Information

About the Program

Rigorous academics combined with a college-intensive theatre arts emphasis — a four-year pathway for students in grades 9–12.

The North Valley Arts Academy Theatre program provides students with rigorous academic classes combined with a college-intensive theatre arts emphasis. Honors-level movement, voice, acting, directing, and playwriting courses are offered to motivated students through application and audition — NVAA is the only theatre program in Arizona to offer honors coursework across every grade.

The program serves students in grades 9–12, with all courses offered at Shadow Mountain High School.

Our Faculty

Working professionals, dedicated teachers

Joe Flowers

Theatre Director & Film and Television Actor, Leighton Agency

A professional actor, director, acting coach, and educator with an MFA in Acting from Illinois State University and a theatre degree from Arizona State University, where he studied under Tony Award-winning director Marshall W. Mason. Described as “just your average Joe next door,” Joe has appeared in over fifty productions nationwide — including two seasons with the Illinois Shakespeare Festival — and worked with acclaimed regional companies including Childsplay, Stray Cat Theatre, and Theatre Works. His original TV pilot “The Drama” won multiple Best Pilot and Best Script awards. Represented by the Leighton Agency for theatrical and commercial work, Joe is a member of the Screen Actors Guild – American Federation of Television and Radio Artists (SAG-AFTRA).

Keath Hall

Theatre Technology Teacher & Artistic Director, Southwest Shakespeare Company

A highly respected member of Arizona's theatre community, Keath has been a dedicated Theatre Technology Teacher for NVAA at Shadow Mountain High School, inspiring students with his passion for performance and storytelling. His extensive experience spans acting, directing, and technical work with renowned companies including Ronin Theatre (which he co-founded), Childsplay, Stray Cat, Mesa Arts Center, and Southwest Shakespeare — where audiences recently saw him as Malvolio in Twelfth Night and Frank in The School for Lies. With his specialty knowledge in Shakespeare performance, Keath was named the Artistic Director of the acclaimed Southwest Shakespeare Company in 2025.

Students in an acting for the camera class

Program of Study

A four-year arts curriculum

From 9th-grade Honors Movement & Voice through a 12th-grade Honors Directing or Honors Stage Management exit portfolio, every year builds toward the Arizona Arts Seal and the NVAA diploma seal. NVAA is the only theatre program in Arizona to offer honors-level coursework across every grade. Explore the full performance and technical tracks.

View the program of study

Locations

Located in north Phoenix, Arizona

Shadow Mountain High School

2902 E. Shea Boulevard, Phoenix, AZ 85028
(602) 449-3000
School: 7:30 AM – 2:10 PM
Office: 7:00 AM – 3:30 PM

Paradise Valley Unified School District

15002 N. 32nd Street, Phoenix, AZ 85032
(602) 449-2000
Office: 7:30 AM – 4:30 PM