Theater Arts
16 courses · Napa Valley College · 2026-2027 Catalog
Classes: Fall 2026 · Spring 2027
THEA-89 Theater Arts Academy
- Units
- 0.5-3
- Hours
- 18-108 hours activity; 18-108 hours total
This course providing a broad introduction to educational opportunities and career pathways in theater arts. This course is designed for first-time college students and does not require any theater experience.
THEA-100 Introduction to Theater
- Units
- 3
- Hours
- 54 hours lecture; 54 hours total
- Transfers to
- UC, CSU
This course focuses on the relationship of theatre to various cultures throughout history, and on the contributions of significant individual artists. This course 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 theatre through play reading, discussion, films and viewing and critiquing live theatre, including required attendance of theatre productions.
THEA-110 Acting I
- Units
- 3
- Hours
- 54 hours lecture; 54 hours total
- Transfers to
- UC, CSU
This course provides students with a study of the essential skills required for acting. Course content includes movement, speech, theater games and improvisation, reading and viewing plays.
THEA-111 Acting II
- Units
- 3
- Hours
- 54 hours lecture; 54 hours total
- Prerequisite
- Completion of THEA-110 with a minimum grade of C.
- Transfers to
- UC, CSU
This course follows Acting 1 and continues the exploration of theories and techniques used in preparation from 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.
THEA-114 Reader's Theater
- Units
- 3
- Hours
- 54 hours lecture; 54 hours total
- Transfers to
- UC, CSU
Reader's Theater provides instruction and participation in play readings and performance by using vocal expression as the primary means to communicate a script's story and characters while exploring principles, theories and techniques of script analysis.
THEA-115 Acting Shakespeare
- Units
- 3
- Hours
- 54 hours lecture; 54 hours total
- Transfers to
- UC, CSU
This course is designed to provide a basic approach to the creation of effective dramatic presentations of the plays of William Shakespeare. Students will study Elizabethan and contemporary stage technique; and develop skills dealing with interpretive, vocal and physical demands of contemporary Shakespearean performance.
THEA-120 History of Theater
- Units
- 3
- Hours
- 54 hours lecture; 54 hours total
- Transfers to
- UC, CSU
This course covers the development of world theater and its origin through French Neoclassicism with a focus on the evolution of theater spaces, traditions, and productions.
THEA-122 Improvisation and Physical Theater
- Units
- 3
- Hours
- 54 hours lecture; 54 hours total
- Transfers to
- UC, CSU
This interactive course explores improvisation and physical theater through theater games, somatic awareness, individual and ensemble performance and devised work. The course also increases spontaneity, in the moment problem solving and dynamism on stage through physical expression. Topics may include the works of Spolin, Johnstone, Bogart, Meyerhold, Barba and Grotowski.
THEA-130 Stage Combat
- Units
- 3
- Hours
- 36 hours lecture; 54 hours lab; 90 hours total
- Transfers to
- UC, CSU
Stage combat aims to provide student actors with an in-depth exploration of stage violence techniques, emphasizing safety, realism, and artistic expression. Through a combination of theory, practical exercises, complex choreography, and analysis of fight scenes, students will develop a deep understanding of portraying physical conflicts on stage convincingly and safely.
THEA-140 Technical Theatre in Production
- Units
- 1-3
- Hours
- 36-108 hours activity; 36-108 hours total
- Transfers to
- UC, CSU
This course covers the study and practice of technical theater.Topics will include theatrical design, scenic painting and construction techniques, sound, lighting, and computer technology, special effects, costume and makeup, stage and front of house management, theater safety, and production crews.
THEA-151 Rehearsal and Performance: Non Musical
- Units
- 1-3
- Hours
- 36-108 hours activity; 36-108 hours total
- Transfers to
- UC, CSU
Rehearsal and Performance: Non Musical provides instruction and supervised participation in rehearsals and performances of straight plays to be presented before the campus and community with full production support.
THEA-153 Rehearsal and Performance: Musical
- Units
- 1-3
- Hours
- 36-108 hours activity; 36-108 hours total
- Transfers to
- UC, CSU
This course provides instruction and supervised participation in rehearsals and performances of musicals to be presented before the public with full production support.
THEA-174 Culture and Gender in Theater
- Units
- 3
- Hours
- 54 hours lecture; 54 hours total
- Transfers to
- UC, CSU
This course explores the contributions and perspectives of various cultural, ethnic and gender groups to contemporary American drama. Students in this course will study plays by African Americans, Latino Americans, Asian Americans and other cultural and gender groups. Cross-listed with HUMA-174.
THEA-210 Acting III
- Units
- 3
- Hours
- 54 hours lecture; 54 hours total
- Prerequisite
- Completion of THEA-110 with a minimum grade of C.
- Transfers to
- UC, CSU
This course is a more intermediate level of study in acting with emphasis on scene analysis and performance skills training.
THEA-220 Acting for Fun and Profit
- Units
- 3
- Hours
- 54 hours lecture; 54 hours total
- Transfers to
- CSU
This course provides students with a study of the fundamental skills required for gaining employment as an actor on stage and in film as well as other mediums. Course content includes audition techniques, voice over and on-camera acting skills, guidance for securing an agent, working with casting directors,preparing photographs and resumes, and joining the entertainment unions. In addition, students will prepare monologues and other materials necessary for transfer and work as a professional actor.
THEA-244 Acting IV
- Units
- 3
- Hours
- 54 hours lecture; 54 hours total
- Prerequisite
- Completion of THEA-110 with a minimum grade of C.
- Transfers to
- UC, CSU
The exploration and development of advanced acting skills through technique and performance.