Theater Arts
42 courses · Las Positas College · 2026-2027 Catalog
Classes: Summer 2026 · Fall 2026
THEA 1 Conservatory Readiness
- Units
- 1
- Hours
- 18 hours lecture
This course is required for students interested in participating in the Actors Conservatory at Las Positas College. This course prepares students for a rigorous two-year training program in acting, musical theater, and dance. This course provides mentorship and guided exploration for developing actors, focusing on artistic identity, creativity, and emotional wellbeing. Through reflective exercises, readings, and applied practice, students cultivate habits that support both creative and psychological sustainability.
THEA 1A Theory/Practice of Acting I
- Units
- 3
- Hours
- 54 hours lecture
- Transfers to
- CSU, UC
- C-ID
- THTR 151
This course prepares a student to apply basic acting theory to performance and develops the skills of interpretation of drama through acting. Special attention is paid to skills for performance: memorization, stage movement, vocal production, and interpretation of text. An introduction to the techniques and theories of acting, explored through improvisation, exercises and scene study. Students should be able to demonstrate the following skills: development of the physical and psychological resources for acting including relaxation, concentration, creativity, believability, and commitment.
THEA 1B Theory/Practice of Acting II
- Units
- 3
- Hours
- 54 hours lecture
- Prerequisite
- THEA 1A, or equivalent acting class or acting performance experience.
- Transfers to
- CSU, UC
- C-ID
- THTR 152
Continued exploration of the theory and practice of acting, focusing on more complex characterization and character analysis. Introduction to theatrical styles and period acting with emphasis on monologues and scenes.
THEA 3A Beginning Improvisation
- Units
- 3
- Hours
- 54 hours lecture
- Transfers to
- CSU, UC
An entry level course designed to introduce to students to concepts of improvisation and creative dramatics. It will encourage students to "think out of the box", promoting creative problem solving within a supportive ensemble. Recommended for non-majors (Early Childhood education, Business, Speech/Communication majors especially encouraged) as well as Theatre students.
THEA 3B Intermediate Improvisation
- Units
- 3
- Hours
- 54 hours lecture
- Prerequisite
- THEA 3A
- Transfers to
- CSU, UC
This course will teach students Long-Form Improvisation. The class will concentrate on finding style and improving skills through various in class, supportive, exercises. Students will focus on accepting/supporting, creating honest and strong relationship, and developing complex and engaging circumstances.
THEA 3C Improvisation in Performance
- Units
- 3
- Hours
- 54 hours lecture
- Prerequisite
- THEA 3B
- Transfers to
- CSU, UC
From Saturday Night Live to Flash Mobs - Improvisation is part of our culture. Students will get the opportunity to perform as well as teach improvisation techniques and creative dramatics in a supportive and fun atmosphere. Students will also have opportunities to attend and critique the work various local improvisation troupes.
THEA 4 Modern American Theater
- Units
- 3
- Hours
- 54 hours lecture
- Transfers to
- CSU, UC
This class examines and celebrates various works of Modern American Theater and the history, representation and contribution of Modern American theater as an instrument for expressing and understanding cultural identity. Focus will be applied to at least three playwrights who identify as African-American, Latin-American, Asian, indigenous people, women, LGBTQ, or belong to a religious minority.
THEA 5 Theater for Young Audiences
- Units
- 3
- Hours
- 54 hours lecture
- Transfers to
- CSU, UC
Introduction to the history, theory, and techniques of theater for young audiences. Creation, including possible props, puppets, masks, and costumes, and performance of a theatrical production to be performed for local K-12 students. All enrolled will be a part of the production and will learn aspects of a show for public performance for young audiences. Casting is subject to audition.
THEA 10 Introduction to Dramatic Arts
- Units
- 3
- Hours
- 54 hours lecture
- Transfers to
- CSU, UC
- C-ID
- THTR 111
A survey of the elements of Theater and its contribution to cultures and societies throughout history.
THEA 11 Stage to Screen
- Units
- 3
- Hours
- 54 hours lecture
- Transfers to
- CSU, UC
This course examines and evaluates major plays which subsequently have been made into films. Analysis of each playscript is augmented by a viewing and analysis of the film adaptation. Selection of works viewed and critiqued will cover a wide variety of contemporary and classical plays and films, and will be reflective of a broad and dynamic audience, reflective of the rich diversity of students.
THEA 25 Fundamentals of Stage Speech
- Units
- 3
- Hours
- 54 hours lecture
- Transfers to
- CSU, UC
Theory and practice of speech improvement for acting with emphasis on development of the voice, articulation, and pronunciation for theater production.
THEA 29A Independent Study, Theater
- Units
- 0.5-2
- Hours
- 108 hours laboratory
- Transfers to
- CSU
Supervised study in the area of Theatrical performance. Any student interested in registering for an Independent Studies course should contact a full/part-time instructor or dean in the appropriate area.
THEA 29S Independent Study, Stagecraft
- Units
- 0
- Transfers to
- CSU
Supervised study in the area of Stagecraft. Any student interested in registering for an Independent Studies course should contact a full/part-time instructor or dean in the appropriate area.
THEA 31A Drama Workshop - Beginning
- Units
- 3
- Hours
- 36 hours lecture,, 54 hours laboratory
- Transfers to
- CSU, UC
Participation as an actor or crew member in experimental workshop plays, original student scripts, and other projects, possibly leading to scheduled performances. Casting subject to in class audition. Students from all backgrounds and majors welcome!
THEA 31B Drama Workshop - Intermediate
- Units
- 3
- Hours
- 36 hours lecture,, 54 hours laboratory
- Prerequisite
- THEA 31A
- Transfers to
- CSU, UC
Participation as an actor or crew member in experimental workshop plays, original student scripts, and other projects, possibly leading to scheduled performances. Casting subject to in class audition. Students from all backgrounds and majors welcome!
THEA 31C Drama Workshop - Technical Theater
- Units
- 3
- Hours
- 36 hours lecture,, 54 hours laboratory
- Prerequisite
- THEA 50, may be taken concurrently
- Transfers to
- CSU, UC
Participation as designer or stage crew in one act plays, original student scripts, or other projects developed in collaboration with students in Theater 31 A and 31B, possibly leading to scheduled performances. Students from all backgrounds and majors welcome!
THEA 31D Drama Workshop - Directing
- Units
- 3
- Hours
- 36 hours lecture,, 54 hours laboratory
- Transfers to
- CSU, UC
Participation as a director or assistant director of one act plays, original student scripts, or other projects, leading to scheduled performances.
THEA 39A Musical Theater Workshop - Beginning
- Units
- 3
- Hours
- 36 hours lecture,, 54 hours laboratory
- Transfers to
- CSU, UC
Training in performance skills for the musical theater, with emphasis on acting, stage movement and vocal production. Solo, duet and ensemble work, possibly leading to a culminating public performance.
THEA 39B Musical Theater Workshop - Intermediate
- Units
- 3
- Hours
- 36 hours lecture,, 54 hours laboratory
- Prerequisite
- THEA 39A
- Transfers to
- CSU, UC
Intermediate training in performance skills for the musical theater, with emphasis on acting, stage movement and vocal production. Study includes written analyses, musical theater staging and basic acting and vocal techniques. Solo, duet, and ensemble work possibly leading to culminating public performance.
THEA 39C Musical Theater Workshop - Advanced
- Units
- 3
- Hours
- 36 hours lecture,, 54 hours laboratory
- Prerequisite
- THEA 39B
- Transfers to
- CSU, UC
Advanced training in performance skills for the musical theater, with emphasis on acting, stage movement and vocal production. Study includes auditioning techniques and critical analyses of musical theater performances. Culminating public performance required.
THEA 47A Performance in Production: Introduction to Live Performance
- Units
- 3
- Hours
- 18 hours lecture,, 108 hours laboratory
- Transfers to
- CSU, UC
- C-ID
- THTR 191
This course provides instruction and supervised participation in theatre rehearsal and performance. On stage participation in cast of scheduled main stage production.
THEA 47B Performance in Production: Beginning
- Units
- 3
- Hours
- 18 hours lecture,, 108 hours laboratory
- Prerequisite
- THEA 47A
- Transfers to
- CSU, UC
As a continuation of THEA 47A, students will participate in the cast of a scheduled main stage production. Emphasis will be on character development, objectives, and actions.
THEA 47C Performance in Production: Intermediate
- Units
- 3
- Hours
- 18 hours lecture,, 108 hours laboratory
- Prerequisite
- THEA 47B
- Transfers to
- CSU, UC
This course is a continuation of THEA 47B. Student will participate in the cast of a scheduled main stage production. This course will focus on rehearsal technique, personal creative exploration, and ensemble building and motivated performance response.
THEA 47D Performance in Production: Advanced
- Units
- 3
- Hours
- 18 hours lecture,, 108 hours laboratory
- Prerequisite
- THEA 47C
- Transfers to
- CSU, UC
As a continuation of THEA 47C, students will continue to develop onstage with participation in the cast of the scheduled main stage production. This course will emphasize complexity and polish in performance, personal and creative development as a theater professional, and outreach and publicity obligations.
THEA 48A Technical Theater in Production - Beginning
- Units
- 3
- Hours
- 18 hours lecture,, 108 hours laboratory
- Transfers to
- CSU, UC
- C-ID
- THTR 192
Students will gain practical experience in the application of production responsibilities in any of the following: stage management, house management, construction, scenery, properties, costume, lighting, sound, and running crews. Enrollment is for the duration of the semester.
THEA 48B Technical Theater in Production - Intermediate
- Units
- 3
- Hours
- 18 hours lecture,, 108 hours laboratory
- Prerequisite
- THEA 48A
- Transfers to
- CSU, UC
Participation in scheduled productions and events as crew members and/or construction of said productions technical elements, including lighting and sound implementation. Enrollment is for the duration of the semester. Students may participate in the design and board operation of multiple productions or events per semester.
THEA 48C Technical Theater in Production - Advanced
- Units
- 3
- Hours
- 18 hours lecture,, 108 hours laboratory
- Prerequisite
- THEA 48B
- Transfers to
- CSU, UC
Participation in scheduled productions as assistant stage managers or assistant designers of said productions technical elements, including scenic, costume, lighting and sound design. Enrollment is for the duration of the semester. Students may participate in more than one production per semester, as needed.
THEA 48D Technical Theater in Production - Capstone
- Units
- 3
- Hours
- 18 hours lecture,, 108 hours laboratory
- Prerequisite
- THEA 48C
- Transfers to
- CSU, UC
Participation in scheduled productions as manager of productions technical elements, which may include stage management, publicity management, or designer's apprentice in lighting, sound, costume, or scenic design. Enrollment is for the duration of the semester. Students may participate in more than one production or event per semester.
THEA 50 Stagecraft
- Units
- 3
- Hours
- 36 hours lecture,, 54 hours laboratory
- Transfers to
- CSU, UC
- C-ID
- THTR 171
An introduction to technical theatre and the creation of scenic elements. Includes basic concepts of design, 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.
THEA 50L Introduction to Stage Lighting
- Units
- 3
- Hours
- 36 hours lecture,, 54 hours laboratory
- Transfers to
- CSU, UC
- C-ID
- THTR 173
This course involves the study and execution of stage lighting with emphasis on equipment, control, color and their relationship to design. Introduction to stage lighting design. Physics of light, color, electricity; components of basic lighting technology; comprehensive overview of the art of theater lighting design.
THEA 51 Introduction to Costume Design
- Units
- 3
- Hours
- 36 hours lecture,, 54 hours laboratory
- Transfers to
- CSU, UC
- C-ID
- THTR 174
Students will study costume history, design, and basic construction techniques as an introduction to basic theatrical costuming. Fabrics and their various uses will be investigated. Design and fabrication of costumes for production; components of basic sewing and costume construction; comprehensive overview of the history of fashion and costume, color, manufacturing techniques; Introduction to basic makeup design; makeup application techniques and design; special effects makeup techniques.
THEA 52 Introduction to Design
- Units
- 3
- Hours
- 45 hours lecture,, 27 hours laboratory
- Transfers to
- CSU, UC
- C-ID
- THTR 172
Students will be offered a survey of the design and history of scenery, lighting, sound, costumes, makeup, properties, theatrical equipment and construction techniques through demonstration, and laboratory experience. Information is applicable to all formal theatrical applications.
THEA 53 Script Analysis
- Units
- 3
- Hours
- 54 hours lecture
- Prerequisite
- ENGL C1000
- Transfers to
- CSU, UC
- C-ID
- THTR 114
Develops critical thinking , analysis, and writing skills as they apply to the exploration of the principles, theories and techniques of play script analysis for theatrical production. Class content includes the historical and cultural importance of various kinds of script; genre and form; narrative and plot analysis; linguistic analysis; interpreting stage directions; and identification of main themes. Emphasis on effective written communication in literature. Research required.
THEA 54 Shakespeare Through Performance
- Units
- 3
- Hours
- 45 hours lecture,, 27 hours laboratory
- Prerequisite
- THEA 1A, may be taken concurrently
- Transfers to
- CSU, UC
Study and performance of classical Shakespearean texts (monologues and dialogues), with a focus on the Elizabethan world as it applies to performance. Students will come to understand the works of William Shakespeare through active performance techniques as well as traditional literary analysis.
THEA 55 Movement for the Actor
- Units
- 1
- Hours
- 18 hours lecture
- Transfers to
- CSU
Movement for the Actor is designed to use movement and gesture for furthering skills in character development, enhancing the actor's understanding of their body as a tool for communication. This course focuses on the actor's body and mind connection, and how they might use that connection to further enhance their performance skills. Course included exercises based on various techniques including an introduction to mime, Laban, Viewpoints, character masks, and ensemble development exercises.
THEA 56 Acting for the Camera
- Units
- 3
- Hours
- 54 hours lecture
- Transfers to
- CSU, UC
Introduction to the principles and techniques of acting on camera and voice-over acting. This course explores acting techniques for industrials, commercials, film and television as well as voice-over for television, radio, cartoons, and more.
THEA 57A Performance in Production - Introduction to Musical Theater
- Units
- 3
- Hours
- 18 hours lecture,, 108 hours laboratory
- Transfers to
- CSU, UC
- C-ID
- THTR 191
This course provides instruction and supervised participation in theatre rehearsal and performance. On stage participation in cast of scheduled main stage production. Enrollment is for the duration of the production.
THEA 57B Performance in Production -Beginning Musical Theater
- Units
- 3
- Hours
- 18 hours lecture,, 108 hours laboratory
- Prerequisite
- THEA 57A, may be taken concurrently
- Transfers to
- CSU, UC
As a continuation of THEA 57A, students will participate in the cast of a scheduled main stage musical production. Emphasis will be on character development, objectives, and actions.
THEA 57C Performance in Production -Intermediate Musical Theater
- Units
- 3
- Hours
- 18 hours lecture,, 108 hours laboratory
- Prerequisite
- THEA 57B
- Transfers to
- CSU, UC
This course is a continuation of THEA 57B. Student will participate in the cast of a scheduled main stage musical production. This course will focus on rehearsal technique, personal creative exploration, and ensemble building and motivated performance response.
THEA 57D Performance in Production -Advanced Musical Theater
- Units
- 3
- Hours
- 18 hours lecture,, 108 hours laboratory
- Prerequisite
- THEA 57C
- Transfers to
- CSU, UC
As a continuation of THEA 57C, students will continue to develop onstage with participation in the cast of the scheduled main stage production. This course will emphasize complexity and polish in performance, personal and creative development as a theater professional, and development as a vocal musician.
THEA 58 Stage Combat
- Units
- 2
- Hours
- 18 hours lecture,, 54 hours laboratory
- Transfers to
- CSU
This course introduces students to armed and unarmed stage combat for the theater and entertainment industry with a concentrated focus on partnership, safety, and storytelling through movement. Focus on hand to hand combat and single sword, among others. Students will have the option to complete certification with The Society of American Fight Directors.
THEA 60 Business of Acting
- Units
- 1
- Hours
- 18 hours lecture
- Prerequisite
- THEA 1A, may be taken concurrently
- Transfers to
- CSU
Students with an interest in pursuing acting beyond the community college setting will work on preparations to audition for theater, film and four-year schools and develop an understanding of the expectations of professional actors. This class will explore union affiliation pros and cons, artist representation, financial management for artists, and more!