Massachusetts High School Drama Guild

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 organization "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 statewide high school theatre festival in March, as well as several other programs throughout the year.

The original Massachusetts Educational Theater Guild began in 1931 with the establishment of “Massachusetts Drama Day.” Four schools participated in the original competition, which was held at the old Huntington Chambers building in Copley Square in Boston. With that festival, the Massachusetts High School Drama Guild (MHSDG) was established. In the 1940s, the Massachusetts Secondary School Administrators Association became the educational sponsor of the state event. The year 1954 marked the beginning of two important corporate partnerships with the Guild: The Boston Globe became the lead patron, and John Hancock Hall became one of the Festival’s sponsors. It was also in this year that the Festival was relocated to John Hancock Hall in the Back Bay Events Center, where it has remained ever since. In 1989 the Guild’s horizons expanded with incorporation as a nonprofit organization. During the 1998-1999 school year, the Massachusetts Middle School Drama Festival, Inc. and the Massachusetts High School Drama Guild, Inc. merged. Since then the Guild has increased its membership to over 160 schools across the Commonwealth.

In 2010, the membership voted to rename the organization The Massachusetts Educational Theater Guild (METG) to better reflect its mission. The METG enjoys the continued support of the Massachusetts Cultural Council, and Arts Lottery Councils from member schools’ cities and towns.

In 2012, through the generous support of Broadway In Boston, the METG announced a new education project which offers both middle and high school members an opportunity to bring experienced adjudicators into their theaters where they will receive professional feedback on their hard work creating musical theater productions. The participating students and teachers benefit from the educational expertise, vital to improving their program. A MET MUSICAL AWARDS ceremony at the end of each season recognizes student excellence across several performance, design, and production categories.

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 Final.

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Wikipedia