Technical Theatre
The Certificate of Completion (CCL) in Technical Theatre is designed to prepare students for a wide range of careers within theatre operations and production. The curriculum includes a foundation of applied skills within technical theatre including backstage personnel skills, as well as hands-on experience working on live theatre productions and events. Students may select from a choice of specializations in audio, costuming, group/solo cosplay, hair and makeup, lighting, properties, puppetry, and set/scenic construction. Program graduates can directly enter the workforce into positions such as cosplay actor, puppeteer, sound engineer, lighting technician, carpenter, scenic painter, stage crew, stage management, wardrobe crew, costume stitcher, costume crafts apprentice, and hair/makeup artist in a range of settings including live theatre, television and film, conferences and events, attractions and shows.
Students can earn an embedded Certificate of Completion (CCL) in Stage Crew along with one additional area: Audio Technician, Costuming, Group/Solo Cosplay, Hair and Makeup, Lighting, Properties, Puppetry, and Set/Scenic construction. An Associate in Arts, Fine Arts (AAFA), Emphasis in Theatre is also available for students interested in university transfer.
Details
Students must earn a grade of C or better in all courses within the program.
Students should select an area of specialization based on their personal, academic, and professional goals. Students should speak to a program director or academic advisor for details.
This pathway map will help you gain the expertise needed to:
- Interpret stage directions, plans, and paperwork to execute projects to specifications.
- Recognize theatre and shop roles and responsibilities.
- Demonstrate use of safety procedures for a variety of technical theatre activities and projects.
- Recognize different forms of theatrical scenery.
- Operate technical theatre equipment for stage use.
- Take accurate measurements using industry standards.
- Differentiate between various materials and hardware types and their uses.
- Utilize shop tools for the production, maintenance, and alteration of theatrical costumes, properties, and/or set dressing to industry standards.
- Demonstrate proficiency in the skills required in technical theatre specializations such as audio and sound, costuming, hair and makeup, cosplay, puppetry, lighting, set construction, and/or painting.
- Create professional materials to promote one's skills and experiences within the industry.
- Analyze selected works for plot, purpose, form, characters, theme, historical, cultural, and social rules of convention.
- Demonstrate foundational skills in design, technical, and performance practices for effective communication and persona expression across various artistic genres.
Successful completion of this certificate may lead to employment in a variety of different occupations and industries. Below are examples of related occupations with associated Arizona-based wages* for this certificate. Education requirements vary for the occupations listed below, so you may need further education or degrees in order to qualify for some of these jobs and earn the related salaries. Please visit with an academic advisor and/or program director for additional information. You can click on any occupation to view the detail regarding education level, wages, and employment information.
Actors
$29.71 hourly Show expanded career information for Actors
Audio and Video Technicians
$52,900 Show expanded career information for Audio and Video Technicians
Carpenters
$47,920 Show expanded career information for Carpenters
Costume Attendants
$34,980 Show expanded career information for Costume Attendants
Craft Artists
$38,260 Show expanded career information for Craft Artists
Makeup Artists, Theatrical and Performance
$99,990 Show expanded career information for Makeup Artists, Theatrical and Performance
Painting, Coating, and Decorating Workers
$39,610 Show expanded career information for Painting, Coating, and Decorating Workers
Set and Exhibit Designers
$54,410 Show expanded career information for Set and Exhibit Designers
Sound Engineering Technicians
$52,310 Show expanded career information for Sound Engineering Technicians
Course Sequence by Term
The following is the suggested course sequence by term. Please keep in mind:
- Students should meet with an academic advisor to develop an individual education plan that meets their academic and career goals. Use the Pathway Planner tool in your Student Center to manage your plan.
- The course sequence is laid out by suggested term and may be affected when students enter the program at different times of the year.
- Initial course placement is determined by current district placement measures and/or completion of 100-200 level course and/or program requirements.
- Degree and transfer seeking students may be required to successfully complete a MCCCD First Year Experience Course (FYE) within the first two semesters at a MCCCD College. Courses include FYE101 and FYE103. Course offerings will vary by college. See an academic, program, or faculty advisor for details.
Full-time Sequence
Full-time status is 12 credits to 18 credits per semester.
Term 1
Course Number | Course Name | Requisites | Notes | Area | Credits |
---|---|---|---|---|---|
THE111 | Introduction to Theatre | HU | 3 | ||
THP213 | Introduction to Technical Theatre | Critical course Gateway course | 4 | ||
THO251 | Safety Practices in Theatre and Film Production | 1 | |||
THO266 | Production Careers in Technical Theatre | 1 | |||
ENG101 | First-Year Composition | Students who intend to take THE220 must take ENG101 | FYC | 0–3 | |
THP201AB or THO203 | Theatre Production II or Technical Theatre Production | 0–3 | |||
Specialization | Specialization Option | 3 | |||
Specialization | Specialization Option | 0–4 |
Term 2
Course Number | Course Name | Requisites | Notes | Area | Credits |
---|---|---|---|---|---|
THP201AB or THO203 | Theatre Production II or Technical Theatre Production | 0–3 | |||
THO269 | Technical Theatre Portfolio Development | 1 | |||
THP296++ | Cooperative Education | 1–4 | |||
THE220 or THO225 or THP291AC | Modern Drama or Visual Script Analysis or Summer Conservatory: Script Analysis (Act) | HU, L or None or None | 1–3 | ||
Specialization | Specialization Option | 0–3 | |||
Specialization | Specialization Option | 0–3 | |||
Specialization | Specialization Option | 0–4 |
Term 3
Course Number | Course Name | Requisites | Notes | Area | Credits |
---|---|---|---|---|---|
Specialization | Specialization Option | 0–3 | |||
Specialization | Specialization Option | 0–3 | |||
Specialization | Specialization Option | 0–3 | |||
Specialization | Specialization Option | 0–3 |
Part-time Sequence
Part-time status is 11 credit hours or less.
Term 1
Course Number | Course Name | Requisites | Notes | Area | Credits |
---|---|---|---|---|---|
THE111 | Introduction to Theatre | HU | 3 | ||
THP213 | Introduction to Technical Theatre | Critical course Gateway course | 4 | ||
THO251 | Safety Practices in Theatre and Film Production | 1 | |||
ENG101 | First-Year Composition | Students who intend to take THE220 must take ENG101 | FYC | 0–3 |
Term 2
Course Number | Course Name | Requisites | Notes | Area | Credits |
---|---|---|---|---|---|
THO266 | Production Careers in Technical Theatre | 1 | |||
Specialization | Specialization Option | 3–4 | |||
THE220 or THO225 or THP291AC | Modern Drama or Visual Script Analysis or Summer Conservatory: Script Analysis (Act) | HU, L or None or None | 1–3 |
Term 3
Course Number | Course Name | Requisites | Notes | Area | Credits |
---|---|---|---|---|---|
THP201AB or THO203 | Theatre Production II or Technical Theatre Production | 2–3 |
Term 4
Course Number | Course Name | Requisites | Notes | Area | Credits |
---|---|---|---|---|---|
THO269 | Technical Theatre Portfolio Development | 0–1 | |||
THP296++ | Cooperative Education | 0–4 | |||
Specialization | Specialization Option | 0–3 |
Term 5
Course Number | Course Name | Requisites | Notes | Area | Credits |
---|---|---|---|---|---|
Specialization | Specialization Option | 0–3 | |||
Specialization | Specialization Option | 0–3 | |||
THO269 | Technical Theatre Portfolio Development | 0–1 | |||
THP296++ | Cooperative Education | 0–4 |
Term 6
Course Number | Course Name | Requisites | Notes | Area | Credits |
---|---|---|---|---|---|
Specialization | Specialization Option | 0–3 | |||
THO269 | Technical Theatre Portfolio Development | 0–1 | |||
THP296++ | Cooperative Education | 0–4 |
Gateway Course = Generally the first major-specific course in a pathway.
Critical Course = A course that is highly predictive of future success in a pathway.
- FYC = First Year Composition
- HU = Humanities, Fine Arts, and Design
- L = Literacy & Critical Inquiry
Students must earn a grade of C or better for all courses required within the program.
Course Sequence total credits may differ from the program information located on the MCCCD curriculum website due to program and system design.
View MCCCD’s official curriculum documentation for additional details regarding the requirements of this award (https://aztransmac2.asu.edu/cgi-bin/WebObjects/MCCCD.woa/wa/freeForm11?id=184893).
At Maricopa, we strive to provide you with accurate and current information about our degree and certificate offerings. Due to the dynamic nature of the curriculum process, course and program information is subject to change. As a result, the course list associated with this degree or certificate on this site does not represent a contract, nor does it guarantee course availability. If you are interested in pursuing this degree or certificate, we encourage you to meet with an advisor to discuss the requirements at your college for the appropriate catalog year.