What is a contemporary play?

A contemporary play is a modern play. While there are no specific dates for time frames that are inclusive of the term, this genre of plays is typically understood to be from the current century, depicting modern themes and story lines.

Contemporary plays may cover stories and settings that address modern issues such as open sexuality or feminism, or events such as recent political conflicts. They may also feature different story structures or delivery formats from plays developed during or before the previous century. Experimental and innovative performances, as well as small character-driven stories and elaborate productions, are common in this genre.