More than 1,000 students at 69 high schools all across Maine are preparing for the 2024 Maine Drama Festival.

On Friday and Saturday, March 8 and 9, at eight regional competitions in Brewer, Ellsworth, Fairfield, Freeport, Saco, Skowhegan, South Berwick and Windham, schools are set to present plays ranging from the classics to student-written pieces.

Schools compete in two classes: Class A (over 450 students) and Class B (less than 450 students), according to a news release from Thomas Heath with the festival.

At each of the regional competitions, a panel of three judges will decide which performances advance to the state finals on Friday and Saturday, March 22 and 23. The finals for Class A will be held in the Strom Auditorium at Camden Hills Regional High School in Rockport. The finals for Class B will be held at Stearns High School in Millinocket.

The outstanding performance at each state final will be invited to perform at the New England Drama Festival, to be held Thursday through Saturday, April 18-20, at Attleboro High School in Attleboro, Massachusetts.

The performance schedule for each of the regional sites will be available at facebook.com/medramafest.

A list of regional winners and all awards issued will be posted on the MDF Facebook page by the end of the day Sunday, March 10.

Check out other upcoming area events!