Musical Theater Contests
The METG Musical Theater Division recognizes emerging talent on stage and the work of the students who bring musical theater to life across the Commonwealth.
Musical Theater Contest Day is Saturday, December 5, 2026
Held at Norwood High School, Norwood, MA. Come and showcase your passion for musical theater and present your work to other students and industry professionals.
MIDDLE SCHOOL MUSICAL THEATER CONTEST
- Eligibility: Current Middle School Students in Grades 5-9
- Format: Ninety Second or shorter cut of a memorized musical theater song, with accompanist
- Contest Day: Saturday, December 6, 2025, Norwood High School
Contest specifics
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.
Awards: Contest prizes awarded based on audition performance.
Guidance and requirements
- Any current middle school student from Grades 5, 6, 7, or 8 may participate in the Middle School Musical Theater Contest Day.
- To enter students must prepare 90 seconds or shorter of any musical theater song that showcases their voice and acting ability.
- Songs should be memorized.
- Please bring your sheet music prepared in a binder marked with where you would like to start and stop your song. You will be singing with an accompanist- no “acapella” singing.
- Students will introduce themselves as their ID number and what song they will be singing and what musical it comes from.
When selecting songs, students should select a song from a musical and should avoid picking material that comes from a film, tv, or any pop songs. Students should also try as best as they can to select “age appropriate” songs. When selecting a song to sing, don’t just choose a song you like, but rather one that fits your voice well and showcases your acting ability.
Students will be scored on a rubric based on their vocal work, acting, and preparation.
Rubric Areas:
- Vocal Work- Musicality, Notes and Pitch
- Acting - Storytelling through Song, Physical Choices, Expression, Presence, Understanding of Text and Subtext
- Preparation- music marked, professional introduction, within time guidelines
- Overall Impact
Slate Example for Middle School:
Below you will find an example of the introduction you will utilize if you wish to rehearse it. You will not be identifying yourself by name or school. You will be assigned your ID number at registration.
Example Intro: "Hello! My identification number is _______. My piece is_______________ (name of song) from________________ (musical). Thank you!"
High School Musical Theater Contest
- Eligibility: Current High School Students in Grades 9-12
- Format: One minute cut of a memorized musical theater song, with accompanist
- Contest Day: Saturday, December 6, 2025, Norwood High School
Contest specifics
A program to recognize and reward excellence in musical theater.
Eligibility: High School students in grades 9-12
Format: Audition live at Scholarship/Contest Day.
Awards: Contest prizes awarded based on audition performance.
Guidance and requirements
- Any current high school student from Grades 9, 10, 11, or 12 may participate in the High School Musical Theater Contest Day.
- Students should prepare a 1 minute cut of a musical theater song. This should showcase your voice and acting ability.
- Songs should be memorized.
- Please bring your sheet music prepared in a binder marked with where you would like to start and stop your song. You will be singing with an accompanist- no “a capella” singing.
- Students will introduce themselves as their ID number and what song they will be singing and what musical it is from.
- Students should dress appropriately for audition attire.
- Only musical theater songs will be accepted. Please refrain from using pop songs or songs from films or television shows.
- After the initial audition, a group of finalists from each session will be selected to present a one minute cut of a second piece later in the day. This piece should contrast with their first song.
- Timing of the entire day will be announced after registration has closed.
Students will be assessed on their work against a rubric.
Rubric Areas:
- Vocal Work- Musicality, Notes and Pitch
- Acting - Storytelling through Song, Physical Choices, Expression, Presence, Understanding of Text and Subtext
- Preparation- music marked, professional introduction, within time guidelines
- Overall Impact- showcase of range, audition attire
Once registration has closed, you will be contacted about your audition time slot. You will be in the same block as students from other schools and will have an opportunity to present your work in front of them. If you are entering multiple scholarships/contests, the METG will work to make sure that there is as little overlap as possible.
Finalists for HS:
Will be asked to sing an additional one minute cut of a contrasting musical theatre song. Please be prepared to do this even though most people will not be asked to sing a second song.
Slate Example for High School:
Below you will find an example of the introduction you will utilize if you wish to rehearse it. You will not be identifying yourself by name or school. You will be assigned your ID number at registration.
Example Intro: "Hello! My identification number is _______. My piece is_______________ (name of song) from________________ (musical). Thank you!"