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    Art

    Visual & Performing Arts

    Theatre Arts

    Performing Arts Center

    The Theater Arts major offers the fundamental study and understanding of the theater. This allows students to develop their practical skills and talents as well as their intellectual ability to think creatively and critically.

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    Department Overview

    The Theater Arts Department provides students the opportunity to broaden their Liberal Arts education, gain practical experience for professional theater work, and prepare for continued higher education.

    Two major productions are offered each year utilizing Laney’s outstanding theater facility. Theater Arts students have the opportunity to see several professional productions each semester for little money and often free.

    They also can intern and even work in several of the Bay Area’s professional theaters. Our program has had actors performing on professional stages prior to transferring, already building a resume.

    If you are an ESL student; exploring and working with language in the manner that Theatre practices is invaluable. Often we have had students struggling to communicate at the beginning of the school year speaking with nuance by the end; when combined with ESL training.

    Career Opportunities

    A degree in theater arts can open up various career opportunities both within and outside the traditional realm of theater. Here are some potential career paths:

    1. Acting: This is the most obvious career path for theater arts graduates. Actors work in theater, film, television, and other media. They audition for roles, perform on stage or in front of cameras, and may work in various genres such as drama, comedy, musical theater, etc.
    2. Directing: Directors are responsible for overseeing the creative aspects of a theatrical production or film. They work closely with actors, designers, and other members of the production team to bring a script to life.
    3. Playwriting/Screenwriting: Some theater arts graduates pursue careers as playwrights or screenwriters. They write scripts for plays, musicals, films, television shows, and other forms of media.
    4. Production Design/Technical Theater: Production designers and technicians work behind the scenes to create the sets, lighting, sound, and other technical elements of a theatrical production or film. They may specialize in areas such as set design, costume design, lighting design, sound engineering, etc.
    5. Arts Administration: Graduates with a theater arts degree may work in arts administration roles, such as managing theater companies, arts organizations, or cultural institutions. They may be involved in fundraising, marketing, event planning, and other administrative tasks.
    6. Teaching/Education: Some theater arts graduates pursue careers in education, teaching drama, theater arts, or related subjects at schools, colleges, or community centers.
    7. Arts Therapy: Theater arts graduates may also explore careers in arts therapy, using drama and other creative arts as a therapeutic tool to help individuals improve their mental, emotional, and physical well-being.
    8. Voice Acting: Voice actors provide their voices for animated films, video games, audiobooks, commercials, and other media. Theater arts training can be valuable for developing skills in voice acting and character portrayal.
    9. Event Management/Entertainment Industry: Theater arts graduates may also find opportunities in event management, entertainment production, talent management, and related fields within the entertainment industry.

    These are just a few examples of the career opportunities available to individuals with a degree in theater arts. The skills developed through theater education, such as communication, creativity, collaboration, and problem-solving, are transferable to a wide range of professions, making theater arts graduates adaptable and versatile in the job market.

    Contact Us

    Department Chair
    Michael Torres
    Email: mtorres@peralta.edu

    Dean
    Elizabeth Maher
    Email: emaher@peralta.edu

    Learning & Career Pathway
    Visual & Performing Arts

    Division
    Liberal Arts

    Location
    Theater Building

    Campus Map

    Degrees

    Theatre Arts
    Theatre Arts - A.A. Degree

    The Theatre Arts major offers the fundamental study and understanding of the theater. This allows students to develop their practical skills and talents as well as their intellectual ability to think creatively and critically.

     

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    Theatre Arts - AA-T Degree

    This certificate is designed to prepare students for a seamless transfer with junior status and priority admission to a local CSU campus to a program or major in theater arts or similar major for completion of a baccalaureate degree.

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    June Steingart Art Gallery

    A professionally managed art gallery featuring rotating exhibitions of contemporary art that reflects the rich cultural diversity of the Laney College community and the surrounding Bay Area. 

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    Laney College's AA-T and AS-T degrees guarantee junior standing admission to the CSU system, with priority for local CSU campuses in similar programs. Consult a counselor or transfer specialist for details.

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    Counselors can help you create a Student Educational Plan (SEP) to outline the courses needed for an Associate’s degree, transfer, or certificate, even if you're unsure of your educational goals.

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    We provide support with career exploration, self-assessment as well as the major and career decision making process to help all Laney students achieve career satisfaction and success.

     

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