Theater Arts
Take the Stage — and Build It, Too: Theatre at St. Francis
At St. Francis Catholic High School, theatre 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 theatre 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 Theatre Program Built for Every Kind of Artist
Not everyone who loves theatre 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 theatre 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 theatre 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.
Competing at the Lenaea Theatre Festival
St. Francis theatre students have the opportunity to compete at the Lenaea Theatre Festival, one of Northern California's premier high school theatre 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 theatre 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 theatre and production. Students graduate having worked in a facility that prepares them for collegiate and professional environments.
Why Choose Theatre 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 theatre courses fulfill UC/CSU Fine Arts (F) graduation requirements
- Expert faculty — Instructors with professional performing arts backgrounds
Frequently Asked Questions
Do I need experience to join the theatre program? Not at all. Theater Arts I and Theater Tech & Design are both open to students with no prior experience. Our program is designed to welcome beginners and build skills from the ground up.
How do I get cast in a production? Auditions for our fall musical and spring play are open to all St. Francis students. No theatre course enrollment is required to audition. Details about upcoming auditions are announced ahead of each show.
Can I do both performing and technical theatre? Yes! Some students take both acting courses and Theater Tech & Design, or participate in productions both as a performer and crew member. Talk to the theatre faculty about what combination works best for your schedule.
Do theatre courses count for graduation requirements? Yes. All theatre courses at St. Francis — including Technical Theatre — fulfill UC/CSU Fine Arts (F) graduation requirements.
What is the Lenaea Theatre Festival? Lenaea is a Northern California high school theatre festival and competition where students perform scenes and one-act plays before professional adjudicators. Both performing and technical theatre students have the opportunity to participate.
What productions does St. Francis put on each year? Our annual season includes a full-scale musical and play, both staged in our professional 500-seat theater.
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.