Technical Theater

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 Technical Theater certificate will give you a great foundation for pursuing work in theater, concerts, exhibit work, film sets, and many other areas that require skills that are a part of Technical Theater. For those who demonstrate proficiency, you will be able to work right away on the backstage crew working events at the Performing Arts Center on the Chabot campus. The certificate can potentially be completed in one year. You can also apply the courses completed for this certificate to the AAT and the AA with a Concentration in Technical Theater.

What can I do with this major?
Studying theater can lead to a large variety of jobs and careers, such as: stage manager, lighting designer, sound designer, prop designer, set designer, set dresser for film and television, building sets for theatre and trade shows, setting up arena concerts. Common transfer major is BA or BFA 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

14 units

THTR 46
Stagecraft

3 units
An introduction to technical theater and the creation of scenic elements. Includes basic concepts of design, use of shop tools, painting techniques, set construction, set movement, prop construction, backstage organization, and career possibilities. May include stage management, lighting, and/or sound techniques. Lecture, reading, projects, and practical experience.
Course Details:
  • Transfers to CSU

    • ART 2A
    Introduction to Drawing

    3 units
    This course provides direct experience in exploring basic drawing concepts, including the expressive use of contour, value, perspective and composition while using a variety of media. Assigned projects may include still life, landscape, portraiture and figure. Focus on perceptually based drawing, observational skills, technical abilities, and creative responses to materials and subject matter.
    Course Details:
  • Transfers to CSU

    • MURT 25
    Live Concert Sound

    1 unit
    Sound design and amplification management for live music events. Management and manipulation of audio signal flow, interconnected amplification hardware, stage monitoring, and real-time audio signal processing for live audio events. Hands-on participation in on-campus live audio events.

    THTR 41
    Introduction to Stage Management

    1 unit
    This course introduces the responsibilities, techniques, and tools of a modern stage manager for live events. Areas covered will include creating schedules, prompt books, and other paperwork; organizing and managing crew; managing production meetings; managing the rehearsal process; running performances.
    Course Details:
    1. Strongly Recommended: THTR 46
    2. Strongly Recommended: THTR 48A
    3. Strongly Recommended: THTR 30A

    THTR 21
    Introduction to Design for the Theater

    3 units
    Students will be offered a survey of scenery, lighting, sound, costumes, makeup, properties, and special design needs, through demonstration, and laboratory experience.
    Course Details:

    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.
    • 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

    12 units

    THTR 48A
    College Theater Technical: Introduction

    3 units
    Participation in scheduled productions as crew members and/or constructing its technical elements. Development of skills in the various technical areas involved in the presentation of a theatrical production.
    Course Details:

    WELD 63
    Welding Layout & Fitting

    2 units
    Theoretical and practical applications of welding blueprints on welded assemblies and subassemblies. Welding power source identification and classification, welding processes identification and selection, assessment of welding joint discontinuities and defects identified by the AWS standards and codes, techniques of stress and distortion control such as proper use of jigs, fixtures and holding devices, the use of welding sequences techniques to control welding distortion and the implementation of the correct methods of straightening and dimension restoration of finished products. Laboratory includes the use of the following welding processes: SMAW, GMAW, GTAW, and FCAW and plasma and fuel cutting practice.
    Course Details:
    1. Strongly Recommended: WELD 64A
    2. Strongly Recommended: WELD 65A
      3. and
    3. Strongly Recommended: INDT 74

    THTR 82
    Introduction to Moving Lights

    2 units
    This course offers an introduction to the technology and applications of intelligent lighting systems for the entertainment industry. Students will learn the theory and vocabulary specific to moving light technology while developing skills through hands on use of industry standard equipment.
    Course Details:

    THTR 83
    Stage Hand Basics

    2 units
    Students will work on skills specific to jobs that require the position of a Stage Hand. Skills specific to rigging, audio set up and lighting set ups for events will be covered. Best practices will be taught through hands on work, including working live events.
    Course Details:
    1. Strongly Recommended: THTR 46
      2. and
    2. Strongly Recommended: THTR 48A

    THTR 21 (Intro Design for Theater) or THTR 23 (Intro Lighting Design for Theater)- CHOOSE ONE

    3 units

    THTR 21
    Introduction to Design for the Theater

    3 units
    Students will be offered a survey of scenery, lighting, sound, costumes, makeup, properties, and special design needs, through demonstration, and laboratory experience.
    Course Details:
    or

    THTR 23
    Introduction to Lighting Design for Theater

    3 units
    This course involves the study and execution of stage lighting with emphasis on equipment, control, color and their relationship to design.
    Course Details:

    Total Units: 26 units
    This program map is not a guarantee of course availability or financial aid applicability.