Program Overview
The Foothill College Theatre Technology program equips students with a comprehensive foundation in technical theatre disciplines, preparing them for entry-level positions in professional and community theatre. Through a combination of classroom instruction, laboratory classes, and evening production experiences, students develop skills in scenic design, lighting design, costume design, sound design, and stage management. The program also provides a pathway for transfer to four-year institutions.
Program Outline
Degree Overview:
The Foothill College Theatre Technology program prepares theatre students for entry-level positions in professional and community theatre and for transfer to a four-year institution. A comprehensive two-year program, Theatre Technology offers the student an opportunity to explore the fundamentals of a variety of practical career opportunities. Students interested in production and stage management, theatre design, and the creations of sets, props, costumes, lights, sound, and special effects are able to participate in both daytime lecture and laboratory classes and evening production experiences.
Objectives:
- To provide students with a solid foundation in the technical aspects of theatre production.
- To develop students' skills in a variety of technical theatre disciplines, including scenic design, lighting design, costume design, sound design, and stage management.
- To prepare students for entry-level positions in the theatre industry or for transfer to a four-year institution.
Outline:
The Theatre Technology program curriculum includes the following courses:
- Fall Semester
- THTR 21A: Scenery & Property Construction (4 units)
- English (5 units)
- Natural Sciences (4 units)
- Natural Sciences Lab (1 unit)
- Winter Semester
- THTR 25: Introduction to Fashion & Costume Construction (4 units)
- Theatre Arts (4 units)
- Social & Behavioral Sciences (4-5 units)
- Spring Semester
- THTR 27: Lighting Design & Technology (4 units)
- THTR 45A: Technical Theatre in Production I (4 units)
- Communication & Analytical Thinking (5 units)
- Elective (4 units)
- Fall Semester
- Elective (4 units)
- Winter Semester
- THTR 20A: Acting I (4 units)
- Lifelong Learning (4 units)
- Elective (4 units)
- Elective (4 units)
- Spring Semester
- Music Technology (4 units)
- THTR 21B: Intermediate Scenery & Property Construction (4 units)
- THTR 31: Management for the Theatre & Stage (4 units)
- United States Cultures & Communities (4 units)
- Fall Semester
- THTR 42: Introduction to Theatre Design (4 units)
- Lifelong Learning (1 unit)
- Elective (4 units)
- Elective (6 units)
Assessment:
Students in the Theatre Technology program are assessed through a variety of methods, including:
- Written assignments
- Oral presentations
- Projects
- Portfolios
- Exams
Teaching:
The Theatre Technology program is taught by a team of experienced faculty members who are dedicated to providing students with a high-quality education. The program uses a variety of teaching methods, including:
- Lectures
- Demonstrations
- Hands-on activities
- Group projects
- Field trips
Careers:
Graduates of the Theatre Technology program are prepared for a variety of careers in the theatre industry, including:
- Scenic designer
- Lighting designer
- Costume designer
- Sound designer
- Stage manager
- Technical director
- Production manager
