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There's about 50 kids in the class, so I'm looking for something that can keep everyone involved. Because the course is only offered once a year, I need to give students a basic but well-rounded overview of the theater and how to put on a production, but don't have the time or budget to do a full-fledged production. P.S.-I've also never taught drama before, so any ideas/suggestions are appreciated.

Twelve Angry Men, by Reginald Rose, might solve the problem. There are about 16 or 17 characters, if you include a courtroom scene.  There are not that many plays with simple sets that have that many characters, so this might be as good as it gets. 

I have never seen the play performed, but I have seen the movie numerous times.  In the movie, there are two sets, first the courtroom and then the jury room.  Each of these is a simple set, but several students could be involved in their production.  There isn't much in the way of costuming, I would think, which would keep down your production costs, too. 

This is an engaging work, and students seem to enjoy discussing it.  There is much value in discussion about people's perspectives and how those perspectives affect their perceptions. 

A good companion piece is a story called "In a Grove," by Ryunosuke Akutagawa, which deals with similar themes.  Of course, given the amount of time you have, this might be an "extension," rather than an assigned work.

Whatever you choose, I wish you good luck, and I'll be curious to see some other suggestions. 

A series of one-acts might be your answer.  I'm a fan of David Ives--either All in the Timing or Time Flies (some would need to be edited for language, but certainly do-able.)  The sets are rather simplistic and can be suggested.  I know All in the Timing can have up to 16-20 people in a variety of large and small roles.  Or, go to the local bookstore and pick up a couple books of one-acts or audition scenes.  That way kids can work on smaller things, but still get the idea of what would go into a a production--rehearsing, memorizing, sets, costumes, production.  You could even have student directors/designers if all of the kids aren't interested in acting, or they could have to design their own sets and costumes.

Good luck and have fun!

In regard to Twelve Angry Men, the opening courtroom scene was added to the movie script but is not included in the play's script. Another production that might work would be Our Town. The sets are simplistic, and the wedding in Act II and the cemetery scene in Act III would give you a chance to include numerous students who didn't necessarily want a speaking part. It's a classic for good reasons. I've always found that students respond to the play and are engaged by it and the themes it develops.