Nine Schools Selected to Perform on High School's Biggest Stage
The highly coveted invitation to the International Thespian Festival (ITF) main stage is an honor for International Thespian Society students. Over 20 high-caliber productions were screened. The lineup of seven musicals and two plays includes five schools showcasing for the first time at ITF, and five titles that have never been seen on the main stage.
Explore all nine productions below.
ITF 2024 Main Stage Productions
Alice by Heart
By Duncan Sheik, Steven Sater & Jessie Nelson
Fossil Ridge High School | Troupe 7339 | Fort Collins, CO
Directed by Mikayla Assmus
Inspired by Lewis Carroll’s Alice’s Adventures in Wonderland, Alice by Heart is a touching musical set in the rubble of the London blitz of World War II. Alice Spencer’s budding teen life is turned upside down, and she and her dear friend Alfred are forced to take shelter in an underground tube station. When the ailing Alfred is quarantined, Alice encourages him to escape with her into their cherished book and journey down the rabbit hole to Wonderland. Alice by Heart explores the poignancy of first love, coming to terms with loss, and finding the courage to move forward, celebrating the transformational power of the imagination, even in the harshest of times.
Between the Lines
By Elyssa Samsel, Kate Anderson, Timothy Allen McDonald & Jodi Picoult
Bradford High School | Troupe 4982 | Kenosha, WI
Directed by Holly Stanfield & Benjamin Woods
Based on the book by New York Times best-selling author Jodi Picoult and her daughter, Samantha van Leer, Between the Lines is an empowering and enchanting new musical for any of us seeking to find our place in the world. An outsider in a new school, Delilah seeks comfort in the pages of her favorite book, where she feels heard and understood. But as the lines between the two worlds of fantasy and reality begin to blur in extraordinary and astonishing ways, Delilah has to confront whether she alone has the power to rewrite her own story. With overarching themes of self-empowerment, authenticity, and finding one’s own voice, Between the Lines will resonate with anyone who has ever found themselves trapped in a story they didn’t like.
Disney’s Frozen: The Broadway Musical
By Kristen Anderson-Lopez, Robert Lopez & Jennifer Lee
Wauwatosa West High School | Troupe 6903 | Wauwatosa, WI
Directed by Adam Steffan
Based on the Academy Award-winning animated feature film, Disney’s Frozen transports audiences to the beautiful mountainous kingdom of Arendelle, where Princesses Anna and Elsa grow up sheltered inside their castle, isolated from the world and increasingly distant from each other. When Elsa is crowned queen, the magical powers she’s desperately tried to conceal from her sister take control, and she flees into the mountains. As a ferocious winter descends on Arendelle, Anna sets off on an epic journey to find Elsa and bring her home – with the help of hardworking ice harvester Kristoff, his loyal reindeer Sven, and a happy-go-lucky snowman named Olaf. Full of magic, humor, and a stunning musical score, Disney’s Frozen is a powerful tale of sisterhood, acceptance, and finding the real meaning of true love.
Indecent
By Paula Vogel
Episcopal School of Baton Rouge | Troupe 88800 | Baton Rouge, LA
Directed by Lily McGill
Embark on an extraordinary theatrical experience with this profound and deeply moving play that explores the boundaries of art, love, and censorship. Indecent delves into the true story of the controversial 1923 Broadway debut of Sholem Asch’s play God of Vengeance, a work that broke ground and taboos with its bold depiction of Jewish life and a scandalous lesbian romance. It’s a tale of a daring troupe of actors who risked their careers and lives to perform a work deemed indecent. Vogel’s play is a tribute to the power of art to reflect the complexities of human nature and the resilience of the human spirit. The result is a heart-wrenching and inspiring exploration of the cultural impact of a groundbreaking work. This is not just a play, but a celebration of art that dares to speak the unspeakable and a testament to the enduring power of stories.
Into the Woods
By Stephen Sondheim & James Lapine
Hoboken High School | Troupe 7268 | Hoboken, NJ
Directed by Derek Kinnear
James Lapine and Stephen Sondheim explore what happens after “happily ever after” in a timeless, yet relevant rare modern classic musical that weaves the Brothers Grimm fairy tale characters into an enchanting and touching story. When a humble baker and his wife learn that they cannot have a child due to a witch’s curse, the two set off to break the spell. But in the end, the consequences of their actions have unintended results that will haunt the kingdom forever.
Kinky Boots
By Cyndi Lauper & Harvey Fierstein
Denver School of the Arts | Troupe 5869 | Denver, CO
Directed by Shawn Hann
Strut into the heartwarming and dazzling universe of this Tony Award-winning musical, a celebration of friendships that transcend unlikely borders, and the realization of dreams against all odds. In a struggling British shoe factory, Charlie Price faces the daunting task of keeping his family’s legacy alive. Enter Lola, a fabulous entertainer in need of some sturdy stilettos. Together, they turn the factory around, crafting the most outrageously unique boots. But it’s not just about the footwear – it’s a journey about finding your passion, overcoming prejudices, and embracing your true identity. With its exhilarating blend of humor, heart, and toe-tapping numbers, Kinky Boots is more than a musical – it’s a beacon of hope and a tribute to the power of acceptance.
My Heart Says Go
By Jorge “Jay” Herrans & Matthew Hawkins
Warsaw Community High School | Troupe 5648 | Warsaw, IN
Directed by Melany Morris
A celebration of risk-taking and the power of persistence, My Heart Says Go follows first-generation college student Indigo, who defies his father and drops out of medical school to become a singer-songwriter. Accompanied by a new friend, Clara – who has her own struggles at home – Indigo’s journey is an empowering anthem for the next generation and a loving reminder to listen to your heart, overcome obstacles, and never give up on those you love.
Rent: School Edition
By Jonathan Larson
Rock Ridge High School | Troupe 8104 | Ashburn, VA
Directed by Anthony Cimino-Johnson
Set in the East Village of New York City, Rent is about falling in love, finding your voice, and living for today. Winner of the 1996 Tony Award for Best Musical and the 1996 Pulitzer Prize for Drama, the musical has since become a pop cultural phenomenon with songs that rock and a story that resonates with audiences of all ages. Based loosely on Puccini’s opera, La Bohème, the story follows a year in the life of a group of impoverished young artists and musicians struggling to survive and create under the shadow of the looming HIV/AIDS crisis.
Silent Sky
By Lauren Gunderson
Arroyo Grande High School | Troupe 648 | Arroyo Grande, CA
Directed by Sean Blauvelt
Discover the untold story of a pioneering spirit in this luminous and inspiring play that celebrates the groundbreaking achievements of early 20th-century astronomer Henrietta Leavitt. This poignant and captivating drama blends science, history, and human connection, bringing to life the journey of a woman who sought to understand the heavens in an era when women’s ideas were dismissed until men claimed credit for them. Henrietta Leavitt joins a group of female “computers,” charting the stars for a renowned observatory, without being allowed to even touch a telescope. Despite these limitations, she made astonishing discoveries that influenced the way we understand the vast cosmos today. Silent Sky is a tribute to the unsung brilliance of a woman who broke through barriers of gender and societal limitations. It’s a story of passion, curiosity, and the enduring quest to understand our universe and our place within it.
