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Theater Arts

Associate in Arts Degree

The Associate of Arts in Theater Arts (Theater Arts, AA) is a comprehensive program designed to prepare students to transfer to a baccalaureate program (BFA or BA) in Acting and Technical Theater. This program embeds the current Stage Tech Certificate and Theater AA-T within the 60-unit Associate Degree and meets the requirements of the first two years for a BA or BFA in Theater. The Acting Emphasis is designed to prepare students for transfer or work as professional actors. Coursework explores theatrical, television, and improvisational styles in both theory and live stage practicum, laying a foundation for success in upper-division theater coursework. The Technical Theater Emphasis is designed to prepare students for transfer or work as professional stagehands. Coursework explores hands-on, live performance experience in stage design, lighting design, makeup, costumes, and set & prop construction, laying a foundation for success in upper-division technical theater coursework. Possible careers in theater include: Actor (theater or film), Stage Manager, Theater Manager, Drama Teacher/Professor, Private vocal coach, Special Events Planner (Stage).

Major Core Requirements (8 units)

Course NumberCourse TitleUnits
THEA021ATechnical Theater in Production: Scene Shop and Crew1 unit
THEA022ATechnical Theater in Production: Costume & Makeup1 unit
THEA040AActing One3 units
Select one:
THEA010
THEA010H

Introduction to Theater
Honors Introduction to Theater

3 units
3 units

Theater Pathways - Complete Acting or Technical Theater Pathway (22 units)

Course NumberCourse TitleUnits
Acting Major Core Requirements: 15 units
THEA011A
THEA033A
THEA035A
THEA040B
THEA040C

Major Electives List A - Acting (Production): 3 units
THEA020A
THEA020B
THEA020C
THEA020D
THEA070A
THEA070B
THEA070C
THEA070D
THEA071A
THEA071B
THEA071C
THEA071D

Major Electives List B - Acting: 4 units
DANC001
DANC002
DANC003
DANC004
DANC011
DANC012
DANC013
DANC014
DANC021
DANC022
DANC023
DANC024
DANC031
DANC032
DANC033
DANC034
MUSC032A
MUSC032B
MUSC033A
MUSC033B
THEA007A
THEA007B
THEA013
THEA020A
THEA020B
THEA020C
THEA020D
THEA023A
THEA023B
THEA026A
THEA033B
THEA044A
THEA070A
THEA070B
THEA070C
THEA070D
THEA071A
THEA071B
THEA071C
THEA071D

Script Analysis: Classical
Stage Movement
Voice Production and Articulation
Acting Two
Acting Three


Studio Theater Production Workshop: American Representational
Studio Theater Production Workshop: Modern/Contemporary
Studio Theater Production Workshop: Classical Greek & European
Studio Theater Workshop: Family and Children's Theater
Mainstage Theater Production Workshop: American Representational
Mainstage Theater Production Workshop: Modern & Contemporary
Mainstage Theater Production Workshop: Classical Greek and European
Mainstage Theater Production Workshop: Family and Children's Theater
Musical Theater Production: Operetta, Early Musical Theater and Golden Age Musicals
Musical Theater Production: Classic Musicals
Musical Theater Production: Pop/Rock Opera Musicals
Musical Theater Production: Contemporary Musicals


Ballet: Beginning Level 1
Ballet: Beginning Level 2
Ballet: Intermediate Level 3
Ballet: Advanced Level 4
Jazz Dance: Beginning Level 1
Jazz Dance: Beginning Level 2
Jazz Dance: Intermediate Level 3
Jazz Dance: Advanced Level 4
Modern Dance: Beginning Level 1
Modern Dance: Beginning Level 2
Modern Dance: Intermediate Level 3
Modern Dance: Advanced Level 4
Tap for Musical Theatre: Beginning Level 1
Tap for Musical Theatre: Beginning Level 2
Tap for Musical Theatre: Intermediate Level 3
Tap for Musical Theatre: Advanced Level 4
Beginning Voice, Level 1
Beginning Voice, Level 2
Intermediate Voice, Level 3
Intermediate Voice, Level 4
Acting for Film and Television
Acting/Directing for Film and Television
Multicultural Theater
Studio Theater Production Workshop: American Representational
Studio Theater Production Workshop: Modern/Contemporary
Studio Theater Production Workshop: Classical Greek & European
Studio Theater Workshop: Family and Children's Theater
Summer Production: Performance Practicum
Summer Production: Technical Practicum
Improvisational Theatre Workshop
Movement for Stage: Combat
Makeup for Stage & Screen
Mainstage Theater Production Workshop: American Representational
Mainstage Theater Production Workshop: Modern & Contemporary
Mainstage Theater Production Workshop: Classical Greek and European
Mainstage Theater Production Workshop: Family and Children's Theater
Musical Theater Production: Operetta, Early Musical Theater and Golden Age Musicals
Musical Theater Production: Classic Musicals
Musical Theater Production: Pop/Rock Opera Musicals
Musical Theater Production: Contemporary Musicals

3 units
3 units
3 units
3 units
3 units


3 units
3 units
3 units
3 units
3 units
3 units
3 units
3 units
3 units
3 units
3 units
3 units


1 unit
1 unit
1 unit
1 unit
1 unit
1 unit
1 unit
1 unit
1 unit
1 unit
1 unit
1 unit
1 unit
1 unit
1 unit
1 unit
1 unit
1 unit
1 unit
1 unit
3 units
3 units
3 units
3 units
3 units
3 units
3 units
2 units
2 units
3 units
3 units
3 units
3 units
3 units
3 units
3 units
3 units
3 units
3 units
3 units
Technical Theater Major Core Requirements: 15 units
THEA002A
THEA018A
THEA044A
THEA045B
THEA047A

Major Electives List A - Technical Theater: 3 units
MUSC064
MUSC065A

Major Electives List B - Technical Theater: 4 units
DANC060
MUSC064
MUSC065A
MUSC066
THEA011A
THEA020A
THEA020B
THEA020C
THEA020D
THEA023B
THEA033A
THEA033B
THEA070A
THEA070B
THEA070C
THEA070D
THEA071A
THEA071B
THEA071C
THEA071D

Introduction to Theatrical Design
Introduction to Stage Lighting
Makeup for Stage & Screen
Stagecraft
Fundamentals of Costume Design


Sound Design
Recording Arts I


Studio Dance Production
Sound Design
Recording Arts I
Digital Audio and Notation
Script Analysis: Classical
Studio Theater Production Workshop: American Representational
Studio Theater Production Workshop: Modern/Contemporary
Studio Theater Production Workshop: Classical Greek & European
Studio Theater Workshop: Family and Children's Theater
Summer Production: Technical Practicum
Stage Movement
Movement for Stage: Combat
Mainstage Theater Production Workshop: American Representational
Mainstage Theater Production Workshop: Modern & Contemporary
Mainstage Theater Production Workshop: Classical Greek and European
Mainstage Theater Production Workshop: Family and Children's Theater
Musical Theater Production: Operetta, Early Musical Theater and Golden Age Musicals
Musical Theater Production: Classic Musicals
Musical Theater Production: Pop/Rock Opera Musicals
Musical Theater Production: Contemporary Musicals

3 units
3 units
3 units
3 units
3 units


3 units
3 units


1 unit
3 units
3 units
1 unit
3 units
3 units
3 units
3 units
3 units
2 units
3 units
3 units
3 units
3 units
3 units
3 units
3 units
3 units
3 units
3 units

Total Major Units: 30 units

To be awarded an Associate Degree, a student must:

  1. Achieve a grade of “C” or better in the major requirements.
  2. Completion of WVC, CSU-Breadth, or IGETC General Education patterns. Students whose goal is to obtain a bachelor’s degree should complete the CSU-Breadth or IGETC General Education pattern.
  3. Complete additional degree applicable units to meet the minimum 60-unit Associate Degree requirements.

Upon successful completion of this program a student will be able to:

  • Demonstrate collaboration and team-building skills.
  • Demonstrate communication skills.
  • Distinguish film and theater styles and historical periods.
  • Identify production components.
  • Apply film and theater terminology and language.
  • Analyze theatrical literature.
  • Creatively solve problems.
  • Create and demonstrate informed and personal artistic choices in coursework and productions.
  • Demonstrate and employ basic skills to address the technical demands of a theatrical production.
Last Updated 6/28/24