TURNER – More than 3,000 Maine high school students from 79 schools will compete in the 78th Maine Drama Festival on Friday and Saturday, March 6 and 7, at nine regional competitions.

The annual event is sponsored by the Maine Principals’ Association and the Maine Drama Council. Schools will present plays ranging from the classics to original student-written plays. Two winners from each region will be selected to advance to the state finals on Friday and Saturday, March 20 and 21.

Participating at Leavitt Area High School will be the following: Livermore Falls, Oak Hill and Leavitt, performing Friday with curtain times of 6, 7 and 8 p.m. respectively; Gorham, Jay, Gray-New Gloucester and Monmouth Academy, performing Saturday at 1, 2, 3 and 4, and Winthrop and Fryeburg Academy, performing Saturday at 7 and 8 p.m.

Admission for each block of performances will be $7. More information on the festival is available at www.mainedramacouncil.com and www.fivetowns.net/subsites/StromAud/MDC/Festivalhome.html.