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Technical Theater Certificate of Achievement (CA)

About the Program

The Las Positas College Technical Theater Certificate is designed to prepare students for entry level occupations as a theater technician in educational, community, and resident theater venues. Technical theater technicians may work on set construction, carpentry, sound systems, lighting design, light board operation, stage lighting, scenery costumes, props, and various degrees of entry level management positions, such as hours management and stage management. This program is designed to prepare individuals who work in technical production areas with a range of skills, enabling them to select, adapt and transfer skills to different work situations throughout their career in technical theater. This program prepares students, through coursework and hands on experience, for work in technical theater. The certificate includes a wide range of topics designed to give students basic skills and knowledge to work behind the scenes in theater and other venues.This certificate can also serves as the first step in completing the Theater Associates Degree for transfer (AD-T) to a four year college or university, where students can complete a degree in a specialized or generalized field of theatrical study. Typical job opportunities include: lighting designer, lighting operator, scenic painter, stage/set designer, stage manager, sound operator, costume designer, or stage hand.

Career Opportunities

Typical job opportunities include: lighting designer, lighting operator, scenic painter, stage/set designer, stage manager, sound operator, costume designer, or stage hand. This program also lines up with many of the foundation courses needed for an Associate for Degree for Transfer (AD-T) in Theater.

Program Outcomes

  • Upon completion of the Certificate of Achievement in Technical Theater, students are able to analyze elements of a theatrical design.
  • Upon completion of the Certificate of Achievement in Technical Theater, students are able to hang, cable, and focus stage lighting and be able to read lighting plots and related documents.
  • Upon completion of the Certificate of Achievement in Technical Theater, students are able to perform as a member of a show running crew in various capacities, such as stagehand, light or sound board operator, or wardrobe assistant.
  • Upon completion of the Certificate of Achievement in Technical Theater, students are able to read construction plans and construct common stage scenery such as flats, platform, and stairs.
  • Upon completion of the Certificate of Achievement in Technical Theater, students are able to research, plot, and design costumes for use in production.

Required Core: (15 Units)

Course Number Course Title Units
THEA 10 Introduction to Dramatic Arts 3
THEA 48A Technical Theater in Production - Beginning 3
THEA 48B Technical Theater in Production - Intermediate 3
THEA 48C Technical Theater in Production - Advanced 3
THEA 50 Stagecraft 3

List A: Select Four (11-12 Units)

Course Number Course Title Units
MUS 35 Introduction to Music Technology 3
THEA 48D Technical Theater in Production - Capstone 3
THEA 50L Introduction to Stage Lighting 3
THEA 51 Introduction to Costume Design 3
THEA 52 Introduction to Design 3
WLDT 70 Introduction to Welding 2

Total Units: 26-27