Get the Crowd Going at Your High School Culture Festival! A Collection of Ideas for Plays and Musicals
When it comes time to put on a play for your high school cultural festival, the choice of work can dramatically change the feel of the stage.
From moving fantasies to relatable comedies and heartfelt musicals, each has its own unique appeal and key directing points.
Because it’s a production everyone in the class creates together, you’ll want to pick something that’s fun for the cast to make and a joy for the audience to watch.
Here, we introduce a wide range of plays that are perfect for high school cultural festivals.
Find the one that fits your class!
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Musicals • For Large Casts • Recommended Tearjerkers (1–10)
Is ~ Eyes ~
Is ~Eyes~ by Takako Okamura, a play frequently performed by student theater groups, features Sachi as the protagonist—a girl who can’t quite put herself into words.
The reason she struggles to express what’s in her heart is that, in fact, many different “me’s” reside within her.
The story follows Sachi as she interacts with those around her and searches for her true self.
One hallmark of the play is its uniquely theatrical staging, such as scenes where the many “me’s” inside Sachi hold a meeting.
The original runtime is about an hour, so if you’re short on time, you might consider arranging or trimming the story.
West Side Story
This work, which could be called a modern-day Romeo and Juliet, is a powerful musical that portrays the love and conflict of young people from different backgrounds.
If staged at a school festival, it can showcase class unity through dance and song and captivate the audience with dynamic direction.
The structure depicting two rival groups allows many students to enjoy their respective roles, which is another appeal.
Despite its serious themes, it is infused with familiar emotions such as friendship and love, making it a piece where the natural, true-to-life acting of high school students can shine.
Depending on the direction, it can be easily adapted to a contemporary style, and its high degree of flexibility is also a major attraction.
High School Musical
Released in the United States in 2006, High School Musical is a work that strongly blends comedy, music, and coming-of-age elements.
Since it’s set in a high school, the scenario fits perfectly with a school cultural festival.
The story begins at a New Year’s party, so one of the strengths is that students can perform as their authentic selves without focusing too much on age.
Because the characters’ songs and musical numbers are pivotal scenes, it’s also important to cast people who can sing well.
While the characters are all high school students, some aspects of American high school culture may feel unfamiliar.
If you find certain parts hard to portray, try adapting the lines and performances to reflect your own daily life.
That approach might make it more relatable and allow for a more relaxed, natural performance.
Romeo and Juliet
A tragic love masterpiece by William Shakespeare, frequently performed in musicals, films, and on stage including the Takarazuka Revue.
Set in 14th-century Verona, it tells the love story of Juliet of the Capulet family and Romeo of the Montague family, who are at odds with each other.
It’s very well known and often chosen as a staple play for school festivals, making it a great pick that everyone can enjoy.
Casting and direction can make it especially exciting.
The famous balcony scene with Juliet’s lines and the confession scene are absolutely essential!
Musicals • Large cast • Recommended for moving/tear-jerking stories (11–20)
Hamlet
Hamlet, one of Shakespeare’s four great tragedies.
Because the work is long, creating scripts and the like can be time-consuming, but it’s also the kind of piece that makes you feel the effort is worthwhile.
There was also a stage production starring Tatsuya Fujiwara and Hikari Mitsushima, so using that as a reference is recommended!
hairspray
A musical set in 1960s America that centers on dance and diversity.
It has the power to brighten the audience’s hearts at a school festival.
Through music, costumes, and choreography, it creates a bright, pop atmosphere that gets the crowd so excited they’ll start clapping along.
The characters who overcome differences in appearance and perspectives are easy for high school students to relate to, and performers can approach the show with a positive mindset.
Because it features a lot of singing and dancing, repeated practice builds a strong sense of unity, making it a production that brings the entire class together as one.
Poupelle of Chimney Town
The play we definitely want high school students full of dreams and hope to try is Poupelle of Chimney Town.
Based on a picture book created by comedian Akihiro Nishino, it was also adapted into an animated film.
It’s a heartwarming story of friendship, making it perfect for a school festival production that the whole class creates together.
We also recommend putting care into fantastical costumes and sound.
If you’re worried that “creating the town backdrop seems difficult…,” try projecting visuals from the original work onto a screen.
It’s a play that will deepen bonds among classmates by bringing a moving story to life.