Course Overview!

The Bachelor of Arts in Theatre at California State University, Los Angeles provides a comprehensive education in the performing arts, emphasizing collaboration, diversity, and community engagement. Located in the heart of the entertainment industry, the program offers students unique opportunities to interact with Los Angeles' artistic community and explore diverse aspects of theatre. Students can specialize in either Performance or Design and Production, gaining practical experience through various production and performance opportunities. The curriculum blends theoretical coursework with hands-on learning, allowing students to develop their unique voices and artistic skills within a supportive environment.

Course Structure

The B.A. Theatre program consists of 120 total units, including 53 units in the major, 48 units of general education, and 19 free elective units. The major requires 29 units of core courses and 24 units of option-specific courses (either Performance or Design and Production). Core courses cover acting, theatre analysis, world theatre history, directing, performance research and writing, and various technical aspects such as stagecraft, lighting, costume, and sound. The chosen option (Performance or Design and Production) involves specific required courses and a participation requirement (6 units of production/performance experience) in addition to elective courses. The Performance option focuses on acting, voice, viewpoints, and performance-related courses, while the Design and Production option centers on stage management, arts management, and design-related courses, with a practical component.