The Technical Theatre program at Western is a comprehensive study of the craft and art
of the visual and technological components of theatre. The four major areas of study are set,
lights, sound and costumes. A foundation of learning in the craft and technology is offered
prior to training in the artistic design of these four areas. Students in the program will have
ample hands-on learning opportunities in courses and in preparing the technical elements
of the college’s annual theatre and dance season. Western is dedicated to maintaining high
quality facilities and providing state-of-the-art equipment for the students to work with. The
cross-training offered in the program facilitates well-rounded preparation for future careers.
General education courses provide a thorough liberal arts experience and prepare students for
transferring to four-year universities.
Program for A.F.A. Degree in Technical Theatre
The AFA degree is offered for students considering careers as professional theatre
technicians or designers. The course work will prepare a student for immediate professional
work, but additional education is highly recommended. The AFA degree is an intensive study
in the application of the art form and prepares students to transfer into Bachelor of Fine Arts or
Bachelor of Arts programs at a four-year university. The AFA is a well-rounded degree in the
technical theatre and is also ideal for preparing a student for the diverse demands teachers face
in the performing arts.
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Core Requirements
The degree is designed to give the student an essential core of theatre classes. All of the following
courses must be taken.
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Technical Theatre Core Requirements (25 credits)
Stagecraft (THEA 2220) .............................................3
Stage Management (THEA 2150) ............................3
Theater Ethics (THEA 1025)......................................1
Beginning Acting (THEA 1100)..................................3
Theatre Portfolio (THEA 2500)...................................1
Stage Make-up (THEA 2160).....................................2
Intro to Stage Design (THEA 1200)..........................3
Intro to Theatre (THEA 1000).....................................3
Theatre Practice I (THEA 2050).................................1
Theatre Practice II (THEA 2051)................................2
Theatre Practice III (THEA 2052)...............................3 |
Design Series
Additionally, the student will be required to build upon this core foundation by taking three of the
following four series of courses. Completion of three of the four sets will require 15-17 credit
hours of course work.
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Scenic Series (6 credits)
Computer Aided Design I (THEA 2250)
Beginning Scenic Design (THEA 2125) |
Sound Series (4 credits)
Sound Reinforcement (THEA 2610)
Sound Design (THEA 2615) |
Lighting Series (6 credits)
Stage Lighting (THEA 2230)
Beg Lighting Design (THEA 2270)
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Costume Series (5credits)
Costume Construction (THEA 2145)
Beg Costume Design (THEA 2175) |
Applied Complimentary Art (3 credits)
A minimum of three (3) credits is necessary to complete the Applied Complimentary Art
requirement.
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Drawing I (ART 1050)
Design 3D (ART 1120)
Sculpture I (ART 1310)
Ceramics I (ART 2410)
Sculpture I (ART 1310)
Written Theory I (MUSC 1030) |
Design 2D (ART 1110)
Photo I (ART 1150)
Painting I (ART 2210)
Color Photography I (ART 2150)
Public Speaking (COMM 1010)
Aural Theory I (MUSC 1035) |
Related Course Work
Related Course Work are classes taken from outside the technical theatre curriculum that will
strengthen the student’s skills within the technical theatre field and prepare for more well-rounded
careers. A minimum of six (6) credits must be taken from the list below.
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Related Course Work (6 credits)
Drawing I (ART 1050)
Design 3D (ART 1120)
Photo I (ART 1150)
Life Drawing I (ART 2050)
Sculpture I (ART 1310)
Ceramics I (ART 2410)
Ceramics II (ART 2420)
Computer Graphics (CMAP 2600)
Non Verbal Communication (COMM 2110)
Basic Electricity-DC (ELTR 1520)
Recording Arts I (MUSC 2415)
Recording Arts II (MUSC 2425)
Welding for the Arts II (WELD 2635)
Acting II (THEA 2100)
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Design 2D (ART 1110)
Design: Color (ART 1130)
Photo II (ART 1160)
Color Photo I (ART 2150)
Painting I (ART 2210)
Painting II (ART 2220)
Graphic Design I (ART 2120)
Presentation Graphic (CMAP 2630)
Elect Assembly & Measure (ELTR 1505)
Basic Electricity-AC (ELTR 1530)
Sound Reinforcement II (MUSC 2420)
Welding for the Arts I (WELD 2630)
Beginning Directing (THEA 2165) |
General Education (23-26 credits)
Some of the above course work counts towards the general education requirements of the AFA
degree. Additionally, the student must complete the following general education requirements.
English Composition I (ENGL 1010)...................3
English Composition II (ENGL 1020)..................3
Science/Math.............................................................3-4
Social Science...........................................................3-4
Social Science...........................................................3-4
US Government (POLS 1000)................................3
*Comp Info Systems (COSC 1200)......................3
+Health & Human Activity........................................1
+Health & Human Activity........................................1
Assessment Requirement.....................................0-1 |
*Students with computer proficiency may be able to test out of this course.
+ Approved Health & Human Activity/Dance Electives, Any THEA Dance course, PEAC 1273 Weight Training &
Conditioning, PEAC 1287 Rock Climbing I, PEAC 1387 Indoor Rock Climbing, PEAC 2018 Advanced Lifesaving,
PEAC 2088 Rock Climbing II
The total credit requirements for the AFA in Technical Theatre are between 78-83 credits. Please be
advised that this is an intensive course of study, well beyond the scope of most associate degree programs
(which are a minimum of 64 credits). Students planning to transfer to a four-year university
should consult the catalog of the school of their choice for comparison and for the number of credits
accepted in the transferring process. A student may choose to spread their course work over a three
year period depending on their personal abilities or the need to take developmental course work
(pre-college level classes) in reading, writing, or mathematics.
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