Acting: Fundamentals

Effective: Fall 2021
Certificate of Achievement Program Map
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This program map from the 2024-2025 catalog year represents one possible pathway to complete this program. Your pathway may vary depending on your transfer plans and also previous college credit, including AP Test scores, concurrent enrollment courses and high school articulated courses.

I'm ready to get started. What do I do next?

  1. Review this program map to get an overview of the required courses
  2. Meet with a counselor to develop your customized student education plan www.chabotcollege.edu/counseling
  3. Use DegreeWorks, an online student education planning tool, to track your progress toward graduation www.chabotcollege.edu / admissions / degreeworks
Program Description
The Fundamentals of Acting Certificate will give you a strong foundation and sharpen your skills as an actor. If you are just starting with acting, you will get more comfortable being onstage and performing, while at the same time learn about how a play gets put together, and what actors do to prepare themselves for performance. If you already have some experience, the courses in this certificate will help you take the skills you already have to another level, and help you deepen your knowledge about theater, plays and the art of story-telling. By completing this certificate, you also will have completed courses that you can use for the Advance Acting Certificate, as well as the AAT and the AA in Theater Arts.

What can I do with this major?
Studying theater can lead to a large variety of jobs and careers, such as acting in plays, acting in television and film or being a voiceover actor. The common transfer major is a B.A. or B.F.A in Theatre Arts.

Learning and Career Pathway
  • Arts and Design

Icon Key

= Critical Course = Prerequisite for Other Courses = Prerequisite Required = Required for Major GE = General Education

Semester 1

12 units

THTR 1
Introduction to Acting

3 units
Introduction to the techniques and theories of acting, explored through improvisation, exercises and scene study. Development of the physical and psychological resources for acting including relaxation, concentration, creativity, believability, and commitment. Development of critical thinking skills associated with viewing and analyzing performances of others. Lab hours are required for rehearsal of scenes and attendance of on campus theater productions. (Formerly THEA 1A)
Course Details:

THTR 17
Script Analysis

3 units
This course provides techniques for reading a script in preparation for production. Focus is on principles of structural dynamics, how scripts reflect cultural and social norms and values and how to apply differing theories as actors, directors and designers for their respective contributions to projects. The first job of any theater artist is to understand the script they are working on. This course builds the ability to perceive the writer's intention in writing a script, giving students skills for bringing scripts to life in productions.
Course Details:
  • Transfers to CSU

    • List A Course

    3 units
    Choose one course from List A below
    See the full list: (Click here)

    BUS 43
    Personal Financial Planning1

    3 units
    Focuses on the time value of money, budgeting, use of credit, investing, taxation of personal income and assets, types of insurance and risk management, health care planning, retirement planning, and estate planning.
    Course Details:
    • 1 - Strongly recommended course, not required. Theater artists are typically independent contractors and will be helped by having an understanding of business and handling finances.

    Semester 2

    7 units

    THTR 2A
    Intermediate Acting

    3 units
    This course follows THTR 1 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. The course will help students better prepare for participation in full scale theater productions as well as continue with other training and education options.
    Course Details:
    1. Prerequisite: THTR 1

    THTR 18
    Bay Area Theater

    1 unit
    This course focuses on going to see live plays in the Bay Area. Through analysis of plays, discussions with theater artists and going to see productions, students will get a close up look at the thriving Bay Area theater scene as well as learn about current trends in theater nationally. Culturally enriching - great for the curious, for theater fans and for theater artists alike. There will be some cost for the purchase of theater tickets and transportation to attend performances, up to but no more than $100 for the semester. Part of the learning experience of the course will be identifying inexpensive opportunities for viewing live theater. Some costs may be supplemented by the Theater program.
    Course Details:
  • Transfers to CSU

    • List B Course

    3 units
    Choose one course from List B below
    See the full list: (Click here)

    List A

    Choose one course from the list below:

    THTR 6A
    Movement for the Actor

    3 units
    Work with a variety of physical techniques to help with the development of character, improve stage presence, command focus, be in control of the story when on stage and be more specific in your work as an actor or improvisor. Techniques include use of mask, improvisation and stage combat. Students work together to create their own scenes and performance pieces based on the work in class. May not receive credit if THTR 6 has been completed.
    Course Details:
    1. Strongly Recommended: THTR 1
      2. or
    2. Strongly Recommended: THTR 3
      3. or
    3. Strongly Recommended: THTR 5A
      4. or
    4. Strongly Recommended: THTR 30A
      5. or
    5. Strongly Recommended: THTR 47A

    THTR 4A
    Introduction to Acting on Camera

    3 units
    Learn approaches for preparing, rehearsing and performing on camera that can be used for commercials, film and television work. Students will prepare and perform scenes and monologues that will be shot on camera in studio and on-location settings. May not receive credit if THTR 4 has been completed.
    Course Details:
    1. Strongly Recommended: THTR 1
    2. Strongly Recommended: THTR 17

    THTR 3
    Improvisation for the Theater

    3 units
    Introduction to the techniques and theories of improvisation and its various uses in theater. Development of the ability to think quickly, develop characters, work in an ensemble, and create spontaneously through various exercises. This course is helpful for learning acting, but also for just having fun and learning to play and be spontaneous. Recommended for non-theater as well as theater majors.
    Course Details:

    THTR 7
    Voice for the Actor

    3 units
    Development of the awareness of and access to the natural voice for use in theatrical production, and in life. Increase emotional availability and ability to communicate text clearly through breath control and articulation.
    Course Details:

    THTR 8A
    Audition Technique and the Business of Acting

    3 units
    This course will give students an understanding of what is required in order to be a professional actor, as well as what it takes to pursue advanced acting degrees. The main focus will be on the audition process for theater, commercials and film. Students will receive coaching on contemporary and classical monologues, and learning techniques for cold-reads during a call-back. Other topics will include resumes, headshots and the basics of actor promotions. May not receive credit if THTR 8 has been completed.
    Course Details:
    1. Strongly Recommended: THTR 1

    THTR 10
    Introduction to Theater Arts

    3 units
    Focuses on the relationship of theater to various cultures throughout history, and on the contributions of significant individual artists. Introduces students to elements of the production process including playwriting, acting, directing, design, and criticism. Students will also survey different periods, styles and genres of theater through play reading, discussion, films, and viewing and critiquing live theater, including required attendance at theater productions.
    Course Details:

    List B

    Choose one course from the list below.

    THTR 61A
    Social Issues Theater

    3 units
    Students will create, develop, and perform an original theater piece based on social issues relevant to a local group or organization. The project will be based on community meetings and discussions to understand community issues of concern that will inform and drive the script and production.
    Course Details:
    1. Strongly Recommended: THTR 1

    THTR 47A
    Introduction to College Theater Acting

    3 units
    This course provides instruction and supervised participation in theater rehearsal and performance in main season production or project. Enrollment is for duration of the production. Enrollment by audition only.
    Course Details:

    THTR 30A
    Introduction to Emerging Work

    3 units
    Development of new plays for staged readings and/or productions. This class will develop and perform plays for an audience, with an emphasis on the evolution of the dramatic texts. Special projects, such as specific textural challenges, may be included.
    Course Details:

    THTR 5A
    Introduction to Theater for Young Audiences

    3 units
    Participate in a theater production to be performed for local K-12 students. Plays will be cast by audition, however, everyone who enrolls will be a part of the production.
    Course Details:

    THTR 38A
    Holiday Play

    3 units
    This course gives students the opportunity to participate in a stage play or podcast of a play that focuses on themes appropriate to holiday festivities. Students of all levels of experience will be given the opportunity to participate.
    Course Details:
    Total Units: 19 units
    This program map is not a guarantee of course availability or financial aid applicability.