Theatre Arts & Musical Theatre
The MSA Theatre program is where passion meets purpose, and curiosity transforms into artistry.
Our program is an immersive, rigorous training ground for students to dive deeply into performance and production crafts. Built on the belief that every young artist has a unique voice, our curriculum exposes students to the full spectrum of the theatrical world, from the timeless language of Shakespeare and the high-energy demands of Musical Theatre to the innovative boundaries of Experimental and Devised Theatre.
MSA Theatre isn't just about taking the stage; it’s about discovering who you are as a creator. Students engage with all facets of the craft, including acting, directing, stage management, technical design, and original ensemble creation. With hands-on experience in different styles, students challenge their artistic limits, learn to think critically, and cultivate an understanding of story, space and who they are as artists.
As a dynamic, hands-on introductory course, Theatre Foundations is designed for freshmen and first-year theater students to explore every dimension of the craft, from classical acting techniques and voice/movement training to script analysis, improvisation, and the essentials of technical design and backstage operations.
By experiencing performance and production roles, students gain a comprehensive understanding of how stories come to life on stage. Through building creative confidence, discipline, and artistic collaboration, the course equips emerging artists with the core skills and perspective needed to excel in our advanced Drama, Musical Theatre, and Technical Theatre tracks.
Students are encouraged to concurrently enroll in Dance PE to build on movement skills essential for stage craft. The course counts as PE credit.
Designed for dedicated students ready to elevate their theatrical craft, take artistic risks, and specialize in their specific areas of interest, advanced Theatre courses build on the core principles of Theatre Foundations. The program empowers students to tailor their education by focusing on performance, leadership, technical creation, or a combination of all three.
Students can customize their journey by choosing a Theatrical focus, either with a single period or two periods.
• Advanced Drama—An intensive study of screen acting, script analysis, classical and contemporary scene study, character work, and advanced performance techniques, including experimental and devised theater.
• Musical Theater—A comprehensive performance track integrating vocal technique, song analysis, character preparation, and multi-genre dance training designed for the modern musical theater artist.
• Directing & Creative Leadership—Available to students enrolled in Advanced Drama or Musical Theatre, the pathway offers hands-on mentorship for student director's vision, staging, casting, script interpretation, and leading a creative ensemble from concept to curtain.
• Technical Theatre & Design—For students passionate about world-building behind the scenes. Focus areas include lighting design, sound engineering, set construction, stage management, and costume/makeup design, with opportunities to serve as heads of department for mainstage productions.
Second-fourth year students may also participate in Dance PE2 to mentor first year students in the theatre dance course and earn their second year of PE credit required for graduation.
Awards + Accolades
2026
Lenaea Theatre Festival
- Silver, One Act Play—Julius Caesar
- Silver, Duo Scene
- Bronze, Duo Scene
- Silver, Musical Theatre
- Bronze, Musical Theatre
- Bronze, Original script
- Gold, Stage Lighting Hang & Focus
- Gold, Scenic Design
- Silver, Scenic Design
- Bronze, Scenic Design
- Bronze, Costume Design
ESU National Competition/ Lincoln Center, NYC
- National Finalist – Top 10
English Speaking Union Shakespeare Competition
- 1st Place, ESU San Francisco Branch
2025
Sara Bareilles Awards
- Fan Favorite: Anything Goes
- 1 Nomination for Best Actor
ESU National Competition/ Lincoln Center, NYC
- National Finalist – 3rd Place
English Speaking Union Shakespeare Competition
- 1st Place, 2nd Place, 3rd Place, ESU San Francisco Branch
Lenaea Theatre Festival
- Gold, One Act Play — Richard III
- Gold, Monologue
- Gold, Tech Olympics, Lighting
- Silver, Duo Scene
- Silver, Musical Theatre
- 3 Bronze, Monologues
- Bronze, Duo Scene
- 2 Bronze, Original Scripts
- 2 Bronze, Musical Theatre
- Respondent's Choice, Monologue
2024
Rita Moreno California High School Musical Honors
- 1 Nomination for Lead Actress
- 1 Nomination for Supporting Performer
ESU National Competition/ Lincoln Center, NYC
- National Finalist – 3rd Place
English Speaking Union Shakespeare Competition
- 1st Place, 2nd Place, 3rd Place, ESU San Francisco Branch
Mother Lode Drama Festival
- Superior One Act Play – A Midsummer Night's Dream
- 4, Outstanding Performances in a One Act
- Fairy Ensemble, Special Recognition in a One Act
- Monologue: 1st Place, 2nd Place, 5th Place
- Duo Scene, 1st Place
- Musical Theatre: 1st Place, 2nd Place, 3rd Place
Lenaea Theatre Festival
- Gold, Scenic Design (Product Design)
- Gold, One Act Play — A Midsummer Night's Dream
- 4 Gold, Monologue
- Gold, Duo Scene
- Silver, Monologue
- Silver, Musical Theatre
- Bronze, Original Script
- Bronze, Duo Scene
- Bronze, Costume Design
- Bronze, Musical Theatre
2023
Rita Moreno California High School Musical Honors
- Best Overall Production – Into the Woods
- 1 Nomination for Lead Actor
- 1 Nomination for Lead Actress
- 1 Nomination for Supporting Performer
ESU National Competition/ Lincoln Center, NYC
- National Finalist – Top 10, People’s Choice 3rd Place
English Speaking Union Shakespeare Competition
- 1st & 2nd Place, ESU San Francisco Branch
Mother Lode Drama Festival
- Superior One Act Play – Romeo & Juliet
- Solo Scene, 1st Place, 3rd Place
- Duo Scene: 1st Place, 2nd Place
- Vocal: 1st Place, 2nd Place
Lenaea Theatre Festival
- Gold, Scenic Design
- Gold, Original One Act
- Gold & Respondents Choice, Musical Theatre
- Gold, One Act Play — Romeo & Juliet
- Silver, Monologue
- Silver, Monologue
- Silver, Monologue
- Silver, Duo Scene
- Silver, Duo Scene
- Silver, Musical Theatre
- Silver, Musical Theatre
- Bronze & Respondents Choice, Monologue
2022
Jimmy Awards
- Rising Star – Carl Robinett
- Student Reporter – Zach Lee
Rita Moreno California High School Musical Honors
- Fan Favorite Winner – Young Frankenstein
- Lead Actor Winner – Carl Robinett
- Nominated Overall Production – Young Frankenstein
- 2 Nominations for Lead Actor
- 2 Nominations for Lead Actress
- 2 Nominations for Supporting
- 1 Student Reporter
Lenaea Theatre Festival
- Gold – Musical Theatre – Follies
- Gold – Monologue – Peter and the Starcatcher
- Gold –Monologue – Much Ado About Nothing
- Gold – One Act – The Tempest Project
- Silver – Costume Design – Pericles
- Silver – Duo Scenes – The Effect
- Silver – Musical Theatre – Steel Pier
- Silver – Musical Theatre – Chicago
- Silver – Monologue – Elliot, Water by The Spoonful
- Bronze – Original Script – Childhood, In Fragments by Alexis Grusby
- Bronze – Duo Scenes – The Aliens
2021
Mother Lode Drama Festival
- Outstanding Production Detail – Dracula
- Outstanding Performance – Dracula
- Outstanding Use of Remote Space – Dracula
- 2 Outstanding Monologues
- Outstanding Vocal
Rita Moreno California High School Musical Honors
- Lead Actress Winner – Kasey Hernandez
- Supporting Performer Winner – Gabby Winnett
- Lead Actor Nominee
- 2 Nominations for Lead Actress
- 2 Nominations for Supporting Performer
Lenaea Theatre Festival
- Gold – Musical Theatre – Follies
- Gold – Monologue – Peter and the Starcatcher
- Gold –Monologue – Much Ado About Nothing
- Gold – One Act – The Tempest Project
- Silver – Costume Design – Pericles
- Silver – Duo Scenes – The Effect
- Silver – Musical Theatre – Steel Pier
- Silver – Musical Theatre – Chicago
- Silver – Monologue – Elliot, Water by The Spoonful
- Bronze – Original Script – Childhood, In Fragments by Alexis Grusby
- Bronze – Duo Scenes – The Aliens
2020
Lenaea Theatre Festival
- Gold – One Act Play, The Dream Project (based on Shakespeare’s A Midsummer Night’s Dream)
- Outstanding Performance in a One Act
- Gold – Monologue – Dance Nation
- Gold – Musical Theatre – Fifty Percent from Ballroom
- Bronze – Monologue – M. Butterfly
- Bronze – Duo Scenes – Love/Sick
- Tech Olympics Lighting Challenge
Chapman University Henry Kemp-Blair Shakespeare Festival
- Outstanding Scene, A Midsummer Night’s Dream, Act II Scene I
- Outstanding Monologue
Margaret Grace Hee
