I’m creating this post to assemble a smattering of places to obtain and read free or low-cost stage plays for pleasure. One is a limited-time offer, so heads up!
Central Works Theater: Their Script Club offers free world premiere playscripts and a podcast with the playwright (full disclosure – it’s my podcast).
Playscripts: Their free reads rotate regularly. This company was bought out recently, though, so it may change.
San Francisco Mime Troupe: An anthology of their work from 2000-2016 was specifically put online for educational purposes. You can enjoy them as an individual reader, too.
Nick Hern Books: Their Playgroup is offering five published playscripts to read free before January 5, 2021. Read Elephants by Rose Heiney, Yen by Anna Jordan, Lava by James Fritz, Albion by Mike Bartlett, and Princess & The Hustler by Chinonyerem Odimba.
BONUS: New Play Exchange. This membership site is not entirely free, but it’s cheap af and there are literally tens of thousands of plays.