Strategies to Build a Thriving High School Theatre Program
Plus, your weekly round-up of theatre news you may have missed!
Welcome to The Scene, your weekly round-up of theatre news you may have missed. In this week’s email,
We discuss tips and ideas for recruiting, retaining, and growing a high school theatre program.
Don’t forget to check out this week's free read, Stage Parents by Don Zolidis!
So, raise the curtain, shine the spotlight, and dive into another thrilling week in the theatre world. Welcome to The Scene.
‘Oh, Mary!’ Extends Into 2025 on Broadway by Logan Culwell-Block, Playbill | Cole Escola's wacky comedy take on Mary Todd Lincoln is getting its second extension on Broadway. Read...
Alex Edelman’s ‘Just for Us’ wins 2024 Emmy Award; more Broadway alums honored by Andy Lefkowitz, Broadway News | The annual ceremony was held at the Peacock Theater in Los Angeles. Read...
Douglas Lyons Announces 'Deep Breath' Trilogy of Plays Dedicated to Black Women by Diep Tran, Playbill | The plays include ‘Chicken & Biscuits,’ ‘Table 17,’ and the upcoming ‘Don't Touch My Hair.’ Read...
‘Buena Vista Social Club’ Sets 2025 Broadway Bow by Molly Higgins, Playbill | Tony nominee Saheem Ali is directing the new musical after staging its Atlantic Theater Company world premiere last year. Read...
Recipients Announced for American Theatre Wing's 2024 Andrew Lloyd Webber Initiative by Andrew Gans, Playbill | The initiative awards more than $500,000 in scholarships and grants to student artists and school communities. Read...
‘You’re Basically on a Broadway Stage, With New Friends’ by Annie Aguiar, The New York Times | At the touring dance party Broadway Rave, the playlist is all show tunes. But don’t worry, no house remixes of “I Dreamed a Dream” here. Read...
Auli‘i Cravalho, Glenn Davis, and Jen Silverman Among Variety’s 10 Broadway Stars to Watch for 2024 by Gordon Cox, Variety | Each new Broadway season brings an exciting group of fresh talents to the spotlight — and this season is no exception. Read...
Broadway’s ‘Water for Elephants’ partners with various nonprofits for ‘Memory Maker Program’ by Michael Abourizk, Broadway News | The initiative will aim to welcome students, the underserved, and senior audiences. Read...
Strategies to Build a Thriving High School Theatre Program
by Zach Dulli, The Scene
Recruiting and retaining passionate students in high school theatre can sometimes feel like an uphill battle. With so many extracurricular activities vying for their attention, how do you attract new students and keep them returning year after year? Whether you’re a seasoned theatre educator or just getting your program off the ground, these tips will help you not only bring in the talent but also nurture and retain it. Here’s how to build a program that shines and thrives year after year.
Make Theatre Visible: Showcase Your Program
High schoolers are more likely to join a program that feels active, visible, and successful. Create a buzz around your theatre productions by making them an event to remember. Posters, social media posts, and even teaser performances can give a sneak peek of what’s to come. If your program is consistently in the spotlight, it becomes a natural option for students to consider. One way to do this is to get students involved in promoting your shows. A student-led marketing and/or social media team can give your program an authentic voice and make recruitment feel more like a peer invitation than a faculty-led initiative.
Embrace First-Timers
One of the most common barriers to recruitment is the fear of the unknown. Theatre can feel intimidating, especially for students who have never acted before. Ensure that your auditions are open to all experience levels and emphasize that you’re looking for a wide range of talents—not just seasoned performers. Host workshops that teach auditioning skills and give students a sense of what being part of the program is like before they take the plunge. Host a "No Fear Audition Workshop" where students can practice auditioning in a low-stakes, fun environment. This will not only give them a preview of the process but also demystify the audition room.
Diversify Roles: There’s a Place for Everyone
Many students assume theatre is all about acting, but there’s a wealth of roles behind the scenes that may be more in line with their interests. Make it clear that students can shine as designers, stage managers, crew members, and marketing assistants. A well-rounded theatre program offers opportunities for every personality type and skill set. To assist in this, consider a “Backstage Pass” day, where students can shadow behind-the-scenes roles available in your program. This behind-the-scenes access is a great way to introduce new students to the many roles involved in every production. It allows them to see firsthand how much goes into each show and the many opportunities available to them beyond just acting.
Foster a Strong Community
Theatre programs grow when students feel part of something bigger than just a single show. For many students, the bonds formed within a theatre program can be the most compelling reason to join. Plan program bonding activities, theatre-themed outings, and annual celebrations to help cultivate a strong sense of belonging. When students feel connected, they’re more likely to return. Creating experiences and traditions that give your program a sense of identity.
Encourage Student Leadership
Empowerment is key to retention. When students feel they have ownership of the program, they’re more likely to stay engaged. Establish a student leadership team that helps with decision-making. Giving students a say makes them more invested and gives them practical leadership experience they can carry with them beyond high school.
Collaborate with Other Departments
Theatre is a gateway to many other interests. In addition to the usual collaboration with the music department for musical productions, consider working with the art department for help with poster design or set painting. Ask the social studies or history department to speak to your cast about the location where your show takes place. Have a member of the foreign language team work with your actors to ensure that they pronounce specific lines and words correctly. In addition to improving your productions, these partnerships introduce more school community members to your program, engaging them in your work and possibly creating another champion of your theatre program!
Build Bridges with Your Local School Community
Many students are encouraged by their parents or guardians to join extracurriculars that will look good on college applications. When you involve the broader community—inviting parents, alumni, and local businesses to your productions—you’ll get the word out about how your theatre program builds skills that transcend the stage: teamwork, public speaking, creative thinking, and leadership. By emphasizing these benefits, you can attract students whose families may otherwise push them towards more traditional activities. Host community performances and invite local schools, businesses, and residents. These events build your program’s reputation and demonstrate that theatre isn’t just a hobby—it’s an integral part of students’ development.
Offer Opportunities for Growth Beyond Productions
Not every student is looking for the spotlight, but many crave a space for personal and artistic growth. Offer theatre-related workshops, masterclasses, and reading groups that extend beyond your productions. Bring in local actors, directors, and playwrights to offer specialized training and Q&A sessions. The more you offer beyond rehearsals, the more likely students will stay involved. Establish a mentorship program where older students or alumni return to teach workshops or mentor underclassmen. This offers a long-lasting connection to your program and allows current students to learn from others’ experiences.
Celebrate Every Victory
Retention is all about making students feel like they matter. Whether your program is large or small, you can’t underestimate the power of celebrating success. Make sure to highlight individual contributions—on stage and off—so every student feels valued. End each production with a reflection session where students can share what they learned and celebrate their achievements. Small wins build long-term loyalty. Host an annual Theatre Awards Night where everyone’s contributions—whether they’re actors, designers, or crew—are recognized and celebrated in front of their peers and families.
Create a Path for the Future
Retention thrives when students see a path forward. Make it clear what opportunities lie ahead in the theatre program. When students can visualize themselves growing within the program, they’re more likely to stay invested for the long haul. At the beginning of each school year, map out a “Theatre Journey” visual guide that outlines what each year of involvement could look like—from starting as a newcomer to eventually directing a one-act or running the technical team.
Final Curtain Call: A Program That Shines
Recruitment and retention in a high school theatre program is more than just filling the cast list; it’s about building a creative, inclusive community that students are proud to be part of. By making theatre accessible, diverse, and full of growth opportunities, you’ll create a program that students can’t help but return to year after year. And when your program becomes a staple of school culture, the cast list will practically fill itself.
Brie Larson to Make West End Debut With ‘Elektra’ by Naman Ramachandran, Variety | The production will be directed by Daniel Fish, whose Broadway and West End productions of ‘Oklahoma!’ won best musical revival at the Tony and Olivier awards, respectively. Read...
World Premiere Elvis Costello-Sarah Ruhl Musical, ‘A Face in the Crowd,’ Opens in London by Logan Culwell-Block, Playbill | Ramin Karimloo and Anoushka Lucas are starring in the musical adaptation of the 1957 film at London's Young Vic Theatre. Read...
Live Aid-Inspired Musical ‘Just for One Day’ Will Transfer to London's West End by Andrew Gans & Margaret Hall, Playbill | Luke Sheppard directs the musical featuring songs by David Bowie, The Who, Queen, Elton John, Paul McCartney, Diana Ross, and more. Read...
John Lithgow-Led Roald Dahl Play ‘Giant,’ Tackling Antisemitism, Begins Performances by Margaret Hall, Playbill | The play comes on the heels of a broader cultural conversation about Dahl's work and the prejudice that was embedded in many of his most beloved stories. Read...
See Who's Joining John Leguizamo in Arena World Premiere of His Play, ‘The Other Americans’ by Andrew Gans, Playbill | Directed by Ruben Santiago-Hudson, previews will begin at the D.C. venue in October. Read...
‘Fever Dreams,’ ‘Primary Trust,’ ‘King James,’ and more in TheaterWorks Hartford's 2024-2025 Season by Molly Higgins, Playbill | The Connecticut theatre has also revealed casting and a creative team for ‘Fever Dream,’ which will kick off the upcoming season. Read...
Brittney Mack Will Star in the D.C. Premiere of New York-Bound ‘Spells of the Sea’ by Andrew Gans, Playbill | The family-friendly production will play at the Kennedy Center before arriving Off-Broadway. Read...
Atlanta Opera is Presenting ‘Rent’ and ‘La Bohème’ in Repertory by Natan Zamansky, Playbill | The immersive productions are part of “The Bohème Project," exploring three centuries of pandemics. Read...
Free Reads of the Week
Read entire plays for free! Playscripts offers a selection of full-length and one-act plays that you can access for free, which is ideal for use in theatre productions, school performances, or competitions. To explore these titles, click on the cover image below or select the "READ FOR FREE" button at the bottom of this section. This action will direct you to the play's page on the Playscripts website. Once there, click "READ NOW" to begin enjoying the play immediately!
Stage Parents by Don Zolidis
The Story: A lot goes into putting on a play, but learning lines and hanging lights are a picnic compared to the drama that comes with stage parents. Of course, you have no idea what that's like in your theatre program. But as opening night for Ms. Robin's production of Medea approaches, she must try to lead the student cast through rehearsal while fending off-stage parents of all stripes: from the backseat directors trying to take over to the amateur documentarians who can't let a move go unrecorded, to the overzealous guardians of the concession stand. The parents step into the spotlight they crave for their precious progeny in this spirited, tongue-in-cheek comedy.
Comedy | 30 - 40 minutes | 2 W, 2 M, 6 Any (6-22 actors possible: 2-20 W, 2-20 M) | Set: Minimal.
