TX United States
Dealey Montessori & International AcademyDallas, TX United States
MAY 09, 2019 - MAY 30, 2019
Boys & Girls Clubs of Providence
Providence, RI United States
Boys & Girls Clubs of ProvidenceProvidence, RI United States
1 of 6
No upcoming productions.
No professional productions.

Awards (2)

Moss Hart Award (1999)

Starred performance, 2011 Minnesota State Thespian Festival (2011)