Secondary Theatre
Quick Links
Regional DramaFest
MTA State Festival
10-Minute Festival
Individual Events Festival
College & University Auditions
2024 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 you will find a link to our resources folder, which includes the Secondary Theatre Individual Events Quick Reference guide, 2025 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 attendance at the annual festival and for 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!
Olivia Carson secondary@mississippitheatre.org
Secondary Chair
Sarah Hankins shankins@clintonpublicschools.com
Secondary Vice-Chair
MTA Fall Workshop
Save The Date for MTA’s Fall Workshop, September 20-21, 2024, at Meridian Little Theatre!
Enjoy learning from masters of playwriting, and set building, tour the Mississippi Arts and Entertainment Experience, and visit the new home of MTA 2025, The MSU Riley Center!
Contact Olivia Carson, Secondary Theatre Chair: Secondary@Mississippitheatre.org
The workshop schedule will be linked HERE when available!
Our Fall workshop is right around the corner and we have SO MANY great options! Make sure to reserve your spot today: https://mississippitheatre.ludus.com
If you are traveling for the MTA workshop, make sure to use this link to book your hotel at the special group rate (Last Day to Book: Friday, September 6, 2024): BOOK HERE
Meridian Masquerade at The MSU Riley Center
January 16 – 19, 2025 – Meridian, MS
The Mississippi Theatre Association State Festival is a four-day event that includes college auditions, scholarship opportunities, one-act play festivals, theatre for youth festivals, individual events for high school students and adults, and workshops. MTA Festival is the one time each year that theatre-makers of all disciplines from across the state can gather together and celebrate each other’s work.
Information about MTA 2025 will be HERE when available.
Individual Events Festival
The MTA Individual Events Festival is an excellent opportunity for actors and technicians alike to compete in both solo and group events. The format of IEs has changed to allow for more entries per student and per school. Please refer to the guidelines document for up-to-date information.
More information about the Individual Events Festival can be found HERE.
Dates for Consideration
Ten-Minute Play Festival
Join high school students from around the state in our 10-Minute Play Festival! The event is designed to provide a low-stress atmosphere where students can experience the production process and cultivate their collaborative and creative skills.
More information about the Ten-Minute Play Festival can be found HERE.
MTA Scholarships & Auditions
Formerly known as “College & University Auditions” – Junior and senior high school students planning to pursue theatre in college are invited to participate in auditions for college and university programs at the MTA State Festival. Auditions take place on Thursday evening before the festival starts. Students have the opportunity to meet with college representatives throughout the festival at the college fair booths.
More information about MTA Scholarships & Auditions can be found HERE.
Regional Dramafest
Mississippi Theatre Association facilitates two Regional Drama Festivals each year. Each of these festivals is traditionally held in early December. The North Regional Festival (North DramaFest) is traditionally held at Mississippi State University and the South Regional Festival (South DramaFest) is traditionally held at the University of Southern Mississippi.
More Information about Regional DramaFest can be found HERE.