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Regional DramaFest

MTA State Festival

Dates For Consideration

10-Minute Festival

Individual Events Festival

College & University Auditions

2025 Handbook

The Secondary Division is one of the most active divisions within MTA. Each year, two regional one-act festivals (DramaFest) pre-qualify schools to perform in the one-act festival at the Mississippi Theatre Association’s Annual Festival. The 10-Minute Festival allows students to work with students from other schools to produce a ten-minute play in one day. The Individual Events Festival allows students to compete in acting and technical events in both solo and group competitions. Junior and Senior students are invited to participate in the College & University Auditions at the Annual Festival. This is a wonderful opportunity for students to meet with college and university representatives.

HERE will be a link to our resources folder, which includes the Secondary Theatre Individual Events Quick Reference guide, Splash Scene, samples of digital and physical binder designs, and a script example of the design and technical presentations.

The division hosts continuing education/professional development workshops to assist teachers in teaching theatre arts throughout the season. CEU credits are available for attending the annual festival and participating in workshops.

MTA hosts an email Listserv to connect theatre teachers from across the state. Subscribe to the list today to join the conversation. E-mail Executive Director, Lindsey Eubanks, to be added to the listserv.

If you need assistance getting your theatre program off the ground or if you need advice with productions or your curriculum, feel free to contact one of the division chairs or the Executive Director. We are here and willing to assist you in making your program the best it can be!

Purchasing Rights for your performance

Understanding Music Rights for Live Theatre

When producing a show that includes music, it’s important to make sure your theatre has the legal rights to perform that music. Here’s a quick guide to help you stay compliant and protect your theatre.

1️⃣ What Are Music Rights?

Music rights give you permission to perform a song or musical score in front of an audience.
Even if you’ve bought the sheet music or a recording, that doesn’t automatically mean you can use it in a live show — you still need the right license.

2️⃣ Types of Rights

• Small Rights – for non-dramatic uses, like playing a song before the show, during intermission, or as background music.
These are usually covered by blanket licenses through organizations like ASCAP, BMI, or SESAC.

• Grand Rights – for dramatic uses, like musicals or plays where music helps tell the story.
If characters sing the song or it’s part of the plot, you must get these rights directly from the publisher or licensing agency (like Music Theatre International, Concord Theatricals, or Dramatic Publishing).

3️⃣ How to Get a License

1. Find the rights holder – look up the show on the licensing company’s website.
2. Submit an application – include your theatre’s name, performance dates, ticket prices, and venue details.
3. Pay the royalty fee – this covers the author, composer, and publisher for the right to perform their work.
4. Wait for approval – don’t advertise, cast, or perform until your license is granted.

4️⃣ Important Rules

• Always secure rights before rehearsals or publicity.
• No changes can be made to the script, lyrics, or music without written permission.
• Even if admission is free, you still need performance rights.
• Keep all licensing paperwork on file for your records.