I wrote this play because of the huge homelessness problem, especially in Arizona. When orphans turn 18 years old, they are forced out onto the streets, usually with no experience or help. A lot become homeless, which is a problem.

18th Birthday

Actors: 
Jade: a foster child who just turned 18, with brown hair, and bright green eyes. She is average height. She is wearing jeans and a t-shirt.  
Mark: a 19 year old college student, with brown eyes and brown hair. He is muscular and a star soccer player for his college, and very rich. He is wearing gucci shoes and shirt. 
Hobo: a short man, wearing dirty rags, and most of his body is covered with the dirty rags. He also walks with a limp. 
Problem: Once orphans turn 18 years old, they are kicked out onto the streets, without anywhere to go, and barely any experience. I want to bring more awareness to this because some become homeless, and only 6% go to college. https://www.npr.org/templates/story/story.php?storyId=125729965 
Setting: It takes place on a street/alley. Jade, who just recently turned 18, was kicked out of the orphanage, without anything or a job. 
Props: bench or two chairs pulled together, an oversized hoodie, backpack, apple, and a small notebook. 
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Dialogue:  
(Jade trudges in from stage left) 
Jade: (sits down on a bench and opens diary) Ahh. The only thing in the world to keep me company. (starts to write) Dear diary, Happy birthday to me. You know, most eighteen year-olds would be celebrating their 18th birthday! Why wouldn’t they? They just became an adult. Their whole life to look forward to. Family and friends to celebrate with. Me? I don’t have any of that. I don’t have any family or friends. And nowhere to go. (sighs) I’m all alone. *slams diary shut* I am hungry and I need to get food. *looks through bag* Let’s see, what food do I have? (pulls out an apple) Hmm, I guess this will have to do. 
Right when Jade was about to take a bite out of the apple, she freezes. A handsome young man jogs in from stage left.  
(Mark jogs in from stage left)  
Jade stares at him and he gives her a small smile. She quickly looks away. 
(Mark exits from stage right) 
Jade: *sighs* I wish someone as handsome as him, would like me, a little orphan girl.  
(hobo limps in from stage left) 
Hobo: (slurring his words) Hey darlin’. I heard you said handsome. *winks* What ya doin out here all alone?  
Jade: (says quickly) Oh, I just like getting some fresh air. This is a very beautiful park. 
Hobo: (drinks out of a bottle) I haven’t seen you around these parts. Are you visiting?  Have any family here? 
Jade: (says abruptly) I guess you could say that. Well, I should probably get going. (slings backpack over shoulder and stands back up) 
Hobo: (pats Jade on the head) Alright, well sweetie pie, if ya ever need anythin, don’t be afraid to ask *winks again*  
Jade: (leans away from him) Good to know. I gotta get back home.  
Hobo: *winks one past time* I hope to see you again very soon (moves eyebrows up and down then slowly limps off.)  
Hobo exits to stage right. 
Jade: (sighs and sits back down) Well, I’m tired, so I should might as well take a nap here. *takes out hoodie, and wraps it around herself* 
Jade: (opens diary and starts writing) Tomorrow, I should start looking for a job. The orphanage didn’t provide any job recommendations, but there is this job at a coffee shop that I would like to apply for. I just need to shower up and make myself look presentable.  slowly closes diary and lays down to take a nap. 
Soon after, the hobo comes back in from stage right. He sneaks up Jade, and scares her by grabbing her.  
Hobo: BOO! 
Jade: (jolts awake, and screams) Ahhhhh! (gets out of his reach) What are you doing here?! Don’t ever do that again. 
Hobo: (smiles creepily at her) Why you still here sweetheart? Don’t you have a nice comfy bed at home to sleep in? 
Jade: (startled and scared) I was just tired, so I laid down.  
Hobo: (suddenly angry) You said that you had to go home. But instead you stayed here. You LIED to me. How dare you! I don’t think you have any parents, do you? Ya know what happens to pretty little liars like you?  
(Hobo grabs Jade’s arm) 
Jade: (tries to run away) Stop it! Let go! Get away from me!  
Hobo: Don’t lie to me. You aren’t a very good liar. In fact, I think I know your little secret. 
Jade: (stuttering) What secret? I don’t have a secret. 
Hobo: (lets go of arm) I can tell, that you just recently became homeless. 
Jade: (in shock) How did you know? 
Hobo: Educated guess. I have been around the block a few times, and I know these things. I have met a few orphans throughout my years, and know how they act. 
Jade: I have a question, I hope you don’t mind. 
Hobo: Shoot 
Jade: How did you become homeless? 
Hobo: Well, I was in the Vietnam War, and as you could imagine, it was brutal. I came back to the states, a little messed up. I could never hold down a job, and I have a drinking problem. And since then, this is how I’ve been.  
Jade: Oh, I’m so sorry- 
Hobo: (cuts her off) Don’t be. After all, we are now in the same boat. (winks) 
(Suddenly, Mark rushes on from stage right)  
Mark: Are you alright? (glares at hobo) I heard screaming. 
Jade: Yes, I’m quite alright now. But thank you. 
Mark: Okay.... (looks suspiciously at hobo) If you say so. (turns back to Jade) What’s your name? 
Jade: I’m Jade.  
Mark: That’s a pretty name. My names Mark. Nice to meet you. 
Hobo: (cutting them off) Well, I better head off. Nice to talk to you again, Jade. (then glares at Mark) If you need any tips about being homeless, I’ll be around here. See ya. (winks one last time) 
Jade gives him a wave, and Hobo limps off to stage left 
Mark: (looks at her in astonishment) You’re homeless?! I never would have guessed.  
Jade: Its kinda a long story, but its only been recent. I am an orphan, and when you turn 18, there isn’t room for you in the orphanage anymore, so they basically kick you out. I don’t have any connections, friends, or family around here. That’s why its been so hard. 
Mark: That sucks, but if you need anything, let me know!  
Jade: It’s okay, I’m going to apply for a job at the coffee shop a block from here. 
Mark: Really?! My parents own it, and we need more help! You could totally work there.  
Jade: That would be great! Thanks so much! 
Mark: Of course. Meet me there at 9 oclock sharp tomorrow morning. We’ll get you started asap.  
Jade: Sounds like a plan!  
Mark: See ya there! 
Mark exits to stage right 
Jade: (Opens diary and starts writing) Wow, things are starting to look better for me! I got to talk to that hobo, who turned out to actually be pretty nice, in the end. And now I was offered a job by that handsome man! I was worried that it would be hard to find a job. Well, wish me luck tomorrow! Love, Jade. (closes diary)  
Lights go out