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 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. The Theatre Arts department offers three major productions during the 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 will have the opportunity 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
- Summer Session 2025 only–CSU General Education Breadth (CSU GE Breadth)2
- Summer Session 2025 only–Intersegmental General Education Transfer Curriculum (IGETC)2
- Beginning Fall Quarter 2025–California General Education Transfer Curriculum (Cal-GETC)3
- 1
Additional elective course work may be necessary to meet the 90-unit minimum requirement for the associate degree.
- 2
Summer Session 2025 is the final term during which CSU GE Breadth and IGETC may be used. Please see a counselor for more information.
- 3
Cal-GETC begins in Fall Quarter 2025. 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 31 | MANAGEMENT FOR THE THEATRE & STAGE | 4 |
| or THTR 27 | LIGHTING DESIGN & TECHNOLOGY | |
| THTR 42 | INTRODUCTION TO THEATRE DESIGN | 4 |
| Support Courses | ||
| Select eight units from the following: | 8 | |
| STUDIO RECORDING I | ||
or MTEC 57A | SOUND DESIGN FOR FILM & VIDEO | |
| INTERMEDIATE SCENERY & PROPERTY CONSTRUCTION | ||
| ADVANCED SCENERY & PROPERTIES CONSTRUCTION | ||
| FASHION & COSTUME CONSTRUCTION II | ||
| LIGHTING DESIGN & TECHNOLOGY 1 | ||
or THTR 31 | MANAGEMENT FOR THE THEATRE & STAGE | |
| BASIC THEATRICAL MAKEUP | ||
| THEATRICAL MAKEUP FOR PRODUCTION | ||
| SCRIPT ANALYSIS | ||
| And four units from the following: | 4 | |
| TECHNICAL THEATRE IN PRODUCTION I | ||
| TECHNICAL THEATRE IN PRODUCTION II | ||
| TECHNICAL THEATRE MANAGEMENT IN PRODUCTION | ||
| TECHNICAL THEATRE MANAGEMENT IN PRODUCTION II | ||
| Total Units | 36 | |
- 1
THTR 27 and THTR 31 may be completed only once for credit to satisfy either the core or support course requirement.
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 | |