The 21 Most Popular Youth Theater Shows (from MTI)
If you’re a stage mom/dad/guardian with a young theater star, you can anonymously rate the theatre programs they’ve worked with on our site and help out other parents – search and explore here!
If you’re a director of a youth theater or a teacher planning your upcoming season, check out this list!
It can be a thrilling yet challenging task to select shows that will engage and captivate both performers and audiences. To help you in this endeavor, we’ve compiled a list of the top 21 Music Theatre International (MTI) licensed shows for youth theater, so you don’t have to!
Music Theatre International (MTI) is a prominent theatrical licensing agency that grants schools, community theaters, and organizations the rights to perform a wide range of popular and beloved musicals.
These productions are not only immensely popular but also offer a rich theatrical experience for young performers. Let’s dive in!
1. Disney’s Finding Nemo Jr / Kids
- Current # of Rights Approved: 956
- Summary: Disney’s Finding Nemo JR. is a 60-minute musical adaptation of the beloved 2003 Pixar movie Finding Nemo, with new music by award-winning songwriting team Kristen Anderson-Lopez and Robert Lopez.
- Why Audiences Love It: The enchanting story, memorable characters, and vibrant oceanic setting make it a hit for all ages.
- Why Performers Love It: Kids get to embody familiar lovable sea creatures, and the lively songs and imaginative staging create a truly magical experience.
- Current # of Rights Approved: 745
- Summary: The enchanting modern classic from Disney is ready for your Broadway Junior stars! Frozen JR. is based on the 2018 Broadway musical, and brings Elsa, Anna, and the magical land of Arendelle to life, onstage.
- Why Audiences Love It: Adapted from one of the most popular animated movies ever made, the epic story, memorable characters, and enchanting music create a truly magical experience.
- Why Performers Love It: Young actors get to bring these iconic characters to life, and the powerful themes resonate with performers of all ages.
3. Mean Girls High School Version / Jr
- Current # of Rights Approved: 676
- Summary: Adapted from Fey’s hit 2004 film, Mean Girls was nominated for a staggering 12 Tony Awards. This queen-bee took Broadway by storm and has joined the musical in-crowd. And now, so can you with Mean Girls High School Version!
- Why Audiences Love It: It’s a hilarious yet insightful look at the challenges of adolescence, filled with catchy tunes and relatable characters.
- Why Performers Love It: It allows young actors to dive into characters that reflect the real-life experiences of today’s teens, all while delivering big laughs.
4. Roald Dahl’s Matilda The Musical Jr
- Current # of Rights Approved: 621
- Summary: Rebellion is nigh in Matilda JR., a gleefully witty ode to the the anarchy of childhood and the power of imagination! This story of a girl who dreams of a better life and the children she inspires will have audiences rooting for the “revolting children” who are out to teach the grown-ups a lesson.
- Why Audiences Love It: Matilda’s resilience and the celebration of intellect and kindness inspire and entertain in equal measure.
- Why Performers Love It: Playing Matilda or one of her classmates offers young actors a chance to tap into their inner strength and offers a lot of opportunity to practice dance/movement.
- Current # of Rights Approved: 579
- Summary: Based on the popular comic strip and adapted from the Tony Award-winning Best Musical, with a beloved book and score by Tony Award winners, Thomas Meehan, Charles Strouse and Martin Charnin, Annie JR.features everyone’s favorite little redhead in her very first adventure.
- Why Audiences Love It: It’s a timeless tale of hope, love, and the power of optimism, complete with unforgettable songs.
- Why Performers Love It: Kids step into the shoes of beloved characters and experience the magic of a rags-to-riches journey. With plenty of parts to go around, including featured roles as well as ensemble parts for orphans, servants and tourists, Annie JR. is ideal for productions involving different grade levels, making this ideal for any youth theater.
6. Disney’s The Little Mermaid Jr
- Current # of Rights Approved: 552
- Summary: Dive under the sea with Ariel, a young mermaid with dreams of exploring the human world.
- Why Audiences Love It: The enchanting underwater world, memorable characters, and beautiful score captivate audiences of all ages.
- Why Performers Love It: It’s an opportunity for young actors to explore the challenges of growing up and following their dreams, all while singing some of Disney’s most beloved songs. Written to flow seamlessly between land and sea, Disney’s The Little Mermaid JR. provides plenty of opportunities to bring these locations to life through creative movement and configurations.
7. Disney’s Beauty And The Beast Jr
- Current # of Rights Approved: 472
- Summary: Be our guest in this beloved tale as Belle discovers the true beauty within the Beast.
- Why Audiences Love It: The timeless story, memorable characters, and stunning music create a magical experience for all.
- Why Performers Love It: It offers young actors the chance to step into the shoes of iconic characters and explore themes of inner beauty and acceptance. With many fun supporting roles allowing students to play objects inside the castle, this “tale as old as time” is filled with spectacular costume and set opportunities.
- Current # of Rights Approved: 425
- Summary: Enter the whimsical world of Dr. Seuss with this imaginative musical. The colorful characters and playful rhymes make it a delight for young performers.
- Why Audiences Love It: The celebration of creativity, imagination, and the joy of storytelling resonates with audiences young and old.
- Why Performers Love It: For young actors, stepping into the fantastical world of Dr. Seuss offers a chance to unleash their creativity, experiment with zany characters, and revel in the joyful, rhyming language that brings the story to life.
- Current # of Rights Approved: 416
- Summary: Join Shrek, Donkey, and a host of fairy tale characters on a hilarious and heartwarming adventure.
- Why Audiences Love It: It’s a tale of acceptance, friendship, and finding beauty in unexpected places, all wrapped up in catchy songs and laugh-out-loud moments.
- Why Performers Love It: A great choice for any youth theater! Kids get to embody iconic fairy tale characters and explore themes of self-acceptance and inner beauty. With abundant opportunities for imaginative sets and costumes, and a host of over-the-top roles for an expandable cast, there’s a part for everyone in this dazzling adventure story.
- Current # of Rights Approved: 324
- Summary: Step into the world of the Newsies, a group of young newspaper sellers who take on powerful publishers in a fight for justice.
- Why Audiences Love It: The high-energy music, inspiring story of youthful rebellion, and unforgettable dance numbers make it a crowd-pleaser.
- Why Performers Love It: It offers young actors the chance to tackle dynamic, empowering roles and be part of a thrilling, ensemble-driven production.
- Current # of Rights Approved: 320
- Summary: Soar to a whole new world with Aladdin, Jasmine, and the Genie in this magical musical adventure.
- Why Audiences Love It: The dazzling spectacle, unforgettable characters, and iconic songs create a truly enchanting experience.
- Why Performers Love It: It’s an opportunity for young actors to step into the shoes of beloved characters and be part of a magical, visually stunning production.
- Current # of Rights Approved: 273
- Summary: Disney’s Moana JR. is a 60-minute musical adaptation of the 2016 Disney animated film, bringing the adventures of Moana and her village of Motunui to life onstage. Join Moana, a brave and determined Polynesian girl, on a daring journey to save her island.
- Why Audiences Love It: The epic adventure, rich cultural themes, and beautiful music make it an inspiring and heartwarming experience.
- Why Performers Love It: Kids get to embody the adventurous spirit of Moana and be part of a story that celebrates courage, identity, and the power of the ocean.
- Current # of Rights Approved: 258
- Summary: A title known the world over, Elf The Musical JR. is a must-produce holiday musical that can easily become an annual tradition for any theatre. Buddy, a human raised by elves, sets off to find his real father in New York City in this heartwarming holiday tale.
- Why Audiences Love It: It’s a joyful, festive story that captures the magic and spirit of the holiday season, complete with catchy songs and heartfelt moments.
- Why Performers Love It: Young actors get to bring the lovable, larger-than-life character of Buddy to life, spreading holiday cheer and embodying the joy of the season.
14. Mary Poppins Jr
- Current # of Rights Approved: 251
- Summary: Join Mary Poppins, the practically perfect nanny, as she brings magic and whimsy to the Banks family.
- Why Audiences Love It: The timeless story, iconic characters, and unforgettable music make it a beloved classic for all ages.
- Why Performers Love It: It offers young actors the chance to step into the shoes of whimsical characters and be part of a story that celebrates the power of imagination and the importance of family. This show is a perfect opportunity to showcase a strong, iconic female performer, as well as unique special effects and illusions.
- Current # of Rights Approved: 220
- Summary: A new take on Stephen Sondheim’s and James Lapine’s groundbreaking musical fairytale about wishes and the choices we make. Journey into the woods where classic fairy tale characters come together in a tangled web of wishes, consequences, and unexpected twists.
- Why Audiences Love It: It’s a clever, thought-provoking exploration of the consequences of our actions, woven into a tapestry of familiar fairy tales.
- Why Performers Love It: Kids get to tackle complex characters and be part of a story that challenges the traditional narratives of fairy tales. With unforgettable roles, minimal dancing and no chorus, Into the Woods JR. showcases a medium-sized ensemble of talented singers and actors. The sophisticated score has been adapted to make it more accessible to young performers, making it more manageable for a youth theater production.
16. Disney’s The Jungle Book Kids
- Current # of Rights Approved: 186
- Summary: Adapted from Disney’s beloved animated film and the works of Rudyard Kipling, the “man cub” Mowgli, bounds through the jungle and learns what it means to be human. Join Mowgli, Baloo, and Bagheera in this lively musical adaptation of Rudyard Kipling’s classic tale.
- Why Audiences Love It: The colorful characters, lively music, and adventurous spirit create a joyful and entertaining experience.
- Why Performers Love It: Several roles, including Baloo and King Louie, are great for kids with strong comedic skills. The chorus can be expanded to include various animals, trees, plants, rocks and many other jungle inhabitants. Many numbers also involve the full chorus in easy unison singing, making it a great first pick for any youth theater.
17. Peter Pan Jr
- Current # of Rights Approved: 162
- Summary: Fly away to Neverland with Peter Pan, Wendy, and the Lost Boys in this timeless tale of adventure and imagination.
- Why Audiences Love It: The eternal appeal of Neverland, the colorful characters, and the spirit of eternal youth create a magical and adventurous experience.
- Why Performers Love It: Featuring the iconic songs, “I’m Flying,” “I’ve Gotta Crow,” “I Won’t Grow Up” and “Never Never Land,” and a rousing book full of magic, warmth and adventure, Peter Pan JR. is the perfect show for the child in all of us… who dreamed of soaring high and never growing up. Peter Pan JR. is a dream come true for groups looking to bring magic to their stage and entertain countless families.
- Current # of Rights Approved: 157
- Summary: Based on the award-winning Broadway musical and the smash hit motion picture, Legally Blonde The Musical JR. is a fabulously fun journey of self-empowerment and expanding horizons. The show’s instantly recognizable songs are filled with humor, wit and sass — leaving cast members and audiences alike seeing pink!
- Why Audiences Love It: It’s a fun, empowering story about believing in yourself and defying stereotypes, complete with catchy songs and memorable characters.
- Why Performers Love It: It offers young actors the chance to portray dynamic, strong-willed characters and be part of a story that celebrates individuality and girl power. Legally Blonde JR. features large, energetic dance numbers with an expandable cast of sorority sisters, law school students, hairdressers and more, making it a flexible and fun choice for a youth theater.
19. Disney’s 101 Dalmatians Kids
- Current # of Rights Approved: 144
- Summary: Based on the classic animated film, Disney’s 101 Dalmatians KIDS is a fur-raising adventure featuring Cruella De Vil, Disney’s most outrageous villain, and 101 of the most adorable heroes to set their paws onstage.
- Why Audiences Love It: The charming characters, playful plot, and catchy music make it a joyful and family-friendly experience. With a high-spirited score and lovable characters, this stage adaptation is certain to charm and delight all audiences.
- Why Performers Love It: Kids get to embody lovable canine characters and be part of a story that celebrates the bond between humans and their furry friends. The show’s adorable spotted dogs and larger-than-life villainess provide ample opportunities for creative costuming. With a highly expandable chorus, your stage could easily be filled with 101 budding performers, perfect for a school show or a big youth theater.
- Current # of Rights Approved: 121
- Summary: Journey to the Pride Lands with Simba, Timon, Pumbaa, and a host of unforgettable characters in this iconic musical adventure.
- Why Audiences Love It: The stunning visuals, powerful music, and universal themes of family and self-discovery create an epic and emotional experience.
- Why Performers Love It: The Lion King JR. features classic songs from the Broadway musical and animated feature film, including “I Just Can’t Wait to Be King,” “He Lives in You,” and “Hakuna Matata.” Young performers will also get the chance to learn a wide range of new theatrical skills—such as mask-making and puppetry—encouraging them to explore this beloved story with creativity and pride.
21. Roald Dahl’s Willy Wonka Jr / Kids
- Current # of Rights Approved: 108
- Summary: Step inside the magical and mysterious world of Willy Wonka’s chocolate factory in this delightful musical adaptation. Featuring the enchanting songs from the 1971 film, in addition to a host of fun new songs, Roald Dahl’s Willy Wonka JR. is a scrumdidilyumptious musical guaranteed to delight everyone’s sweet tooth.
- Why Audiences Love It: The whimsical setting, quirky characters, and sweet messages about imagination and kindness make it a delightful and entertaining experience.
- Why Performers Love It: Roald Dahl’s Willy Wonka JR. has a flexible cast size with many featured and ensemble roles, including the singing and dancing Oompa Loompas.
These shows offer a wide range of themes, from timeless classics to contemporary tales, ensuring that youth theaters have a diverse selection to choose from for their upcoming seasons. Each show brings its own unique magic, offering performers and audiences alike an unforgettable theatrical experience.
If you’re a stage mom/dad/guardian with a young theater star, you can anonymously rate the theatre programs they’ve worked with on our site and help out other parents – search and explore here!
