Established in 2017 as an expansion of the Musical and Drama Clubs at Somerville High School, the mission of the Highlander Theatre Company is to create the opportunity for every Somerville High School student to participate in the creation, production, and performance of live theatre.

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Built on the success of past SHS plays and musicals, the 2017/2018 school year saw the formation of the Highlander Theatre Company and the re-establishment of the high school's long-inactive troupe of the International Thespians Society. The first productions of the Highlander Theatre Company included the hit Broadway musical Pippin and Thornton Wilder's Pullman Car Hiawatha, which was presented at the 2018 Masschusetts Thespians Festival. 

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The 2018/2019 school year saw HTC's first full four-production season, launched by the hit musical RENT, and followed by Holy Broth, Silent Sky, and the very first Highlander Fringe Festival. This inaugural season highlighted the creativity, values, and diversity of Somerville High School while establishing lasting collaborations with district and community partners. 

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2019's In The Heights and 2020's Still Life with Iris ran prior to the historic shutdown cause by COVID-19. The company, in partnership with Actors Shakespeare Project, was gearing up for our production of As You Like It before the theatre was forced to close its doors. While that production never saw an audience, the memories, lessons, and collaborations born from that process will forever remain a cherished part of HTC history.

 

In 2020, The COVID-19 Pandemic forced the entire theatre community to adapt to a new type of performance. HTC followed suit by launching our first 100% virtual season during the 2020/2021 school year. We returned in 2021/2022 to a brand new high school and a brand new Centennial Auditorium. 

 

Today, HTC continues its efforts to expand theatre opportunities to Somerville High School and keeps Somerville's long lasting tradition of theatre arts alive and thriving.