THE TIME CAPSULE

by Brent Alles

(One act play. Approximately 20-25 minutes. Also have 10-minute version.) When four present-day middle school students open a 1996 time capsule during a sparsely attended school assembly, they accidentally transport themselves back to the Nickels Middle School Homecoming Dance of 1996. While trying to recover a mysterious time-travel device from a cocky “cool kid” and his wannabe hip-hop hype man, the students...

(One act play. Approximately 20-25 minutes. Also have 10-minute version.) When four present-day middle school students open a 1996 time capsule during a sparsely attended school assembly, they accidentally transport themselves back to the Nickels Middle School Homecoming Dance of 1996. While trying to recover a mysterious time-travel device from a cocky “cool kid” and his wannabe hip-hop hype man, the students must survive the Macarena, Surge soda, awkward slow dances, and the terrifying possibility of disrupting the timeline forever.

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THE TIME CAPSULE

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  • Adam Richter: THE TIME CAPSULE by Brent Alles
    “

    [2026-05-28]

    I had a blast reading "The Time Capsule," but not nearly as much fun as young performers will have in performing it — or audiences will have in seeing it. The Gen-Xer in me winced (with delighted joy, albeit) at the references to '90s (and '80s) culture, and kids of any age will identify with the awkwardness of a middle school dance, no matter the decade.

    [2026-05-28]

    I had a blast reading "The Time Capsule," but not nearly as much fun as young performers will have in performing it — or audiences will have in seeing it. The Gen-Xer in me winced (with delighted joy, albeit) at the references to '90s (and '80s) culture, and kids of any age will identify with the awkwardness of a middle school dance, no matter the decade.

    ”
  • Debra A. Cole: THE TIME CAPSULE by Brent Alles
    “

    WHAT A RIDE! What a fabulous short play for middle school students to bring to life. Time capsules preserve memories, and this trip through time certainly brought great ones for me. ENJOY!!!!

    WHAT A RIDE! What a fabulous short play for middle school students to bring to life. Time capsules preserve memories, and this trip through time certainly brought great ones for me. ENJOY!!!!

    ”
AVA – A smart, sci-fi-loving middle schooler who knows far too much about time travel and other unexpected things.

MADDIE – Middle schooler. Responsible, organized, and trying very hard to keep everyone from ruining everything.

MASON – Middle schooler. Awkward, sarcastic, and deeply uncomfortable with almost every social situation.

TYLER – Middle schooler. Easily distracted, impulsive, and quickly fascinated by the 1990s.

DEREK – A cocky 1996 middle schooler who thinks he is much cooler than he is.

KYLE – Derek’s loyal hype-man. Agrees with Derek about everything.

JENNA – A friendly 1996 middle schooler with unexpected connections to Mason.

KELLY – An enthusiastic 1996 student who fully believes the dance is the most important event in human history.

PRINCIPAL WALKER – The modern-day principal of Nickels Middle School.

DJ VOICE – Offstage. Wildly enthusiastic.

OPTIONAL ENSEMBLE – 1996 dancers, modern students, chaperones.

Playwright accepts gender fluidity in casting. Diversity in casting is encouraged.