Theatre Arts
Associate of Arts (AA): Acting Theatre Arts · Santa Barbara City College · 2026-2027 Catalog
Overview
The Theatre Arts Department offers a variety of programs of study and experience suited to the needs of the serious theatre student as well as those who wish to include theatre as a part of their liberal arts education. With curricula in Acting, Design/Lighting, Costuming and Technical Production, the program provides an intensive two-year course of study that prepares Theatre Arts majors for transfer to a four-year college or university — ready to do advanced upper-division work. Students have the opportunity of working in all phases of production and performance, and are encouraged to take on increasing levels of responsibility as stage managers or directors.
Requirements
Associate Degree Graduation Requirements
Complete all of the following:
- All Major Requirements listed below with a “C” or better or “P” in each course (at least 20% of the major requirements must be completed through SBCC).
- One of the following General Education options:
- OPTION 1: SBCC General Education pattern OR
- OPTION 2: Cal-GETC pattern
- A minimum of 60 semester units of degree-applicable college credit (SBCC courses numbered 100 and higher and C1000 and higher).
- Maintain a cumulative GPA of 2.0 or higher in degree-applicable coursework.
- A minimum of 12 units through SBCC.
| Course | Title | Units |
|---|---|---|
| Major Requirements | ||
| Required Core | ||
| TA 111 | Beginning Acting | 3 |
| TA 112 | Intermediate Acting A | 3 |
| TA 114 | Voice and Diction | 3 |
| TA 121 | Introduction to Stagecraft | 3 |
| orTA 131 | Costume Technology | |
| TA 136 | Theatrical Makeup Techniques | 3 |
| List A - Complete 6 units from the following: | 6 | |
| TA 103 | Theatre Appreciation | |
| TA 104 | Script Analysis | |
| TA 106 | Development of Drama - Musical Theatre | |
| TA 107 | Development Of Drama: Greek to Renaissance | |
| TA 108 | Development Of Drama II: Restoration To Contemporary | |
| List B - Complete 3 units of Controlled Electives from the following, not including courses taken to satisfy requirements above: | 3 | |
| ENG 242 | Contemporary Dramatic Literature | |
| ENG 262 | Shakespeare | |
| TA 110 | Improvisation | |
| TA 120 | Understanding Scenography | |
| TA 121 | Introduction to Stagecraft | |
| TA 123 | Stage Lighting | |
| orTA 134 | Costume Design | |
| TA 131 | Costume Technology | |
| TA 175 | Summer Theatre Workshop 1 | |
| TA 213 | Intermediate Acting B | |
| TA 214 | Advanced Acting | |
| TA 215 | Fundamentals of Directing | |
| TA 218 | Acting for the Camera | |
| TA 267A | Acting Styles: Shakespeare | |
| List C - Complete a minimum of 1 unit from the following: | 1 | |
| TA 141 | Theatre Workshop | |
| TA 142 | Theatre Workshop II | |
| TA 143 | Theatre Workshop III | |
| TA 144 | Theatre Workshop IV | |
| TA 145A | Stage Electrician | |
| TA 146A | Stage Automation and Show Control Workshop/Lab | |
| TA 149A | Production Assistant | |
| TA 150A | Stage Audio Technician Workshop | |
| TA 151 | Theatre Production I | |
| TA 152 | Theatre Production II | |
| TA 153 | Theatre Production III | |
| TA 154 | Theatre Production IV | |
| TA 175 | Summer Theatre Workshop 1 | |
| TA 255A | Classical Comedy in Performance | |
| TA 255B | Classical Comedy in Performance | |
| TA 255C | Classical Comedy in Performance | |
| TA 255D | Classical Comedy in Performance | |
| TA 256A | Contemporary Comedy in Performance | |
| TA 256B | Contemporary Comedy in Performance | |
| TA 256C | Contemporary Comedy in Performance | |
| TA 256D | Contemporary Comedy in Performance | |
| TA 262A | Modern American Drama in Performance | |
| TA 262B | Modern American Drama in Performance | |
| TA 262C | Modern American Drama in Performance | |
| TA 262D | Modern American Drama in Performance | |
| TA 263A | Classical Drama In Performance | |
| TA 263B | Classical Drama in Performance | |
| TA 263C | Classical Drama in Performance | |
| TA 263D | Classical Drama In Performance | |
| Total Units | 25.00 | |
- A maximum of 3 units from TA 175 Summer Theatre Workshop may be applied toward AA Degree.
Learning Outcomes
- Analyze a play text in terms of dramatic structure, production and performance.
- Effectively use vocabulary, techniques and processes to act in or direct an affective public performance of a play.
- Effectively use basic technical theatre vocabulary and apply foundational theatre craft skills.
Recommended Sequence
Make an appointment with your SBCC academic counselor through Starfish to create a Student Education Plan that reflects a recommended course sequence for this program that is tailored to your individual needs.
How to schedule an Academic Counseling appointment.