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Theatre Arts: Theatre Management Certificate Theatre Arts & Fashion Total Units: 34
A newer version of this program is available. View the latest version here.

Catalog rights may apply, see a counselor for more information.

Term Effective: Fall 2008

Description:

The Theatre Arts: Theatre Management Certificate of Achievement program prepares students for entry level and apprentice employment as professional stage managers, assistant directors, box office personnel, and various administrative and marketing positions in the stage, film or television environments. Supervised by faculty working in the profession, the Theatre Management certificate centers on observing and participating in the day-to-day production process. Through hands-on experience and classroom lectures, students will develop the skills involved in preparing for and executing rehearsals, coordinating information between departments involved in the production process, and running and maintaining a production once it has opened.

Depending on natural talent, level of experience, and industry needs, students can enter the industry directly from this program. However, certificate students must continue to build their resumes through substantial work experience, and may pursue additional training through private training programs or four-year university programs. Certificate students who also wish to pursue an Associate of Arts degree and/or four-year degree are encouraged to meet with a counselor.

The Theatre Arts: Theatre Management Certificate of Achievement provides students with the basic skills and techniques necessary to successfully pursue a variety of career paths including:

  • Stage Managers gain professional status by working at local theatres, typically starting as a crew member or assistant stage manager. Once enough hours are acquired, an SM apprentice is able to join Actors Equity Union and enjoy full pay status and the opportunity to work at equity theatres, on Broadway shows, or with a national touring company.
  • Assistant Directors typically enter the industry as interns, and by networking with established theatre personnel (understanding all aspects of running a theatre and a production) develop opportunities and techniques for directing their own shows.
  • Production Managers are in charge of theatre, film, or television locations and facilities, scheduling equipment and rooms, and coordinating information between production and administrative personnel. Production Managers typically work their way up through stage management.
  • Production Stage Managers oversee the work of stage management teams and their production crews (or film/television production crews), and act as a liaison to the Production Manager. Production Stage Managers typically work their way up through stage management.

The job prospects in this field are great. Although most entry-level positions are offered at low pay, good theatre management personnel are "worth their weight in gold," and are in great demand. Students wishing to advance in the field must be ready to work their way up the ladder, but the prize at the top is a well-paid position with an established theatre, event hall, television or film production company, opera or concert venue. These positions feature competitive salaries and creative satisfaction.

The Theatre Arts certificate training programs are unique in that they offer five areas of emphasis: Acting, Costuming, Makeup, Stagecraft, and Theatre Management. These one to two-year intensive vocational training programs examine, through lecture, demonstration, and application, the tools and techniques required to succeed in professional theatre and related entertainment industry positions. Introductory and advanced courses are designed to familiarize the student with the theory and practice of theatrical production while participating in a 5-show production oriented program.

At the heart of the certificate curriculum is a collaborative relationship between faculty, staff, guest artists, and students that helps students develop while producing professional quality theatre. Courses cover a broad spectrum of related disciplines to further enrich the learning experience and provide a strong foundation of knowledge. Students are also instructed in the basics of self-marketing as well as audition, resume and portfolio preparation and presentation.

Students interested in a suggested order for taking classes in this program, can view the recommended course sequence.

Program Student Learning Outcomes:

Upon successful completion of this certificate, the student will be able to:
1. Apply basic skills in one or more of the following areas of specialization:

  • stage management
  • assistant stage management
  • house management
  • production management
  • box office management
  • theatre management;
2. apply fundamental techniques of theatrical management when participating in the backstage or front of house functions of a performance;
3. apply fundamental techniques of stagecraft and costuming when participating in the backstage functions of a performance;
4. integrate knowledge of theatre history and literature when managing theatrical performances; and
5. perform for the stage at a beginning level using fundamental techniques of voice, movement, and the actor's craft.

Program Requirements:

The requirements for the Theatre Arts: Theatre Management Certificate program are:

  • Complete 34 units from
    • Theatre Arts Core Requirements
    • Theatre Management Emphasis Requirements

Theatre Arts Core Requirements - complete 6.00 units
THAR 1World Theatre Through Time3.00
THAR 10AIntroduction to Techniques of Acting3.00
 
Theatre Management Emphasis Requirements - complete 28.00 units
Complete any combination totaling at least 3.00 units from the following:
CourseDescriptionUnits
THAR 25Production Lab: General1.00-3.00
THAR 25.1Production Lab: Costume Crew1.50-3.00
THAR 25.2Production Lab: Running Crew1.50-3.00
THAR 25.3Production Lab: House Staff0.25-3.00
THAR 25.5Production Lab: Construction0.25-3.00
THAR 20Stagecraft3.00
THAR 21Introduction to Costuming3.00
THAR 24Design Workshop3.00
THAR 50Introduction to Theatre Management3.00
THAR 50LTheatre Management Laboratory1.00-3.00
Complete any combination totaling at least 10.00 units from the following:
CourseDescriptionUnits
ART 3Introduction to Art & Design3.00
ART 36AElementary Photography1.50
BAD 1Financial Accounting4.00
COMM 5Group Discussion & Problem Solving3.00
COMM 10Introduction to Communication Studies3.00
COMM 66Interpersonal Communication3.00
THAR 17Musical Theatre Techniques3.00
THAR 23Introduction to Scenic Design3.00
THAR 48.1Summer Repertory Workshop Preparation4.00
THAR 225Theatre Audience Management0.50-4.00

Term Effective: Fall 2008

The requirements for this program of study are effective beginning the semester shown above. If you began working on this program before the effective semester, you may not be affected by the changes. Consult with the program contact person or the department chair to determine your eligibility to complete the program under previous requirements.

Term Inactive: Fall 2010

Previous Versions:

Theatre Arts: Theatre Management - effective Fall 1981

Course Prerequisites and Advisories:

Courses in a program of study may have prerequisites or advisories; that is, courses that must or should be completed before taking that course. Please check for prerequisites or advisories by clicking on the course numbers in the Program Requirements section.

It is important that students who are completing an Associate Degree and desire to transfer to a four-year institution meet with a counselor to plan their lower division coursework. While many majors at SRJC are intended to align with lower division major preparation required by California public universities, specific lower-division major requirements vary among individual campuses. See a counselor, visit the Transfer Center, and check Guides For Transfer in Specific Majors, and ASSIST to review transfer preparation guides for specific schools and majors.

Notes:

All students enrolled in the certificate program will be assigned a faculty advisor who will meet with them regularly to monitor progress.
All courses in the THAR 25 series (THAR 25, 25.1, 25.2, 25.3, 25.4, and 25.5) are variable unit courses; each course may be taken up to four times. Units are determined by the type of position and number of productions a student will work on during a semester. These courses are also corequisites for THAR 20, 21, 22A, and 22B. Certificate students planning to take these courses are encouraged to contact the Theatre Arts department chair prior to registration.

Contact
Information
Phone Email Website
(707) 527-4696
srjccertificate003111@santarosa.edu