Los Angeles Pierce College Theatre is a dynamic, transformative program with multidisciplinary classes, award winning productions, diverse stage opportunities, hands-on experience, and industry internships. Our curriculum is a two-year program offering an Associates of Arts degree and an Associates of Arts Transfer degree with specializations in acting, technical theatre and costume design. We train the next generation of theatre artists at LAPC Theatre.
Tickets available at:
The Mousetrap
by Agatha Christie
directed by Shaheen Vaaz
October 18-27, 2024, Performing Ars Mainstage
Brimming with intrigue, sophisticated humor and surprising twists, Agatha Christie's iconic murder mystery – about a group of strangers trapped during a snowstorm – is the world’s most successful and longest-running play, having opened in London’s West End in 1952, where it is still playing today.
Clyde’s
by Lynn Nottage
directed by Esdras Toussaint
December 6-15, 2024, Dow Arena Theatre
In Clyde’s, a truck stop sandwich shop offers its formerly incarcerated kitchen staff a shot at redemption. Even as the shop’s callous owner tries to keep them down, the staff members learn to reclaim their lives, find purpose, and become inspired to dream by their shared quest to create the perfect sandwich.
ASSOCIATE OF ARTS DEGREE
THEATRE ARTS
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Complete the following 6 sections:
THEATER 100 - 3 units
THEATER 240 - 3 units
THEATER 270 - 3 units
THEATER 271 - 3 units
THEATER 342 - 2 units
THEATER 411 - 3 units
Choose one:
THEATER 232 - 2 units
THEATER 250 - 2 units
THEATER 292 - 2 units
Major Total Units - 19
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THEATER 100 - Intro to the Theater
THEATER 232 - Play Production
THEATER 270 - Beginning Acting
THEATER 271 - Intermediate Acting
THEATER 292 - Rehearsals & Performances
THEATER 342 -
Technical Stage Production
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THEATER 240 - Voice and Articulation
THEATER 411 - Costuming for Theater
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TECHNICAL THEATRE OPTION
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Complete the following 6 sections:
THEATER 100 - 3 units
THEATER 270 - 3 units
THEATER 300 - 3 units
THEATER 315 - 3 units
THEATER 342 - 2 units
THEATER 450 - 3 units
And complete one of the following sections:
COMM 101 - 3 units
or
THEATER 310 - 3 units
or
THEATER 411 - 3 units
Major Total Units - 20
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COSTUME DESIGN OPTION
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Complete the following 6 sections:
THEATER 100 - 3 units
THEATER 270 - 3 units
THEATER 300 - 3 units
THEATER 315 - 3 units
THEATER 411 - 3 units
THEATER 450 - 3 units
Major Total Units - 18
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ASSOCIATE OF ARTS
TRANSFER DEGREE
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Complete 1 of the following sections:
THEATER 100 - 3 units
THEATER 110 - 3 units
Complete the following 3 sections:
THEATER 270 - 3 units
THEATER 291 - 1 unit
THEATER 342 - 2 units
Complete 3 of the following sections:
THEATER 114 - 3 units
THEATER 271 - 3 units
THEATER 300 - 3 units
THEATER 305 - 3 units
THEATER 310 - 3 units
THEATER 411 - 3 units
THEATER 450 - 3 units
Major Total Units - 18
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CERTIFICATE OF ACHIEVEMENT
IN TECHNICAL THEATER
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Complete the following 5 sections:
THEATER 300 - 3 units
THEATER 310 - 3 units
THEATER 315 - 3 units
THEATER 320 - 3 units
THEATER 342 - 2 units
And complete one of the following sections:
THEATER 340 - 3 units
or
THEATER 411 - 3 units
or
THEATER 450 - 3 units
Total Units - 17
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THEATER 300 - Intro to Stagecraft
THEATER 310 - Intro to Lighting Design
THEATER 315 - Intro to Scenic Design
THEATER 342 -
Technical Stage Production
THEATER 320 -
Computer Aided Drafting for Theater
THEATER 450 -
Theatrical Stage Make-up
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THEATER 340 - Theater Management
THEATER 411 - Costuming for Theater
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degrees/ classes
LAPC Theatre Arts Associate of Arts Program at Pierce College is a professional quality transferable education plan for theater artists in the greater Los Angeles area. This rigorous program gives students valuable skills in all the major areas of performance for the stage. Students are asked to take a total of six Major required classes spread over four semesters of study. Some of the classes offered as part of this program:
VOICE AND ARTICULATION - THEATER 240
Every fall semester, students are engrossed in activities that prepare their bodies for professional theater voice techniques. In this 15 week class, students will acquire skills in diction, projection, and dialects. Students are exposed to warm up exercises, monologue and scene work, and explore the process in which an actor uses and transforms their voice for the stage.
BEGINNING ACTING - THEATER 270
Offered every semester, this class provides a 15 week rigorous introduction to the craft of acting for stage performance. Students are exposed to all basic techniques of performance, and participate in monologue study, scene work, and basic script analysis. Students perform solo work, in addition to collaboration with other student scene partners.
REHEARSALS AND PERFORMANCE- THEATER 232, 291, 292 and 293 are COMBINED COURSES that provide students with an opportunity to participate in a current Pierce College theater production. There is an audition and rehearsal period that culminates in two weeks of performances before a live audience of the general public. All areas, including acting, stage management, assistant directing, light and sound operation, costuming, props, and makeup are incorporated in this collaborative process.
The Technical Theater Associate of Arts Program at Pierce College is a professional quality transferable education plan for theater artists in the greater Los Angeles area. This rigorous two year program gives students valuable skills in all the major areas of Technical Theater. Students are asked to take a total of seven Major required classes spread over four semesters of study. Listed below are descriptions of some of the unique educational experiences offered as part of this program.
INTRO TO SCENIC DESIGN - THEATER 315
Pierce College offers a great introductory class focusing on scenic design. Offered every semester, this 15 week class provides students experience and skills in paper drafting and rendering techniques; in addition to Vectorworks computer based design solutions. Special emphasis is placed on conceptual planning and design choices. Students are encouraged to think outside-the-box in their creative choices.
TECHNICAL STAGE PRODUCTION - THEATER 342
Every semester, students are engrossed in lab activities that prepare them for the professional theater industry. In this 15 week lab class, students will acquire skills in carpentry, lighting electrics set-up, sound fundamentals, and property design and construction. Students are encouraged to participate in fully realized productions produced by the department.
INTRO TO STAGECRAFT - THEATER 300
Offered every semester, this class provides a 15 week survey program for all aspects of Technical Theater and Design. Students are introduced to industry standard software including Vectorworks and QLab. In addition, this class also features hands-on activity based learning in the areas of scenic construction, property design, scenic painting, and sound design.
The Costume Design Associate of Arts Program at Pierce College is a professional quality transferable education plan for theater artists in the greater Los Angeles area. This rigorous two year program gives students valuable skills in all the major areas of Technical Theater. as it relates to Costuming. Students are asked to take a total of six Major required classes spread over four semesters of study. Listed below are descriptions of some of the unique educational experiences offered as part of this program.
BEGINNING STAGE MAKE-UP - THEATER 450
Every spring semester, students are engrossed in lab activities that prepare them for professional theater make-up application. In this 15 week lecture/lab class, students will acquire skills in make-up design, execution, style, and special effects. Students are encouraged to participate in fully realized productions produced by the department.
COSTUMING FOR THE THEATER - THEATER 411
Pierce College offers a great introductory class focusing on costume design. Offered every fall semester, this 15 week class provides students experience and skills in costume rendering techniques; in addition to hands on sewing and construction skills. Special emphasis is placed on conceptual planning and design choices. Students are encouraged to think outside-the-box in their creative choices.
The Theater Arts Associate of Arts Transfer Program at Pierce College is a professional quality transferable education plan to California State University for theater artists in the greater Los Angeles area. This rigorous two year program gives students valuable skills in all the major areas of performance for the stage. Students are asked to take a total of seven Major required classes spread over four semesters of study.
The Technical Theater Certificate Program at Pierce College is a one of a kind option for theater artists in the greater Los Angeles area. This rigorous one year program gives students valuable skills in all the major areas of Technical Theater. Students are asked to take a total of six classes spread over two semesters of study.