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 | ||
| Core 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 | |
| AA General Education Option 1, 2, or 3 | Varies | |
| Transferable electives as needed to satisfy unit requirement | Varies | |
| Total Units | 60 | |
- 1
Courses taken as part of the core cannot be used to satisfy the unit requirement for this section.
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.
Select one of the following tracks:
Performance Track
| Year 1 | ||
|---|---|---|
| Semester 1 | Units | |
| THEA A100 or THEA A101 | Introduction to Theatre or Introduction to History and Literature of the Theatre | 3 |
| THEA A106 or THEA A129 | Acting Fundamentals or Technical Theatre Practicum | 3 |
| OCC AA GE AREA A1- CHOOSE ONE | 3 | |
| OCC AA GE AREA E1- CHOOSE ONE 1 | 0.5-4 | |
| Select one of the following or satisfy Math competency (completion of High School Algebra 2 with a "C" or better) | 3-4 | |
| Intermediate Algebra 2 or Combined Elementary and Intermediate Algebra | ||
| Units | 12.5-17 | |
| Semester 2 | ||
| THEA A107 | Acting 2 | 3 |
| THEA A120 | Drama Rehearsal and Performance - Beginning or Comedy Rehearsal and Performance - Beginning or Musical Theatre Rehearsal and Performance - Beginning or Elizabethan Play Workshop and Production or OCC Theatre Repertory 1 | 3 |
| OCC AA GE AREA A2- CHOOSE ONE 3 | 3-4 | |
| OCC AA GE AREA B- CHOOSE ONE | 4-6 | |
| ELECTIVE (DEGREE APPLICABLE) | 3 | |
| Units | 16-19 | |
| Year 2 | ||
| Semester 1 | ||
| THEA A206 | Acting 3 | 3 |
| HIST A170 | History of the United States to 1876 or History of the United States to 1876 Honors or History of the United States Since 1876 or History of the United States Since 1876 Honors | 3 |
| OCC AA GE AREA D2- CHOOSE ONE | 3 | |
| ELECTIVE (DEGREE APPLICABLE) | 3 | |
| OCC AA GE AREA E2- CHOOSE ONE 1 | 1 | |
| Units | 13 | |
| Semester 2 | ||
| THEA A207 | Acting 4 | 3 |
| PSCI A180 or PSCI A180H | American Government or American Government Honors | 3 |
| OCC AA GE AREA D3- CHOOSE ONE | 3 | |
| ELECTIVE (DEGREE APPLICABLE) 4 | 6.5 | |
| AA Global/Multicultural Requirement- CHOOSE ONE 5 | 3 | |
| Units | 18.5 | |
| Total Units | 60-67.5 | |
- 1
OCC AA GE AREA E requires a minimum of 3 units to include one course from E1 and one course from E2
- 2
Math A030 or higher OR take 3-4 degree applicable elective units if math competency was met through completion of High School Algebra 2 with a "C" or better; *100-level Math courses satisfy AA Math Requirement and OCC AA GE AREA A2
- 3
OCC AA GE AREA A2 - Required if 100-level MATH will not be taken to meet Math competency. If MATH A100 or higher will be taken, then needs to take 3-4 degree applicable elective units
- 4
VARIES TO REACH MINIMUM 60 DEGREE APPLICABLE UNITS
- 5
OCC AA Global/ Multicultural required if not already taken in other GE areas, refer to AA Graduation Requirement webpage
Technical Track
| Year 1 | ||
|---|---|---|
| Semester 1 | Units | |
| THEA A100 or THEA A101 | Introduction to Theatre or Introduction to History and Literature of the Theatre | 3 |
| THEA A110 or THEA A129 | Theatre Laboratory Level 1 or Technical Theatre Practicum | 2-3 |
| OCC AA GE AREA A1- CHOOSE ONE | 3 | |
| OCC AA GE AREA E1- CHOOSE ONE 1 | 0.5-4 | |
| Select one of the following or satisfy Math competency (completion of High School Algebra 2 with a "C" or better) 2 | 3-4 | |
| Intermediate Algebra or Combined Elementary and Intermediate Algebra | ||
| Units | 11.5-17 | |
| Semester 2 | ||
| CHOOSE ONE OF THE FOLLOWING: | 3 | |
| Stage Scenery or Stage Lighting or Make-Up or Stage Costuming | ||
| OCC AA GE AREA A2- CHOOSE ONE 3 | 3-4 | |
| OCC AA GE AREA B- CHOOSE ONE | 4-6 | |
| OCC AA GE AREA C2- CHOOSE ONE | 3 | |
| OCC AA GE AREA E2- CHOOSE ONE 4 | 1 | |
| Units | 14-17 | |
| Summer | ||
| ELECTIVE (DEGREE APPLICABLE) | 3 | |
| AA Global/Multicultural Requirement- CHOOSE ONE 4 | 3 | |
| Units | 6 | |
| Year 2 | ||
| Semester 1 | ||
| HIST A170 | History of the United States to 1876 or History of the United States to 1876 Honors or History of the United States Since 1876 or History of the United States Since 1876 Honors | 3 |
| OCC AA GE AREA D2- CHOOSE ONE | 3 | |
| ELECTIVE (DEGREE APPLICABLE) | 3 | |
| CHOOSE TWO (2) OF THE FOLLOWING: | 5-6 | |
| Theatre Laboratory Level 2 or OCC Theatre Repertory 1 or Stage Scenery or Stage Lighting or Make-Up or Stage Costuming or Drama Rehearsal and Performance - Beginning or Comedy Rehearsal and Performance - Beginning or Musical Theatre Rehearsal and Performance - Beginning or Elizabethan Play Workshop and Production | ||
| Units | 14-15 | |
| Semester 2 | ||
| PSCI A180 or PSCI A180H | American Government or American Government Honors | 3 |
| OCC AA GE AREA D3- CHOOSE ONE | 3 | |
| ELECTIVE (DEGREE APPLICABLE) 5 | 6.5 | |
| CHOOSE ONE OF THE FOLLOWING: 6 | 2-3 | |
| Theatre Laboratory Level 3 or OCC Theatre Repertory 1 or OCC Theatre Repertory 2 or Drama Rehearsal and Performance - Beginning or Comedy Rehearsal and Performance - Beginning or Musical Theatre Rehearsal and Performance - Beginning or Elizabethan Play Workshop and Production | ||
| Units | 14.5-15.5 | |
| Total Units | 60-70.5 | |
- 1
OCC AA GE AREA E requires a minimum of 3 units to include one course from E1 and one course from E2
- 2
Math A030 or higher OR take 3-4 degree applicable elective units if math competency was met through completion of High School Algebra 2 with a "C" or better; *100-level Math courses satisfy AA Math Requirement and OCC AA GE AREA A2
- 3
OCC AA GE AREA A2 - Required if 100-level MATH will not be taken to meet Math competency. If MATH A100 or higher will be taken, then needs to take 3-4 degree applicable elective units
- 4
OCC AA Global/ Multicultural required if not already taken in other GE areas, refer to AA Graduation Requirement webpage
- 5
VARIES TO REACH MINIMUM 60 DEGREE APPLICABLE UNITS
- 6
Must complete one of the following for the degree: THEA A120, A123, A126 or A172