Technical Theater

Associate of Arts in Theater Arts; Emphasis Technical Theater

The Technical Theater program provides students a comprehensive foundation in the various areas of technical theater including; scenic construction; welding; sound, lighting and rigging set up; stage management; moving lights; set design and lighting design. The certificate includes the potential immediate opportunity for employment upon completion with The Performing Arts Center at Chabot College. Students completing the program will be well prepared for entry-level positions as well as transfer to higher level education in multiple Technical Theater disciplines. 

There are roughly 80 majors in Theater Arts at Chabot at any given time. Of those students, roughly 10% have a stated interest in Technical Theater over performance. Currently all students get the same AA and AAT. With new courses, specifically aligned for needs of workforce and next level education, we anticipate 3 to 5 students completing either Certificate or AA in the first three years, with numbers increasing as awareness of the program grows. 

The purpose of the Technical Theater Associate in Arts is to prepare students to enter the workforce as an entry level Theater technician, or transfer to a Bachelor of Arts program in Technical Theater. The coursework will prepare students to enter the workforce prepared to do entry level work using skills obtained from the foundational courses in this program. These same foundational courses will also prepare students interested in furthering their education to transfer to a Bachelor of Arts in Technical Theater program with many foundational courses already completed.

The purpose of the Technical Theater Certificate of Achievement is to prepare students to enter the workforce as an entry level Technical Theater professional. The coursework will prepare students to enter the workforce prepared to do entry level work using skills obtained from the foundational courses in this program. 

The Technical Theater AA & Certificate of Achievement are designed to meet the professional standards for acquiring common body of knowledge and skills for professional practice in Technical Theater.  With the Graphic Design AA & Certificate of Achievement students are ready to work as professionals, and have mastered a broad range of conceptual, formal, and technological skills. Whatever educational or career paths students take, certain fundamental competencies have been acquired. This fits into Chabot College’s mission by preparing students to contribute to the intellectual, cultural, and economic vitality of the region.

AA in Theater Arts; Emphasis Technical Theater

Stagecraft

Course	Title	Units	Year 1
THTR 1	Intro to Acting	3	Y1/S1
THTR 10	Intro to Theater	3	Y1/S1
THTR 17	Text Analysis	3	Y1/S1
THTR 18	Bay Area Theater	1	Y1/S1
THTR 45	3	Y1/S1

Course	Title	Units	Year 1
THTR 41	Intro to Stage Management	1	Y1/S2
THTR 21	Intro to Design; Sets	3	Y1/S2
THTR 48A	College Theater; Technical	3	Y1/S2

Course	Title	Units	Year 2
THTR 22	Intro to Design; Costume and Makeup	3	Y2/S1
THTR 23	Intro to Design; Lights	3	Y2/S1
THTR 42	Moving Lights	1	Y2/S1

Course	Title	Units	Year 2
THTR 43	Stage Hand Basics	1	Y2/S2
ART 2A	Intro to Drawing	3	Y2/S2
WELD 63	Intro to Welding	2	Y2/S2

COA IN TECHNICAL THEATER

Course	Title	Units	Semester
THTR 21	Intro to Design; Sets	3	S1
THTR 41	Intro to Stage Management	1	S1
THTR 45	Stagecraft	3	S1
ART 2A	Intro to Drawing	3	S1
WELD 63	Welding Layout and Fitting	2	S1

Course	Title	Units	Semester
THTR 23	Intro to Design; Lights	3	S2
THTR 42	Moving Lights	1	S2
THTR 43	Stage Hand Basics	1	S2
THTR 48A	College Theater; Technical	3	S2

This program will give students the necessary skills for entering the job market, as well as requisites for moving on to higher levels of education in the field.

There are only a few schools in the area whose Theater Arts programs include degrees and/or certificates in Technical Theater. They are; Diablo Valley College, Ohlone College, Foothill College and Las Positas College. I have contacted Titian Lish from Las Postias College and Michael Navarro from Ohlone College. Both are in agreement that we are putting forward a strong program and that it will be a valuable asset to our community.