A high school theatre program is a special place. It is often a refuge for kids who are exploring who they are, pretending to be someone else for a few hours, or singing showtunes at the top of their lungs. A director unites these kids around a common goal through a production.
There is a difference between shows that students are dying to perform and shows that are actually possible. It’s a director’s responsibility to select something that falls in the delicate overlap between the two. It is not always an easy task (WHY are there so many roles for the three boys in the program and only two roles for the 47 girls who auditioned?!?!). Here are some things to consider when choosing a show.
Know the Audience
Every high school theatre program is different. Art, particularly theatre, is a beautiful way to introduce new concepts to people, but it is important to know which lines to cross and which a community is not quite ready for yet. Understanding the general audience during the selection process will help ensure students, administration, and the greater school community are satisfied with the final production.
Know the Cast
If a director is lucky enough, they may be able to select shows based on certain program strengths. Have a lot of stellar sopranos? Rodgers and Hammerstein’s Cinderella, it is! But even a new director can make informed decisions based on certain criteria. For example, no school should ever attempt a production that it does not have the racial diversity to produce. (An all-white cast for Hairspray is never going to be appropriate, and fundamentally misses the point of the story.) There is also the struggle that most directors of adolescents know all too well: just how many boys will audition? Does that number affect the feasibility of the show, or will gender blind casting work just fine? Popular, big-name shows like Mamma Mia! are likely to draw larger crowds to auditions, but something less well known like Bye, Bye, Birdie! might be a harder sell to teenagers.
Know the Parameters
Some high school theatre programs are lucky to live in districts that support and fund their arts programs, while others must make do with shoestring budgets and theatre magic. A director must know what their financial parameters are when selecting a season. There are hundreds of shows available for licensing, so the chances are high that even if the budget doesn’t allow for a huge musical with a full orchestra, there is a perfect little play that suits the program nicely. Shakespeare’s works that have entered the public domain are free to adapt, and many even carry some name recognition, which is an added advantage for marketing.
Another important factor to consider is workload. Yes, Shrek the Musical is a fun show, but it requires a significant number of specialized costumes, props, and sets. Will designers be able to meet these needs within the allotted budget and timeline? Understanding these things before paying for a show’s licensing will help mitigate future headaches.
The most important thing a director can do when selecting a show is to trust their gut and artistic vision. There will always be variables in community, students, and program restrictions, but with a solid vision, hard work, and a bit of theatre magic, memories can be made that will last students a lifetime.
Last Updated on: January 29, 2026
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