Theatre Arts

Program Overview

Theatre arts is the study of acting, technical theatre, and dramatic literature. Drama is an ancient art form used by civilizations to teach, inform, entertain, and bring the community together in a positive environment. The word drama implies a composition in verse, or prose intended to portray life, or a character, or a story through action and dialogue that is designed for theatrical performance. This department explores the history, theories, dramatic modes, techniques, practices, and technical aspects of production.

Program Awards

Our Theatre arts programs are included in the Arts, Communication, Design, and Media field of study and offer these awards:

Award	Location	Estimated Completion	Program Map
Associate Degree for Transfer (ADT)	Chula Vista	# Semesters
Associate in Arts Degree: Transfer Preparation	Chula Vista	# Semesters
Certificate of Achievement	Chula Vista	# Semesters

Common Careers

Below is a sample of the career options available for the theatre arts major. A few require an associate degree, most require a bachelor’s degree, and some require a graduate-level degree: actor, director, producer, public relations specialist, advertising personality, theatre technician, stage designer, choreographer, makeup artist, costume designer, high school or college instructor, theatre manager, set designer, scriptwriter, lighting specialist, construction crew member, and community theatre administrator.

The average annual salary in this field is $69,080 for occupations like Set and Exhibit Designers.

Typical Duties

• Thinking Creatively
  Developing, designing, or creating new applications, ideas, relationships, systems, or products, including artistic contributions.
• Getting Information
  Observing, receiving, and otherwise obtaining information from all relevant sources.
• Drafting, Laying Out, and Specifying Technical Devices, Parts, and Equipment
  Providing documentation, detailed instructions, drawings, or specifications to tell others about how devices, parts, equipment, or structures are to be fabricated, constructed, assembled, modified, maintained, or used.
• Communicating with Supervisors, Peers, or Subordinates
  Providing information to supervisors, co-workers, and subordinates by telephone, in written form, e-mail, or in person.
• Establishing and Maintaining Interpersonal Relationships
  Developing constructive and cooperative working relationships with others, and maintaining them over time.
• Making Decisions and Solving Problems
  Analyzing information and evaluating results to choose the best solution and solve problems.
• Organizing, Planning, and Prioritizing Work
  Developing specific goals and plans to prioritize, organize, and accomplish your work.
• Working with Computers
  Using computers and computer systems (including hardware and software) to program, write software, set up functions, enter data, or process information.
• Updating and Using Relevant Knowledge
  Keeping up-to-date technically and applying new knowledge to your job.
• Scheduling Work and Activities
  Scheduling events, programs, and activities, as well as the work of others.
• Coordinating the Work and Activities of Others
  Getting members of a group to work together to accomplish tasks.
• Identifying Objects, Actions, and Events
  Identifying information by categorizing, estimating, recognizing differences or similarities, and detecting changes in circumstances or events.
• Developing and Building Teams
  Encouraging and building mutual trust, respect, and cooperation among team members.
• Developing Objectives and Strategies
  Establishing long-range objectives and specifying the strategies and actions to achieve them.
• Guiding, Directing, and Motivating Subordinates
  Providing guidance and direction to subordinates, including setting performance standards and monitoring performance.
• Monitoring Processes, Materials, or Surroundings
  Monitoring and reviewing information from materials, events, or the environment, to detect or assess problems.
• Communicating with People Outside the Organization
  Communicating with people outside the organization, representing the organization to customers, the public, government, and other external sources. This information can be exchanged in person, in writing, or by telephone or e-mail.
• Interpreting the Meaning of Information for Others
  Translating or explaining what information means and how it can be used.