The Ray of Light Awards
ABOUT THE RAY OF LIGHT AWARDS
The Ray of Light Awards for Excellence in High School Theatre is an annual program to develop and promote the efforts of area high school music theatre and drama programs. A year-long adjudication process culminates in a formal awards night honoring the best and brightest performers in high schools in the surrounding area of the Community Theatre League in Williamsport, Pennsylvania.
RAY OF LIGHT GUIDELINES
A minimum of seven CTL judges will be attending the participating productions. All of the judges have received training and have a strong interest in students and theatre. None of the judges are involved in any of this year’s participating productions. Schools must allot up to 20 complimentary tickets per production for use by the judges.
school ELIGIBILITY
- The Ray of Light Awards are open to schools within a 50-mile radius of Williamsport, PA.
- Productions must occur during the 2025-2026 school year, and all productions must be completed by the first Sunday in May.
- Each school may submit two productions, preferably one play and one musical. If a school does not submit one of each, two of the same type may be submitted.
- Schools are separated based on their geographical location. There are currently two regions: Northern and Central
To Register: Follow this link.
2025 PARTICIPATING SCHOOL PLAYS AND DATES
- Danville Area High School | The Diary of Anne Frank | November, 13, 15, 16
- Milton Area High School | You Can’t Take It With You | November 21-23
- Shikellamy High School | Miracle on 34th Street | December 4-7
2026 PARTICIPATING SCHOOL MUSICALS AND DATES
- Danville Area High School | The SpongeBob Musical | February 26-28
- Meadowbrook Christian School | The Little Mermaid | April 23-25
- Milton Area High School | The Hunchback of Notre Dame | March 27-29
- Shikellamy High School | To Be Announced | April 23-26
ELIGIBILITY FOR PLAYS
- Plays should be a minimum of 75 minutes in length. Multi-act plays may be presented without intermission. The time requirement should be met by the playwright’s work and not reached by adding superfluous music or activities to take up time.
- Productions should substantially recreate productions in the spirit of the original productions or subsequent revivals. Significant deviations from the original production design are eligible only upon approval of a comprehensive production description*, detailing the scope of the deviations and interpretation.
- The following genres are not eligible:
- Reader’s theatre
- Dinner theatre in which the show is specifically designed around a meal. Productions performed in a dinner setting, where food or refreshments are served during an intermission are permitted.
- Performances of multiple scenes/cuttings or shorts
- Plays developed and published specifically to be performed by middle or elementary students.
- Performances of improvisation
ELIGIBILITY FOR MUSICALS
- Musicals must be full-length with at least 2 acts, unless the original Broadway production was intended to be presented without intermission.
- Selected musicals must be published and licensed through a reputable publishing company (i.e. Music Theatre International, Concord Theatricals, Theatrical Rights Worldwide, etc.).
- Productions should substantially recreate productions in the spirit of the original production or subsequent revivals. CTL does not wish to stifle creativity. Significant deviations from the original production design are eligible only upon approval of a comprehensive production description*, detailing the scope of the deviations and director’s interpretation.
The following genres are not eligible:
- Revues, whether assembled by the director or officially sanctioned by a reputable publishing house
- Versions of classic musicals modified for presentation by younger groups; this would include MTI Broadway Junior, Kids, or TYA titles; Rodgers and Hammerstein G2K versions; and similar types of productions.
- Concert versions of classically staged works, whether sung while stationary or partially staged.
- Musicals developed and published specifically to be performed by middle or elementary students.
For Teachers & Directors
For Adjudicators
Participating Fall Productions
PUFFS – South Williamsport Jr/Sr High School: November 10-12 at 7:00 and November 13 at 2:00
SHE KILLS MONSTERS – Milton Area High School: November 11 & 12 at 7:00 and November 13 at 2:00
SOUTHERN HOSPITALITY – Shikellamy High School: November 17, 18 & 19 at 7:00 and November 20 at 2:00
KAFKA’S METAMORPHOSIS – Muncy Jr/Sr High School: November 17, 18 & 19 at 7:00
A NEW STYLE FOR MURDER – Jersey Shore Area High School: November 30 and December 1 at 7:00
OUR TOWN – Loyalsock Township High School: December 8, 9 & 10 at 7:00
*Eligible programs for the Ray Phillips Memorial Trophy: Loyalsock Township High School, Milton Area High School, Jersey Shore Area High School, Muncy Jr/Sr High School, Shikellamy High School, South Williamsport Area Jr/Sr High School
(Schools that have submitted both a play and musical are eligible for the Ray Phillips Memorial Trophy for Best Drama Program.)
Participating Spring Productions
NEWSIES Central Columbia High School March 2, 3 & 4 at 7:00 and March 4 & 5 at 2:00
THE ADDAMS FAMILY Danville High School March 2, 3 & 4 at 7:00
CHICAGO Milton Area High SchoolMarch 3 and 4 at 7:00 & March 4 at 1:00 and March 5 at 2:00
SISTER ACT Loyalsock Township High School March 17 & 18 at 7:30 & March 19 at 2:00
NUNSENSE Jersey Shore Area High SchoolMarch 17 & 18 at 7:00 & March 19 at 2:00
MAMMA MIA Montoursville Area High School March 17 & 18 at 7:00 & March 19 at 2:00
BYE BYE BIRDIE Southern Columbia Area High School March 23, 24 & 25 at 7:00
GUYS AND DOLLS Benton Area High School March 24, 25 at 7:00 and March 26 at 2:00
BYE BYE BIRDIE Muncy Jr/Sr High School March 30 & 31 and April 1 at 7:00
SOUND OF MUSIC Line Mountain Jr/ Sr High School March 30 & 31 and April 1 at 7:00
SHREK: THE MUSICAL Hughesville Area High School March 31, April 1 at 7:00 and April 2 at 2:00
TUCK EVERLASTING Shikellamy High School April 27, 28 & 29 at 7:00 and April 30 at 2:00
RAY OF LIGHT AWARDS ENTRY FORMS
To be submitted by October 3, 2025 for Fall 2025 productions or by December 1, 2025 for Spring 2026 productions.
Late Entry Forms will NOT be accepted.
The first 25 productions entered will be adjudicated. If submitting two productions please fill out a separate form for each submission.
CEREMONY DATE IS MAY 30th, 2026 with a rehearsal day on MAY 29th, 2026
Fee: $250 Fee per entered production (MUST be paid by time of production)
Make check payable to: The Community Theatre League
Mailed to: 100 West Third Street, Williamsport, PA 17701
To be submitted no less than 10 days before the production involving student design (can be in any production area: sets, costumes, choreography, lighting, program, etc.)
Late Entry Forms will NOT be accepted.
CTL’s Ray of Light Awards are proudly Sponsored by:
Williamsport Sun-Gazette, Staiman Recycling Corporation and the Savoy Family
Our Programs
In addition to putting on performances for the public throughout the year, the Community Theatre League hosts a variety of programs to promote and encourage local youth to get involved in musical theatre and drama. From our annual summer camps to our high school workshops and Oscar-like awards show, we strive to share our talent and passion for the performing arts with the community.