The Most Successful Plays/Musicals Produced in Schools
Are you a drama teacher wondering what the perfect school play/musical to put on? Then this blog is for you. We compiled and analyzed data from 40 high schools and middle schools for a total of 178 titles over the last three years.
We did this to determine which are the most frequently chosen titles, delve into ticket sales data, and uncover the intriguing trends that shape the world of high school and middle school musical theatre.
Title Selections
This section examines which titles are chosen most frequently.
The following two are tied for first place. These productions graced the stage in five schools out of the sample of forty.
- Clue
- Mamma Mia.
Second place includes the following. Four schools put these on:
- Fiddler on the Roof
- High School Musical Jr.
- Into the Woods
- Peter and the Starcatcher
- Puffs
- The Music Man
Third place – three of the forty schools chose them – are:
- Matilda
- The 25th Annual Putnam County Spelling Bee
- The Addams Family
- The Laramie Project
- The Sound Of Music
Fourth place with two schools selecting them are:
- A Gentleman’s Guide to Love and Murder
- A Midsummer Night’s Dream
- Alice in Wonderland
- Anastasia
- Annie
- Beauty and the Beast Jr.
- Chicago: Teen Edition
- Finding Nemo
- Godspell
- How To Succeed In Business Without Really Trying
- Is He Dead?
- Legally Blonde
- Mary Poppins Jr.
- Mean Girls
- Newsies
- Once Upon a Mattress
- Peter Pan Jr.
- She Kills Monsters
- Shrek the Musical
- Singing in the Rain
- Something Rotten!
- The Big Bad Musical
- The Curious Savage
- The Diary of Anne Frank
- The Wizard of Oz
The remaining 139 shows were put on by only one of the 40 schools in the sample.
Now, let’s turn our attention to ticket sales and explore the top-grossing productions that captivated school audiences.
Ticket Sales
Considering the ticket sales at each school, the following were the top twenty shows, each generating an average of more than 1,400 ticket sales at the schools that produced them.
Of course, some schools have larger venues than other schools and so can accommodate more ticket sales. Nevertheless, it’s insightful to observe which productions consistently attracted audiences.
Besides the top 20, the following are titles that sold more than 1,000 tickets per school on average:
In addition to our own data analysis, a survey conducted by the Educational Theatre Association (EdTA) shed light on the productions that tend to attract the largest audiences and generate the highest ticket sales revenue. According to their findings, musicals with recognizable titles and family-friendly themes tend to perform exceptionally well in school settings.
Other Observations
Beyond the popularity of certain shows and their ticket sales, there are a few intriguing observations that can be drawn from the data:
Revenue: With an average revenue per ticket of $11.28 and a median of $10.67, these productions not only entertained but also contributed to the financial well-being of their schools. Keep in mind, these figures are net of comps, so actual ticket prices may be higher.
Variety in Show Selection: While some productions like “Mamma Mia!” and “Mean Girls” appeared frequently in both the top show selections and the top ticket sales, there’s a wide range of shows represented. This diversity suggests that schools are offering students a broad spectrum of theatrical experiences, from classic musicals like “The Sound of Music” to contemporary hits like “Mean Girls.”
Adaptations and Jr. Versions: Many schools – particularly the middle school musical theatre departments – opted for adaptations or junior versions of well-known musicals, such as “High School Musical Jr.,” “Mary Poppins Jr.,” and “Beauty and the Beast Jr.” These versions are often tailored for younger performers and audiences, allowing schools to engage a wider range of students in their productions.
Classic vs. Contemporary: The data showcases a mix of classic and contemporary shows, indicating a balance between honoring traditional theatre and embracing modern storytelling. Productions like “Fiddler on the Roof” and “The Music Man” share the stage with newer hits like “Mean Girls” and “Elf – The Musical,” reflecting the diverse tastes high school and middle school musical theatre departments.
Educational Opportunities: Certain productions, like “The Diary of Anne Frank,” offer unique educational opportunities for students. These shows tackle complex themes and historical events, providing students with valuable learning experiences beyond the stage.
Conclusion
Overall, the data underscores the richness and diversity of high school theatre and middle school programs, highlighting the importance of the arts in education and the profound impact they have on students, audiences, and communities alike.
As mentioned above, the data comes from high school and middle school musical theatre that use the TicketPeak ticketing system. We offer each of our clients complementary consulting on how to increase ticket sales. Check us out at https://ticketpeak.com.
