Theatre Arts Course Descriptions
TA 300
Introduction to the Theatre
3 Units
Prerequisite: None.
General Education: AA/AS Area I; CSU Area C1; IGETC Area 3A
Course Transferable to UC/CSU
Hours: 54 hours LEC
This class surveys the literary, cultural and historical aspect of theatre arts. It is an audience oriented, non-performance theatre arts course open to all students. Students will be required to see live theatrical productions as a part of this course. Students will have to purchase tickets to the plays and find their own transportation to the productions.
TA 302
History and Theory of the Theatre I
3 Units
Prerequisite: None.
Advisory: ENGWR 101; or equivalent skills demonstrated through the assessment process.
General Education: AA/AS Area I; CSU Area C1; IGETC Area 3A
Course Transferable to UC/CSU
Hours: 54 hours LEC
This course is a survey of the history of theatre from the Greeks through the 17th Century. The history and development of theatre and drama are studied in relationship to cultural, political and social conditions of the time. Plays are read for analysis of structure, plot, character and historical relevance. This course is recommended for students planning to major in Theatre, Humanities, English or Communication.
TA 303
History and Theory of the Theatre II
3 Units
Prerequisite: None.
Advisory: ENGWR 101; or equivalent skills demonstrated through the assessment process.
General Education: AA/AS Area I; CSU Area C1; IGETC Area 3A
Course Transferable to UC/CSU
Hours: 54 hours LEC
This course is a survey of the history of theater from the 17th Century through modern times. This history and development of theater and drama are studied in relationship to cultural, political and social conditions of the time. Plays are read or viewed for analysis of structure, plot, character and historical relevance. This course is recommended for students planning to major in Theater, Humanities, English, or Communication.
TA 306
Diversity in American Drama (1960 to Present)
3 Units
Prerequisite: None.
General Education: AA/AS Area I; AA/AS Area VI; CSU Area C1; CSU Area D2; IGETC Area 3A; IGETC Area 4
Course Transferable to UC/CSU
Hours: 54 hours LEC
This multicultural course surveys the theatrical expression of Native-American, African-American, Chicana/Chicano, and Asian-American theatre from 1960 to the present, including the social, political, cultural, and economic climate in which the theatre was created.
TA 322
An American Musical: Stage and Film
3 Units
Prerequisite: None.
General Education: AA/AS Area I; CSU Area C1; IGETC Area 3A
Course Transferable to UC/CSU
Hours: 54 hours LEC
This course studies the transition of the Musical from its earliest incarnation to the latest Broadway and box office hits. This class will examine both production films (movies made of stage productions) and feature films to examine how the theatrical techniques of the Musical have been translated to the media of film.
TA 323
From Stage to Screen, Production Design and Art Direction
3 Units
Prerequisite: None.
General Education: AA/AS Area I; CSU Area C1; IGETC Area 3A
Course Transferable to UC/CSU
Hours: 54 hours LEC
This course will examine the aesthetic design of films by looking at costume, scenery and prop design. Students will evaluate how the production design of a film helps to shape all of the other elements that make up the film. In the class we will examine how production design has been utilized to show the past, present and future as well as imaginary time periods. This class will draw upon theatrical design techniques and evaluate how those techniques have been used in film production.
TA 340
Beginning Acting
3 Units
Prerequisite: None.
Course Transferable to UC/CSU
Hours: 54 hours LEC
This course introduces the student to the basic art and craft of acting. Basic exercises in voice and diction, movement, and character will be utilized.
TA 344
Improvisation and Theatre Games
2 Units
Prerequisite: None.
Course Transferable to CSU
Hours: 36 hours LEC
This class will include theatre games and improvisational exercises designed to develop trust and cooperation, mental acuity, and physical and vocal range as an actor. Improvisation technique will be developed, providing a strong foundation for more advanced work in scripted and non-scripted performance and also in modern rehearsal technique that involves extensive use of improvisation. Students may be required to attend live theatrical performances.
TA 350
Theory and Techniques of Acting I
3 Units
Prerequisite: None.
General Education: AA/AS Area I; CSU Area C1
Course Transferable to UC/CSU
Hours: 54 hours LEC
This course explores the theories and techniques used in the preparation of a role for the stage. American realistic scenes and monologues are staged and performed in the classroom. The emphasis will be placed on broadening the understanding of the acting process. This class may be taken twice for credit. Returning students will explore alternate theories of acting or further their understanding of a particular approach to acting and will develop more advanced skills in the various techniques of acting.
TA 351
Theory and Techniques of Acting II
3 Units
Prerequisite: TA 350 with a grade of "C" or better
Advisory: ENGWR 300
Course Transferable to UC/CSU
Hours: 54 hours LEC
This course follows TA 350 and continues the exploration of the theories and techniques used in the preparation of a role for the stage. A variety of scenes and monologues are staged and performed in the classroom. An emphasis will be placed on deepening the understanding of the acting process. The student actor is encouraged to explore and expand the range and flexibility of their individual acting process. Student actors are required to participate in a student "showcase" performance at the end of each semester. Returning students will explore alternate theories of acting or further their understanding of a particular approach to acting and will develop more advanced skills in the various techniques of acting. This course may be taken twice for credit.
TA 356
Acting for the Camera I
3 Units
Same As: RTVF 378
Prerequisite: RTVF 370 or TA 350 with a grade of "C" or better
General Education: CSU Area C1
Course Transferable to UC/CSU
Hours: 36 hours LEC; 54 hours LAB
This is an introductory course in the theory and techniques of acting for film and video, comparing the differences between stage acting and acting for the camera. Scenes and commercials are enacted and played back on videotape for class critiquing. Students experience single camera and multiple-camera studio production and performance techniques. This course is the same as RTVF 378, and only one may be taken for credit. See "Cross-Listed Courses" in the catalog.
TA 360
Styles of Acting
3 Units
Prerequisite: TA 350 with a grade of "C" or better; or equivalent skills demonstrated through the assessment process.
Course Transferable to UC/CSU
Hours: 54 hours LEC
Students will study and practice radically different styles of acting (historical, literary, fantastical) and characterizations; scene work is presented in a variety of historical periods (Greek, Commedia, Elizabethan, MoliÚre, Restoration, Belle Epoque), as well as modern hyper-realistic theatrical forms such as the theatres of alienation and the absurd, and exemplary recent dramas by Tony Kushner, Margaret Edson, August Wilson and Doug Wright. The instructor may concentrate on selected periods. Students may wish to challenge the prerequisite on the basis of equivalent experience.
TA 370
Theatre Movement
2 Units
Prerequisite: None
Course Transferable to UC/CSU
Hours: 18 hours LEC; 54 hours LAB
This course is an active participation and performance experience designed to give students opportunities in discovering and solving movement tasks of the actor. The course incorporates exercises to expand the individual's movement for characters and scenes, as well as training in specific movement areas such as combat, period style, and dance. This course may be taken four times for credit.
TA 395
Playwriting
3 Units
Prerequisite: None.
Advisory: ENGWR 300; or equivalent skills demonstrated through the assessment process.
Course Transferable to CSU
Hours: 54 hours LEC
This course includes the writing, reading, performance, critique and continuous revision of original work. Students will write continually throughout the semester, and their work will be read, performed, and discussed in class. Students will complete a full-length play by the end of the semester.
TA 401
Children's Literature and Creative Drama
3 Units
Prerequisite: None
General Education: AA/AS Area I; CSU Area C1
Course Transferable to CSU
Hours: 45 hours LEC; 27 hours LAB
This course examines teaching strategies and techniques for introducing children to theatre. This is not a class for children, rather a class for educators service providers for children, and recreation majors. This course will introduce the students to children's theatre. This will be accomplished both through the study of contemporary children's theatre scripts as well as hands on exercises dealing with the methodology of presenting theatre for children (including mask making, puppetry, and creative drama techniques).
TA 404
Techniques of Puppetry
3 Units
Prerequisite: None.
Course Transferable to CSU
Hours: 36 hours LEC; 54 hours LAB
This course explores puppetry as a dramatic medium. It covers the history and development of puppetry; puppet design and creation; puppet manipulation and improvisation; and puppet play production techniques and applications.
TA 407
Children's Theatre
.5-3 Units
Prerequisite: None.
General Education: AA/AS Area I
Course Transferable to CSU
Hours: 36 hours LEC; 54 hours LAB
This course will explore Children's Theatre through dramatic presentations of fiction, drama, and poetry for an audience of children or young people. It will provide the opportunity to analyze and experience the production process from script to stage. Participants will create a touring children's theatre production. No prior theatrical experience is required. For theatre, education, early childhood education and recreation majors who wish to explore theatre from a production rather than audience standpoint. This course may be taken for up to 12 units.
TA 420
Stagecraft
3 Units
Prerequisite: None.
Course Transferable to UC/CSU
Hours: 36 hours LEC; 54 hours LAB
This course covers the basic materials used in the construction of scenery and properties. Also included are construction and painting techniques; kinds of scenery and backstage organization are explored through a combination of lecture and practical experience gained by working on department productions.
TA 422
Stage Lighting
3 Units
Prerequisite: None.
Course Transferable to UC/CSU
Hours: 36 hours LEC; 54 hours LAB
An introduction to basic concepts of stage lighting, including planning, rigging and operations of lighting systems; optics, equipment, electricity, control and color; basic lighting design.
TA 424
Advanced Technical Theatre
3 Units
Prerequisite: TA 420 and 422 with grades of "C" or better
Course Transferable to CSU
Hours: 36 hours LEC; 54 hours LAB
This course will explore advanced technical theatre production techniques and design in the areas of scenery, props, lighting, sound, scenic painting, rigging or stage management, costumes through individual projects and participation in major productions. May be taken twice for credit.
TA 430
Costume Construction
3 Units
Prerequisite: None
Course Transferable to UC/CSU
Hours: 36 hours LEC; 54 hours LAB
In addition to constructing costumes for the Theatre Arts productions, students will learn techniques of pattern drafting and sewing for stage use. Basic elements of color, design, and if applicable, period styles will be explored. This course may be taken two times for credit.
TA 440
Arts Management
3 Units
Prerequisite: None
Course Transferable to CSU
Hours: 36 hours LEC; 54 hours LAB
This is a general survey class in arts management with emphasis on organization, marketing/development, and financial management. Field work will include projects with an existing arts organization.
TA 460
Rehearsal and Performance
.5-3 Units
Prerequisite: Ability to perform in current production as determined by audition, or to work backstage as determined by the requirements of the production.
General Education: CSU Area C1
Course Transferable to UC/CSU
Hours: 162 hours LAB
This course is a workshop experience for students in theatre. All students performing or working backstage in productions may enroll in this class for one-half to three units at the discretion of the instructor. The course may be repeated for a maximum of twelve units. Students may enroll in this class after the close of late registration at the discretion of the instructor.
TA 476
Fundamentals of Repertory Production
.5-6 Units
Prerequisite: None.
Course Transferable to UC/CSU
Hours: 54 hours LEC; 162 hours LAB
This repertory production workshop provides for participation in a CRC theatre department theatrical production. This course includes lectures regarding essential theatre production procedures and labs encompassing work in all areas of theatre including acting, stage management, house management, theatre publicity, box office, scenery, lighting, costume, and sound and light board operation. This course culminates in performances at the end of the session. Fulfillment of this course in lab as an actor requires being cast through the audition process. The course may be repeated for a total of 12 units.
TA 494
Topics in Theatre Arts
.5-4 Units
Prerequisite: None
Course Transferable to CSU
See UC Limitations & Counselor
Hours: 18 hours LEC; 54 hours LAB
This course is designed to give students an opportunity to study a variety of topics dealing with performance and/or production aspects of theatre not included in current course offerings. This course may be repeated for credit, providing there is no duplication of topics.
TA 495
Independent Studies in Theatre Arts
1-3 Units
Prerequisite: None.
Course Transferable to CSU
See UC Limitations & Counselor
Hours: 54 hours LEC; 54 hours LAB
An independent studies project involves an individual student or small group of students in study, research, or activities beyond the scope of regularly offered courses. See the current catalog section of "Special Studies" for full details of Independent Studies.
TA 498
Work Experience in Theatre Arts
1-4 Units
Prerequisite: None.
Course Transferable to CSU
Hours: 300 hours LAB
This course provides students with opportunities to develop marketable skills in preparation for employment or advancement within their current job. Course content will include understanding the application of education to the workforce; completion of required forms, which document the student's progress and hours spent at the work site; and developing workplace skills and competencies. During the course of the semester, the student is required to fulfill an 18 hour orientation and 75 hours of related paid work experience, or 60 hours of unpaid work experience for one unit. An additional 75 or 60 hours of related work experience is required for each additional unit. The course may be taken again when there is new or expanded learning on the job for a maximum of 16 units.
TA 499
Experimental Offering in Theatre Arts
.5-4 Units
Prerequisite: None
Course Transferable to CSU
See UC Limitations & Counselor
Hours: 18 hours LEC; 54 hours LAB