Massachusetts High School Drama Guild
Encyclopedia
The Massachusetts Educational Theater Guild, commonly known as METG and previously known as the Massachusetts High School Drama Guild until its name changed in 2010 is, according to their website, an organisation "for the charitable and educational purpose of promoting and strengthening excellence, access, and education in the theatrical arts for middle and secondary school students and teachers." Each year the METG organizes the state-wide high school theatre festival
in March, as well as several other programs throughout the year.
in Boston for a weekend of one-act plays. This round of the festival is held on the last weekend in March from Thursday through Saturday. There, three winners are chosen to represent Massachusetts at the New England Drama Festival. If any of the three winning schools cannot attend the New England Drama Festival, they will be replaced by the alternate winner. In the event that the three winners and the alternate cannot attend, which was most recently the case in the 2008 festival, the next two schools ranked after the first alternate are selected to attend the regional festival. Like the two previous rounds of competition, the rank of a school is not disclosed, unless they are declared the winner, alternate, or additional alternate. The State Finals event is accompanied by a "Festival Video" (a montage of clips shot throughout the three days) that directly precedes the awards ceremony.
For Drama Festival 2012, none of these shows may be performed by any school in the Guild, nor can they be performed by the presenting school for the next three years.
.
Sean Lynch, from Leominster High School
for Lion and Mouse Stories.
; Paris Ellsworth, from Cambridge Rindge and Latin School
; and Kristen McCusker, from Westford Academy
.
, with "Edits"; and Patrick Greeley, from Framingham High School
, with "The Devil's Advocate".
; and Erin Gilgen & Tim Marple, from Westford Academy
.
, lighting design, scenic design
, costume design
, choreography
, and improvisation
.
Theatre festival
Theatre festivals amongst the earliest types of festival. Classical Greek theatre was associated with religious festivals dedicated to Dionysus. The medieval mystery plays were presented at the major Christian feasts...
in March, as well as several other programs throughout the year.
High School festival
The Massachusetts State Drama Festival takes place over the course of the month of March, in the state of Massachusetts. Any school may enter, provided the play they intend to perform is approved by the principal of the performing school and the entry form is submitted to the METG. There are three levels of competition: preliminary, semi-final, and state.Festival rules
Some of the rules include:- No play may run for more than 40 minutes (timed by three "timers"; the shortest time is accepted as the running time).
- No play may involve a set-up time or strike time of more than five minutes (timed by the Technical DirectorTechnical directorThe Technical Director or Technical Manager is usually a senior technical person within a software company, film studio, theatrical company or television studio...
of the host site). - All rules of the host site apply.
- Each play must be approved by the principal of the presenting school.
- Schools may not perform shows that were performed the year before at the State Finals.
- Schools may not perform any play they have performed in the past three years.
- Schools may not perform a musical of any kind, unless given permission by the playwright to perform the piece without the musical/singing component. However, a school may include live music, vocal and/or instrumental, if given previous permission from the METG.
Preliminary round
All schools are placed into preliminary host sites around the state. From each site, three schools are chosen to move on to the semi-final round. There is a "1st place," "2nd Place," and "3rd Place", however the rank of a school is only disclosed to the committee which assigns schools to semi-final sites. This phase of the festival takes place over the course of a Saturday, usually the first weekend in March.Semi-Final Round
The winners of the preliminary round are placed in the seven semi-final host sites. From each site, two schools are chosen to move on to state finals at the Back Bay Events Center. Again, there is a 1st and 2nd place winner, however the rank of a school is not disclosed, except to the committee, which meets to select time slots for state finals. As with the preliminary round, the semi-final takes place on a Saturday, two weeks after the preliminary round.State Finals
The 14 winners from semi-final level are brought to the Back Bay Events CenterBerkeley Building
The Berkeley Building is a 36-story, structure located at 200 Berkeley Street, Boston, Massachusetts, USA. It is the second of the three John Hancock buildings built in Boston; it was succeeded by the John Hancock Tower. The building is known for the weather beacon at its summit, which...
in Boston for a weekend of one-act plays. This round of the festival is held on the last weekend in March from Thursday through Saturday. There, three winners are chosen to represent Massachusetts at the New England Drama Festival. If any of the three winning schools cannot attend the New England Drama Festival, they will be replaced by the alternate winner. In the event that the three winners and the alternate cannot attend, which was most recently the case in the 2008 festival, the next two schools ranked after the first alternate are selected to attend the regional festival. Like the two previous rounds of competition, the rank of a school is not disclosed, unless they are declared the winner, alternate, or additional alternate. The State Finals event is accompanied by a "Festival Video" (a montage of clips shot throughout the three days) that directly precedes the awards ceremony.
State Finalists for the 2011 Drama Festival
(In Order Of Appearance)- The Bromfield SchoolThe Bromfield SchoolThe Bromfield School is a public school located in Harvard, Massachusetts. Founded in 1878 by Margaret Bromfield Blanchard, the school's student population is approximately 750, in grades 6–12...
- The Yellow Boat - Tyngsborough High SchoolTyngsborough High SchoolTyngsborough High School is located at 36 Norris Road in Tyngsborough.Tyngsborough High School has approximately 490 students, and is part of the Tyngsborough school district.-History:...
- The Last Days of Judas Iscariot - Algonquin Regional High SchoolAlgonquin Regional High SchoolAlgonquin Regional High School is a public high school located in Northborough, Massachusetts. The school serves the students of the Northborough-Southborough Regional School District comprising both Northborough and neighboring Southborough. Algonquin Regional's Superintendent is Charles E....
- Of Mice and MenOf Mice and MenOf Mice and Men is a novella written by Nobel Prize-winning author John Steinbeck. Published in 1937, it tells the tragic story of George Milton and Lennie Small, two displaced migrant ranch workers during the Great Depression in California, USA.... - Westford AcademyWestford AcademyWestford Academy is the public high school for the town of Westford, Massachusetts. It was founded in 1792, and is one of the oldest public high schools in the United States. Westford Academy was originally established as a private school and was changed to a public school in 1928...
- JCaes: The Tragedy of Julius Caesar (Winner) - Weston High SchoolWeston High SchoolWeston High School is the name of several public and independent secondary schools in the United States:* Weston High School in Weston, Connecticut* Weston High School in unincorporated Jackson Parish, Louisiana...
- The Lie That Binds - Hamilton-Wenham Regional High SchoolHamilton-Wenham Regional High SchoolHamilton-Wenham Regional High School is a public high school in Hamilton, Massachusetts, USA. It is the only high school in the Hamilton-Wenham Regional School District, which is based in Wenham, MA. The school's athletic teams are called the Generals, after General George S. Patton, who lived in...
- en-velo (Original) (Winner) - Sharon High SchoolSharon High SchoolSharon High School, Machilipatnam, Machilipatnam, Andhra Pradesh, India, was started during International Childrens’ Year 1979. The school is run by the Sharon Educational Society registered under the Societies Act with the Government of India. It extends its resources to all people irrespective of...
- A Midsummer Night's Dream - Duxbury High SchoolDuxbury High SchoolDuxbury High School is a public high school in New England, located in Duxbury, Massachusetts a small sea-side town. The superintendent of the district is Dr. Benedict Tantillo, III...
- See Me, Hear Me, Hold Me! - Cambridge Rindge and Latin SchoolCambridge Rindge and Latin SchoolThe Cambridge Rindge and Latin School is a public high school in Cambridge, Massachusetts, United States.The school, serving grades 9 through 12, is a part of the Cambridge Public Schools....
- The Dancers - Framingham High SchoolFramingham High SchoolFramingham High School, or FHS, is an urban/suburban public high school in the town of Framingham, Massachusetts, United States, located approximately 20 miles west of Boston...
- Blood Wedding - Lawrence AcademyLawrence Academy at GrotonLawrence Academy at Groton, , is a co-educational preparatory school located in Groton, Massachusetts, in the United States...
- heartskin (Original) - Manchester-Essex Regional Junior-Senior High SchoolManchester-Essex Regional Junior-Senior High SchoolThe Manchester-Essex Junior-Senior High School is a public school located in Manchester, Massachusetts. It is open to any Manchester or Essex resident. The new school was opened on September 2, 2009....
- The Complete History of America (abridged) (Winner) - Malden High SchoolMalden High SchoolMalden High School is a public high school located in Malden, Massachusetts. Accredited by New England Association of Schools and Colleges , it awards high school diplomas.The school was founded in 1857.-Centre St.:...
- American Land (Original) - Hingham High School - Wake-Up Call
For Drama Festival 2012, none of these shows may be performed by any school in the Guild, nor can they be performed by the presenting school for the next three years.
All Star Company
Each year at the State Finals, the METG gives awards to members of what is called the All Star Company. Each school participating in finals will have at least one member of the All Star Company, named for excellence in categories including acting, make-up design, ensemble acting, lighting design, sound design, costume design, hair design, properties design, set design, technical design, music design, stage management and directing.Drama Festival History
Since 1928, 64 schools have won the Drama Festival's top prize. Cambridge Rindge and Latin School has won 15 times with three alternates. St. John's Preparatory School is second with 13 wins and three alternates, and Revere is third with 11 wins and no alternates. The first drama festival took place over a single day and featured four schools. Since then, the festival has grown to 120 schools in 2008.Middle School Festival
The middle school festival is similar to the high school festival, in that schools are scattered to various host sites throughout the day. However, there is only one round of competition, and from each host site "gold", "silver", and "bronze" places are awarded. This program is more recent, starting in 1995.Logo Design Contest
Each year, the METG choses a new logo to represent the high school festival on T-shirts, programs, etc. Logos are submitted by students from member schools. The 2010 winner was Raymond Harrison, from Leominster High SchoolLeominster High School
Leominster High School is a public high school located in Leominster, Massachusetts. It is the only secondary educational institution found in Leominster. It is situated in the western area of Leominster...
.
Set Design Contest
Students from member schools may submit models and sketches of set designs for various shows to be judged. Winners receive a scholarship from the METG. This program usually takes place in the winter months. The 2010 winner wasSean Lynch, from Leominster High School
Leominster High School
Leominster High School is a public high school located in Leominster, Massachusetts. It is the only secondary educational institution found in Leominster. It is situated in the western area of Leominster...
for Lion and Mouse Stories.
Costume Design Contest
The METG runs a costume design contest, where aspiring costumers can design a set of costumes for a show to be judged. Winners receive a cash prize from the METG and have their costumes displayed at finals of the Massachusetts State Drama Festival. The 2010 winner was Caitlin O'Toole, from St. Mary's High School for The Wizard of Oz.Monologue Contest
Each year the METG offers students a chance to earn college scholarships based on presentation and performance. Students perform two contrasting monologues at a designated school in winter, where the winners are chosen. Top finishers perform their monologues at the state finals in late March. The 2010 winners were Rebecca Turner, from The Bromfield SchoolThe Bromfield School
The Bromfield School is a public school located in Harvard, Massachusetts. Founded in 1878 by Margaret Bromfield Blanchard, the school's student population is approximately 750, in grades 6–12...
; Paris Ellsworth, from Cambridge Rindge and Latin School
Cambridge Rindge and Latin School
The Cambridge Rindge and Latin School is a public high school in Cambridge, Massachusetts, United States.The school, serving grades 9 through 12, is a part of the Cambridge Public Schools....
; and Kristen McCusker, from Westford Academy
Westford Academy
Westford Academy is the public high school for the town of Westford, Massachusetts. It was founded in 1792, and is one of the oldest public high schools in the United States. Westford Academy was originally established as a private school and was changed to a public school in 1928...
.
Playwriting Contest
Aspiring playwrights must submit their original plays to the METG by January. These plays will be reviewed by a panel of judges to determine the finalists, and one judge, Mr. Chris Lacy, will choose a winning play. The winning playwright receives a cash prize and a staged reading at the state finals in March. The 2010 winners were Daniel Rider, from Hingham High SchoolHingham High School
Hingham High School is a co-educational, public high school serving grades 9 through 12 for the town of Hingham, Massachusetts. It is located on Union Street near Hingham Center. This school was ranked number 985 on Newsweek 's 2005 list of the Best High Schools in America.The school's teams...
, with "Edits"; and Patrick Greeley, from Framingham High School
Framingham High School
Framingham High School, or FHS, is an urban/suburban public high school in the town of Framingham, Massachusetts, United States, located approximately 20 miles west of Boston...
, with "The Devil's Advocate".
Scene Partner Contest
Students in grades 9–11 can enter this contest, where scene partners present a three-minute excerpt from a play to a panel of adjudicators. Applicants are judged on the basis of their ability to demonstrate concentration, control of material, flexibility and versatility of voice, movement and expression. Both actors should pursue strong, clear objectives and make varied and specific acting choices. The 2010 winners were Brendan Leonard & Connor Doherty, from St. John's Prep. Honorable mentions were Margaret French & Gwen Morgan, from North Middlesex Regional High SchoolNorth Middlesex Regional High School
North Middlesex Regional High School is a public high school located in Townsend, Massachusetts in Middlesex County. It serves grades 9-12 and it serve students from Townsend, and the surrounding towns of Pepperell and Ashby...
; and Erin Gilgen & Tim Marple, from Westford Academy
Westford Academy
Westford Academy is the public high school for the town of Westford, Massachusetts. It was founded in 1792, and is one of the oldest public high schools in the United States. Westford Academy was originally established as a private school and was changed to a public school in 1928...
.
Workshops
The METG also offers workshops for students and teachers throughout the year. Topics include actingActing
Acting is the work of an actor or actress, which is a person in theatre, television, film, or any other storytelling medium who tells the story by portraying a character and, usually, speaking or singing the written text or play....
, lighting design, scenic design
Scenic design
Scenic design is the creation of theatrical, as well as film or television scenery. Scenic designers have traditionally come from a variety of artistic backgrounds, but nowadays, generally speaking, they are trained professionals, often with M.F.A...
, costume design
Costume design
Costume design is the fabrication of apparel for the overall appearance of a character or performer. This usually involves researching, designing and building the actual items from conception. Costumes may be for a theater or cinema performance but may not be limited to such...
, choreography
Choreography
Choreography is the art of designing sequences of movements in which motion, form, or both are specified. Choreography may also refer to the design itself, which is sometimes expressed by means of dance notation. The word choreography literally means "dance-writing" from the Greek words "χορεία" ...
, and improvisation
Improvisation
Improvisation is the practice of acting, singing, talking and reacting, of making and creating, in the moment and in response to the stimulus of one's immediate environment and inner feelings. This can result in the invention of new thought patterns, new practices, new structures or symbols, and/or...
.