10 Shows High Schools Should Be Doing Instead of the Same Old Thing
‘The Wolves’ at Southern Theater (Photo by Dan Norman)
by Chris Peterson, OnStage Blog Founder
Every year, like clockwork, high schools across the country dust off the same stack of scripts: Our Town, You Can’t Take It With You, The Sound of Music, Guys and Dolls, Once Upon a Mattress… you get the picture. And listen, I love some of those shows. But students deserve variety. They deserve to explore stories that feel relevant, exciting, diverse, and maybe even a little surprising.
So here’s my humble pitch: let’s shake up the drama season with shows that challenge, inspire, and maybe even attract a new kind of student to audition. Below are five plays and five musicals that I think more high schools should be performing—and yes, I’ve included where to license each one.
Five Plays to Consider
1. The Wolves by Sarah DeLappe
‘The Wolves’ at Southern Theater (Photo by Dan Norman)
A sharp, funny, and moving portrait of a high school girls’ soccer team during warmups. It’s raw in a way students will relate to, and there’s nothing else like it. It’s built entirely around overlapping dialogue and natural conversation—an incredible acting exercise that also explores growing up in today’s world.
License through Concord Theatricals
2. Failure: A Love Story by Philip Dawkins
Eckerd College (Photo by: Steven Le - Thee Photo Ninja)
This whimsical tale of three doomed sisters in 1920s Chicago plays with storytelling and time in a way that feels magical on stage. It combines poetic narration, animal characters, and vintage charm with a deeper exploration of how we deal with loss—and how we celebrate life, even when it’s short.
License through Dramatists Play Service
3. This Random World by Steven Dietz
Actors Theatre of Louisville (Photo: Bill Brymer)
A beautifully interconnected story about missed connections, fate, and the randomness of life. Witty, thoughtful, and flexible for large or small casts. It's an ideal contemporary piece for young actors to explore believable characters without needing elaborate sets or flashy costumes—just honest moments and layered storytelling.
License through Playscripts
4. I and You by Lauren Gunderson
Photo: George Cannon
Two teenagers connect over a school project on Walt Whitman’s Leaves of Grass, but what starts as a reluctant partnership becomes something much deeper—and surprising. It’s a two-hander with poetic dialogue, subtle twists, and a stunning emotional arc. A perfect opportunity for schools to spotlight two powerhouse performers.
License through Dramatists Play Service
5. Kodachrome by Adam Szymkowicz
Photo credit: Patrick Weishampel/blankeye.tv
A small-town romance told through a photographer’s lens, blending nostalgia with modern voice. Characters break the fourth wall and shift time like memories developing in a darkroom. It's poetic and gentle, perfect for schools wanting to try something sweet, meaningful, and totally different than the typical high school canon.
License through Concord Theatricals
Five Musicals to Mix It Up
1. Ride the Cyclone by Jacob Richmond and Brooke Maxwell
Think Sideshow meets Six with a hint of American Idiot. A group of teens dead in a roller coaster accident compete for a second chance at life. Every character gets a musical spotlight, offering a true ensemble piece with room for unique casting and creative design—it’s bizarre in the best way.
License through Broadway Licensing
2. Firebringer by StarKid Productions
The internet-famous prehistoric feminist rock musical. It’s irreverent, empowering, and way more fun than another trip down Oklahoma! It’s also super accessible for new performers, with low-tech production needs, a built-in fanbase, and smart jokes that teens will actually quote in the hallway.
License through StarKid (contact them directly or via their website)
3. Fugitive Songs by Chris Miller and Nathan Tysen
A song cycle for wanderers and dreamers, filled with aching melodies and poetic storytelling. This show is ideal for schools wanting something intimate and fresh. It’s great for small casts, flexible in staging, and allows your students to explore big emotions in a minimalist, contemporary setting.
License through Broadway Licensing
4. Calvin Berger by Barry Wyner
A smart, funny, and heartfelt modern retelling of Cyrano de Bergerac, set in a high school. It’s a love triangle with rap battles, cafeteria wisdom, and surprisingly poignant ballads. This is a total sleeper hit that gives your leads great material, while keeping the tone high-energy and accessible for teens.
License through Concord Theatricals
5. Shout! The Mod Musical by Phillip George and David Lowenstein
A jukebox musical with a twist: 1960s girl power through the lens of British pop. Excellent for all-female or femme-focused casts. Each character represents a different archetype, offering great teaching moments about identity, voice, and how far we’ve come—while letting students belt Dusty Springfield in knee-high go-go boots.
License through MTI