  ummer Festival
Each year we produce two exceptional productions of Shakespeare’s finest works with original concepts and dynamic ensemble acting.
 eatro Napa Valley 
 The Festival maintains a year-round training program in association with Napa Valley Community Housing for low-income students emphasizing theatre training, leadership skills, literacy and the sharing and honoring of the many cultural traditions of our wonderful Valley
By sharing our stories through art and performance, we are empowered. It is difficult to know where you are going until you know where you have been. Through stories from the past, we find our roots. By strengthening our roots, we grow and flower.
Teatro Students Speak…
Before I started the program in drama I was a person that was always getting into trouble and doing things that would be dangerous for other people. I almost started to take the path of violence, drugs, and gangs. The first time I went into drama was because I was bored. Now that I'm older, I'm still in the program because it is fun and the plays just keep getting better. I still get into trouble sometimes, but drama is a place where I can just cool down and express my creativity among peers.
 “Mighty” age 17
Some people say that drama is dumb, I think drama is cool. I like to go to rehearsals because sometimes it is boring by your self. When drama comes, it’s fun instead of being boring.
Ventura, Age 12
When we performed the play, I was very nervous, but the more time I was on stage, the less nervous I became. My friend, Tom the bus driver, came to see the play. It was really embarrassing when I saw him. But when I was on stage I felt really famous. I don’t even know why I felt so famous; it just somehow made me feel famous. The day after the play my friend, Tom the bus driver, was telling me that the play was funny and great! My friends were trying to get me to explain what doing a play was like…I just said it was fun, exciting, a bit embarrassing, scary, funny and finally great!…You just express your feelings, and the more you act, the more you won’t be shy about acting again
Stephanie, age 12
When we did the play I felt nervous because I thought I was going to make a mistake and everyone was going to laugh at me. But everything came out okay. Everybody liked the play we did. I want to perform again so we can have fun. We went on a field trip to San Juan Bautista (to see professional Latino theatre company El Teatro Campesino) It was very cool and so much fun.
 Ana Rosa, age 12
To make a performance I think that the most important thing is to trust your campaneros. If you trust each other, they give you the support that you need to act out what you have to do…I remember the first time that we performed the play called “How Quetzalcoatl found the Sun”. I was nervous because it was the first time that I performed in front of people. But then when people started clapping, I felt something very good….I never thought I was going to be acting. Spanish is my first language so, yes, it was hard for me to act and speak English. Our director gave us a wonderful opportunity. Because I mostly see American people doing drama, I am so happy that Mary believed in us, that we could make it.
I want El Teatro to keep going because it is mostly Mexicans and we can show other people that we can do it. Also, it is an example for others that if you want to do something, you can.
Laura, age 16
  illpower!
Our intensive summer conservatory for dedicated thespians focuses on the Bard’s work through training in language, movement, and stage combat with company guest artists.
 igh School Internship Program
From our inception to today, we have held the belief that it is our responsibility to pass on the skills and passion we share with tomorrow’s artists through internships in all aspects of theatre management, technical theatre and acting.
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