Theatre Technology
Program Description
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 stage management, theatre design, or the creations of sets, props, costumes, lights, sound, or makeup are able to participate in both lecture and laboratory classes and hands-on production experiences. The Theatre Arts department stages three productions each academic year and Theatre Technology students participate in the creation of technical elements for each of these productions.
Foothill College maintains direct contact with many Bay Area theatre companies and will assist advanced students in obtaining internships or employment.
Learn more about the program on the Theatre Arts website.
Associate Degree for Transfer
This program also offers an Associate Degree for Transfer. Learn more and review the degree requirements on the Theatre Arts AA-T listing.
Program Learning Outcomes
- Students will be able to explore further educational or workforce experiences in technical theatre with a minimal fundamental adjustment period.
- Students will be able to function effectively in a variety of roles within a collaborative technical theatre environment.
- Students will develop skills for evaluating their own and others' contributions to successful outcomes in technical theatre.
Career Opportunities
The technical theatre program promotes skills in six basic fields of study and areas of employment: scene shop technician, costume shop technician, theatre electrician, properties artisan, stage management, and makeup artist. Theatre technicians can expand their opportunities by pursuing entry-level technical positions in other areas of the entertainment industry, including film, video, music, or event production.
Award Type(s)
- AA = Associate in Arts Degree
- CA = Certificate of Achievement
- CCC = Career Certificate [Non-Transcriptable]
Units Required
- Major: 36
- Certificate(s): 20-36
Additional Information
Note: Students are encouraged to create and maintain a technical portfolio during their classes.
Associate Degree Requirements
A minimum of 90 units is required1 to complete the associate degree, including:
- Core and support courses for the major (36 units total)
- Completion of one of the following general education patterns:
- Foothill College General Education
- California General Education Transfer Curriculum (Cal-GETC)2
- 1
Additional elective course work may be necessary to meet the 90-unit minimum requirement for the associate degree.
- 2
Cal-GETC began in Fall Quarter 2025. Students with catalog rights for Summer Session 2025 and previous catalog years may be able to use IGETC or CSU GE Breadth. Please see a counselor for more information.
Note: A grade of "C" (or "P") or better is required for all core and support courses used for the degree or certificates. In addition, the student must obtain a minimum GPA of 2.0.
Refer to the Associate in Arts & Associate in Science Degree Requirements page for complete information about graduation requirements and catalog rights.
Core and Support Courses
| Code | Title | Units |
|---|---|---|
| Core Courses | ||
| THTR 1 | INTRODUCTION TO THEATRE | 4 |
| or THTR 8 | MULTICULTURAL THEATRE ARTS IN MODERN AMERICA | |
| THTR 20A | ACTING I | 4 |
| THTR 21A | SCENERY & PROPERTY CONSTRUCTION | 4 |
| THTR 25 | INTRODUCTION TO FASHION & COSTUME CONSTRUCTION | 4 |
| THTR 42 | INTRODUCTION TO THEATRE DESIGN | 4 |
| THTR 45A | TECHNICAL THEATRE IN PRODUCTION I | 4 |
| Support Courses | ||
| Select 12 units from the following: | 12 | |
| INTERMEDIATE SCENERY & PROPERTY CONSTRUCTION | ||
| ADVANCED SCENERY & PROPERTIES CONSTRUCTION | ||
| FASHION & COSTUME CONSTRUCTION II | ||
| LIGHTING DESIGN & TECHNOLOGY | ||
| MANAGEMENT FOR THE THEATRE & STAGE | ||
| BASIC THEATRICAL MAKEUP | ||
| THEATRICAL MAKEUP FOR PRODUCTION | ||
| SCRIPT ANALYSIS | ||
| TECHNICAL THEATRE IN PRODUCTION II | ||
| TECHNICAL THEATRE MANAGEMENT IN PRODUCTION | ||
| STUDIO RECORDING I | ||
or MTEC 57A | SOUND DESIGN FOR FILM & VIDEO | |
| Total Units | 36 | |
Certificate Requirements
Certificate of Achievement in Theatre Technology
- Units: 36
The certificate of achievement is awarded upon completion of the core and support courses. General education courses are not required.
Theatre Production Organization Career Certificate
- Units: 22 [Non-Transcriptable]
| Code | Title | Units |
|---|---|---|
| THTR 21A | SCENERY & PROPERTY CONSTRUCTION | 4 |
| THTR 31 | MANAGEMENT FOR THE THEATRE & STAGE | 4 |
| THTR 42 | INTRODUCTION TO THEATRE DESIGN | 4 |
| THTR 45A | TECHNICAL THEATRE IN PRODUCTION I | 4 |
| THTR 45E | TECHNICAL THEATRE MANAGEMENT IN PRODUCTION | 6 |
| Total Units | 22 | |
Theatre Technology Career Certificate
- Units: 20-22 [Non-Transcriptable]
| Code | Title | Units |
|---|---|---|
| THTR 21A | SCENERY & PROPERTY CONSTRUCTION | 4 |
| THTR 42 | INTRODUCTION TO THEATRE DESIGN | 4 |
| THTR 45A | TECHNICAL THEATRE IN PRODUCTION I | 4-6 |
| or THTR 45E | TECHNICAL THEATRE MANAGEMENT IN PRODUCTION | |
| And eight units from the following: | 8 | |
| STUDIO RECORDING I | ||
or MTEC 57A | SOUND DESIGN FOR FILM & VIDEO | |
| INTRODUCTION TO FASHION & COSTUME CONSTRUCTION | ||
| LIGHTING DESIGN & TECHNOLOGY | ||
| BASIC THEATRICAL MAKEUP | ||
| Total Units | 20-22 | |
Theatre Costume and Makeup Career Certificate
-
Units: 20-22 [Non-Transcriptable]
| Code | Title | Units |
|---|---|---|
| THTR 21A | SCENERY & PROPERTY CONSTRUCTION | 4 |
| THTR 25 | INTRODUCTION TO FASHION & COSTUME CONSTRUCTION | 4 |
| THTR 25B | FASHION & COSTUME CONSTRUCTION II | 4 |
| or THTR 40B | THEATRICAL MAKEUP FOR PRODUCTION | |
| THTR 40A | BASIC THEATRICAL MAKEUP | 4 |
| THTR 45A | TECHNICAL THEATRE IN PRODUCTION I | 4-6 |
| or THTR 45E | TECHNICAL THEATRE MANAGEMENT IN PRODUCTION | |
| Total Units | 20-22 | |