The Most Popular School Play, Ranked
Voting rules: Choose the school play you think is the most popular!
Updated on Apr 20, 2024 07:31
At the end of every school year, the drama club faces a delightful dilemma: choosing the next big play. This decision stirs excitement and a flurry of opinions among students, as everyone has a favorite. To streamline this process and inject a bit more fun, a voting system has been set up to rank these beloved plays based on popularity.
This system not only simplifies decision making but also engages the entire student body, making them feel involved in a collective choice. By voting, students help highlight plays that resonate most with their peers, ensuring the next production is a crowd-pleaser. It's a fantastic way for everyone to share their passion for theater and influence the upcoming school events.
What Is the Most Popular School Play?
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153votes
Romeo and Juliet by William Shakespeare
William ShakespeareThe tragic love story of Romeo and Juliet is a classic that has been performed countless times in schools and theaters worldwide. It is a popular choice for school plays due to its universal themes of love, conflict, and passion.Romeo and Juliet is a tragic love story written by William Shakespeare. Set in Verona, Italy, the play tells the story of two young star-crossed lovers from feuding families, Romeo Montague and Juliet Capulet, who fall deeply in love despite their circumstances. The play explores themes of love, fate, and the consequences of unchecked passion.- Genre: Tragedy
- Setting: Verona, Italy
- Theme: Love and Fate
- Protagonists: Romeo Montague and Juliet Capulet
- Antagonists: Their feuding families
Romeo and Juliet by William Shakespeare in other rankings- Position 1 of 10 in Most popular play of all time
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21votes
The Crucible by Arthur Miller
Arthur MillerThis play is based on the Salem Witch Trials of 1692 and explores themes of hysteria, fear, and mass hysteria. It is a popular choice for high school students due to its historical significance and relevance to modern-day issues.The Crucible by Arthur Miller is a renowned play that was first performed in 1953. Set in the town of Salem, Massachusetts in 1692, it explores the events of the infamous Salem witch trials. The play centers around the protagonist, John Proctor, as he grapples with his own guilt and conscience amidst the hysteria and mass paranoia that engulfs the community. The Crucible is a thought-provoking allegory that delves into themes of truth, justice, and the power of fear in society.- Year of First Performance: 1953
- Setting: Salem, Massachusetts in 1692
- Genre: Drama
- Main Characters: John Proctor, Abigail Williams, Elizabeth Proctor, Reverend Parris
- Themes: Truth, justice, guilt, religious fanaticism, mass hysteria
The Crucible by Arthur Miller in other rankings- Position 7 of 10 in Most popular play of all time
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325votes
Grease by Jim Jacobs and Warren Casey
Jim Jacobs and Warren CaseyThis musical is set in the 1950s and follows the romantic struggles of two high school students, Danny and Sandy. It is a popular choice for school plays due to its upbeat music and iconic characters.Grease is a popular musical written by Jim Jacobs and Warren Casey. Set in the 1950s, it tells the story of a group of high school students navigating love, friendships, and peer pressure. The musical explores themes of teenage rebellion, social dynamics, and the search for identity. With its catchy songs and memorable characters, Grease has become a beloved classic that has been performed in schools and theaters worldwide.- Genre: Musical
- Setting: 1950s high school
- Themes: Teenage rebellion, friendship, love, identity
- Main characters: Danny Zuko, Sandy Olsson, Rizzo, Kenickie
- Number of songs: 24
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46votes
A Midsummer Night's Dream by William Shakespeare
William ShakespeareThis play is a comedic masterpiece that explores the magical world of fairies and the misadventures of a group of lovers. It is a popular choice for school plays due to its whimsical and lighthearted nature.A Midsummer Night's Dream is a comedy play written by William Shakespeare. It portrays the events surrounding the marriage of Theseus, the Duke of Athens, to Hippolyta, the Queen of the Amazons. The play follows four lovers wandering into a forest controlled by fairies, resulting in mistaken identities, mischief, and hilarious situations.- Genre: Comedy
- Setting: Athens and a magical forest
- Characters: Theseus, Hippolyta, Hermia, Lysander, Helena, Demetrius, Oberon, Titania, Puck, and more
- Themes: Love, fantasy, mistaken identity, order vs. chaos
- Structure: Five acts
A Midsummer Night's Dream by William Shakespeare in other rankings- Position 2 of 10 in Most popular comedy play
- Position 4 of 10 in Most popular play of all time
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511votesThis musical is based on the novel by Victor Hugo and tells the story of Jean Valjean, a man who is released from prison but struggles to rebuild his life. It is a popular choice for school plays due to its powerful music and themes of redemption and forgiveness.Les Misérables is a renowned musical based on the novel of the same name by Victor Hugo. It has been adapted into a compelling and emotionally charged school play, with music composed by Claude-Michel Schönberg and lyrics by Alain Boublil. The story follows the struggles and redemption of characters against the backdrop of the French Revolution.
- Genre: Musical drama
- Premiere Date: September 1980
- Setting: Early 19th-century France
- Main Characters: Jean Valjean, Javert, Fantine, Cosette, Marius, Eponine, and others
- Music Style: Broadway-style show tunes
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68votes
William Wallace Denslow · Public domainThe Wizard of Oz by L. Frank Baum
L. Frank BaumThis classic story follows the adventures of Dorothy and her friends as they journey through the magical land of Oz. It is a popular choice for school plays due to its colorful characters and timeless themes.The Wizard of Oz by L. Frank Baum is a beloved school play based on the popular novel of the same name. It tells the magical story of Dorothy, a young girl who is whisked away from her Kansas home by a tornado and transported to the magical land of Oz. There, with the help of her new friends—a Scarecrow, a Tin Man, and a Cowardly Lion—she embarks on a quest to find the Wizard of Oz and find her way back home.- Genre: Children's Fantasy
- Publication Year: 1900
- Setting: Kansas and the magical land of Oz
- Main Characters: Dorothy, Scarecrow, Tin Man, Cowardly Lion, Wicked Witch of the West
- Themes: Adventure, Friendship, Coming of Age
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78votes
Fiddler on the Roof by Jerry Bock and Sheldon Harnick
Jerry Bock and Sheldon HarnickThis musical is set in the small Jewish village of Anatevka and follows the struggles of a poor milkman named Tevye. It is a popular choice for school plays due to its powerful music and themes of tradition and family.Fiddler on the Roof is a beloved musical play written by Jerry Bock and Sheldon Harnick. Set in the early 1900s in the Russian village of Anatevka, the story follows Tevye, a poor Jewish milkman, as he grapples with tradition, family, and the changing world around him.- Genre: Musical
- Premiere Year: 1964
- Setting: Anatevka, a Russian village
- Main Character: Tevye
- Themes: Tradition, family, love, and the pursuit of dreams
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82votes
Our Town by Thornton Wilder
Thornton WilderThis play is a classic American drama that tells the story of a small town and its inhabitants. It is a popular choice for school plays due to its simple, yet powerful, message about the importance of living in the present.Our Town by Thornton Wilder is a classic American play that premiered in 1938. It tells the story of a fictional small town called Grover's Corners and explores themes of love, life, and death. The play is known for its minimalist staging and poetic language, as well as its powerful depiction of the ordinary joys and struggles of everyday life. Our Town has become one of the most frequently performed plays in the United States and has won numerous awards since its debut.- Premiere Year: 1938
- Setting: Grover's Corners, a small town in the early 20th century
- Themes: Love, life, death, and the appreciation of everyday moments
- Staging: Minimalist
- Language: Poetic and evocative
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97votesThis musical combines several classic fairy tales, including Little Red Riding Hood, Cinderella, and Jack and the Beanstalk. It is a popular choice for school plays due to its clever storytelling and memorable music.Into the Woods is a musical play written by Stephen Sondheim and James Lapine. It premiered on Broadway in 1987 and quickly became one of the most popular school plays. The story combines various fairy tale characters from classics like Cinderella, Rapunzel, Little Red Riding Hood, and Jack and the Beanstalk, intertwining their storylines in a magical forest. The play explores themes of wishes, consequences, and the consequences of the characters' choices. It presents a clever and modern twist on the traditional fairy tales, delving into the darker aspects of these beloved stories. With its blend of humor, drama, and memorable music, Into the Woods offers a compelling and thought-provoking theatrical experience.
- Premiere Year: 1987
- Genre: Musical
- Setting: A magical forest
- Theme: Wishes and consequences
- Incorporated Fairy Tales: Cinderella, Rapunzel, Little Red Riding Hood, Jack and the Beanstalk, and more
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103votesThis musical is based on the true story of the von Trapp family and their escape from Nazi-occupied Austria. It is a popular choice for school plays due to its uplifting music and themes of family and courage.The Sound of Music is a beloved musical by Richard Rodgers and Oscar Hammerstein II. Set in Austria during the late 1930s, the story follows Maria, a free-spirited young woman who becomes a governess to the seven children of Captain Georg von Trapp, a widowed naval officer. As Maria brings music and joy back into their lives, she also falls in love with the captain, and together they navigate the challenges of impending war and the rise of the Nazi regime. With its memorable songs, charming characters, and timeless themes of love and resilience, The Sound of Music has captivated audiences worldwide.
- Premiere Date: November 16, 1959
- Genre: Musical
- Setting: Austria, late 1930s
- Number of Songs: 16
- Famous Songs: My Favorite Things, Do-Re-Mi, Edelweiss
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Discussion
Ranking factors for popular school play
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Popularity among students and audienceAnalyze the interest of students in participating in the play and the likelihood of drawing a large audience based on the play's theme, story, and characters. 2. Age-appropriateness: Ensure the content, language, and themes of the play are suitable for the age group of the students performing in and watching the play.
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Relevance to educational goalsExamine if the play is aligned with the school's educational objectives and offers opportunities for learning and discussion.
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Budget and resource requirementsConsider the costs involved in producing the play, including costumes, sets, and technical equipment, and ensure the school has the necessary resources available.
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Time commitmentAssess the amount of rehearsal time needed for students and faculty to adequately prepare for the play.
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Inclusivity and diversityEnsure the play offers a variety of roles and opportunities for students with different backgrounds, talents, and interests to participate.
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Adaptability to the school's space and facilitiesDetermine whether the play can be staged successfully using the school's performance spaces and facilities.
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Cast size and complexityConsider the number of roles in the play and the difficulty of the roles to ensure that there are enough interested students and that the play is suitable for their skill levels.
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Technical demandsEvaluate the technical aspects of the play, including lighting, sound, and special effects, to ensure that the school's technical staff and equipment can accommodate them.
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Licensing and legal requirementsEnsure the school has the appropriate rights and permissions to produce the play and is in compliance with any copyright or licensing regulations.
About this ranking
This is a community-based ranking of the most popular school play. We do our best to provide fair voting, but it is not intended to be exhaustive. So if you notice something or school play is missing, feel free to help improve the ranking!
Statistics
- 1406 views
- 122 votes
- 10 ranked items
Movers & Shakers
Voting Rules
A participant may cast an up or down vote for each school play once every 24 hours. The rank of each school play is then calculated from the weighted sum of all up and down votes.
More information on most popular school play
School plays have been a beloved tradition for generations, providing students with the opportunity to showcase their talents and creativity on stage. From classic productions like Romeo and Juliet to contemporary favorites like High School Musical, school plays have enchanted audiences of all ages. But what is the most popular school play of all time? At StrawPoll, we've gathered data from thousands of users to find out which school plays have captured the hearts of audiences worldwide. Read on to discover the top picks and see if your favorite made the list!
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