Palomar College — Theatre Arts (TA) Courses
TA 100 — Introduction to the Theatre (3 units)
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 106A — Basic Costume I: Technology (3 units)
A foundational course providing a basic introduction to practices, theories, techniques and procedures of costume technology for theatre, film and television. Focus on 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. Practical training in college productions is incorporated during the course of study.
TA 107 — Lighting for Stage and Television (3 units)
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 (3 units)
Technical practices and organization of production for theatre, film, and television. Practice in drafting, designing, and construction of scenery for college productions.
TA 109 — Elementary Stage Make-Up (3 units)
Basic theories, techniques, and procedures of make-up production for stage, film, and television. Practical training in college productions.
TA 111 — Technical Theatre Production (5 units)
Techniques and procedures of planning and coordination through all phases of the technical theatre production process. Practical training through college productions.
TA 113A — Improvisational Theatre I (3 units)
Improvisational theatre techniques for various forms that engage the audience in an interactive performance setting. Includes basic skills for creating and sustaining improvisational scenes as well as structures that challenge participants’ skills and analyze social situations of conflict in participants’ lives and communities.
TA 113B — Improvisational Theatre II (3 units)
Advanced skills for creating, performing and facilitating improvisational work, including refined verbal and nonverbal behaviors.
TA 115 — Acting I (3 units)
Workshop introduction to the tools and terminology of acting. Students apply knowledge and experience to the performance of short scenes.
TA 116 — Acting II (3 units)
Continues exploration of acting theory and technique, deepening the acting process. Emphasis on truthful performance of scenes and monologues, pursuing objectives, responsiveness to partners, emotional range, and continued development of vocal and physical technique.
TA 119 — Voice and Speech (3 units)
Practical, experiential work in voice and speech leading to improved power, expressiveness and clarity, using contemporary approaches to develop the actor’s voice.
TA 125 — Beginning Oral Interpretation (3 units)
Introduction to oral reading of prose, poetry, and drama in distinct and intertextual formats. Critical analysis models applied to written literature and performed readings; evaluation based on effective delivery principles.
TA 131 — Elementary Stage Costume and Make-Up (3 units)
Basic theories, techniques, and procedures of costume production and make-up application for stage, film, and television. Practical training in college productions.
TA 150 — Dramatic Literature and Script Analysis (3 units)
Explores, understands, and appreciates a wide range of play scripts. Using investigative techniques (e.g., analyzing theme, plot, character, imagery, and how scripts convey meaning to theatre artists and audiences), students gain insight into reading, using, and creating a play script.
TA 160 — Beginning Stage Direction (3 units)
Principles, procedures, and methods of stage direction. Students serve as assistant directors on college productions and direct scenes for acting classes and studio productions.
TA 173 — Musical Theatre Scenes I (1 unit)
Rehearsal and performance of solo and group scenes from Broadway musicals from the 1930s to the present.
TA 174 — Musical Theatre Scenes II (1 unit)
Continuation of TA 173 with deeper exploration of acting, singing, and dancing for Broadway musicals from the 1930s to the present.
TA 182 — Introduction to Arts Management (3 units)
Introduction to principles and practices of arts management through an interdisciplinary study of management topics in the visual and performing arts.
TA 183 — Internship in Arts Management (3 units)
Practical experience in arts management in the visual and performing arts.
TA 184 — Creative Theatre Ensemble (1, 1.5, or 2 units)
Collaborative creation of an original devised theatre performance or ensemble performance of an existing text.
TA 191A — Rehearsal and Performance I (1 or 2 units)
Initial experience rehearsing and performing in a departmental theatre production, typically in an ensemble, non-speaking, or small supporting role.
TA 191B — Rehearsal and Performance II (1 or 2 units)
Second experience rehearsing and performing in a departmental production, generally a small to medium speaking role or participation on the run crew.
TA 191C — Rehearsal and Performance III (1 or 2 units)
Third experience in departmental production; typically a medium supporting or leading role.
TA 191D — Rehearsal and Performance IV (1 or 2 units)
Fourth experience in departmental production; typically a supporting or lead role.
TA 192A — Technical Theatre Practicum I (1–2 units)
Practical experience in production responsibilities in house staff; observation/evaluation of stage crew responsibilities.
TA 192B — Technical Theatre Practicum II (1 or 2 units)
Practical experience in stage-crew production responsibilities; observation/evaluation of stage-crew roles.
TA 192C — Technical Theatre Practicum III (1 or 2 units)
Practical experience in technical-staff production responsibilities; observation/evaluation of leadership roles in the technical staff.
TA 192D — Technical Theatre Practicum IV (1 or 2 units)
Practical experience leading within the technical staff; observation/evaluation of design-staff production responsibilities.
TA 197E — Management of Theatre Activities (.5–3 units)
Principles of organization, operation, and planning for theatre management including programming, ticket sales, box office records, and promotional news release writing. Practical application to theatre productions.
TA 197F — Theatre Topics (.5–4 units)
Topics in theatre. Course title designates subject covered. See Class Schedule for specific topics.
TA 215 — Acting III (3 units)
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 (3 units)
Advanced topics in acting technique including approaches to style and contemporary innovations in acting methods.
TA 283 — Musical Theatre Scenes III (1 unit)
Continuation of Musical Theatre Scenes II with emphasis on more advanced acting, singing, and dance techniques.
TA 284 — Musical Theatre Scenes IV (1 unit)
Explores rehearsal and performance of musical theatre acting, singing, and dancing at the advanced level.