Theater Arts

Take the Stage — and Build It, Too: Theater at St. Francis

At St. Francis Catholic High School, theater is more than a class or a club — it's a community. Whether you dream of stepping into the spotlight or designing the world behind the curtain, our theater program gives every young woman a place to grow, create, and perform. With a professional 500-seat theater, expert faculty, and a full season of productions each year, St. Francis is where Sacramento's next generation of artists, storytellers, and creative leaders find their voice.

A Theater Program Built for Every Kind of Artist

Not everyone who loves theater wants to be on stage — and at St. Francis, you don't have to be. Our programme is designed to welcome students with a wide range of interests and experience levels, from first-time performers to aspiring directors and designers. You'll find your people here, whether you're drawn to acting, costume design, stage management, or lighting design.

Performing at St. Francis

Theater Arts Courses

Our acting curriculum takes students from the fundamentals of performance all the way through advanced, honors-level work. Courses are structured to build skills progressively, so students can grow year over year throughout their time at St. Francis.

• Theater Arts I — An introduction to acting, character development, stage presence, and theatrical vocabulary. Open to all students, no experience required.
• Theater Arts II — Intermediate performance techniques, scene study, and audition preparation. Students deepen their craft and begin to take on more complex roles.
• Honors Theater Arts II — An advanced, honors-level course for dedicated performers ready to pursue theatre at a collegiate level. Emphasizes rigorous scene work, analysis, and performance.

All theater arts courses fulfill UC/CSU Fine Arts (F) graduation requirements.

What Students Learn

Across all levels, theater students at St. Francis develop skills that extend far beyond the stage:

• Character development and script analysis
• Voice, movement, and physical storytelling
• Audition technique and professional presentation
• Collaboration, ensemble work, and creative risk-taking
• Stage communication and audience awareness
• Directing fundamentals and production analysis

 

 

Annual Productions

One of the most exciting parts of theater at St. Francis is the opportunity to perform in — or build — full-scale productions each year. Our season typically includes:

The Musical

Our flagship production brings together the entire theatre community — actors, singers, dancers, and technical crew — for a full-scale musical performance in our professional 500-seat theater. Auditions are open to all St. Francis students, making this one of the most inclusive and beloved events of the school year. Past productions have included Hadestown, Once Upon A Mattress, Into the Woods, and Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat.

The Play

Each year, our theater program stages a dramatic production that showcases the depth and range of our student performers. The play is an opportunity for students to explore different theatrical styles — from classic drama to contemporary works — in an intimate and powerful setting. Past productions have included A Midsummer Night's Dream, A Piece of my Heart, Little Women, and Antigone.

Behind the Curtain: Technical Theatre at St. Francis

Behind every performance is a team of visionaries, problem solvers, and creators. At St. Francis, our Technical Theatre and Design program empowers young women to take the reins and build the future of the entertainment industry.

As an all-girls school, we are proud to be a launching pad for the next generation of female technicians, production managers, designers, and directors—bringing fresh, vital voices to a historically male-dominated field.

Professional Grade, Student Led

We believe the best way to learn theatre is to make theatre. While our students learn under the mentorship of industry-professional staff, our live performances are entirely student-run. 

From calling cues to managing backstage transitions and operating professional-grade equipment, our students develop an unmatched level of leadership, grace under pressure, and real-world problem-solving skills that elite college programs notice.

Choose Your Own Adventure

Whether you are a meticulous planner, a hands-on builder, an aspiring designer, or a literary researcher, there is a place for your talents on our crew. Students gain immersive, hands-on experience across a comprehensive range of production roles:

• Design Assistants: Lighting, Sound, Scenic, Costuming.
• Construction and Operations: Props building and management, set building and decorating, light board operation, sound board operation, sound computer operation, wardrobe management
• Management & Leadership: Stage Management and Associate Producing.
• Creative Direction: Assistant Directing and Dramaturgy.

How to Get Involved: Tech  Club and Production Roles

 

Competing at the Lenaea Theatre Festival

St. Francis theater students have the opportunity to compete at the Lenaea Theatre Festival, one of Northern California's premier high school theater competitions. The festival provides students — both performers and technical crew members — with the chance to showcase their work before professional adjudicators, connect with peers from other schools, and earn recognition for their artistry. Participation in Lenaea is a meaningful milestone for many St. Francis theater students and a strong addition to any college application or performing arts portfolio.

Our Facilities

St. Francis is home to a professional 500-seat main theater equipped with advanced lighting and sound systems — the same caliber of equipment used in professional venues. Rehearsals and technical work take place in dedicated studio spaces designed specifically for theater and production. Students graduate having worked in a facility that prepares them for collegiate and professional environments.

Why Choose Theater at St. Francis?

• Courses for every level — From beginner to Honors, there's a place for every student
• Full season of productions — Fall musical, spring play, and more
• Professional-grade facilities — 500-seat theater with advanced lighting and sound
• Competitive opportunities — Participation in the Lenaea Theatre Festival
• All-girls environment — Young women lead every aspect of the production, on stage and off
• Fine Arts credit — All theater courses fulfill UC/CSU Fine Arts (F) graduation requirements
• Expert faculty — Instructors with professional performing arts backgrounds

Get Involved

Whether you're ready to audition, sign up for a class, or join the crew, there's a place for you in St. Francis theatre.

View Upcoming Productions ›  Explore All Performing Arts ›  Support the Arts ›