������һ����ӰԺ�ݲ�

High school plays have to strike a delicate balance. On the one hand, they need to be relatively sophisticated and mature (and thus appropriately challenging and engaging for high school performers and audiences). On the other hand, many high school drama programs tend to avoid plays considered risky or controversial, .

What should I consider when selecting a high school play?

When selecting a high school play, you’ll want to keep the following in mind:

Cast and Production Size

In order to select the right size play for your school, you’ll need to assess the level of interest in theater. Some high schools are known for and/or prioritize the performing arts, whereas others struggle to generate interest in stage productions. Are many students interested in participating in productions periodically throughout their high school experience? Or are the drama classes and clubs dominated by a small but passionate group?

In general, remember that the larger the cast the larger the backstage crew. In order to pull off a larger production, you’ll need to recruit not just enough actors (and understudies) for the roles, but also enough crew members.

Capacity: Cost and Space

What’s your budget? While it is certainly possible to pull off a successful play on a shoestring budget, keep in mind that productions requiring more complex sets or specific costumes tend to be more expensive.

Likewise, consider your existing inventory. Does your drama program have a large supply of costumes, props, etc. that can be adapted for a range of productions? Are there adequate tools and skilled students for constructing a range of sets? Finally, what’s the size of your stage, if your school has one? Ensemble pieces and musicals require larger performance areas.

Seasonality, Popularity, and Vibes

Is your school into tradition? If so, annual performances of A Christmas Carol might be ideal. Are there talented singers and/or dancers among your student body? Musicals all the way, baby. Are students more attracted to tried-and-true classics or are they interested in more contemporary or lesser-known plays?

Licensing

Unfortunately, high schools can’t produce a show until the amateur performance rights become available. Plays that have recently been licensed to schools typically jump in popularity.

What are the best high school plays?

Read on for a list of 60 great high school plays, categorized by:

• Full-Length Musicals
• Full-Length Plays
• Short Plays

Plays and musicals identified by the as being among the are indicated with an asterisk.

Good Full-Length High School Musicals

1) The Addams Family*

Overview: This musical comedy tells the story of Wednesday Addams, of the wacky Addams family, as she enters the dating world. Antics ensue. Interest in all things Addams Family has risen due to the popularity of the
Length: 2.5 Hours
Cast Size: Medium
Licensing:

2) Mamma Mia!*

Overview: Featuring the music of ABBA and set on a paradisical Greek island, this show tells the story of a young bride’s search for her biological father. As the songs are well-known and infectious, this musical has widespread appeal.
Length: 2.5 hours
Cast Size: Large
Licensing:

Good High School Plays (Continued)

3) Into the Woods*

Overview: This darkly comedic take on The Brothers Grimm fairytales is one of Stephen Sondheim’s most popular works. Note that some of the numbers are musically challenging.
Length: 2.5 hours
Cast Size: Large
Licensing:

4) Little Shop of Horrors*

Overview: This perpetually-popular sci-fi musical tells the story of a hapless florist as he grapples with a carnivorous, sentient plant seeking world domination.
Length: 2 hours
Cast Size: Medium
Licensing:

Good High School Plays (Continued)

5) �پ����Ա��’s Beauty and the Beast*

Overview: Based on the 1991 Disney animated feature, this “tale as old as time” includes both the film’s original songs as well as new numbers.
Length: 2.5 hours
Cast Size: Large
Licensing: (Disney licenses the performance rights for all their musicals through MTI)

6) �پ����Ա��’s The Little Mermaid*

Overview: Based on the 1989 Disney animated feature, which was itself based on Hans Christian Andersen’s classic tale, this musical is packed with well-known songs, including “Under the Sea’ and “Part of Your World.”
Length: 2-2.5 hours
Cast Size: Large
Licensing:

Good High School Plays (Continued)

7) The SpongeBob Musical*

Overview: This whimsical musical adaptation of the beloved children’s animated series features original songs by the likes of Steven Tyler (of Aerosmith), Sara Bareilles, and John Legend. It’s impossible not to get swept up in the goofy suspense as the residents of Bikini Bottom try to save their home from a volcano eruption.
Length: 2 hours
Cast Size: Large
Licensing:

8) Chicago: Teen Edition*

Overview: This jazzy musical has been adapted from the original to be slightly less risqué and more suitable for a high school setting. Set in Chicago during the Roaring Twenties, the musical follows the irresistible murderess Roxie Hart as she seeks fame and, eventually, acquittal.
Length: 90 minutes
Cast Size: Large
Licensing:

Good High School Plays (Continued)

9) Legally Blonde: The Musical*

Overview: This upbeat, bubblegum pink musical, based on the cult favorite film, tells the story of the determined Elle Woods as she navigates Harvard Law School while staying true to herself.
Length: 2 hours and 20 minutes
Cast Size: Medium
Licensing:

10) Mean Girls: High School Version*

Overview: This YA version of the musical adapted from Tina Fey’s hit 2004 film follows Cady Heron’s high school exploits as she angles to take down her frenemies, “The Plastics.”
Length: 2 hours
Cast Size: Medium/Large
Licensing:

Good High School Plays (Continued)

11) Cameron Mackintosh and �پ����Ա��’s Mary Poppins

Overview: Based on the books by P.L. Travers and the classic Disney film, this classic musical follows the Banks children as they accompany their beloved nanny and her sidekick Bert on supercalifragilisticexpialidocius adventures around London.
Length: 2.5 hours
Cast Size: Large
Licensing:

12) �پ����Ա��’s Newsies

Overview: Based on the 1992 film and inspired by a true story, this musical follows the story of Jack Kelly, a charismatic “newsboy” in turn-of-the-century New York City, as he leads a scrappy group of newsies as they go on strike.
Length: 2 hours
Cast Size: Medium/Large
Licensing:

13) Seussical

Overview: Featuring favorite Dr. Seuss characters, including The Cat in the Hat, this musical burst onto the scene in 2002 and is now one of the most performed shows in America.
Length: 2.5 hours
Cast Size: Small/Medium
Licensing:

Good High School Plays (Continued)

14) Shrek: The Musical

Overview: Based on the animated film, this irreverent fairy tale tells the story of a lovable ogre as he undertakes a hero’s journey to find himself and save a kingdom.
Length: 2 hours
Cast Size: Medium
Licensing:

15) The Wizard of Oz

Overview: High school drama programs can choose between two different stage adaptations of the iconic tale of Dorothy and her merry companions as they follow the yellow brick road to the magical land of Oz.
Length: 2 hours
Cast Size: Medium
Licensing: The RSC version is a more faithful adaptation of the film, whereas the MUNY version is based more on the L. Frank Baum’s book. Both are licensed through

Good High School Plays (Continued)

16) Roald Dahl’s Matilda The Musical

Overview: This popular musical adaptation of Roald Dahl’s beloved book features Matilda as a small child with preternatural intelligence and psychokinetic powers. Ignored by her parents, Matilda instead bonds with her teacher, Miss Honey, as she works with other students to take down the tyrannical headmistress Miss Trunchbull.
Length: 2 hours
Cast Size: Large
Licensing:

17) Rodgers & Hammerstein’s Cinderella (Broadway Version)

Overview: The Broadway adaptation offers a contemporary take on the classical musical, which tells the rags-to-riches story of the titular Cinderella.
Length: 2 hours
Cast: Medium
Licensing: Concordia Theatricals licenses four versions of Rodgers & Hammerstein’s Cinderella, including the . In addition, also licenses The Prince Street Players’ adaptation.

18) Rodgers & Hammerstein’s Oklahoma!

Overview: The popularity of Rodgers & Hammerstein’s first collaboration ebbs and flows but has never fallen out of favor entirely. Set in the American West during the turn of the 20^th century, the musical love story explores the deep-seated, boisterous rivalries between farmers and cowboys in a small community.
Length: 2 hours
Cast: Medium/Large
Licensing:

Good High School Plays (Continued)

19) Grease: School Version

Overview: This abridged version of the hit musical retains the basic plot and popular songs, but is generally considered more appropriate for a high school setting. As with the original, this version tells the story of a group of high schoolers navigating life and love in 1959.
Length: 1.5 hours
Cast Size: Large
Licensing:

20) Once Upon a Mattress

Overview: This musical retelling of the “Princess and the Pea” fairy tale follows the love story of a free-spirited swamp princess and a prince who has been prevented from marrying by his overbearing mother, who insists that any queen-to-be pass a “sensitivity test.” Living under a curse that prevents them from marrying until the prince does, the residents of the kingdom come together to help the princess pass the test.
Length: 2 hours
Cast: Large
Licensing:

Good High School Plays (Continued)

21) Guys and Dolls

Overview: This beloved musical comedy opened on Broadway in 1950 and has been popular with a range of audiences ever since. Set in New York City, the oddball romantic comedy tells the story of a rakish gambler and his night performer fiancée.
Length: 2.5 hours
Cast: Large
Licensing:

22) Bye Bye Birdie

Overview: Considered a satire of 1950s small-town America, this musical tells the story of a rock & roll teen idol who is drafted into the army but finds himself first swept up in a publicity stunt.
Length: 2 hours
Cast: Medium/Large
Licensing:

Good Full-Length High School Plays

23) Clue: On Stage (High School Edition)*

Overview: Based on the 1985 film, which was itself based on the Hasbro board game, this murder mystery takes place at a remote mansion, where six seemingly random guests have been summoned for dinner.
Length: 1.5 hours
Cast Size: Medium
Licensing:

24) Puffs*

Overview: This Harry Potter parody follows the “Puffs,” a group of friends with a fresh perspective on the well-known tale.
Length: 2 hours
Cast Size: Medium
Licensing:

Good High School Plays (Continued)

25) A Midsummer Night’s Dream*

Overview: With its fairies, love triangles, and love potion mix-ups, William Shakespeare’s play-within-a-play remains a favorite for high school drama programs.
Length: 2-2.5 hours
Cast Size: Large
Licensing: N/A (Public Domain)

26) The Play That Goes Wrong*

Overview: This hilarious production traces the opening night of a 1920s whodunit play as anything and everything goes wrong.
Length: 2 hours
Cast Size: Small/Medium
Licensing:

27) Radium Girls*

Overview: Inspired by a true story, this play tells the story of a 1920s watch painter as she seeks justice for the health problems caused by radium usage.
Length: 2 hours
Cast Size: Medium/Large
Licensing:

Good High School Plays (Continued)

28) Almost, Maine*

Overview: This heartwarming play explores a series of love stories as they unfold one magical night under the northern lights in a fictional town in Maine.
Length: 2 hours
Cast Size: Large
Licensing:

29) Peter and the Starcatcher*

Overview: This adaptation of Dave Barry and Ridley Pearson’s novels offers an alternative take on The Boy Who Would Not Grow Up (a.k.a Peter Pan). This lively adventure can be adapted to fit the abilities of the high school production.
Length: 2.5 hours
Cast Size: Large
Licensing:

Good High School Plays (Continued)

30) She Kills Monsters: Young Adventurers Edition*

Overview: This dramatic comedy tells the story of a young woman who discovers Dungeons & Dragons materials left behind by her deceased sister and uses them to embark on an adventure through an imaginary world.
Length: 5 hours
Cast Size: Small/Medium
Licensing:

31) Alice in Wonderland*

Overview: High school drama programs can select from many different adaptations of Lewis Carroll’s classic tale of the young Alice and her adventures an off-kilter world.
Length: 1.5-2.5 hours, depending on version
Cast Size: Large
Licensing: Various options are available, including ones through and

Good High School Plays (Continued)

32) 12 Angry Jurors*

Overview: This play follows a jury as they must decide the fate of an individual accused of murder. Note: the play’s original title, 12 Angry Men, has been updated.
Length: 1.5-2 hours
Cast Size: Medium/Large
Licensing:

33) Our Town

Overview: Thornton Wilder’s classic play tells the stories of the residents of a fictional small town. Through everyday interactions, the play explores larger themes of love, grief, and beauty.
Length: 2 hours
Cast Size: Large
Licensing:

34) The Crucible

Overview: Arthur Miller’s classic historical drama is set in the Puritan community of Salem, Massachusetts and traces the fallout of accusations of witchcraft.
Length: 2.5-2.75 hours
Cast Size: Large
Licensing:

Good High School Plays (Continued)

35) Romeo and Juliet

Overview: High schoolers have long been drawn to this classic tale of forbidden love and societal strife. There are many production options, including modern adaptations.
Length: 2 hours
Cast Size: Small/Medium
Licensing: N/A (Public Domain)

36) The Outsiders

Overview: This adaptation of S.E. Hinton’s book centers around the 14-year old Ponyboy Curtis as he navigates social and class conflicts both broad and small.
Length: 2 hours
Cast Size: Large
Licensing:

Good High School Plays (Continued)

37) Macbeth

Overview: While less popular than other Shakesperean plays, this tragedy follows the trajectory of a Scottish general (Macbeth) as he seizes the throne and becomes a tyrannical ruler (with devastating consequences).
Length: 2-2.5 hours
Cast Size: Medium
Licensing: N/A (Public Domain)

38) A Christmas Carol

Overview: There are various musical and “plays with music” stage adaptations of Charles Dickens’ beloved novella, which tells the story of the miserly Ebenezer Scrooge as he is visited by the ghost of Christmas past.
Length: 2 hours
Cast Size: Medium/Large
Licensing: Various

39) The Importance of Being Earnest

Overview: Oscar Wilde’s irreverent play explores a case of mistaken identities while highlighting the absurdities of Victorian society.
Length: 2.5 hours
Cast Size: Small/Medium
Licensing: N/A (Public Domain)

Good High School Plays (Continued)

40) Antigone

Overview: Sophocles’ Athenian tragedy is one of the triad of Theban plays, but stands on its own. Although the material and language can be dense, this play explores evergreen themes of family and loyalty.
Length: 1.5-2 hours
Cast Size: Medium
Licensing: Public Domain; Various Adaptations Available for Licensing

41) One Flew Over the Cuckoo’s Nest

Overview: This stage adaptation of Ken Kesey’s novel explores life in a mental institution. Due to the mature themes some high school drama programs may opt against this production.
Length: 2.5 hours
Cast Size: Medium/Large
Licensing:

Good High School Plays (Continued)

42) The Curious Incident of the Dog in the Night-Time

Overview: Based on the novel by Mark Haddon, this play tracks a 15-year-old boy’s investigation of the death of a neighbor’s dog.
Length: 2.5 hours
Cast Size: Small/Medium
Licensing:

43) The Laramie Project

Overview: Based on a true story, this play explores a community’s response to the 1998 torture and murder of Matthew Shepard. Due to the content, some communities may object to the staging of the play in a high school environment, whereas others may consider the play’s messages to be increasingly salient for a YA audience.
Length: 2 hours
Cast Size: Small/Medium
Licensing:

44) A Doll’s House

Overview: Henrik Ibsen’s classic three-act play tells the story of an increasingly disillusioned housewife, Nora, as she chafes against her husband and societal restrictions.
Length: 2 hours
Cast Size: Small
Licensing: N/A (Public Domain)

Good High School Plays (Continued)

45) The Glass Menagerie

Overview: Tennessee Williams’ sophisticated memory play follows a family living in 1930s St. Louis. It’s small cast size and limited staging needs might make it appealing for a smaller high school drama program.
Length: 2 hours
Cast Size: Small
Licensing:

46) A Streetcar Named Desire

Overview: Tennessee Williams’ touchstone play traces the story of Blanche DuBois, a former Southern belle who moves to New Orleans to live with her sister and brother-in-law.
Length: 2.5-2.75 hours
Cast Size: Medium
Licensing:

47) Spider’s Web

Overview: Agatha Christie’s comedy thriller tells the story of Clarissa Hailsham-Brown as she tries to solve a murder committed in her home without arousing unwanted attention.
Length: 2 hours
Cast Size: Medium
Licensing:

Good Short High School Plays

48) 10 Ways to Survive the Zombie Apocalypse*

Overview: This comedic, fast-paced play explores strategies for surviving hordes of zombies.
Length: 30-35 minutes
Cast Size: Small/Medium
Licensing:

49) Check Please*

Overview: This quick play follows a series of blind dinner dates that go from bad to worse.
Length: 25-40 minutes
Cast Size: Medium
Licensing:

Good High School Plays (Continued)

50) The Brothers Grimm Spectaculathon (One-Act)*

Overview: In the one-act version of this comedy, two narrators and handful of actors attempt to combine all the Brothers Grimm fairy tales into one story.
Length: 35-50 minutes
Cast Size: Small
Licensing:

51) Bad Auditions by Bad Actors*

Overview: This one-act comedy tells the story of a casting director who has just one day to cast actors for a community theater production of Romeo and Juliet.
Length: 25-30 minutes
Cast Size: Medium
Licensing:

52) The One-Act Play Disaster*

Overview: This comedic, fast-paced play traces an attempt to pull off an unauthorized stage adaption of a popular heist movie.
Length: 25-35 minutes
Cast Size: Large
Licensing:

53) Too Much Light Makes the Baby Go Blind*

Overview: This interactive production presents “30 plays in 60 minutes,” with each 2-minute play performed in random order.
Length: 60 minutes
Cast Size: Medium/Large
Licensing:

Good High School Plays (Continued)

54) 13 Ways to Screw up Your College Interview*

Overview: This screwball comedy follows two college recruiters as they attempt to fill a final spot at their prestigious university.
Length: 25-35 minutes
Cast Size: Medium
Licensing:

55) Our Place*

Overview: While most short plays are comedies, this play is comprised of five heartfelt vignettes featuring characters who visit the same wooden dock. Its popularity stems from the fact that it can accommodate a large cast but remains a relatively uncomplicated undertaking due to the simple staging and short length
Length: 40 minutes
Cast Size: Medium
Licensing:

Good High School Plays (Continued)

56) Tracks*

Overview: In this moving one-act play, a group of strangers find themselves at a subway station after their deaths.
Length: 40 minutes
Cast Size: Medium
Licensing:

57) 15 Reasons Not to Be in a Play*

Overview: This ensemble piece is a play about not being in a play, and features a series of monologues and complexly orchestrated scenes.
Length: 30-60 minutes
Cast Size: Large
Licensing:

Good High School Plays (Continued)

58) Game of Tiaras (One-Act)*

Overview: This Disney meets Game of Thrones meets King Lear comedy traces the fallout resulting from an aging king deciding to split his magical kingdom between his three daughters.
Length: 35-45 minutes
Cast Size: Large
Licensing:

59) The Greek Mythology Olympiaganza (One-Act)*

Overview: In this interactive, chaotic play two competing narrators attempt to recount the entirety of Greek mythology.
Length: 45-55 minutes
Cast Size: Medium
Licensing:

60) The 9 Worst Breakups of All Time*

Overview: This play whips through the worst breakups of all time, from the Cro-Magnon era to the modern day.
Length: 20-40 minutes
Cast Size: Medium/Large
Licensing:

60 Great High School Plays – Additional Info

• 25 Best Colleges for Drama/Acting
• 20 Best Colleges for Musical Theater
• 100 Best Clubs to Start in High School
• 3 Modes of Persuasion — Ethos, Pathos, and Logos
• AP Lit Reading List – 50 Best Books to Read
• Best Summer Programs for Performing and Visual Arts