Theater Arts
The ArtsTheater Arts students are taught a variety of performance and production skills that are needed to pursue careers in the entertainment industries.
View Transfer Options, Degrees & CertificatesDevelop your expressive, interpretive, and artistic skills that are fundamental to the entertainment industry. Theater Arts majors find work in all forms of entertainment, including concerts, theme parks, private parties, cruise ships, voice over work, circuses, opera, film, and television. Develop your speaking voice or learn to sing. Improve your acting skills. Learn stage makeup techniques, sew costumes or build scenery. All the world is a stage. Create an impact by playing your part.
Program Length
Associate Degree students can finish in four semesters.
Transfer Options
Many university programs in theater arts require a successful audition for transfer. Our faculty and coursework will make you competitive in the university admissions process. Transfer requirements vary. Consult a counselor to identify the specific courses needed for your transfer school. IVC graduates frequently transfer to UC Irvine, Cal State Fullerton, and Chapman University.
Program Specific Support
Opportunities are available for the student to:
- Work on live productions as crew members or actors.
- Assist working artists on touring summer shows.
- Students receive assistance developing portfolios and audition material required for university transfer
- Receive interview coaching and support developing an industry specific résumé.
Your Support Team
Your success is our priority! Whether you are just starting, in the middle of, or completing your time at IVC, we have a team of people in your corner to help keep you on-track to reach your goals at IVC and beyond!
Coming Soon: Completion Teams to get students from start to goal! Look for your team beginning fall 2021!
Transfer Options, Degrees and/or Certificates
Sample Academic Plans
- This is only a sample academic plan. Some CSU majors may have additional required or recommended courses for transfer. Please see a counselor to create a customized My Academic Plan (MAP) that will best meet your specific academic goals.
Sample Academic Plan for Actors
| Course | Title | CSU GE Area/Major | UNITS |
|---|---|---|---|
| WR 1 | College Writing 1 | A2 | 4 |
| MATH 10* | Introduction to Statistics | B4 | 3 |
| TA 1 or 2 | Acting | C1 & Major | 3 |
| TA 15, 16, 17, 18 or 19 | Rehearsal and Performance | Major | 2 |
| Learning & Self Development | Lifelong Learning and Self Development GE Course | E | 3 |
| Course | Title | CSU GE Area/Major | UNITS |
|---|---|---|---|
| Critical Thinking | Critical Thinking GE Course | A3 | 3-4 |
| TA 22, 25 or 25H | Introduction to Theatre or Theatre History I | C1 & Major | 3 |
| TA 15, 16, 17, 18 or 19 | Rehearsal and Performance | Major | 2 |
| Humanities | Humanities GE Course | C2 | 3 |
| Transfer Elective | CSU Transferable Elective (Courses 1-199) | 3 |
| Course | Title | CSU GE Area/Major | Units |
|---|---|---|---|
| COMM 1 | Communication Fundamentals | A1 | 3 |
| Course | Title | CSU GE Area/Major | UNITS |
|---|---|---|---|
| TA 8 | Advanced Acting | Major | 3 |
| TA 15, 16, 17, 18 or 19 | Rehearsal and Performance | Major | 2 |
| TA 49 | Stage Makeup Design | Major | 3 |
| HIST 20 or HIST 21 | American History Course | D | 3 |
| Physical Science | Physical Science GE Course | B1 | 3 |
| Science Lab | Physical Science Lab | B3 | 1 |
| Course | Title | CSU GE Area/Major | UNITS |
|---|---|---|---|
| TA 29 or 29H | Script Analysis | Major | 3 |
| TA 51, 61, 62, 63, 63, 65 | Back Stage Crew | A1 | 1 |
| Life Science | Life Science Course | B2 | 3 |
| PS 1 | American Government | D | 3 |
| Social Science | Social Science GE Course | D | 3 |
- Students can take Math 10 or any other math course that meets the CSU math transfer requirement.
- This is only a sample academic plan. Please see a counselor and check IVC's catalog to create a customized My Academic Plan (MAP) that will best meet your specific academic goals.
| Course | Title | AA GE Area/Major | UNITS |
|---|---|---|---|
| WR 1 | College Writing 1 | 1A | 4 |
| MATH | Math GE Course | 2 | 3-5 |
| TA 1 | Acting | 7 & Major | 3 |
| TA 9 | Musical Revue | 1 | |
| TA 15A, 16A, 17A, 18A or 19A | Rehearsal and Performance | Major | 1 |
| Lifelong Health | Lifelong Health and Personal Development GE Course | 9 | 3 |
| Course | Title | AA GE Area/Major | UNITS |
|---|---|---|---|
| Critical Thinking | Critical Thinking | 1C | 3-4 |
| TA 2 | Beginning Scene Study | Major | 3 |
| TA 10 | Musical Theater Workshop | 3 | |
| TA 15B, 16B, 17B, 18B or 19B | Rehearsal and Performance | Major | 1 |
| TA 20, 25, 25H, 26 or 26H | Theater Arts History and Appreciation | Major | 3 |
| TA 40, 43, 41, 42, 43 | Design Elective | Major | 3 |
| Course | Title | AA GE Area/Major | UNITS |
|---|---|---|---|
| TA 3, 4, or 5 | Advanced Scene Study or Acting Styles | Major | 3 |
| TA 15, 16, 17, 18 or 19 | Rehearsal and Performance | Major | 2 |
| COMM 1 | Communication Fundamentals | 1B & Major | 3 |
| Natural Sciences | Natural Sciences GE Course | 3 | 3 |
| American Institutions | American Institutions GE Course | 8 | 3 |
| Elective | Degree Applicable Elective (Courses 1-299) | 2 |
| Course | Title | AA GE Area/Major | UNITS |
|---|---|---|---|
| TA 15, 16, 17, 18 or 19 | Rehearsal and Performance | Major | 2 |
| Social Sciences | Social Sciences GE Course | 4 | 3 |
| Cultural Diversity | Cultural Diversity GE Course | 5 | 3 |
| Humanities | Humanities GE Course | 6 | 3 |
| Lifelong Health | Lifelong Health and Personal Development GE Course | 9 | 3 |
| Elective | Degree Applicable Elective (Courses 1-299) | 2 |
*Students may be eligible for one or more AA/AS/AA-T/AS-T degrees if they complete a GE transfer pattern, have specific courses, and have 60 transferable units. Please see a counselor for degree options and advisement.
- This is only a sample academic plan. Some CSU majors may have additional required or recommended courses for transfer. Please see a counselor to create a customized My Academic Plan (MAP) that will best meet your specific academic goals.
Sample Academic Plan for Designers and Technicians
| Course | Title | CSU GE Area/Major | UNITS |
|---|---|---|---|
| WR 1 | College Writing 1 | A2 | 4 |
| MATH 10* | Introduction to Statistics | B4 | 3 |
| TA 1 or 2 | Acting | C1 & Major | 3 |
| TA 51,61,62,63,64, or 65 | Technical Theatre Practicum (up to 3 units) | Major | 1 |
| Learning & Self Development | Lifelong Learning and Self Development GE Course | E | 3 |
| Course | Title | CSU GE Area/Major | UNITS |
|---|---|---|---|
| Critical Thinking | Critical Thinking GE Course | A3 | 3-4 |
| TA 22, 25 or 25H | Introduction to Theatre or Theatre History I | C1 & Major | 3 |
| Social Science | Social Science GE Course | D | 3 |
| TA 44 | Stagecraft | Major | 3 |
| TA 51,61,62,63,64, or 65 | Technical Theatre Practicum (up to 3 units) | Major | 1 |
| Course | Title | CSU GE Area/Major | Units |
|---|---|---|---|
| COMM 1 | Communication Fundamentals | A1 | 3 |
| Course | Title | CSU GE Area/Major | UNITS |
|---|---|---|---|
| TA 41,49, or 53 | Stage Design or Stage Management | Major | 3 |
| TA 51,61,62,63,64, or 65 | Technical Theatre Practicum | Major | 1 |
| TA 52 | Stage Management Seminar | 3 | |
| Humanities | Humanities GE Course | C2 | 3 |
| Physical Science | Physical Science GE Course | B1 | 3 |
| Science Lab | Physical Science Lab | B3 | 1 |
| Course | Title | CSU GE Area/Major | UNITS |
|---|---|---|---|
| TA 40 or 42 | Design Course | Major | 3 |
| TA 51,61,62,63,64, or 65 | Technical Theatre Practicum | Major | 1 |
| TA 73 or 76 | Scene Shop or Costume Shop | Major | 3 |
| Life Science | Life Science GE Course | B2 | 3 |
| PS 1 | American Government | D | 3 |
| HIST 20 or HIST 21 | American History Course | D | 3 |
- Students can take Math 10 or any other math course that meets the CSU math transfer requirement.
*Students may be eligible for one or more AA/AS/AA-T/AS-T degrees if they complete a GE transfer pattern, have specific courses, and have 60 transferable units. Please see a counselor for degree options and advisement.
- This is only a sample academic plan. Please see a counselor and check IVC's catalog to create a customized My Academic Plan (MAP) that will best meet your specific academic goals.
| Course | Title | AA GE Area/Major | UNITS |
|---|---|---|---|
| WR 1 | College Writing 1 | 1A | 4 |
| MATH | Math GE Course | 2 | 3-5 |
| TA 1, 8, 12 | Acting Technique Course | Major | 3 |
| TA 15A, 16A, 17A, 18A or 19A | Various Rehearsal and Performance | Major | 1 |
| TA 20, 25 or 25H | Theater Appreciation-Classical or Great Plays Primitive to Renaissance | 7 & Major | 3 |
| Elective | Degree Applicable Elective (Courses 1-299) | 2 |
| Course | Title | AA GE Area/Major | UNITS |
|---|---|---|---|
| TA 51, 61, 62, 63, 63, 65 | Production Crew | Major | 1 |
| TA 72, 75 | Production Shop | Major | 2 |
| Natural Sciences | Natural Sciences GE Course | 3 | 3 |
| Cultural Diversity | Cultural Diversity GE Course | 5 | 3 |
| Lifelong Health | Lifelong Health and Personal Development GE Course | 9 | 3 |
| Elective | Degree Applicable Elective (Courses 1-299) | 3 |
| Course | Title | AA GE Area/Major | Units |
|---|---|---|---|
| TA Major | Production Shop Course | Major | 1 |
| TA Major | Production Crew Course | Major | 1-3 |
| Natural Sciences | Natural Sciences GE Course | 3 | 3 |
| Lifelong Health | Lifelong Health and Personal Development GE Course | 9 | 3 |
| Cultural Diversity | Cultural Diversity GE Course | 5 | 3 |
| Elective | Degree Applicable Elective (Courses 1-299) | 3 |
| Course | Title | AA GE Area/Major | UNITS |
|---|---|---|---|
| TA Major Course | TA Major Course from List H | Major | 1-2 |
| TA Major Course | TA Major Course from List H | Major | 2 |
| Social Sciences | Social Sciences GE Course | 4 | 3 |
| Humanities | Humanities GE Course | 6 | 3 |
| Lifelong Health | Lifelong Health and Personal Development GE Course | 9 | 3 |
| Elective | Degree Applicable Elective (Courses 1-299) | 3 |
- AA = Associate of Arts
- AS = Associate of Science
- AA-T = Associate of Arts for Transfer
- AS-T = Associate of Science for Transfer
- COA = Certificate of Achievement
- COP = Certificate of Proficiency
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Not sure if Theater Arts is the right fit?
That's OK!
Begin with the Exploratory Interest Area and explore Theater Arts while still working toward your academic goals.
Or speak to one of IVC’s Academic Counselors to learn more about all of your options.
