Performing Arts

Welcome to the St. Francis High School Performing Arts Department!

Greetings and blessings! It is with great joy and enthusiasm that I welcome you to the Performing Arts Department at St. Francis High School. Our program celebrates the rich tradition of creativity, collaboration, and artistic expression rooted in the Salesian spirit of our school. Here at St. Francis, the Performing Arts are more than just classes or productions—they are a vibrant part of our community that fosters connection, builds confidence, and inspires a love for the arts.

As the Performing Arts instructor, I have the privilege of guiding students in three distinct but interconnected areas of study:

• Acting for Theatre: Students explore the art of performance, from character development to stagecraft, culminating in inspiring live productions that share compelling stories with our audience.
• Choral Ensemble: A class where voices unite in harmony to praise and uplift through the power of music, fostering both individual and collective growth.
• Film Appreciation and Production: An innovative elective where students learn to analyze and create films, bringing their unique visions to life through the magic of cinema.

This year, we are thrilled to offer an exciting lineup of Performing Arts events:

1. Rogues' Gallery: A collection of one-act plays performed by the Acting for Theatre classes, showcasing the talents of our students in an intimate and engaging setting.
2. The Nativity Play and Christmas Concert: A beautiful collaboration between the Choral Ensemble and Acting for Theatre classes, retelling the Nativity story woven throughout a repertoire of beloved Christmas songs, performed in Our Lady Help of Christians church.
3. Disney's High School Musical: A high-energy spring musical where Acting for Theatre students become the ensemble, and the wider student body takes center stage in featured, supporting, and leading roles.
4. St. Francis High School FilmFest: A celebration of storytelling through film, featuring the creative short films produced by our Film Appreciation and Production students throughout the school year.

My journey in the Performing Arts began during my Catholic elementary school days, where I discovered the transformative power of theatre and music. My passion grew with each experience, from performing in Barnum as a freshman at St. Francis High School in Mountain View to working with my mother, a costume designer for San Jose Children’s Musical Theatre. Later, I pursued professional productions, including my first role as in the ensemble of Oklahoma! in Colorado, and found my calling not just on stage but also behind the scenes, creating a Youth Conservatory for the Carousel Dinner Theatre and then moving to Calfornia to direct, choreograph, and vocal direct for local theatre groups in the Bay Area.

As the Education Director for The Tabard Theatre Company, I developed a robust curriculum for youth and adult performers, leading classes, master classes, plays, musicals, and mentorship programs. This journey of education and creativity inspired me to bring my expertise to Catholic schools, first as a middle school educator and now as the Performing Arts teacher at St. Francis High School. With advanced degrees in Teaching and Catholic Educational Leadership and a foundation in Ignatian leadership, I am committed to fostering the growth of young artists while nurturing their faith and values.

I am deeply honored to serve our students and community by bringing the Performing Arts to life here at St. Francis. Together, we will continue to build a program that inspires, challenges, and enriches all who participate and attend. Thank you for supporting the Performing Arts at our school, and I look forward to sharing this incredible journey with you.