Seattle's Child

Your guide to a kid-friendly city

high school musical

The cast of "Mamma Mia!" at Federal Way High School. (Photo: FWHS Drama via Instagram)

Why take the kids to high school musicals?

May productions are fun, low-cost, and strengthen community.

Here’s a win-win for families and the community: Take your kids to a high school musical.

It’s a great, fun, l0w-budget evening (or afternoon) of entertainment and a way to support your community and the young talent in the schools.

We all love a good professional theater production (oh, how we love those!), but the ticket prices can be downright painful, as can the traffic into Seattle and don’t get me started about parking.

You can truly have just as much fun while paying a fraction of the ticket price and, depending on the show you choose, making a pretty short drive and parking for free in the school lot.

These kids have worked very hard, and they would love to perform in front of full houses. Plus, your ticket price, while nominal, will help keep arts programs going in the schools.

Other great things about high school musicals (or plays):

  • A show I recently attended concluded with an audience singalong led by cast members dancing in the aisles. Irresistible!
  • Those same cast members are likely to be available to meet you afterward. Such fun!
  • Since it’s in a school, you’re pretty much guaranteed the content will be family-friendly.

Local high school musicals

Many high school musicals have already taken the stage this month, including, “Mamma Mia!” at Federal Way High School, “The Addams Family” at Thomas Jefferson High School in Auburn, “Cinderella” at Nathan Hale High School, “The Little Mermaid” at Eastside High School, “Shrek the Musical” at Lake Washington High School, “Mean Girls” at Kentridge High School, and “Beauty and the Beast” at Auburn Riverside High School.

Still show in May:

But there are still plenty of productions between now and June, including:

The Wedding Singer,” May 10-19, Fife High School.

Mean Girls,” Roosevelt High School, Seattle; May 23-June 2.

A Wrinkle in Time,” Seattle Academy, May 9-11.

9 to 5 The Musical,” Sammamish High School, May 12-20.

Into The Woods,” Garfield High School, Seattle, May 10-18.

Between the Lines,” Kent Meridian High School, May 16-18.

School of Rock,” Kentlake High School, May 16-26.

Looking for more shows? Check local media and social media sites or, honestly, drive by your nearest high school and check the leaderboard. And, to all the kids in high school musicals this spring: Break a leg!

More family fun in Seattle’s Child

About the Author

Julie Hanson

Julie Hanson is a longtime journalist, South King County resident and mom to a 15-year-old girl.