Top High School Musicals and Plays
As the leading organization for educational theatre — we’re present in roughly 5,000 schools — EdTA member schools set the standard for what’s popular in high school theatre. Since 1938, our annual Play Survey has identified the most-produced musicals and plays on high school stages.
Over the decades, the Play Survey has both highlighted the enduring popularity of classic works and reflected issues in the wider world. That’s been especially evident during the pandemic, as health protocols affected which productions got staged – and schools drove demand for virtual productions.
Explore Play Survey results from the most recent school year and beyond.
2021-22 Play Survey Highlights
- EdTA members and non-members surveyed
- 1,941 responses
- "Short Musical" category added this year
Top 10 Full-Length High School Musicals, 2021-22
Credits:
- by Catherine Johnson, Benny Anderson, and Björn Ulvaeus
Licensing: Music Theatre International
Credits:
- by Kyle Jarrow, Tina Landau, and various composers
Licensing: Concord Theatricals
Credits:
- by Alan Menken, Howard Ashman, Tim Rice, and Linda Woolverton
Licensing: MTI
Credits:
- by Charles M. Schulz, Clark Gesner, Michael Mayer, and Andrew Lippa
Licensing: Concord Theatricals
Credits:
- by Alan Menken, Howard Ashman, Glenn Slater, and Doug Wright
Licensing: MTI
Most-Produced Short Musicals, 2021-22
Credits:
- by Elton John, Tim Rice, Will Van Dyke, Lebo M, Mark Mancina, Jay Rifkin, Roger Allers, and Irene Mecchi
Licensing: MTI
Credits:
- by Alan Menken, Howard Ashman, Tim Rice, and Linda Woolverton
Licensing: MTI
Credits:
- by Opetaia Foa‘i, Mark Mancina, Lin-Manuel Miranda, and Susan Soon He Stanton
Licensing: MTI
Credits:
- by Howard Ashman, Glenn Slater, Alan Menken, and Doug Wright
Licensing: MTI
Most-Produced Plays, 2021-22
Credits:
- by Sandy Rustin, Hunter Foster, and Eric Price
Licensing: Broadway Licensing
Credits:
- by Lewis Carroll
Licensing: various licensing companies
Most-Produced Short Plays, 2021-22
More Play Survey Results
The High School Theatre Market
Based on pre-COVID Play Survey data, high school productions attract roughly the same size audience as Broadway touring companies and regional theatres combined.
Decades of Data
Want to dig deeper? NPR analyzed and compiled decades of EdTA’s Play Survey results originally published in Dramatics magazine.
Play Survey News
84th Annual Play Survey Reveals Most Popular Plays & Musicals
Mamma Mia!, Disney’s Frozen JR., Clue, and Check Please received top billing
2021 Play Survey
Top 10 High School Musicals, 2020-21 1. The Addams Family Credits: book
