Eight Schools Selected to Perform on High School's Biggest Stage
An invitation to the International Thespian Festival (ITF) Main Stage is a coveted honor for members of the International Thespian Society, and the 2025 edition is no different. This year, more than 30 exceptional productions were screened, culminating in a final showcase of four plays and four musicals. Of these eight titles, six have never before been seen on the ITF Main Stage. Additionally, of the eight schools invited, six are taking the stage for the first time under the bright lights of the ITF Main Stage across two venues at IU Bloomington.
Explore the eight shows below.
ITF 2025 Main Stage Productions
The Drowsy Chaperone JR.
Music and Lyrics by Lisa Lambert and Greg Morrison, Book by Bob Martin and Don McKellar
Martin Luther King High School | Troupe 6209 | Riverside, CA
Directed by Katie Williams
Step into the Jazz Age for a whimsical tribute to old-school musical theater in The Drowsy Chaperone Jr. Our socially awkward narrator, simply known as “Man in Chair,” drops a needle on his favorite 1928 cast recording, and then the musical within springs to life right in his living room! Meet Broadway star Janet Van De Graaf, who’s leaving showbiz to marry her charmingly clueless fiancé, two pastry-chef mobsters, an eccentric aviator, and, of course, the “drowsy” (and delightfully tipsy) chaperone. Packed with toe-tapping tunes and hilarious hijinks, this show-in-a-show revels in screwball comedy and heartfelt nostalgia that reminds viewers how music and theatre bring boundless joy—even on the dreariest of days.
Eurydice
By Sarah Ruhl
Meadowdale High School | Troupe 5449| Lynnwood, WA
Directed by Jacqueline Meyners
Enter a world of memory and love in Eurydice, a poignant reimagining of the classic myth from the heroine’s perspective. On what should be her perfect wedding day, Eurydice’s life is cut short, and she descends into the underworld, where she’s reunited with her father. As she struggles to recall her lost love, Orpheus, she must reconcile the comforts of home with the pull of a life left behind. With contemporary twists and vivid storytelling, Eurydice transforms a timeless tale into a fresh, enchanting exploration of love, loss, and the fragile bonds that tie us together across life and death.
Hadestown: Teen Edition
By Anaïs Mitchell
Parker High School | Troupe 2640 | Janesville, WI
Directed by Colin Swanson
Journey to a post-apocalyptic realm in Hadestown: Teen Edition, a stirring reimagining of the ancient Greek myth of Orpheus and Eurydice. Set against a New Orleanian Steampunk backdrop, this mesmerizing musical plunges you into a timeless struggle between hope and despair. As Orpheus braves the depths of the underworld to rescue Eurydice, the tireless workers’ chorus echoes the haunting cycle of life, reminding us that the wheel of change never stops turning. With each revolution, the characters grapple with love, loss, greed, and the fragile balance between power and humanity. This innovative production challenges us to see our own world reflected on stage: fractured communities seeking unity, voices yearning to be heard, and the unyielding dream of a better tomorrow.
Harry Potter and the Cursed Child: High School Edition
By Jack Thorne, Based an original story by J.K. Rowling, Jack Thorne and John Tiffany
OCVTS Grunin Performing Arts Academy | Troupe 6185 | Toms River, NJ
Directed by A.J. Ciccotelli
Wands at the ready! Nineteen years after Harry, Ron, and Hermione saved the wizarding world, Harry Potter and the Cursed Child – High School Edition transports you back to Hogwarts for a brand-new chapter of magic and mystery. As Harry Potter’s determined son, Albus, befriends Scorpius Malfoy, the heir of his father’s old rival, an unexpected new adventure unfolds, one that holds the power to alter the past and the future. Prepare for an all-new adventure as the beloved characters you know join a new generation of witches and wizards stepping into destiny. This special high school adaptation brings all the spellbinding drama, heart, and excitement of the Wizarding World to the stage, delighting devoted fans and newcomers alike with the enduring magic of friendship, courage, and hope.
Little Women: The Broadway Musical
Music by Jason Howland, Lyrics by Mindi Dickstein, Book by Allan Knee, Based on the novel by Louisa May Alcott
Millard West High School | Troupe 5483 | Omaha, NE
Directed by Brooke Phillips
Experience the warmth and wonder of Little Women the Broadway Musical, a beloved story of sisterhood, ambition, and unwavering love, brought to life with a modern musical twist. Set in Civil War America, the show follows Jo March—an aspiring author determined to see her stories published—and her sisters, Meg, Beth, and Amy, as they navigate the joys and struggles of growing up in tumultuous times. Guided by the encouragement of her friend Professor Bhaer, Jo’s writing takes on new depth when she begins weaving her own life into her tales. Brimming with heart and hope, Little Women invites you to share in the March sisters’ laughter, dreams, and devotion as they discover that true success often springs from the stories closest to our hearts.
The Prince of Egypt
This performance appears by special invitation from the Education Theatre Foundation.
Music and Lyrics by Stephen Schwartz, Book by Philip LaZebnik
Rock Ridge High School | Troupe 8104 | Ashburn, VA
Recipient of the 2024 Craig Zadan Pathway Grant
Directed by Anthony Cimino-Johnson
Set against the wonders of Ancient Egypt, The Prince of Egypt sweeps you into a powerful epic of faith, family, and destiny. Featuring 10 new songs by Grammy- and Oscar-winning composer Stephen Schwartz, plus beloved favorites from the acclaimed DreamWorks Animation film, this stirring musical follows Ramses and Moses, raised as brothers yet divided by a secret past. One must ascend the throne as Pharaoh, the other must embrace his calling to free his people. Both will transport audiences on a timeless journey that forever changes the course of history.
The Revolutionists
By Lauren Gunderson
Dubuque Senior High School | Troupe 69 | Dubuque, IA
Directed by Aaron Dean
Set amid the tumult and terror of 1793 Paris, The Revolutionists is a fierce and funny exploration of art, activism, and sisterhood during the French Revolution’s Reign of Terror. Playwright Olympe de Gouges, assassin Charlotte Corday, deposed queen Marie Antoinette, and Haitian rebel Marianne Angelle join forces in a raucous quest to spark change, challenge tyranny, and make their voices heard no matter the cost. Witty and irreverent, this grand comedy tackles big ideas of violence, legacy, feminism, and how the greatest revolution often begins with a story—and the unbreakable bond of chosen sisters.
Suite Surrender
By Michael McKeever
McKinney North High School | Troupe 6460 | McKinney, TX
Directed by Keegan Arnold
It’s 1942 and two of Hollywood’s biggest divas, complete with high-maintenance entourages and a legendary rivalry, converge at the posh Palm Beach Royale Hotel. In Suite Surrender, sparks fly—and comedy ensues—when they’re accidentally booked into the same suite and showbiz glamour collides with wartime duty…and absolutely everything goes hilariously wrong. Add in mistaken identities, overblown egos, quick-witted banter, and a pampered lap dog named Mr. Boodles, and you’ve got a dazzling homage to the classic farces of the ’30s and ’40s brimming with slapstick fun and star-studded antics.
