Theatre Arts

The Degree

Associate in Science (A.S.)

The Outlook

The employment outlook for actors, directors, designers, technicians, and producers is expected to grow faster than average through 2010, according to the U.S. Labor Department. Cable television, home movie rentals, and television syndication will fuel a growing demand for productions. Opportunities in live theatre continue to grow, as well, throughout the country.

The Theatre Arts degree program at Finger Lakes Community College prepares you to become a skilled professional with production, acting, and communication experience.

The Program

The Associate in Science (A.S.) degree in Theatre Arts is designed for students who wish to transfer to four-year colleges and universities for theatre arts and related fields. The comprehensive program includes course work in acting, directing, production, voice, theatre history and literature, design, set construction and painting, stage lighting, costuming, makeup, mime, and television production.

Honors Courses: The College offers honors courses that provide enhanced educational experiences for students who have demonstrated outstanding academic ability. Enrollment in honors courses is open to qualified students in this degree program, as well as all other qualified FLCC students. Successful completion of honors courses or an Honors Certificate may increase student transfer options to four-year institutions.

The Scholarships

The Lively Arts Council Theatre Arts Scholarship is awarded to a freshmen Theatre Arts student. Other scholarships are available to returning and graduating students. For details, contact a member of the Theatre Arts faculty or the Financial Aid Office.

The Experience

Our students participate in a variety of productions throughout their two years at FLCC, including two main stage plays each year, Children's Theatre Tour, Spring Arts Festival, one-act plays, and acting scenes.

Internships: Internships are available at Bristol Valley Playhouse in Naples, the Downstairs Cabaret Theatre in Rochester, and others.

Field Trips: Trips to a variety of locations are planned throughout the year. Past trips have included the Geva Theatre and Community Theatres, Rochester; Stratford and Shaw Festivals, Canada; Broadway Theatres, NBC and CNN Studios and Time Warner Communications, New York City; and ESPN Studios, Bristol, Connecticut

The Graduates

Graduates of the program have pursued baccalaureate degrees at SUNY Colleges at New Paltz, Fredonia, Brockport, Oswego, Purchase and Geneseo, Nazareth College of Rochester, Carnegie-Mellon University, SUNY University at Buffalo, Niagara University, American Musical and Dramatic Academy, and the University of Cincinnati.*

Careers: Graduates of the Theatre Arts degree program can pursue a variety of careers including positions such as actor; director; stage manager; technician; production assistant; scene, lighting, costume or sound designer; company manager; properties manager; makeup artist; theatrical agent; theatre teacher; drama coach; theatre critic; voice-over speaker; screenwriter/scriptwriter; model; public relations professional; business manager; communication skills consultant for businesses, youth groups and schools; and elementary education teacher.

* This is a sampling of some of the four-year colleges and universities to which our students have transferred. Please consult your advisor or the Center for Advisement and Personal Development for a complete listing of transfer agreements between Finger Lakes Community College and four-year institutions.

The Faculty

Professors in the Theatre Arts program hold master’s and/or doctorate degrees from such institutions as Syracuse University and The University of Georgia. They have also received additional certification in specialized areas such as mime and yoga. Our faculty members have extensive professional experience as directors, set and lighting designers, carpenters, stage managers, electricians and actors. Together, they have directed and designed more than sixty productions. They have been conference presenters and judges for various theatrical and oratorical events, and one professor has been a member of the board of directors for The Theatre Association of New York State.

Theatre Arts

Curriculum Requirements

Students are required to complete a minimum of 66 semester hours, with a grade point average of not less than C (2.0)

All associate degree programs require English 101 Freshman English and English 102 Introduction to Literature. Students must pass skills assessment for entrance into these courses. Students who are well prepared may substitute ENG 104 English I Honors and ENG 105 English II Honors for ENG101 and ENG102. Students who are considering the English Honors sequence should consult the Director of Honors.

Students must successfully complete:

Humanities

  • ENG101 Freshman English and ENG 102 Introduction to Literature
    or
    ENG104 English I Honors and ENG105 English II Honors

Social Science

  • 3 credit hours of HIS history electives
  • 9 credit hours of social science elect.

Mathematics and/or Science

  • 9 credit hours of mathematics and/or science electives (must include one math and one science course)

Theatre/Communications

  • THE 100 Play Production I
  • THE 101 Play Production II
  • THE 102 Acting I
  • THE 103 Acting II
  • THE 104 Introduction to Theatre
  • THE 106 Children's Theatre Tour
  • THE 115 Backstage Practicum
  • THE 200 Directing Workshop
  • THE 210 Introduction to Dramatic Literature
  • THE 215 Scene Shop Practicum
  • COM 111 Vocal Communication
  • COM 122 TV Advertising OR COM 123 TV Production I

Health/Physical Education

  • PE 181 Mime
  • 1 credit hour of health/physical education electives

General Electives

  • The remainder of the required hours must be made up of approved electives.

Students who are transferring to four-year institutions should follow the general education course requirements for transfer to SUNY and non-SUNY schools. View the general education requirements for more details.

Theatre Arts

Sample Schedule

The schedule below shows how the requirements for the AS Theatre Arts degree may be met in four semesters. This schedule is an example of one of many possible different schedules. It is included here only as an illustration of the type of schedule that might be followed by a full-time student. Many students attending Finger Lakes Community College who have work and/or family obligations choose a different sequence of courses and take more than four semesters to fulfill the requirements for the AS Theatre Arts degree. Similarly, students who find they need to take some additional course work to prepare them to do well in the types of courses included in the AS Theatre Arts degree program may plan a schedule that takes more than four semesters to complete the degree. All students should consult their advisors when they plan their schedules.

First Semester (16 Credit hours)

  • THE 100 Play Production I (3)
  • THE 102 Acting I (3)
  • THE 104 Introduction to Theatre (3)
  • ENG 101 Freshman English (3)
  • History Elective (3)
  • PE Elective (1)

Second Semester (18/19 Credit hours)

  • THE 101 Play Production II (3)
  • THE 103 Acting II (3)
  • THE 106 Children's Theatre Tour (3)
  • ENG 102 Introduction to Literature (3)
  • Social Science Elective (3)
  • Mathematics Elective (3/4)

Third Semester (16/18 Credit hours)

  • COM 111 Vocal Communication (3)
  • COM 122 Television Advertising OR COM 123 Television Production I (3/4)
  • Science Elective (3/4)
  • Social Science Elective (3)
  • PE 181 Mime (3)
  • THE 115 Backstage Practicum OR THE 215 Scene Shop Practicum (1)

Fourth Semester (16/17 Credit hours)

  • THE 200 Directing Workshop (3)
  • THE 210 Introduction to Dramatic Literature (3)
  • Social Science Elective (3)
  • Math/Science Elective (3/4)
  • Elective (3)
  • THE 115 Backstage Practicum OR THE 215 Scene Shop Practicum (1)