Associate in Arts for Transfer | SC Program: AA-T.1004

Theater majors build confidence and public speaking skills, learn how to work together as a team, hone study skills, and develop critical thinking abilities. These are degree benefits that can help you in all areas of your life.

The Theatre Arts program is academically grounded in the liberal arts tradition of literature, performance, cultural studies, history, philosophy, and technical skills. It also provides a hands-on, learn-by-doing environment that gives students experiences and skills to complement many career paths. Employers find theatre trained applicants become valuable employees because they have developed excellent communication and problem-solving skills, confidence, and the ability to work cooperatively with a diverse team of people.

Choose your path

Map your education by viewing the program map for the degree or certificate you’re interested in earning below. Meet with a counselor to create your official comprehensive education plan.

A program map shows all the required and recommended courses you need to graduate and a suggested order in which you should take them. The suggested sequence of courses is based on enrollment and includes all major and general education courses required for the degree.

Fall Semester, First Year

15 Units Total
THTR 12
M 3
Acting I
THTR 12
Units 3
This course prepares a student to apply basic acting theory to performance and develops the skills of interpretation of drama through acting. Special attention is paid to skills for performance: memorization, stage movement, vocal production, and interpretation of text. This course may be offered in a distance education format.
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THTR 1
M 3
Introduction to Theatre Arts
THTR 1
Units 3
This course is a survey of Theatre Arts, theatre history, playwrights, practitioners, genres, production methods, dramatic structure, performance style, plays, terminology, history, criticism, and stagecraft. Students will develop an appreciation for the theatre arts through lectures, play reading, viewing, critiquing, and participating in college productions. This course fulfills the Arts requirement for General Ed Transfer. This course may be offered in a distance education format.
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THTR 23
M 1
Mainstage Production I
THTR 23
Units 1
In this fundamental course students rehearse, prepare and perform a mainstage play. Play selections vary each time this course is taught. Production activities may include acting, stage management, stage operations, costuming, stagecraft and front of house operations. This course is required for theatre majors, non-majors are welcome. Students may enroll more than once for this course until reaching them aximum number of four total units.
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THTR 41
M 1
Theatre Laboratory
THTR 41
Units 1
A laboratory course in which the student will receive supervised practical experience and technical training in theatrical productions. Students may work progressively in one or more of the following areas: scenery construction, fabrication and rigging; console operations; stage management; lighting; sound; costumes; wardrobe; properties; make-up; publicity; house management; concessions; and running crews. Upon approval of the instructor, students may direct and participate in the preparation, rehearsal, and performance of student directed productions. Play selections vary each time this course is taught. Students may enroll more than once for this course until reaching the maximum number of 4 total units.
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ENGL 1A
4
College Composition
ENGL 1A
Units 4
This course develops the reading, critical thinking, and writing skills necessary for academic success, emphasizing expository and argumentative writing as well as research and documentation skills. As a transferable course, it presupposes that students already have a substantial grasp of grammar, syntax, and organization, and that their writing is reasonably free from errors. A research paper is required for successful completion of the course. This course may be offered in a distance education format.
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CMST 60
3
Public Speaking
CMST 60
Units 3
Advisory: ENGL 190 with a grade of C or higher, or English Placement Level 6 or higher.

This course is an introduction to the process of human communication with emphasis on public speaking. The subjects covered are speech topic selection, audience analysis, information competency (e.g. researching, evaluating and using supporting materials), presentation outlining, principles of effective speech delivery, critical evaluation of speeches, and presentation of informative and persuasive speeches. Most students will have the opportunity to be recorded and to use presentational technology. College level writing skills will be expected on all papers, outlines and short essays. This course may be offered in a distance education format.
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Spring Semester, First Year

14 Units Total
THTR 13
M 3
Acting II
THTR 13
Units 3
This course follows Acting I and continues the exploration of theories and techniques used in preparation for the interpretation of drama through acting. The emphasis will be placed on deepening the understanding of the acting process through character analysis, monologues, and scenes. This course may be offered in a distance education format.
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THTR 50
M 1
Rehearsal and Performance
THTR 50
Units 1
A rehearsal and performance course designed to provide experience in creating public performances, including but not limited to improvisation, dance, music, musical reviews and concerts. Entertainment selections vary each time this course is taught. Students may enroll more than once for this course until reaching the maximum number of 3 total units.
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ENGL 1B
3
Literature & Composition
ENGL 1B
Units 3
Course emphasizes the development of critical thinking and writing skills through close study of the major genres of literature: poetry, drama, short story and novel. Students receive further instruction and practice in analytical writing, developing arguments about literary works and the critical reception of those works. In discussion and writing, students will also examine arguments as such, learning to identify sound as well as fallacious reasoning in critical assessments of literature. This course may be offered in a distance learning format.
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HUM 4
3
Humanities Through the Film
HUM 4
Units 3
An examination of the motion picture as an art form. This course offers a concise introduction to the history of film against the broader changes in popular culture since the late nineteenth century. Students will see how elements of film can provide valuable insights into how movies communicate and convey meaning to their audiences using a unique network of techniques. Students will see how film, film genres, and developments within the film industry offer a first-hand look at how specific films illuminate important aspects of philosophical, historical, aesthetics and social life and analyze how film connects with the larger world. This course may be offered in a distance education format.
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MATH 14
4
Introduction to Statistics
MATH 14
Units 4
Advisory: ENGL 190 with a grade of C or higher, or English Placement Level 6 or higher.

An introductory course in statistics designed to show the role of modern statistical methods in the process of decision making. Concepts are introduced by example rather than by rigorous mathematical theory. The following topics will be covered: measures of central tendency and dispersion, regression and correlation, probability, sampling distributions including the normal, t, and chi-square, statistical inference using confidence intervals and hypotheses testing. This course may be offered in a distance education format.
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Fall Semester, Second Year

17 Units Total
THTR 34
M 2
Makeup
THTR 34
Units 2
This course is designed to introduce the student to the principles and practical application of stage makeup. Emphasis will be given to facial structure, character analysis, makeup selection, application, facial modeling, three-dimensional techniques, false hair, character and corrective makeup. The student will demonstrate his/her understanding through actual application in the classroom and as a member of a makeup crew for a specific play production, special exercise, or project. This course may be offered in a distance education format.
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THTR 81
M 3
Script Analysis & Playwriting
THTR 81
Units 3
An in-depth examination of the elements of the dramatic script. The course consists of four main areas of investigation: critiquing the script; playwrights; plotting and theatre conventions; creating and analyzing motivated characters. This course will guide the student toward creating scripts and analyzing their problems and help them distinguish drama from the performed theatre - i.e., scenarios for action. This course may be offered in a distance education format.
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PSYC 1A
3
General Psychology
PSYC 1A
Units 3
Advisory: ENGL 190 with a grade of C or higher or English Placement Level 6 or higher.

This course provides an introduction to psychology as a science and as an applied field. The course provides an integration of physiological, cognitive, social-behavioral, psychodynamic, humanistic, cultural, and evolutionary perspectives. Topics include research methods, the nervous system, perception, learning, thinking, memory, human development, social behavior, emotions, motivation, personality, abnormal behavior, and psychotherapy. This course may be offered in a distance education format.
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ASTR 2
3
Stellar Astronomy
ASTR 2
Units 3
This course is a survey course designed to introduce the science of astronomy concentrating on celestial bodies and phenomena beyond the solar system. This course covers aspects of the history of astronomy, light, telescopes, prominent scientists, the sun, stars, stellar evolution, galaxies, cosmology, gravity wave astronomy, and the possibility of other life forms in the Universe. This course may be offered in a distance education format.
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HIST 17A
3
United States History - 17A
HIST 17A
Units 3
Advisory: ENGL 190 with a grade of C or higher, or English Placement Level 6 or higher.

This course is a survey of the history of the United States from Pre-Columbian Peoples to the end of Reconstruction. Topics include contact and settlement of America, the movement toward independence, the formation of a new nation and Constitution, westward expansion and manifest destiny, the causes and consequences of the Civil War, and Reconstruction. This course satisfies the CSU requirement for US History (US-1). This course may be offered in a distance education format.
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COURSE #1-99
3
Transfer Elective Course
COURSE #1-99
Units 3
Choose any course #1-99. 

Please view Course Catalogs & Class Schedules for more information. You can also Search Courses & Sections in the guest Course Catalog.
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Spring Semester, Second Year

14 Units Total
THTR 38
M 1
Makeup Lab
THTR 38
Units 1
This lab course is designed to develop the student's skills introduced in Theatre 34, Makeup. Emphasis will be given to corrective character analysis, makeup selection and application techniques. The student will demonstrate his/her understanding through actual applica¬tion in the classroom and as a member of a makeup crew for a specific play production, special exercise, or project.
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HIST 2
3
World Civilization to 1500 CE
HIST 2
Units 3
Advisory: ENGL 196 with a grade of C or higher, or English Placement Level 6 or higher

This course is a comparative survey of the major ancient world civilizations which developed between 3500 B.C.E. and 1500 C.E. It examines political institutions, religious ideologies, the rise and fall of empires, and the major cultural innovations of each of the major world civilizations. This course may be offered in a distance education format.
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ETHS 1
3
Introduction to Ethnic Studies
ETHS 1
Units 3
Advisory: ENGL 196 with a grade of C or higher

This course takes an interdisciplinary approach to the study of race and ethnicity in the United States. It examines social justice movements in relation to ethnic and racial groups in the United States to provide a basis for a better understanding of the socioeconomic, cultural, and political conditions among key social groups including, but not limited to, Native Americans, African Americans, Asian Americans, and Latina/o Americans. This course examines the systemic nature of racial/ethnic oppression through an examination of key concepts including racialization and ethnocentrism, with a specific focus on the persistence of white supremacy. Using an anti-racist framework, the course will examine historical and contemporary social movements dedicated to the decolonization of social institutions, resistance, and social justice. This course may be offered in a distance education format.
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BIOL 10
Lab 4
General Biology
BIOL 10
Units 4
Note: BIOL 10 will meet the general education requirement for a laboratory science if taken with BIOL 10L.

An introduction to the major concepts of modern biology. Topics covered include biochemistry, cell biology, heredity, and nature of genes, evolution, diversity of life, and principles of ecology. Emphasis will be placed on those aspects of biology that are rapidly reshaping our culture. This course may be offered in a distance education format. This course will meet the general education requirement for a laboratory science if taken with BIOL 10L.
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POLS 2
3
Intro to American Government
POLS 2
Units 3
Advisory: ENGL 196 with a grade of C or higher, or English Placement Level 6 or higher.

This course is an introduction to United States and California government and politics, including their constitutions, political institutions and processes, and political actors. An examination of political behavior, political issues, and public policy, this course satisfies the CSU requirement in U.S. Constitution and California State and local government (US-2 and US-3). This course may be offered in a distance education format.
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Please see a counselor to discuss options for meeting general education requirements for transfer to California State Universities (CSU) and/or University of California (UC) campuses, as well as any specific additional courses that may be required by your chosen institution of transfer.

*Alternative Courses: Please see a Shasta College counselor for alternative course options. You can also view the following to find other courses to meet degree/certificate requirements:

Need a print out? Feel free to download and/or print out a copy of the sample program map(s).

  • Theatre Arts AA-T - Full-Time Pathway (PDF)

*These printouts are currently not yet available, but they will be linked as soon as they're ready!

Visual & Performing Arts Interest Area Counselors

Brian Spillane

Faculty Contact Info
Position Educational Counselor
Location Redding Main Campus | Room 130
Degree Ph.D., University of Dallas
Language Fluent in Spanish

Corrinne Minnard

Faculty Contact Info
Position Counselor - General Counseling
Location Redding Main Campus | Room 134
Degree M.S.W,, University of Washington
For Appointments (530) 242-7724

Academic/Instructional Division Office

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