Theatre Arts, Associate in Arts Degree
Banner Code: 1_AA_THEA
Control Number: 03991
Financial Aid Eligible
The Theatre Department provides the student opportunities to study the art and craft of theater. Students who enroll in the Associate in Arts in Theater Arts degree program prepare for transfer education and/or careers related to theatrical performance, design/technology, and management. Theater Arts majors are introduced to core courses in theatrical literature and production, as well as courses in design and technology, acting, directing, and management through coursework and performance/production opportunities.
The Theatre Arts AA degree major is a performance-oriented major emphasizing a “hands-on” approach and places special focus on the “well-rounded” theatre artist. After completing the required core Theatre courses, students can focus their studies on performance, on a specific aspect of technical theatre, on management, or on a general study of theatre. Critical thinking and practical problem-solving skills will be acquired through production assignments in faculty-directed productions and productions in "The Rep" our student-produced theatre company/course.
Students who complete the program can successfully transfer to a competitive four-year university or conservatory to further pursue their chosen career in performance, entertainment technology or design, production, management, directing, or other allied entertainment fields.
Complete 18 units from the following and the Associate in Arts graduation requirements as outlined in the Graduation Requirements section of the catalog. If the student chooses this degree option, a plan must be developed with a counselor and placed on file prior to petitioning for graduation..
Program Outcomes
- Understand and demonstrate the fundamental performance and technical production processes for the theatre arts.
- Demonstrate knowledge of the historical and cultural dimensions of theatre, including the works of leading playwrights, actors, directors and designers, past and present.
- Develop a clear understanding of the interaction between script, actor, and audience and the areas of scenery, lighting, sound and costume.
Review Graduation Requirements and General Education.
| Course | Title | Units |
|---|---|---|
| Required Courses | ||
| THEA A100 | Introduction to Theatre | 3 |
| or THEA A101 | Introduction to History and Literature of the Theatre | |
| THEA A106 | Acting Fundamentals | 3 |
| or THEA A129 | Technical Theatre Practicum | |
| Select one of the following: | 3 | |
| Drama Rehearsal and Performance - Beginning | ||
| Musical Theatre Rehearsal and Performance - Beginning | ||
| Comedy Rehearsal and Performance - Beginning | ||
| Elizabethan Play Workshop and Production | ||
| OCC Theatre Repertory 1 | ||
| Restricted Electives - Select a minimum of nine units of the following: | 9-10 | |
| Acting Fundamentals 1 | ||
| Acting 2 | ||
| Theatre Laboratory Level 1 | ||
| Theatre Laboratory Level 2 | ||
| Theatre Laboratory Level 3 | ||
| Theatre Laboratory Level 4 | ||
| Acting for Camera and Stage | ||
| Drama Rehearsal and Performance - Beginning 1 | ||
| Comedy Rehearsal and Performance - Beginning 1 | ||
| Musical Theatre Rehearsal and Performance - Beginning 1 | ||
| Technical Theatre Practicum 1 | ||
| OCC Theatre Repertory 1 | ||
| OCC Theatre Repertory 2 | ||
| OCC Theatre Repertory 3 | ||
| OCC Theatre Repertory 4 | ||
| Stage Scenery | ||
| Stage Lighting | ||
| Make-Up | ||
| Stage Costuming | ||
| Advanced Make-Up | ||
| Body Movement for the Actor | ||
| Stage Combat | ||
| Voice and Articulation | ||
| Acting 3 | ||
| Acting 4 | ||
| Rehearsal and Performance 1 | ||
| Directing | ||
| Advanced Directing | ||
| Program Major Units | 18-19 | |
| OCC AA GE Breadth: 24 Units 2,3,4 | 21 | |
| Degree-applicable electives to satisfy unit requirement | 21.0 - 20.0 | |
| Total Units | 60 | |
- 1
Courses taken as part of the core cannot be used to satisfy the unit requirement for this section.
- 2
Major units or restricted electives (3 Units) may be double-counted towards area 3A or 3B.
- 3
Cal-GETC pattern (up to 34 units) may be substituted.
- 4
Multicultural Requirement may be met with a General Education or Major course.
These sequences at Orange Coast College are general course curriculum maps for students to finish all major and general education requirements for two-year completion of degrees, and/or fulfillment of transfer requirements. The course sequence may include course prerequisites and other placement requirements. Students are advised to meet with an Orange Coast College Counselor to review course selections and sequences to ensure that completion of this program will meet a student's transfer and career goals.
| Year 1 | ||
|---|---|---|
| Semester 1 | Units | |
| THEA A100 or THEA A101 |
Introduction to Theatre or Introduction to History and Literature of the Theatre |
3 |
| OCC AA GE AREA 1A- CHOOSE ONE | 3 | |
| OCC AA GE AREA 7E THEORY- CHOOSE ONE 1 | 2-4 | |
| AA Global/Multicultural Requirement - CHOOSE ONE 2 | 3 | |
| ELECTIVE (DEGREE APPLICABLE) 3 | 1 | |
| Units | 12-14 | |
| Semester 2 | ||
| THEA A106 or THEA A129 |
Acting Fundamentals or Technical Theatre Practicum |
3 |
| OCC AA GE AREA 1B- CHOOSE ONE 3 | 3-4 | |
| OCC AA GE AREA 2- CHOOSE ONE | 3-5 | |
| OCC AA GE AREA 7E ACTIVITY- CHOOSE ONE 1 | 1-4 | |
| ELECTIVE (DEGREE APPLICABLE) 3 | 5 | |
| Units | 15-21 | |
| Summer | ||
| ELECTIVE (DEGREE APPLICABLE) 3 | 6 | |
| Units | 6 | |
| Year 2 | ||
| Semester 1 | ||
| OCC AA GE AREA 4- CHOOSE ONE | 3 | |
| AA RESTRICTED ELECTIVE - CHOOSE ONE (See Requirements) 4 | 3 | |
| ELECTIVE (DEGREE APPLICABLE) 3 | 6 | |
| Units | 12 | |
| Semester 2 | ||
| AA RESTRICTED ELECTIVE - CHOOSE TWO (See Requirements) 4 | 6 | |
| OCC AA GE AREA 5 - CHOOSE ONE | 3 | |
| OCC AA GE AREA 6 - CHOOSE ONE | 3 | |
| ELECTIVE (DEGREE APPLICABLE) 3 | 3 | |
| Units | 15 | |
| Total Units | 60-68 | |
- 1
OCC AA GE AREA 7E requires a minimum of 3 units to include one course from 7E- Theory/non-activty and one course from 7E- Activity
- 2
OCC AA Global/ Multicultural required if not already taken in other GE areas, refer to AA Graduation Requirement webpage
- 3
VARIES TO REACH MINIMUM 60 DEGREE APPLICABLE UNITS
- 4
Major Restricted Electives - at least a total of nine (9) units are required.
Students have the option to highlight either performance or technical theatre based on course selections in core courses and electives:
Performance Track selections:
THEA A107 Acting 2
THEA A115 Acting for Camera and Stage
THEA A120 Drama Rehearsal and Performance - Beginning
THEA A131 OCC Theatre Repertory 1
THEA A172 Elizabethan Play Workshop and Production
Technical Track selections:
THEA A110 Theatre Laboratory Level 1
THEA A111 Theatre Laboratory Level 2
THEA A112 Theatre Laboratory Level 3
THEA A120 Drama Rehearsal and Performance - Beginning
THEA A123 Comedy Rehearsal and Performance - Beginning
THEA A126 Musical Theatre Rehearsal and Performance - Beginning
THEA A129 Technical Theatre Practicum
THEA A131 OCC Theatre Repertory 1
THEA A132 OCC Theatre Repertory 2
THEA A172 Elizabethan Play Workshop and Production
THEA A175 Stage Scenery
THEA A176 Stage Lighting
THEA A177 Make-Up
THEA A178 Stage Costuming