EASTON, Pa. — With the new year comes a fresh wave of high school musical plays, as hundreds of thespians begin rehearsals in hopes of earning a spot on this year’s Freddy Awards stage.
The awards show at the State Theatre in Easton now is in its 24th year and will take place May 21.
Talented high school students from schools across the Lehigh Valley and Warren County, New Jersey, will compete in the ceremony, which recognizes excellence in high school musical theater.
Leading up to the big announcement, here's a roundup of the upcoming 2026 shows brought to you by 2025's Freddy Awards winners and nominees.
Bethlehem Catholic High School
To kick off the second semester, members of the drama department will debut a production of "Bye Bye Birdie."
Showtimes are April 10 -18.
Tickets are $8-12.
For showtimes, visit the play's website.
Easton Area High School
This spring, the school will hold a production of "Legally Blonde: The Musical."
Showtimes are scheduled for March 12-15.
For tickets, go to the school's website.
Emmaus High School
Following last year's production of the Abba-approved "Mamma Mia," this spring, the ensemble returns with "Jekyll and Hyde."
Showtimes will be announced in March.
For info, visit the school's Facebook page.
Freedom High School
In 2025, the Bethlehem high school won three Freddy Awards (Outstanding Technical Design, Outstanding Performance by Actress in a Supporting Role, Outstanding Performance by an Actor in a Supporting Role).
This year's production will be "Something Rotten!"
Showtimes will be April 10-12.
For information, visit the theater department's social media.
Dieruff High School
This year, the Allentown high school's drama department will perform "Chicago" in April.
Among the cast are: Rosalynda Garcia, Zoey Lambert, Gage Richard, Joshua Colon-Hernandez, Nicole Santos, Adryan Sein Diaz, Jenna Le, Mackenzie Helm and Liliana Alvarado.
Showtimes will be announced in January.
For information, visit Dieruff's theater Instagram page.
Liberty High School
This year, the Bethlehem high school's theater department will put on a production of "Rodgers and Hammerstein's Cinderella."
Cast members include Nathaniel Velasquez, Jowell Martinez, Deanna McCann, Lorelie Zanelli, Makayla Moran, Trey Murphy, Olivia Mattson, Myalynn Dani Ortiz, Emma Hartzell, Cameron Dunham, Josayra Martinez, Jacon Piccini, Gabriella Vargas, Stella Georgalas, Ryleigh Rios and Andrew Bays.
For more information, visit the school's Facebook page.
Nazareth Area High School
In 2025, the school's theatre troupe won five Freddy Awards, including Outstanding Overall Production of a Musical.
In April, the troupe will be back with a rendition of "Grease."
Leading the cast are: Benton Mason, Riley Radomski, Cameron Brodt, Riya Sanan, Dan Teles, Antonella Porfidia, Jillian Schnyderite, Addie Giesler, Brooke Hellwig, Addy Harris and Ava Semos.
The performance will take place from April 16-19.
Tickets will go on sale in March.
For info, visit Nazareth's troupe page.
Notre Dame High School
The Easton high school's theater department's spring musical is "The Little Mermaid."
Cast members are: Mackenzie Hughes, Braylen Rizzotto, Ethan Salazar, Anysha Teleo, Lucia Pretopapa, CJ Hittinger, Aiden Jacon, Mia Pierce, Julia Pizzuto and Eilseo Gomez Jr.
Also, Mackenzie Gippe, Ava Panettiere, Abby Lauten, Emily Dalton, Tess Piper, Maria Rodriguez, Lily Flurer, Michael Salveggio, Mark Shelly and Gabriel Augustave.
Showtimes are March 6-8.
For more information, visit the theater department's Facebook page.
Northwestern Lehigh High School
The drama club at the high school in Lynn Township recently held rehearsals for its spring production "Something Rotten!"
Lead cast members are: Ben Smith, Graham Webb, Jaslene Ortiz, Anna Gornicz, Jackson DeJesus, Allie Tentarelli, Jossalin Romanot, Sophie Fruend, Grace Ottinger, Celia Good, Emma Gusick, Baylin Gillenberger, Anja Bisignani, Miley Divers, Charlotte Storch and Genny Bougher.
Tickets and performance dates will be announced in January.
For more information, visit the school's drama department.
Parkland
This year's spring production will be "How to Succeed in Business Without Really Trying."
Showtimes are scheduled for April, and tickets will go on sale in March.
For more information, visit the drama department's Instagram page.
To add a high school production to the list, email arts and culture reporter Micaela Hood at Micaelah@lehighvalleynews.com
