Congratulations to MSA’s Theatre program for their Lenaea High School Theatre Festival awards on Feb. 3! Students earned multiple awards, including the coveted Synergy Award, given for the production showing kindness, professionalism and working best together, and Best One Act Production for Richard III.
The MSA Foundation raises over $400,000 annually to support MSA programs the school district can’t provide. With the community, the Foundation enhances and sustains arts education for all MSA students.
MSA is a specialized program within Novato High School. MSA Admissions include an application process followed by an audition/portfolio review. MSA students have daily MSA arts classes and NHS academic classes.
Order your MSA Gear online! We have a selection of shirts, jackets and pj pants. After your order is processed, you will be contacted to pick up your items at school. Contact us for more information.
Professional artists, authors, musicians and actors have the power to inspire many. MSA works to bring inspiring “change makers” directly to our students, thanks to support from our MSA Foundation. This Fall, our students have benefited greatly by working with and hearing from an outstanding series of visiting artists.
MSA students met with an icon when Justin Paul, a co-creator of the hit Broadway show “Dear Evan Hansen” visited to answer questions about the newly released “Dear Evan Hansel, The Novel.”
Paul quickly settled into a nearly 90-minute rapport with students ranging between technical tips for character building to banter about popular teen terminology to frank discussion about issues around teen depression. The Creative Writing, Theatre and Cinematic Arts students in attendance were completely engaged; the only disappointment being Paul’s limited time to answer the torrent or audience questions.
“Dear Evan Hansen, The novel” was co-authored by show creators Steven Levenson, Benj Pasek and Justin Paul, and acclaimed novelist Val Emmich. The team was inspired to create the novel to meet the overwhelming response from people, many of whom do not have access to the Tony-awarding musical, which comes to San Francisco in December.
MSA students were also excited to welcome graphic novelist Mariko Tamiko in September. She detailed her rise from a struggling artist and author to the success she enjoys today as a popular graphic novelist. Her unassuming nature and quiet personality instantly put students at ease, while her stories of early literary adventures kept students fully engaged.
A wide range of MSA students were able to work with renowned vocalist and actor Nicolas Bearde when he spent a day at MSA in September. Taking over the Performing Arts Center, Bearde collaborated with all of the Jazz Bands, gave feedback and pointers to both Jazz Choirs and provided a great opportunity for our student filmmakers to practice their skills and document the proceedings. The day was capped off with an incredible free community concert featuring the Advanced Jazz Band with Mr. Bearde.
Marin School of the Arts (MSA) is an award-winning arts program within Novato High School, a top performing public high school offering challenging and innovative academic programs, as well as outstanding athletic and club offerings.
MSA gives talented and motivated students from across the North Bay and beyond the chance to study with top arts professionals in their fields. As part of a public high school, MSA can offer quality arts programs to a greater variety of young artists. MSA provides college-level arts study in a variety of arts disciplines, which results in students gaining a higher skill set in their studies as well as greater confidence in their abilities. MSA teaches young artists how to follow through on commitments, how to multitask and how to rise to extreme challenges while developing thier individuality and self-identity.
As part of a public high school, MSA is an affordable and cost-effective program which encourages a greater diversity of talented young artists. The school attracts students from across Marin and Sonoma counties as well as students traveling from as far away as San Francisco and Vallejo. This mix encourages a dynamic community of young artists sharing ideas, experiences and projects.
