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Theatre Arts Department

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NAPA students of music learn from a faculty comprising practising musicians, musicologists and visiting maestros. They also have the opportunity to enrich their repertoire of compositions and styles by tutelage under many teachers. Today NAPA has become the pioneer in setting the foundation of a new method of musical training in Pakistan.

Music Department key achievements this year:

NAPA released its first music publication, a book authored by NAPA’s music advisor Mr. SM Shahid. The book is titled Great Masters – Pakistani Classical Music and other memorabilia on Classical, Folk & Ghazal Music
A ‘Gallery of the Greats’ (an art gallery), was set up at NAPA in conjunction with the release of the Great Masters book. Now open to the public, the gallery features hand drawn portraits of the great masters featured in the book by SM Shahid. The portraits were created by fine artist Sharjeel Baloch.
Courses:

The Theatre Arts Department offers a three-year diploma course in Theatre Arts, during which students engage in nine trimesters of both academic study and intensive practical training. Our aim is to cultivate a deep appreciation for cultural heritage through a rigorous and immersive curriculum, enabling students to develop their creative expression in ways that reflect and honor our theatrical traditions. Students with interests in areas of theatre beyond those explicitly listed are also encouraged to apply. Admission may be granted subject to sufficient class enrollment.

Diploma Course:

During the diploma, our focus is placed upon helping students develop an understanding of space, movement and improvisation as well as role development. Students are required to perform monologues as well as ensemble pieces before a faculty audience at the end of each term as part of their assessment. Additionally, emphasis is placed upon building students’ knowledge of the origins and history of drama and sharpening their analytical skills through in-depth study of major classical and modern plays.

Courses Listing:
  • History of Theatre
  • Acting
  • Movement
  • Improvisation
  • Voice/ Diction
  • Stage Makeup
  • Stage Craft
  • Stage Lighting
  • Production Fundamentals
Management

Hamza Ali Jafri

Acting - Head of Department, Theatre Arts

A music educationist, music director, composer & producer, Hamza Ali Jafri founded The Guitar School Lahore in 2009, and co-founded the MAD School (Music Art Dance) Karachi in 2010. Hamza has designed & led several music education programs for Karachi communities in collaboration with USAID and UNICEF, curated large scale music festivals, and produced numerous musical theater productions. Hamza is also the creator of Pakistan’s first 32-piece ethnic orchestra as featured on the digital series ‘Braadri Broadcast’. Hamza has several music recordings to his credit including with rock band co-VEN, Zeb Haniya, and Coke Studio Pakistan.

Faraz Ahmed

Academic Coordinator Theatre Arts

Faraz Ahmed holds a Master of Sciences in Management Sciences from Mohammad Ali Jinnah University. Faraz Ahmed is an experienced academic and administrative professional with a strong background in arts education. He served as Academic Coordinator at the Indus Valley School of Art and Architecture (IVS), where he played a key role in academic planning and coordination. Later, he took on the role of Deputy Manager – Administration at IVS, managing institutional operations and supporting campus-wide initiatives. Since 2024, Faraz has been working as the Academic Coordinator for Theatre Arts at the National Academy of Performing Arts (NAPA), where he continues to contribute to the development of performing arts education in Pakistan.

Theatre Arts Faculty

Zarqa Naz

Zarqa Naz is an actor, director, writer,translator and dastango based in Karachi. A graduate of NAPA (2016), BA, B.Ed. She has been teaching Acting at NAPA since 2017 and at Iqra University since 2019, where she also teaches Scriptwriting and Direction. Her work spans theatre, television, film, and Dastangoi, with performances and collaborations across Pakistan and with the German Consulate.

Mansoor Ahmed Khan

Mansoor Ahmed Khan is a drama writer, director, and producer with a strong presence in theatre and television. A graduate of NED University and an alumnus of NAPA’s Theatre Arts program, he has worked with renowned media houses including Hum TV, ARY Digital, and A Plus. His acclaimed works include Baby Baji, Babban Khala Ki Betiyan, and Bheegi Palkein. Founder of the theatre troupe WhistleBlowerS, he brings socially relevant stories to audiences across Pakistan. He currently teaches as visiting faculty at NAPA.

Faizan Chawla

Faizan Chawla is a Theatre Graduate, Director, Actor, and Voice Artist with over 3.5 years of experience teaching Acting at the National Academy of Performing Arts (NAPA), Karachi Film School, Veritas Learning Circle, and Arts Council. His primary focus is on training young actors, combining practical performance with a strong foundation in theatre. As a director, his most acclaimed work includes Arthur Miller’s Death of a Salesman, which received packed-house performances at NAPA. Alongside theatre, he has also worked in television projects, contributing his craft both on stage and on screen.

Muhammad Hammad Khan

Muhammad Hammad Khan is a seasoned Actor with years of experience in the Performing Arts. A graduate of the National Academy of Performing Arts (NAPA), he majored in Acting and Direction, earning his degree in 2012. Hammad’s diverse background encompasses acting, production, direction, and teaching within the realms of theatre, television, and digital media. Throughout his career, Hammad has acted in numerous plays, contributing to cultural and social dialogue through performing arts.

Muhammad Samhan Ghazi

Samhan Ghazi is an accomplished educator and theatre artist with over 15 years of teaching experience across O-Levels, A-Levels, and degree programs. He specializes in Urdu and Theatre Arts currently teaching at Bay View Academy, ZATians Academy, and the National Academy of Performing Arts (NAPA). A Master’s in Economics and a finalist in Chartered Accountancy, he brings academic rigor to his classrooms alongside his creative expertise from NAPA’s 3-year Acting & Direction program. As a seasoned performer, he has acted in numerous stage plays and various television and film productions. His students consistently achieve top CAIE grades, and he has trained teachers and students nationwide through impactful workshops and career sessions.

Malik Farhan Aziz

Malik Farhan Aziz is a multidisciplinary theatre practitioner, actor, director, and educator. He holds a degree in Media Sciences (Film & TV) and a Diploma in Theatre Arts from NAPA (2019). His directing credits include Mitti ke Gharonde (adapted from The Glass Menagerie), Zara Phir Se Kehna, and Karakoram Express. He has also worked in TV commercials and contributed to NAPA Festival productions.
Malik Farhan Aziz has taught Acting at SZABIST, Karachi Film School, and Happy Home School System, and has also conducted short courses in Acting and Improvisation at NAPA. Since early 2025, he has been part of NAPA’s faculty, currently teaching Lighting Design. He coordinated the Tasneef Original Playwrights’ Festival 2025 and now serves as Event Manager for the Aawaaz Audio Theatre Project.

Zohair Zubair

Zohair Zubair is an actor, physical theatre artist and movement instructor, who focuses on helping actors express themselves through their bodies. He graduated from the National Academy of Performing Arts (NAPA) in 2019 and has been actively working in theatre since then. His work explores how movement, space, and performance come together to tell stories. Zohair encourages actors to use their bodies as a main tool of expression. where feelings and ideas can be shown through movement before words. He is currently a Movement Instructor at the National Academy of Performing Arts (NAPA), where he trains students in physical theatre, ensemble work, and expressive body techniques to help them grow as creative and confident performers.

Ali Rizvi

Ali Rizvi began his career in advertising, rising to Creative Director with 22 years of experience across print, online, electronic, and digital media. His passion for storytelling led him to work as a content head and brand developer for various TV channels. To master his craft, he joined NAPA to study theater acting, writing, and directing. Since 2011, Ali has appeared in notable films like JOSH and CHUPAN CHUPAI and has become a prominent actor in the TV industry. Recently, he co-wrote and produced the critically acclaimed film Madaari. He also won the British High Commission's best short film award for a documentary. Additionally, he worked on a web series for an Indian platform in Dubai, has performed at major festivals in India, and serves as a faculty member at NAPA.

Syed Vajdaan Ali Shah

Vajdaan is a trained contemporary dancer from Leggere Strutture’s Art Factory International, Bologna - Italy, a Theatre Arts graduate of National Academy of Performing Arts (NAPA), Karachi, and BBA & MBA from University of Sindh, Jamshoro - Pakistan.
Vajdaan has acted in films, directed & produced theatre productions, presented performances at national and international visual art galleries. He has directed plays for theatre including Shakespearean classics Antony & Cleopatra, Hamlet, Midsummer Night’s Dream, Romeo & Juliet, immersive theatre productions such as the much acclaimed Immortally Yours & Madoom. Conceived, produced, choreographed and directed an experimental music video Journey, inspired from contemporary reflections and movement performances inspired from Sufi and contemporary poetry infused with contemporary dance Echoing Nostalgia. His recent film premiered at Cannes Film Festival In Flames and has received massive applause for Carma, Manto & Indus Echoes. His work in television has been noteworthy for Jurm & Shakk. He is a visiting faculty at NAPA.

Taha Khan

Taha Khans directorial ventures exhibits a unique flair, where he indigenously melds classical plays with modern day narratives. His noteworthy adaptations include Henrik Ibsen’s “A Doll’s House” , William Shakespeare’s “Romeo and Juliet” , and Samuel Backett’s “ Waiting for Godott” . Through these productions, Khan’s avant- garde approach has shone, merging age- old theatrical brilliance with a contemporary touch, hence revitalising classic tales for modern audience.
He also directed a public service message for UNICEF African region.

Notable Theatre Arts Alumni
Director/Actor
Meesam Naqvi
Actor
Paras Masroor
Actor/Writer
Saqib Sumeer
Anchor/Actor/Presentor
Ovais Mangalwala
Actor/Storyteller
Fawad Khan
Actor
Nazr Ul Hasan
Actor
Fajar Sheikh
Actor
Saad Sameer Fareedi
Actor
Uroosa Siddique
Actor
Bakhtawar Mazhar
Actor
Akbar Islam
Actor
Sonil Shanker
Vocal:
  • Eastern Classical Theory
  • Western Classical Theory
  • Practical & Application, Singing
  • Practical & Application, Tabla
  • Practical & Application, Piano
  • Practical & Application, Guitar
  • Pitch Interval
  • Demonstratin & Performance
  • Rythm
  • Rythm Applications
  • Rhythm Advance Applications
  • Voice Training
  • Composition & Orchestration
  • Diction & Accent
  • Stage, Sound & Recording
Faculty:
  • Hamza Ali Jafri – Head of Music Department
  • Ustad Bashir Khan – Tabla Virtuoso
  • Ustad Mehmood Ali Khan – Vocals
  • Ustad Ghulam Murtaza Niazi – Vocals
  • Asad Hafeez – Guitar
  • Philip Shahid – Piano
  • Omar Jameel – Western Theory
  • Julian Qaiser – Piano/ Ear Training
  • Waqas Gulab – Tabla / Rhythm Understanding
  • Rahat Ali – Flute
  • Gul Muhammad – Sarangi
  • Arsalan Pareyal – Academic Coordinator
  • Zafar Ali – Instrument Technician
  • Stephen Javed – Apprentice Technician