Theatre Arts AA-T Degree
Theatre Arts is the study of the creative, historical, technical, and cultural aspects of performance. Career paths chosen by students pursuing undergraduate studies in Theatre Arts commonly include performance, education, design, and communication. Careers in the discipline that generally require graduate-level degrees include dramatic criticism and education. Even students who choose not to major in Theatre Arts find that coursework in the field can improve their ability to communicate, problem solve, speak publicly, build self-confidence, and work successfully both collaboratively and independently. College of the Desert’s Theatre Arts curriculum includes course offerings that provide a general overview and history of the discipline, training in acting, makeup, design, technical production, and script analysis.
The Associate in Arts in Theatre Arts for Transfer, also called the Theatre Arts AA-T Degree, consists of courses and training allowing students to pursue entry-level positions as performers and technicians or to continue their study in the discipline toward a B.A. or graduate degree. College of the Desert offers transfer agreements with California State Universities, the University of California systems and independent colleges and universities. The Theatre Arts AA-T requires students to complete 60 CSU transferable units including completion of Cal-GETC and 18 units in the major with a cumulative GPA of 2.0 or better. Title 5 requires that students must earn a “C” (or "P) or better in all courses required for the major or area of emphasis. There are no additional graduation requirements. Students should consult with a counselor when planning to complete the degree for more information on university admission and transfer requirements.
Learning Outcomes
Upon satisfactory completion of this program students will be able to:
- Demonstrate artistic and technical growth and personal enrichment through theatrical performance.
- Analyze major artists, media, genres, and periods of theater history from ancient Greece to the present.
- Demonstrate vocational skills necessary for a career in the theater.
- Be prepared to transfer to a university or four-year college with a major in theatre arts or a related field.
Program Requirements
| Course Code | Title | Units |
|---|---|---|
| Required Core Courses | Units | |
| TA 001 | Introduction to Theatre | 3 |
| TA 002 | Acting I | 3 |
| Select maximum of 3 units from either Rehearsal and Performance or Technical Theatre Practicum: | 3 | |
| Rehearsal and Performance (maximum 3 units)- Repeatable 3 times | ||
| TA 020 | Play Production - Acting | 1 |
| TA 021 | Play Production - Acting | 2 |
| TA 022 | Play Production - Acting | 3 |
| TA 094 | Musical Theatre Performance | 1 |
| TA 095 | Musical Theatre Performance | 2 |
| TA 096 | Musical Theatre Performance | 3 |
| MUS 084 | Musical Theatre Performance | 1 |
| MUS 085 | Musical Theatre Performance | 2 |
| MUS 086 | Musical Theatre Performance | 3 |
| TA 030 | Technical Theatre Production | 1 |
| TA 031 | Technical Theatre Production | 2 |
| TA 032 | Technical Theatre Production | 3 |
| List A | ||
| Select 3 courses from the following or any course not used in required courses: (9 units) | ||
| TA 003 | Acting II | 3 |
| TA 004 | Script Analysis | 3 |
| TA 009 | Stagecraft | 3 |
| TA 010 | Introduction to Design & Production | 3 |
| TA 012 | Introduction to Costume Design | 3 |
| TA 013 | Introduction to Lighting Design | 3 |
| TA 080 | Theatre Makeup | 3 |
| Required Subtotal | 18 | |
| Cal-GETC 1 | 34 | |
| Transferable Electives (as needed to reach 60 transferable units) 2 | ||
| DEGREE TOTAL | 60 | |
- 1
Units for the major may be double counted for Cal-GETC, confer with a Counselor.
- 2
Elective units to reach 60 unit total must be CSU transferable, confer with a Counselor.
