The Massachusetts High School Drama Festival is a competitive program that typically includes 112 one-act plays produced by member high schools. The competition is organized across three levels – preliminary, semi-final and State Finals. Student excellence in acting and technical design is recognized at each level. Of the 112 one-act plays that enter the festival, fourteen will be selected as State Finalists, of which three will be named winners. Two schools chosen from the State Finalists will go on to represent Massachusetts in the New England Drama Festival, the regional showcase of secondary school theatre.
The Massachusetts Theatre Celebration is a one-day, non-competitive opportunity for students to share work, receive feedback, and forge connections with students in other schools that can lead to collaboration and support for years to come.
2024 High School Festival Dates
Preliminary Round: Saturday, March 2, 2024 (snow date: March 3, 2024)
Semi Finals Round: Saturday, March 9, 2024 (snow date: March 10, 2024)
*Please make sure you hold the snow date for all rounds of Festival.
State Finals: Thursday, March 21 - Saturday, March 23, 2024
Massachusetts Theater Celebration: TBD
Tickets will be available at the door of each Prelims & Semis site and will be $10 for the day including the awards ceremony.
This program is supported in part by a grant from the Andover, Attleboro, Beverly, Bourne, Chelmsford, Danvers, Duxbury, Framingham, Franklin, Hudson, Leominster, Marshfield, North Reading, Northborough, Sharon, Southborough, Swansea, Wayland, Westford, and Weymouth Cultural Councils, local agencies which are supported by the Massachusetts Cultural Council, a state agency.
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