Middle school division
Established in 1998, the Middle School Division of the Massachusetts High School Drama Guild was born from the rapid growth of a grassroots festival that began just three years earlier at Belmonte Middle School in Saugus. What started as one educator’s vision to unite young performers across the state quickly evolved into a vibrant, statewide celebration of middle school theater—championing creativity, collaboration, and student artistry for generations to come.
MIDDLE SCHOOL FESTIVAL
The Massachusetts Middle School Drama Festival is an annual event featuring more than 50 middle school drama programs from across the Commonwealth. Participation in the annual one-day drama festival provides your students with the unique opportunity to share their work with other member schools. Professional adjudicators evaluate your students’ work and present awards for both acting and technical excellence in your production.
2026 Middle School Festival Dates:
Sunday, May 3, 2026
Saturday, May 9, 2026
MONOLOGUE CONTEST
A program to recognize and reward excellence in performance.
Eligibility: Middle school students in grades 5-9
Format: Audition live at Scholarship/Contest Day with a monologue.
Awards: Contest prizes awarded based on audition performance.
MUSICAL THEATER CONTEST
A program to recognize and reward excellence in musical theater.
Eligibility: Middle school students in grades 5-9
Format: Audition live at Scholarship/Contest Day with a monologue.
Awards: Contest prizes awarded based on audition performance.
EXCELLENCE IN TECHNICAL THEATER CONTEST
A program to recognize and reward excellence in any aspect of technical theater.
Eligibility: Middle school students in grades 5-9
Format: Student submits work in any technical discipline (e.g. set, props, costumes, lighting, projections, sound, stage management).
Awards: Contest prizes awarded based on review of materials and interview.
MONOLOGUE WRITING CONTEST
A contest to recognize and reward student excellence in writing an original monologue.
Eligibility: Middle school students in grades 5-9
Format: Write and electronically submit an original monologue
Awards: Contest prizes awarded based on review of submitted work.
MIDDLE SCHOOL FESTIVAL LOGO DESIGN CONTEST
A contest to recognize and reward student excellence in logo design, specifically the logo for the Middle School Drama Festival.
Eligibility: Middle school students in grades 5-9
Format: Design and electronically submit a logo according to established guidelines.
Awards: Contest prizes awarded based on review of submitted work.
TEN-MINUTE PLAY CONTEST
A contest to recognize and reward student excellence in writing an original ten-minute play.
Eligibility: Middle school students in grades 5-9
Format: Write and electronically submit an original ten-minute play.
Awards: Contest prizes awarded based on review of submitted work.