Theatre Arts
30 courses · Palomar College · 2026-2027 Catalog
Classes: Fall 2026 · Spring 2027
TA 100 Introduction to the Theatre
- Units
- 3
- Hours
- 3.00 hours lecture
- Transfers to
- CSU, UC
- C-ID
- THTR
Theatre texts, processes and performances create a mirror that reflects an image of the world. This course actively engages students through the language, tools and processes of theatre to examine and encounter our world and to articulate insights about human behavior, experience, culture & society.
TA 106 Fundamentals of Costume Design
- Units
- 3
- Hours
- 2.00 hours lecture, 3.00 hours lab
- Transfers to
- CSU, UC
- C-ID
- THTR
A foundational course providing the fundamental practices, theories, techniques and procedures of costume design and technology for film, television, and theatre. This course will introduce students to the structure of a working costume shop, basic hand and machine sewing techniques, textile identification, basic garment fitting, simple pattern modification, and production wardrobe crew procedures. Through a series of practical costume projects, students will develop skills in design theory, drawing techniques, and script analysis abilities. Additional work-based learning incorporated during the course of study via practical training in the college Performing Arts productions.
TA 107 Lighting for Stage and Television
- Units
- 3
- Hours
- 2.00 hours lecture, 3.00 hours lab
- Transfers to
- CSU, UC
- C-ID
- THTR 173
Techniques, theories, and procedures necessary to develop lighting and lighting effects integrated into film, television, and theatre productions. Practical experience in college productions.
TA 108 Stagecraft and Scene Design for Theatre and Television
- Units
- 3
- Hours
- 2.00 hours lecture, 3.00 hours lab
- Transfers to
- CSU, UC
- C-ID
- THTR 172
Technical practices and organization of production for theatre, film, and television. Practice in drafting, designing, and construction of scenery for college productions.
TA 109 Introduction to Stage Makeup
- Units
- 3
- Hours
- 2.00 hours lecture, 4.00 hours lab
- Transfers to
- CSU, UC
- C-ID
- THTR 175
Foundational course providing the fundamental practices, theories, techniques, and procedures of make-up production for film, television, and theatre. Through a series of practical makeup projects, students will develop skills in design theory, drawing techniques, script analysis, and the application of a wide range of makeup styles appropriate for personal and professional use. Students will also have opportunities for practical training in college productions.
TA 111 Technical Theatre Production
- Units
- 0.5
- Hours
- 1.50 hours lab
- Prerequisite
- (Completion of, or concurrent enrollment in): TA 106; TA 107 or TA 108 or TA 109 or
- Transfers to
- CSU, UC
Techniques and procedures of planning and coordination through all phases of the technical theatre production process. Practical training through college production.
TA 113A Improvisational Theatre I
- Units
- 3
- Hours
- 3.00 hours lecture
- Transfers to
- CSU
Improvisational theatre techniques for various forms that engage the audience in an interactive performance setting. The course includes basic skills for creating and sustaining improvised situations as well as improvisational structures that challenge the participant's skills. Also included are improvisational structures that will reflect and analyze societal situations of conflict found in the participants' lives and communities.
TA 113B Improvisational Theatre II
- Units
- 3
- Hours
- 3.00 hours lecture
- Prerequisite
- TA 113A
- Transfers to
- CSU
Advanced skills for creating, performing and facilitating improvisational and interactive theatre events.
TA 115 Acting I
- Units
- 3
- Hours
- 3.00 hours lecture
- Transfers to
- CSU, UC
- C-ID
- C-ID THTR 151
In a workshop environment, the student will learn the basic tools and terminology of acting. The student will apply this knowledge and experience to the performance of short scenes.
TA 116 Acting II
- Units
- 3
- Hours
- 3.00 hours lecture
- Prerequisite
- TA 115
- Transfers to
- CSU, UC
- C-ID
- THTR 152
This course follows Acting I and continues the exploration of theories and techniques used in preparation for the interpretation of drama through acting. The emphasis will be placed on deepening the understanding of the acting process. Designed to improve the actor's skills for performing scenes and monologues with truth and power. Actors will improve their ability to pursue the character's needs and objectives, to be vulnerable to their partners' words and actions, and to create a wide range of emotion. Actors in this class will continue to develop their vocal and physical technique.
TA 119 Voice and Speech
- Units
- 3
- Hours
- 3.00 hours lecture
- Transfers to
- CSU, UC
A practical and experiential class introducing students to exercises and theories of voice and speech production leading to improved power, expressiveness and clarity. Methodology will include major contemporary approaches to developing the actor's voice.
TA 125 Beginning Oral Interpretation
- Units
- 3
- Hours
- 3.00 hours lecture
- Transfers to
- CSU, UC
- C-ID
- COMM 170
An introduction to the oral reading of prose, poetry, and drama in distinct and intertextual formats. Models of critical analysis will be applied to written literature and reading will be performed and evaluated by applying principles of effective delivery.
TA 141 History of the Theatre From the 18th Century to the Present
- Units
- 3
- Hours
- 3.00 hours lecture
- Transfers to
- CSU, UC
A survey of the influence of different cultures, traditions, and technologies on the development of the theatre as a social institution from the 18th Century to the present.
TA 150 Dramatic Literature and Script Analysis
- Units
- 3
- Hours
- 3.00 hours lecture
- Transfers to
- CSU, UC
This course is designed to allow the student to explore, understand, and appreciate a diverse range of play scripts. Using investigative techniques [e.g. scrutinizing the playwright's methods of creating theatre through plot, character and imagery, and understanding how scripts convey meaning to the professional theatre artist and theatre-goer as distinct from other forms of literature], the student will gain new insights into how to read, use, and create a play script.
TA 160 Beginning Stage Direction
- Units
- 3
- Hours
- 3.00 hours lecture
- Transfers to
- CSU, UC
Training in the principles, procedures, and methods of stage direction. Students will serve as assistant directors on college productions and will also direct scenes for acting classes and studio productions.
TA 173 Musical Theatre Scenes I
- Units
- 1
- Hours
- 3.00 hours lab
- Transfers to
- CSU
Rehearsal and performance of solo and group scenes from Broadway musicals dating from the 1930's to the present.
TA 174 Musical Theatre Scenes II
- Units
- 1
- Hours
- 3.00 hours lab
- Transfers to
- CSU
A continuation of Musical Theatre Scenes I. A deeper exploration into the acting, singing, and dancing necessary for Broadway Musicals from the 1930's to present.
TA 184 Creative Theatre Ensemble
- Units
- 1-2
- Hours
- 3.00-6.00 hours lab
- Transfers to
- CSU, UC
Students in theatre and allied disciplines work collaboratively on creating an original devised theatre performance or on an existing text that requires an ensemble approach to the performance.
TA 191A Rehearsal and Performance I
- Units
- 1-2
- Hours
- 3.00-6.00 hours lab
- Transfers to
- CSU, UC
- C-ID
- THTR 191
An initial experience of the rehearsal and performance of a departmental theatre production. Generally this would involve an ensemble, non-speaking or small supporting role.
TA 191B Rehearsal and Performance II
- Units
- 1-2
- Hours
- 3.00-6.00 hours lab
- Prerequisite
- TA 191A
- Transfers to
- CSU, UC
- C-ID
- THTR 191
Second experience of the rehearsal and performance of a departmental theatre production. Generally this would involve a small to medium supporting role in the production.
TA 191C Rehearsal and Performance III
- Units
- 1-2
- Hours
- 3.00-6.00 hours lab
- Prerequisite
- TA 191B
- Transfers to
- CSU, UC
- C-ID
- THTR 191
Third experience of the rehearsal and performance of a departmental theatre production. Generally this would involve a medium supporting role or leading role in the production.
TA 191D Rehearsal and Performance IV
- Units
- 1-2
- Hours
- 3.00-6.00 hours lab
- Prerequisite
- TA 191C
- Transfers to
- CSU, UC
- C-ID
- THTR 191
Fourth experience of the rehearsal and performance of a departmental theatre production. Generally this would involve a large supporting role or lead role in the production.
TA 192A Technical Theatre in Production 1
- Units
- 1-2
- Hours
- 3.00-6.00 hours lab
- Transfers to
- CSU, UC
- C-ID
- THTR 192
Students will gain practical experience in the application of skills to the responsibilities of various stage crew positions in a theater production. Students will learn to use the specialized equipment and develop skills determined by the specific requirements of the production. In addition students will learn and practice the protocols associated with professional theater productions and the collaborative culture of theatre-making. Students will also learn about career opportunities in Technical Theatre Production. 54 hours of production experience are required each unit of course credit.
TA 192B Technical Theatre in Production 2
- Units
- 1-2
- Hours
- 3.00-6.00 hours lab
- Prerequisite
- TA 192A
- Transfers to
- CSU, UC
- C-ID
- THTR 192
Students will gain practical experience in the application of production responsibilities in the stage crew. Students will also observe and evaluate the production responsibilities of the technical staff.
TA 192C Technical Theatre in Production 3
- Units
- 1-2
- Hours
- 3.00-6.00 hours lab
- Prerequisite
- TA 192B
- Transfers to
- CSU, UC
- C-ID
- THTR 192
Students will gain practical experience in the application of production responsibilities in the technical staff. Students will also observe and evaluate the production responsibilities of the leadership roles in the technical staff.
TA 192D Technical Theatre in Production 4
- Units
- 1-2
- Hours
- 3.00-6.00 hours lab
- Prerequisite
- TA 192C
- Transfers to
- CSU, UC
- C-ID
- THTR 192
Students will gain practical experience in the application of production responsibilities in a leadership role in the technical staff. Students will also observe and evaluate the production responsibilities of the design staff.
TA 197E Management of Theatre Activities
- Units
- 0.5-3
- Hours
- 1.50-9.00 hours lab
- Transfers to
- CSU
The principles of organization, operation, and planning for theatre management including programming, ticket sales, box office records and promotional news release writing. Practical use applied to theatre productions.
TA 197F Theatre Topics
- Units
- 0.5-4
- Hours
- 0.50-4.00 hours lecture, 1.50-12.00 hours lab
- Transfers to
- CSU, UC
Topics in theatre. See Class Schedule for specific topic offered. Course title will designate subject covered.
TA 215 Acting III
- Units
- 3
- Hours
- 3.00 hours lecture
- Prerequisite
- TA 116
- Transfers to
- CSU, UC
Emphasizes analysis of literary text and physical methods in the process of creating characters. Scene study and role preparation of significant texts by modern playwrights.
TA 216 Acting IV
- Units
- 3
- Hours
- 3.00 hours lecture
- Prerequisite
- TA 116
- Transfers to
- CSU, UC
Advanced topics in acting technique including approaches to style and contemporary innovations in acting methods.